ALICE LIVEING’S STRENGTH WORKOUT
Celeb personal trainer Alice Liveing explains why strong is the new skinny
The last time we met up with Alice, she was still known by her former handle, Clean Eating Alice, and had recently finished touring in a production of Annie. Now, she’s rebranded herself with her real surname (no, she didn’t make it up); works as a full-time PT at Third Space, one of London’s most exclusive gyms, where she whips high-profile clients, including Suranne Jones and Maya Jama, into shape, and recently designed a sell-out range of fitness gear for Primark.
If she wasn’t so genuinely smiley, we’d feel a bit intimidated, but Alice properly knows her stuff, and she’s on a mission to get us to stop obsessing about the number on the scales and focus on building a strong, healthy body. It’s not just her name that’s changed. Alice explains how the whole fitness and diet industry is changing…
How has the way that you train in the gym shifted?
When I was a cardio-bunny, I saw exercise as a way of burning calories – I wasn’t really thinking about the exercise I was doing. Now, I care so much more about my physical health and the functionality of my body, so working out is about being able to be strong, lift things and move day to day. I’m using my body in a way that’s much more functional, rather than just to burn calories.
Do you think that women hitting the weights has coincided with the latest wave of feminism we’re seeing in the news?
Definitely! It’s amazing that women are embracing being strong – why shouldn’t we have just as much right to be in the weights section of the gym? When I started going to the gym, I remember being stared at and feeling really uncomfortable, like
‘There’s no magical secret or quick fix for motivation’
I was a piece of meat. I didn’t want to be ogled at – I just wanted to do a workout. But now, especially at the gym where I work, there are often more women than men in the weights section. Gone are the days when I thought there was a workout for a man and a workout for a woman. Both genders have the same ability to get as strong as each other – I have some male clients who are weaker than some of my female clients.
How do you measure your progress without hopping on the scales?
Your progression is very obvious, as you’ll be able to lift heavier weights week after week, or you’ll be able to do five push-ups when you were only able to do three before. When you’re trying to achieve a fitness goal, it’s never a straight route from A to B – especially with hormone fluctuations, which can really affect a scale weight, so a number on a scale is a really poor reflection of your progress. Instead, look at how strong you’re getting, your stamina, and your ability to lift a certain amount of weight.
What would you say to people who still suffer from gymtimidation?
The main downfall with strength training is the barrier to entry is far higher than cardio. Anyone can jump on a treadmill and run, or even walk. I want to educate people, so that they feel like they’ve got enough knowledge to be able to walk into the gym and smash out squats or dead lifts. I still learn stuff from the amazing coaches I follow on Instagram.
Working out is becoming as much about mental health as it is physical health…
Yes, and I’m working with Crowne Plaza to promote maximising your downtime. For me, travelling is a time of stress, particularly if I know I’m going to miss training sessions and be eating out in different places. Getting the most out of my downtime is really important, so that I can keep a track of my mental health. I love mindfulness apps and often I’ll get in five minutes of steady state breathing, listen to an audiobook or go for a walk.
What motivates you to hit the gym in the morning?
There’s no secret to motivation, or magical quick fix. The people who have long-term success tend to enjoy what they’re doing – they feel there is progression, so they’re not getting bored. They have a good amount of variety, whether that’s different exercises or classes. Goal setting is important, as it really helps you to knuckle down and feels great when you start to tick them off. There’s more to it than just aesthetic goals.