Emmerdale star Rebecca Sarker is taking a break from her busy filming schedule to enjoy some much-needed spa time. The actress posted pictures of herself wearing a one-piece swimsuit as she lounged in the sauna with the caption “Spa?…be rude not to.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sarker stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don’t miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!
Sarker doesn’t shy away from planks when it comes to her workout routine. “Plank exercises generally strengthen your ability to brace your abdominals,” says exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. “Planks can also activate other related muscles, such as your glutes (muscles in your buttocks), hamstrings (muscles in the backs of your thighs) and lower back.”
Sarker has an impressively muscular physique, thanks in part to her weight-training regimen. “When you do resistance or strength training, very important chains of molecules that relay signals between cells are affected, and these changes linger in the body for hours after exercise, building up a cumulative, positive effect,” says Roger A. Fielding, PhD, associate director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University Even a low-intensity strength and walking program has substantial benefits.”
Sarker enjoys getting out in the fresh air and canoeing with the family. Canoeing, or kayaking, is a great way to get fit while also having fun. “For people who just run and cycle, they tend to not have a lot of muscle mass in the upper body,” says François Billaut, an exercise physiology professor at Laval University in Quebec and the former head physiologist for the Canadian national kayaking team. “Kayaking offers a balance.”
Sarker likes to ride her bike as much as possible, an exercise that has many health benefits, especially for lower-body fitness. “One of the major benefits of cycling is that it’s low-impact,” says Jaclyn Kubiak, PT, DPT. “Your hamstrings are being activated at about 17%, your quadriceps at 17% and the glutes are at 15 to 17%.”
Sarker loves to relax through dance. Dancing has both mental and physical health benefits, experts say. “Pain, stress, and anxiety often go hand in hand with depression,” says Dr. Hanna Poikonen, a post-doctoral researcher at the Professorship for Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich. “Dance, music, and related expressive forms of therapy could help lessen mental fluctuations even before the onset of full depression.”