Becs Gentry is going for a run – in her workout gear. In a new social media post the Peloton coach shows off her washboard abs in a sports bra and short during a run. “Hi I’m Becs and I love to run. It’s funny as I’m also totally ok with not getting out for a daily run now (that took a lot of personal work all for the better of my mental health),” she writes in the Instagram caption. “I love to challenge myself and I love to run steady (also a newly acquired skill). No matter how I run when I’m training by myself, I get hot and sweaty and my tiger stripes show up. I’m proud of them (I used to wait to take the post workout pic until they went) because they are a sign I also showed up for me! My run this morning was joyful. I’m blessed to be able to move, today it was in a beautiful – hot and humid – location. But that’s quite clear from my smile right?!” How does the fitness instructor approach diet exercise and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.
What is the secret to staying fit? “We all know the lines – if Beyoncé has time, you can make time. But in all seriousness, it’s about finding a form of exercise which you can fit into your day because you enjoy it. There is nothing worse than feeling forced to train, as it then becomes low on the importance scale very quickly and you’ll slack off to do other things. Training with friends can make it easier to keep it up as you treat it like a meeting or a date – it’s important but it also fun,” she tells Grazia.
“I believe that in order to be a strong runner you must train in other disciplines,” says Becs. “I strive to keep my entire body strengthened through HIIT training – using body weight and light weights in high intensity circuits.” There is lots of research backing up the benefits of HIIT workouts, including body fat reduction, improved cardiovascular function, and mental health. It is also time effective.
She also focuses “on strength training with heavier weights” to increase her “power.” According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
Becas also does “some yoga or rehabilitation work at home” with her husband, “who specializes in corrective training.” There is a laundry list of reasons to do yoga, explains Harvard Health. “Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood,” they said. “People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga. Researchers attributed this to mindfulness. Mindful eating can lead to a more positive relationship with food and eating.”
“As a general rule, I run – all distances and speed training,” Becs says about the sport. What does she love most about running? “The freedom of mind it gives me. Without a doubt this is what drew me into running and has never left me. I enjoy every step, and with every mile my mind becomes clearer and my smile bigger. It reinvigorates me even when I am exhausted,” she said.