6 reasons to move on your lunch break, according to PT Sophie Grace Holmes
We talked to personal trainer Sophie Grace Holmes, on the benefits of making the most of your lunch break by fitting in a workout. Here’s what she had to say.
- Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
Working out at lunchtime is the best way to clear your head so you are ready to work in the afternoon. It will increase your clarity, focus and help you to become more goal-oriented at work. The post-lunchtime dip is quite high amongst office workers. So if you can get out, get to the gym, or get a workout in you’ll be re-energised and ready to tackle the afternoon.
- Make Physical Gains
Working out at lunch is about working towards becoming a better you. Not only physically in terms of your heart, your lungs, but also your strength. When you spend a lot of time in a working environment, physical exercise will help to improve the way you work and also your focus throughout the day.
- A Chance To Get Outdoors
I do a lot of my sessions outside in the summer which is really nice. If you can workout and get some sunshine you’re going to be attacking the afternoon even more.
- No Time? No Problem
You don’t actually have to be working out for the full lunch hour. Just 20 minutes is enough if you are doing the right workout and you are doing it non-stop. If you don’t have a gym membership you could do a HIIT workout outside or if you are able to have access to any kind of weights you could do an EMOM (every minute on the minute) for 20 minutes or AMRAP which is a maximum number of reps in a set amount of time. If you really do push yourself as hard as you can there is a way to train even when you are really busy.
- Maximise Your Nutrition
It’s best to eat after your workout if you really want to feel the benefits. A lot of people break around 12/12.30pm and you don’t want to be having your lunch an hour before that. Assuming you’ve had your breakfast and an easily digestible snack like a banana in the morning, you can go straight into a workout. Post workout, you want to focus on getting a high protein and high-fat meal in alongside some carbs to really get the benefit. Especially if your goal is to do with weight loss or generally getting fitter.
- Increase Your Productivity
You’re going to be re-energised, more motivated to tackle the tasks you have ahead of you if you workout at lunch. You will have a high productivity rate and you will probably be more willing to push yourself harder. The beauty of working out is that it releases all kinds of good endorphins and gives you a new burst of energy. If you sit down for too long you do tend to get lethargic but if you get up and move your body, especially if you are doing short sharp workouts, it will set you up for the rest of the day. You will find you feel more confident, happier and want to push yourself more in work.
