5 Things PTs Do...That You Probably Don't

Not judging. Just saying

- Jessica Powell

Conspiracy theory: all personal trainers are cyborgs. It does sometimes feel like those who make fitness their life and career are specially engineered – with strength, tone and self-discipline on another level. But what if they’re not? What if they’re just normal, burger loving, cider-drinking layabouts like us – who have a few cunning tricks up their sweat-wicking sleeves? We asked. They answered. Emulate at your leisure.

 1 THEY FOAM ROLL BEFORE A WORKOUT

Yep, we’ve been reserving it for after training too (and as a head rest when lazing on the floor during a Netflix binge). “Foam rolling before a workout is more important than doing it after. It releases tight trigger points, so you’re more mobile when exercising,” says trainer to Melanie C Matt Roberts, who religiously rolls before every workout. A study in The Journal Of Strength And Conditioning Research found that just two minutes of foam rolling can increase your range of motion. More motion equals more calories burned, which equals higher probability of fitting into cut-off denim shorts.

YOUR TURN: Work up and down the whole length of the target area, then, when you find a tight spot, focus on rolling back and forth over it with small motions. Keep shifting position to work from all angles. Simples.

 2 THEY MAX THEIR MAGNESIUM