6 Things PTs Do That You Probably Don't

Not judging. Just saying

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

- Jessica Powell

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 afterwards,’ says Mel C’s trainer Matt Roberts, who religiously rolls before every workout. ‘It releases tight trigger points, so you’re more mobile when exercising.’ 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 kilojoules 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. When you find a tight spot, focus on rolling back and forth over it with small motions. Keep shifting positions to work from all angles. Simple.

2 They max their magnesium

When the man who hones Victoria’s Secret models speaks, we listen. That man – Dan Roberts – tells us that he takes a magnesium supplement every day. Dietitian Helen Bond vouches for this. ‘Magnesium is important for releasing energy from food for muscles to contract, for nerves to function and to maintain healthy bones,’ she says.