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REVIEW OF “THRIVE IN 5” FROM MUDDY STILETTOS

Uncategorised | 21 July, 2021 by Lucinda Newman-Jones

We were thrilled to receive the following review in highly regarded local lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos…

 

“Review: Thrive in 5

If you fancy getting your fitness fix from your front room, you’ll love the online Thrive in 5 programme from Surrey fitness trainer Lucinda Newman-Jones. You’ll feel fitter, stronger and healthier – and a bit smug at working out 5 times a week!

Lucinda Newman-Jones, Surrey fitness trainer, Thrive in 5, Her Strength

THE LOWDOWN

Thrive in 5 is an online exercise programme run by Surrey-based personal trainer and fitness expert Lucinda Newman-Jones who owns and runs Her Strength. There are five classes a week for five weeks – all centred around strength training. Classes are in real time – so you follow along with Lucinda who coaches, cajoles, encourages and inspires as you go along. Don’t think you can manage one more squat? With Lucinda leading, you’ll find you probably can!

There are currently three Thrive in 5 programmes to choose from – Strength and Tone, Power and Sculpt, and Express – with an Ultra Express programme coming soon. Each course is designed to improve strength and fitness.

THE TRAINER

Lucinda Newman-Jones, Surrey fitness trainer, Thrive in 5, Her Strength

Lucinda has been a personal trainer for 12 years, and her ethos and beliefs are quite refreshing in an industry that is often dominated and led by a desire to lose weight and create a beautiful bod. Lucinda’s fitness motivations are to empower and educate women to be fitter, stronger, more mobile and more confident. It’s all about improving physical wellbeing, which in turn promotes mental and emotional wellbeing.

Lucinda is an absolute powerhouse, incredibly likeable, and hugely inspirational. She is the epitome of a fit, powerful woman – and you can’t fail to be inspired by her energy, motivation and zest for exercise. And while I’ve yet to meet a woman – Lucinda aside – who wouldn’t love to drop a kilo or two, it’s quite empowering and inspiring when when it’s not the primary focus of your workout programme.

THE EXPERIENCE

I chose the Power and Sculpt fitness course which is made up of five workouts a week. Lucinda has created the programme to focus on different parts of the body during each workout, and she sets out a suggested schedule, although the course is completely flexible, so you can swap your workout days to suit yourself.

I followed Lucinda’s schedule mostly to the T, which meant that Mondays were total lower body, Tuesdays total upper body, abs and core, Wednesday was a rest day, Thursday was lower body, Friday was upper body and on Saturday the focus was cardio, core and whole body strength.

It felt like a good mix, and targeting a different part of the body each day gave you time to recover. Mostly I got up a bit earlier to fit the workouts in, although the flexibility also meant there were some days I did a lunch-time workout.

Each workout is made up of mini-circuits in groups of two, three or four exercises that are repeated. Lucinda will also often give options for easier or more challenging movements.

Lucinda’s coaching style is gentle and encouraging – she’s no drill sergeant shouting commands and demanding more and more from you. She sets a steady, non-rushed rate, but encourages you to work at your own controlled pace. She’s doing the workout too, at the same time – coaching, giving tips and advice on how to position your body, which muscles you’re using, and the correct technique.

THE LOCATION

Home based exercise

The beauty of these workouts is that you can do them anywhere – your bedroom, living room, garden, even the local park if you fancied it. And if you’re going away on holiday, all you need to do is pack your trainers and a laptop or tablet, and you’re pretty much all set.

ANYTHING ELSE

Equipment wise, a set of dumbbells, mini loop resistance bands, a step and a pilates ball is all that’s needed. But you don’t have to rush out and buy them. I already have dumbbells, but bought some resistances bands, which cost under £10. I don’t own a step, so for the course I used a tool box which doubles as a step, and for the pilates ball I used a cushion which I folded in half. If you don’t own dumbbells, you could easily use filled water bottles or tin cans.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Busy people who are looking for a regular exercise programme that offers flexibility while also having great structure and support from a fitness expert.

Not for: You’re pretty much accountable to only yourself, which means you’ll need a bit of self-motivation. If you’re the type who prefers to workout in a group, you may find this isn’t for you.

The damage: The course costs £50 in a one-off payment, which gives you access to all 25 workouts for a six week period. There’s also a handy PDF guide with tips on how to make the most of your course…. you can sign up and start anytime

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Follow Lucinda on Instagram for workouts and tips.”

I have been using the Her Strength on-demand workout subscription for over a year now and it is honestly absolutely amazing.  As a working mum of 3 kids it has helped me not only become physically stronger but has also helped me stay mentally strong too. 

I love the fact there is such a wide range of workouts to choose from and you can always find something to fit in with the time you have/ the style of workout you want to do.  Sometimes I follow the structured Thrive in 5 courses which are included in the subscription and are so helpful as you can follow a clear plan and it takes the need for planning/ thinking what workout to choose away.  Whilst other times, such as the school holidays when life is in less of a routine, i tend to just pick ad hoc workouts to fit the time I have.  I have even used the no equipment workouts whilst on holiday.

The actual workouts themselves are so clear and easy to follow – it is like having a proper PT session with Lucy with great cues to make sure you are getting the exercises right.

I think the other really important thing that using Lucy’s on-demand workout subscription has really helped me with is learning is that I can actually fit workouts into my week amidst the juggle of being a mum/ work/ life – it doesn’t need to take a huge amount of time or require leaving the house to go to the gym/ class and I can still get a really effective workout (and the important endorphin high afterwards!).

Lizzie Armstrong

I just wanted to reach out to you and say how truly grateful I am that I stumbled across your page.

I can’t tell you how much your workouts have enhanced my life. I’m stronger, happier in myself, it’s improved my relationship with my husband! I just absolutely love every second of your sessions.

I’m a very busy mum of 2 with 2 businesses and the platform just suits my lifestyle to a T! I know I’ve always got 10 minutes at least to do one of your 10 minute blitz sessions, even if my day is crazy busy!!

So ‘thank you’ Lucinda for being the best instructor I have EVER had (and I’ve seen a few over the years!) but seriously, your constant coaching, explaining, motivation is just 100% bang on! You get in my head!

Michelle Blanche

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