SIMONE DE LA RUE
by Robin mcgraw
What a treat it was to chat this week with professional dancer turned Hollywood’s hottest fitness expert, Simone De La Rue; She is just a ray of pure sunshine! Very upbeat and so much fun! Simone shared with me the story of how she built her fitness brand, Body By Simone, and let me in on all of her best health and exercise secrets! With studios in New York, Los Angeles, and London, BBS workouts combine dance cardio with resistance training in a relaxed, upbeat, supportive and ego-free environment. Simone’s classes are designed for ALL ages. She tells me she even has a client who is 79 years old! Simone believes everyone can dance, and I agree! Her advice is the best: “Don’t take yourself too seriously!” She reminds us to have fun and “Connect with your inner child!”
Simone is so contagiously passionate about not only the physical health benefits of dance, but also the self-care aspects and emotional advantages! She tells me, “Dance is a sport and an art! Simply moving your body helps to shift your energy around. Had a not so stellar day? Turn on your favorite song, close your bedroom door and let loose!” You’ll feel happier, we promise! Dance moves you emotionally and spiritually and is a proven mood-booster!
Check out Simone’s great tips to physically and mentally engage in an at-home workout routine:
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Carve out just 10 minutes and MOVE! (Try 10 minutes 1-3 times a day, at varying times)
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Get dressed for your workout first thing in the morning. If you’re still working from home, this should be easy to include in your morning routine!
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DON’T put pressure on yourself! The more you pressure yourself, the less likely you are to actually work out.
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Set small, achievable goals and slowly build off of them.
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Choose a specific muscle group to work for 10 minutes.
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Suggestions for effective 10-minute workouts:
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Jump rope - you'll be elevating your heart rate to a higher intensity than it's used to. High-intensity workouts have been shown to make your heart stronger and decrease your risk of stroke and heart disease.
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HIIT cardio - a combination of short, very high-intensity bursts of cardio exercise, followed by equal or longer periods of rest. Think 30 seconds to a minute of sprinting, followed by a minute or two of walking or slow jogging. Repeat this cycle for just 10 minutes.
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Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.
As anyone who has ever tried an exercise plan knows, motivation can dip…even for the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts! Simone shared with us some great tips for staying encouraged: Get creative! Discover different ways to get exercise in, like long walks, hikes, or if you have stairs in your house; USE THEM! Run or walk up and down them for 10 minutes straight. Don’t be afraid to shake it up! Step outside your comfort zone and experiment with new workout styles from the comfort of your own home!
As if I wasn’t already inspired by Simone’s graceful, powerful and fun personality, she wowed me even further as she discussed having her first baby at the age of 43! Precious Oscar! Simone is trained as a Pre & Post Natal Exercise Specialist and teaches strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, agility, and balance for each stage of pregnancy and even beyond the postpartum phase. Simone tells us she exercised throughout the course of her entire pregnancy, right up until she gave birth! She has dedicated an entire section of her app to pre and post-natal exercise, something I think so many expectant and new moms can really benefit from.
It’s no secret that starting a fitness regimen or joining a gym can be intimidating! Simone has built her incredible brand on the belief that uplifting each other is the key to a successful, balanced lifestyle.
To discover your own joy for dance cardio and learn more, check out https://www.bodybysimone.com and find her on Instagram: @bodybysimone