TRAIN LIKE SAM: TIPS FROM A CROSSFITTER

ASK FOR HELP

It can be daunting, I know, but the coaches are there to help – so make the most of it when you’re in the gym and have access to one. Every Crossfit session has at least one coach on hand so, if you’re unsure, ask to borrow them for five minutes. The trainers work there because they love it; it’s their passion and they want to pass that on.

COUNT YOURSELF LUCKY

If I’m tired or just can’t face getting myself to a cold gym for rounds of squats, I try to turn my thinking around: not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to work out or challenge their body in this way, so I remind myself of how lucky I am. It serves as powerful motivation.

SHOOT YOUR FORM

Even at the top level when I’m really in touch with my body, my form can falter or I settle into bad habits. If you’re training by yourself or don’t have a coach on hand, set your phone up in line with your body and check your form afterwards. Seeing your body mid-move from a different angle can make all the difference and you can always show the video to a more experienced friend or trainer to get feedback.

CHEAT – BUT JUST ONCE

If you’re eating a lot of prepped meals to help you reach your training goals, it’s par for the course that it can get a bit dull and monotonous – which is why I’m all for a cheat meal. I finish training earlier than usual on a Saturday, so that’s usually when I’ll head out with friends, relax and eat whatever I want. It’s not a day-long binge, but one meal that then keeps me motivated throughout the next week.

BREAK IT DOWN

The amazing thing about Crossfit is that there’s always something new to try and always something to learn, whatever your fitness level. I never did any gymnastics as a child, so kicking upside down on the rings to perform a handstand press-up was really scary. It was one of the biggest body challenges I’ve ever faced, but I took it slowly and broke the movement down; so first I learned to kick up to the rings, then learned control when the rings were close to the floor, then kept practising as the rings got higher and higher. It’s the Crossfit way, which is why anyone can go, get a great workout and progress on their own terms.

MIX MEALS WITH SUPPS

I’m training pretty much every day so, to build and maintain muscle, I need to consume a good amount of protein. It’s easier during a busy day to get this from shakes and bars, but that makes it all the more important that the meals I eat are full of nutrients from high-quality sources. A mix of balanced meals and timesaving supplements works for me.

USE RECOVERY TO GAIN PERSPECTIVE

When I had shoulder surgery in 2016, it was tough to stay positive. As well as concentrating on the rehab my shoulder needed, I focused on the things I could still do with my doctor’s say so, the different moves and areas I could work on and build stronger, which kept me on track. Otherwise it would have been easy to become depressed and feel lost.