We all know by now that cardio is good for your heart and you will lose weight doing it… right?! Well, a common myth around endurance athletes is that if you train enough, the weight will literally just fall off and come race day you will be lean, ripped and photo ready! It turns out that regular gym goers may not be getting the same runner’s high, but they are getting a host of other benefits from their strength program. Resistance training will not only preserve muscle mass but build muscle which will increase your metabolic rate and in turn increases the number of calories you’ll burn each day. Put simply, you can spend less time training and potentially lose more weight.
Strength training also has a range of other benefits such as increasing bone density, reducing your risk of injury and increasing mobility and flexibility. But, as the saying goes “abs are made in the kitchen” … so we turned to Suze Adams who is a PT, gym owner at VSC and nutrition coach to find out why she sees the combination of strength plus nutrition as the magic pill to a fit, healthy life…
What is it about strength training that you love?
I have been researching fitness since I was 16 years old, but at the age of 40 I am in the best shape of my life. The combination of Crossfit teamed with correct nutrition is the magic pill, and I have never been stronger, fitter or healthier.
What do you see as the important benefits of hitting the gym regularly?
We can give members an education and information that lasts a lifetime, and so exercise and good nutrition becomes part of their lifestyle. I like them to understand that how you treat your body now determines how you will feel and move in 10,20 or 50 years’ time!
What do you say to people who have never incorporated strength training into their lifestyle?
You have to start somewhere! And it is so important that you take this time out for yourself each day. Nothing feels better than feeling fit and healthy.
What are the biggest challenges that your clients have when they come to the gym?
I see members put 100% into training yet cannot show the same discipline when it comes to nutrition. It can be very frustrating for them as they don’t get results.
What are your top recommendations for athletes trying to lean off?
- Start saying no! You will not achieve your nutritional goals if you indulge at every occasion. There will always be events – you must learn to say no to alcohol and sugar!
- Each meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar… this is the Crossfit methodology.
- Ensure you fuel adequately pre-workout and replenish post work out
There are a huge range of nutrition products out there on the market – what do you see as the most important elements that your clients can include in their daily routines?
- Supergreens – even on the best diets full of vegetables and fruits a super green supplement is a massive boost for the immune system and energy levels. Personally, I’m too busy to get sick and touch wood, I never do!
- Protein and carb post work out – it is science – you need protein to repair and carbs to replenish, and one does not work without the other.
- Magnesium – athletes have a fast turnover of energy, use their muscles more and put stress on their bones, and so they require more magnesium.
Do you use Bindi products in your daily routine?
For years I have been taking a supergreen in a capsule and while it worked very well, a palm full of capsules first thing in the morning was not the most pleasant way to start the day. Bindi Supergreens tastes amazing, I even add ice and sip on it like it’s a cool drink. Also, as an athlete with a sensitive gut, I’ve tried many pea proteins. Bindi protein is at the top of the list for taste, texture and quality.
Suze demands a lot from her clients, both in the gym and in the kitchen. It is this commitment that sees genuine changes in their body composition and strength, and everyone’s plan is 100% individualised. Together with her clients they will set goals, commit to them and then achieve them – whether that is losing some pre-race weight or building strength for an endurance event or Crossfit competition.
