Star Style HEALTH
Embrace the lunchtime
POWER HOUR! Why working out in your break is becoming one of the hottest trends in fitness
C
ould midday workouts be the key to smashing your fitspo goals? The lunchtimee ‘power hour’ workout is a rising trend in fitness – and Hema Prakash, APAC general manager at Mindbody, expects that to increase. ‘Employers are becomingg increasingly aware that lunchtime exercise means happier, more productivee workers, as they’re more focused after a workout,’ she explains.
KATE BOSWORTH
THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR
Totally slammed for time? Take inspo from Taylor Hill with a quick meditation sesh!
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WER HOUR 101
While exercising before work has itss benefits, it’s not worth sacrificing sleep urs. if you’re struggling to fit in eight hou ‘Lunchtime exercise offers the samee physical benefits as morning exercisse,’ Hema tells. ‘It can be less stressful tthan trying to squeeze exercise into a morning already busy with juggling work and d family, early starts or long commutes.’
PLAN AHEAD A Hema recommends bringing lunch from home, explainin ng ‘you can save 10 to 20 minutes that would ha ave been spent going out to buy food’.
ACTICAL BE PRA A slow Pilates or yoga sesh may be best if you're time-poo or. ‘Depending on the [workout] type, you may be able to skip a shower,’ Hema says.
YOU WILL ACHIEV VE MORE IN A DAY While some people can feel guilty about taking their full lunch break, a survey o reveals two thirds of employees who exercise in the morning or at middayy actually get more work done. ‘A lunchtime workout increases both happiness and productivity, so you’ll be of more value to your colleagues and managers by taking this time out for you,’ Hema reveals.
R YOUR WORKOUT TAILOR Conssider what you need that day. ‘If you’re havving a stressful day, meditation will help you find your Zen zone,’ says Hema.
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If yo our work doesn’t do a lot to encourage exercise, try to create your own incentives – suggest s a team yoga class!
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‘Exercising earlier sets you up for success for the entire day,’ Hema says. ‘It kickstarts “feel-good” hormones, such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, and revs up your metabolism so you’ll burn more kilojoules, even hours later, when you’re resting.’
