What excercises should women in their early 30s do for optimal fitness and performance

For women in their early 30s aiming for optimal fitness and performance, Stacy Sims provides several key recommendations :

1. Resistance Training:

   • Frequency: Engage in resistance training 3-4 times per week.
   • Focus on Compound Movements: These include exercises like squats and deadlifts that recruit multiple muscle groups.
   • Periodization: Implement six-week blocks for structured progress.
   • Intensity: Train to failure to increase strength and hypertrophy 1.

2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT):

   • Include high-intensity work to boost body composition, metabolic control, insulin sensitivity, brain health, and reduce cortisol levels.
   • Perform true HIIT sessions with one to four minutes at 80% or more effort, or sprint intervals with full effort for less than 30 seconds, a couple of times a week 2.

3. Avoid Moderate Intensity Cardio:

   • Avoid programs like Orange Theory and F45, which often lead to moderate intensity workouts that don't optimally benefit body composition and may elevate cortisol without the beneficial hormonal response 3.

     Optimal Fitness Training

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     Stacy shares valuable insights on the importance of focusing on movement quality before diving into resistance training, the significance of compound movements and periodization in your thirties, and the necessity of learning proper movement techniques to prevent injuries in your forties.

     

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4. Personal Enjoyment:

   • Make sure the exercises are enjoyable to sustain long-term physical activity. If resistance training with heavy weights isn't appealing, consider machine-based exercises or other fun physical activities that can still improve fitness levels 4.

5. Cardio Recommendations:

   • Maintain a balance between cardio and resistance training. Too much cardio, especially chronic cardio, can raise cortisol levels, which might not be beneficial for overall health.
   • Emphasize high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for cardiovascular work rather than prolonged moderate-intensity exercises 5.

By following this structured and varied approach, women in their early 30s can optimize fitness and performance while maintaining a balanced and enjoyable exercise routine.

Based on the guidance from Stacy Sims, here is an example weekly exercise routine for women in their early 30s aiming for optimal fitness and performance:

Monday: Resistance Training

• Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Main Workout:
  • Squats: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Bench Press: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
• Cool Down: Stretching focusing on major muscle groups

Tuesday: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

• Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio
• Main Workout:
  • 30 seconds all-out sprints (on rower, bike, or running) followed by 2-3 minutes of recovery, repeated 6-8 times
• Cool Down: Light cardio followed by stretching

Wednesday: Rest or Active Recovery

• Active recovery activities like yoga, swimming, or light stretching

Thursday: Resistance Training

• Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Main Workout:
  • Lunges: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Pull-Ups or Lat Pulldowns: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
• Cool Down: Stretching focusing on major muscle groups used

Friday: Rest or Active Recovery

• Active recovery such as a casual walk, yoga, or light stretching

Saturday: Resistance Training

• Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Main Workout:
  • Bent Over Rows: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Hip Thrusts: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
  • Dumbbell Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
• Cool Down: Stretching focusing on major muscle groups used

Sunday: Cardio or Rest

• Main Workout:
  • Option 1: Rest for full recovery
  • Option 2: Long, low-intensity cardio such as hiking, biking, or a long walk

General Notes:

• Make sure the exercises are enjoyable and engaging to ensure long-term consistency.
• Adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition are important for recovery and progress.
• Balance between high-intensity work and adequate recovery is key to avoid overtraining.

This routine strikes a balance between resistance training and high-intensity cardio, incorporating sufficient rest and active recovery days to optimize overall fitness 1 2 3 4.

Here are some effective at-home calisthenics exercises that you can perform without any equipment, as recommended by Andrew Huberman and his discussion with Andy Galpin on the Huberman Lab:

Core Exercises

1. Bird Dog:

   • Get on all fours and extend your right arm forward while simultaneously extending your left leg backward. Hold for a few seconds and then switch sides.
   • Maintain a strong, stable core to prevent any side-to-side tilting.
   • Great for spine stability and core strength 1.

2. Side Plank:

   • Lie on one side, then prop yourself up on one elbow, keeping your body in a straight line.
   • Hold this position for 8-10 seconds and gradually increase hold time as you progress.
   • Strengthens obliques and improves core stability 2.

3. Curl-Up:

   • Lie flat on your back with one knee bent and the other leg straight. Perform a small crunch by lifting only your head and shoulders off the floor.
   • Useful for lower back and abdominal muscle strengthening 3.

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Upper Body Exercises

1. Push-Ups:

   • Start in a plank position with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Lower your body till your chest touches the ground and push back up.
   • Perform as many as you can in one go to improve chest, shoulder, and tricep strength 4.

2. Plank:

   • Hold a plank position, either on your hands or forearms, maintaining a straight line from head to heels.
   • Excellent for overall core and shoulder stability 4.

Lower Body Exercises

1. Air Squats:

   • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Lower down into a squat position, keeping your chest up, and then stand back up.
   • Helps in building leg and glute strength 4.

2. Lunges:

   • Step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Push back up to the starting position and switch legs.
   • Targets quads, hamstrings, and glutes.

Full Body and Mobility Exercises

1. Wall Sits:
   • Slide down a wall until your thighs are parallel to the floor, hold for as long as possible.
   • Strengthens lower body muscles and enhances muscular endurance 4.

Neck Strengthening

1. Neck Contractions:
   • Place your fists under your jaw and try to push your chin down against the resistance of your fists.
   • Strengthens the front neck muscles, improving posture and spine health 5.

These exercises can be easily incorporated into your daily routine to maintain overall fitness and strength without the need for any equipment.

Here's a suggested weekly routine for at-home calisthenics exercises based on the principles discussed by Andrew Huberman and Andy Galpin on the Huberman Lab, ensuring you get a balanced approach to resistance training and movement.

Weekly Calisthenics Routine

Monday

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio (e.g., jogging in place, jumping jacks)
• Core:
  • Bird Dog: 3 sets of 10 per side
  • Curl-Up: 3 sets of 10
• Upper Body:
  • Push-Ups: 3 sets of max reps
  • Plank: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds
• Cool-down: Stretching

Tuesday

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Lower Body:
  • Air Squats: 3 sets of 15-20
  • Lunges: 3 sets of 10 per leg
  • Wall Sits: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds
• Cool-down: Stretching

Wednesday

• Active Recovery/Rest Day:
  • Light activity like walking or gentle yoga
  • Optional: Work on mobility/flexibility exercises

Thursday

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Core:
  • Side Plank: 3 sets of 10-30 seconds per side
  • Bird Dog: 3 sets of 10 per side
• Upper Body:
  • Push-Ups: 3 sets of max reps
  • Plank: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds
• Cool-down: Stretching

Friday

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Lower Body:
  • Air Squats: 3 sets of 15-20
  • Lunges: 3 sets of 10 per leg
  • Wall Sits: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds
• Cool-down: Stretching

Saturday

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of light cardio
• Full Body:
  • Push-Ups: 3 sets of max reps
  • Air Squats: 3 sets of 15-20
  • Plank: 3 sets of 30-60 seconds
• Cool-down: Stretching

Sunday

• Rest Day:
  • Full rest or engage in light, enjoyable physical activity

Notes:

• Consistency: Aim for daily movement whether it's resistance training, cardio, or light active recovery.
• Listen to Your Body: Adjust the intensity and volume based on how your body feels. Rest and recovery are crucial.
• Progression: Gradually increase the number of reps or duration of holds as you get stronger.

Remember, incorporating both cardiovascular and resistance training is essential for overall health and well-being. It not only benefits your body but also improves mood and mental health 1.