Core Collective’s Instructors Give Us The Fitness 101

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Everyone who follows us at The Amanqi Edit, knows that whenever we’re in London, we find our fitness haven with the coolest workout studio, Core Collective (the new Knightsbridge studio is major #Goals). Whether it’s one of their rejuvenating power yoga classes (Minnie Samengo’s classes are a favourite) or a challenging lift and row session, Core Collective never fails to disappoint.

As avid followers of the amazing instructors at Core Collective, we decided to do a round-up of their insider tips to achieve fitness (you’re going to want to take notes for this one). Here’s what the incredible Carl van Heerden, India Bailey and Jaime Tully have to say.

Photo: Courtesy of Core Collective

1) What’s The One Insider Tip for Someone Aspiring to Embark Upon A Healthier Lifestyle?

Carl: Commit to just one thing at a time for a set amount of time. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with trying to train regularly, eat healthier, sleep more etc. So over the next few weeks, why not commit to doing 4x training session per week for 4x weeks. Book the sessions in at the start of the week so that you can plan everything else around it. After 4x weeks, add in healthier meal options and consume a minimum of 2L of water per day, This takes you 8x weeks into simply living a healthier lifestyle.

Jaime: Take baby steps. Introduce a new regime slowly, whether it is exercise or diet, and have flexibility with it. Be kind to yourself if you mess it up.

India: Build the habit. If you want to change your lifestyle, it’s not going to magically happen over night. You need to understand that there will be work involved, and it’s going to be hardest at first – building and maintaining a new habit is not easy but it starts to become this way over time. Make small changes at first, lay down a strong foundation and then you will find you can layer up over time. Don’t take on too much at once! Be kind to yourself and set realistic goals.

2) What Pre-Workout Routine is A Must for Everyone?

Carl: Take a few minutes at the start of a training session to work on your mobility. Get a simple mobility routine that you can repeatedly do. Areas to focus on should be hips, shoulders, and spine. Here’s a simple routine to try: 2-3 Rounds of30sec sumo squat, 30sec downward dog, 30sec dragon (left) and 30sec dragon (right).

India: Hydration & Head-space – I usually spend 5-10 minutes before class or before working out really setting out my goals and intentions, getting into that ‘Sasha Fierce’ (lol but true) head space where I commit to the fact that I will not be taking ‘no’ for an answer. Make sure you never go hungry! I find it affects my output in a massive way.

Jaime: Sleep! You can’t drink from an empty cup.

3) What’s the One Power Ingredient Everyone Needs to Incorporate into Their Diets?

Carl: Peanut Butter… I do like Peanut Butter, but seriously, make sure you’re eating a balanced diet of complex carbs, fat and protein. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or paleo, make sure you’re eating enough protein which is the building blocks of the body.

India: I feel like everyone is different and has different needs. For example, I feel mentally and physically cleaner when I make sure to get my greens intake but I also feel my body needs carbs, however, I make sure to consume these before early afternoon and I get my protein after workouts and in the evening. Plenty of water is also key.

Jaime: Maca! I have recently introduced more adaptogens into my diet in order to support my adrenal system. They basically balance your hormones so you can manage your stress response on a day to day basis. They adapt to what your body needs can help regulate your mood. I have noticed a huge difference.

Photo: Courtesy of Core Collective

4) What’s The Best Way to De-Stress After A Long and Tiring Day?

Carl: A short run or walk without your mobile phone to clear your head, then a glass of wine or green tea (plus a glass of water), a few chapters of a good book and sleep. God I miss a glass of wine. I’m 4x months into one year of not drinking and I’m bored of it. Give your mind time to decompress every night.

India: Reading and a bath. I find that I spend a lot of my time in front of people and behind a computer – I cherish the little time I have alone, with a good book and an Epsom salt bath, its soothing, relaxing and you get to get away from the crazy world for a little bit!

Jaime: Read a book. Have a bath, maybe with a cheeky glass of wine. GET OFF YOUR PHONE.

5) What’s The Best Thing About Being A Core Collective Teacher?

Carl: The people I meet. And that’s not just something nice to say. I genuinely love meeting people who have decided to commit to making themselves a priority and train on a regular basis.

India: The sense of community – the team at Core Collective & our clients are like family to me. We don’t pretend we have this strong community and shout about it, it’s genuine, its authentic and you can feel that. It’s the reason I joined and its the reason I stay. We have a no-ego approach to the work that we do and to the clients that make up our incredible family.

Jaime: COMMUNITY. Our team is amazing, but our clients are what make it – I have been told by several people just how amazing our community is.

Photo: Courtesy of Core Collective

Follow Core Collective: @corecollective