Fit Shuffle – a dynamic app to meet your fitness needs and create your custom workout list.
We are changing the world with technology and technology is changing us, changing our bodies in profound ways. We have become more sedentary, though we can communicate long distance. We can access news from across the world but are alienated from our own selves. Long hours to drive to work, long hours at work have made us weaker versions of ourselves. On an eventful day, enlightenment dawns on us, that we have been misusing the body for so long, and that the body is not an exception to the rules of entropy! Wisdom need not be retrospective. We can choose to change the way we live. After all, we have this one body to actualize our dreams; this one body to house the spirit! You make a resolution to exercise. The resolution dwindles in a few days or weeks. The gym is too far, or you don’t like the particular workout style. You have no time, or you are too diffident to step out of your house. You want to exercise at home but the fitness app you have does not provide you a workout that suits your current level of fitness. A personal trainer would be of great help, but you can’t afford one. These are not mere excuses, say the trainers behind the newest fitness app on the block – Fit Shuffle.
Fit Shuffle is designed to meet your needs. It is more than an app and a workout guide. It is your fitness partner. The workout routines in Fit Shuffle app have been designed by certified trainers and champion athletes. You have the option to choose from a variety of genres such as Yoga, Taekwon-do drills informed by the ancient wisdom of the East. You can access yogalates, a low-intensive training module or opt for High-Intensity Interval Training. The more adventurous and advanced fitness enthusiast can challenge themselves to do mixed martial arts drills or army-style intensive training such as the ruck and sandbag workouts. Fit Shuffle gives you the option to create your personal playlist of exercises and shuffle them for variety. Fit Shuffle is designed to help you make fitness a habit and sustain it.
Laura Flannagan is a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified instructor and one of the trainers featured on Fit Shuffle. She shares her journey to fitness and why Fit Shuffle is the best fitness app in this exclusive interview.
1. WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS STORY?
I would say, my initiation to fitness happened at a very young age and I have been exploring a multitude of fitness regimens, ever since.
My fitness journey has not been a linear, straight road to success! Over the past ten years, I made a lot of mistakes, did many unhealthy things and went backward at times, but I also learned a lot in the process. I never gave up. Fitness is a journey and always will be.
2. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR EXPERIENCES ON THIS JOURNEY TO FITNESS?
I enjoyed gymnastics, sports, and dancing in school. Later, in my teen years, I adopted yoga to help with anxiety. Yoga became an essential daily practice as I reaped its benefits. My passion for yoga led me to Pilates. After high school, I started running, doing sprints and some weight lifting at home with dumbbells, I bought at a fitness store.
These were activities I loved to do. It is not far from the truth if I say, I discovered fitness by doing what I enjoyed and over years fitness became my passion. I experimented with kickboxing, Zumba, Reformer Pilates, Tracey Anderson Method, bodyweight exercises, high-intensity interval training, heavy weight lifting. etc. I love trying out various things.
3. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BE A CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER?
Fitness is an integral part of my lifestyle and has helped me at every stage of my life. I love how exercise makes me feel strong, confident, and powerful. Exercise helps me relax. The act of exercising fills me with the joy of knowing that I can accomplish many things and my body is the perfect instrument to help me achieve my goals. I believe everyone deserves to feel this way and this inspired me to become a certified personal trainer in yoga and Pilates.
4. IS THERE A RIGHT AGE TO START FITNESS? WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO YOUR VIEWERS/STUDENTS?
I believe fitness is about being in sync with your body and mind and this is important for anyone at any age. I know, many feel intimidated with fitness and gym and working out. I would define fitness as being ‘consciously active’.
Get moving where ever and whatever age. Even if it is walking down the street, across the parking lot or dancing alone in your house to your favorite songs. Try a variety of things and do what makes you happy and just keep moving.
Be consciously active!
5. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU ON YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY?
Yoga was my first deliberate fitness practice. Yoga helped me to deal with stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Being fit (in body) is just one (essential) part in wellness.
Fitness gave me both mental and physical stamina. It made me feel strong and be strong. This is what motivates me to this day!
6. DID YOU EVER FEEL YOU COULD NOT CONTINUE YOUR FITNESS REGIME? HOW DID YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF THEN? WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE FITNESS?
Yes, I went through a fitness-dark phase too!
The months when I was pregnant and right after I had my son were hard. My body went through a lot of changes. At times, I felt, I hit ZERO motivation.
I believe the journey to fitness begins in the mind.
I listened to my body, but I constantly reminded myself of the benefits of exercise for both my baby and me. I did what I could until I could get back to my best. I took little steps towards getting stronger every day
Fitness is therapy for me. It is a dose of instant happiness! At a personal level, I have a sense of accomplishment and pride that I have a consistent fitness routine.
I am even more motivated to continue my fitness regime after having my son. One can’t teach fitness, one can only model fitness by being fit! I want my example to model a fit life for my son and many more.
7. WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS FITNESS REGIMES THAT YOU FOLLOW?
I like to diversify my fitness routine. Currently, I do weight lifting at the gym 3-4 days a week, Yoga and Pilates 2-3 days a week, and a few HIIT workout classes a month. I like to go on hiking and walks outside with my family.
8. AS AN INSTRUCTOR, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAJOR OBSTACLE THAT STUDENTS FACE?
The only obstacle one could have is not having a strong enough reason to reach one’s health and fitness goals.
I urge my clients to list out the reasons why they must exercise and to get back to this list when they feel demotivated. Motivation is fleeting! Capture it on your list of reasons and refer to it constantly. Once why you need to be fit is clear to yourself, you will do whatever it takes to get it done!
Make ‘your well-being’- ‘your priority’. This will ensure that you take the steps needed to reach your health and fitness goals.
9. CAN YOU SUGGEST FEW EXERCISES THAT EVERYONE CAN DO EVEN ON A NO-WORK OUT DAY?
Rest is a vital part of a fitness program. It is important to give your body rest but that doesn’t mean just sitting and doing nothing.
It is important to move your body in some way every day. Whether it is just some light stretching, restorative yoga, or a walk thru a beautiful park. Do something that is good for your body and mind. I am reminded of a quote that taking ten steps brings us nearer to our goals than a mile of intention!
10. HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR STUDENTS/OR WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE THE STUDENTS REGARDING THEIR FOOD/EXERCISE/MENTAL CONDITIONING?
I always suggest starting with your WHY.
Figure out why you want to start/continue/revamp a fitness regime. If the reason you are doing it is not strong enough you will find so many excuses (and there will be a lot) why NOT to keep up with your healthy eating and fitness goals.
Secondly, find a fitness plan that you love!
Something that makes you feel amazing and something that you will want to keep doing it. Don’t give up until you find something you love because if you don’t enjoy that exercise you are doing you will not continue, simple as that.
Lastly, (but arguably one of the most important things) focus on what goes into your body and give it things that make it feel great. If you love your body, it will love you back. Results come from consistency so do workouts you love and eat healthy food you enjoy so you keep doing it and keep working towards your goals.
And, WATER. Lots and lots of water.
11. WHO ARE YOUR FITNESS IDOLS?
I have a lot but two of my favorite ones are Tammy Hembrow and Brittany Perille. They are both moms and inspiring examples of how to stay healthy, strong and work towards fitness goals every day.
12. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE FITNESS GOALS FOR YOUR 30S/40S/ OR TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW?
I want to continue learning and shine the spirit in me that keeps me motivated to reach more fitness goals and be an inspiration to many. I would like to progress in weight lifting/resistance training as well as my yoga and Pilates practices. I want to model healthy living, with a healthy body and a healthy mind.
13. WHAT COMPETITIONS HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN?
Multiple long distances running races and modeling competitions.
14. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SPECIAL/DIFFERENT ABOUT FIT SHUFFLE?
Fit Shuffle addresses two key elements – variety and convenience. Fit Shuffle enables you to explore different exercises, so fitness becomes fun but also at your convenience. Life is busy and to be able to get a good workout whenever you can, even if it is just for 10 minutes makes a huge difference. Fit Shuffle makes reaching your fitness goals fun and convenient!
16. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Forest bathing, hiking, going to the beach, skiing, etc. I love traveling, listening to audiobooks, different healthy creations in my kitchen and playing with my son.
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORK-OUT SONG?
I have TOO many!!
I like to start my work out with ones that get me excited and ready. Some of those are Thunder by Imagine Dragons, I Can’t Stop by Flux Pavilion and many others. Music makes a workout even better so find music that you love to move to.
18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?
Saturday because we usually do some family outdoor activity like a hike, walk, picnic, etc.
19. WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT FITNESS CHALLENGE YOU HAVE TAKEN UP UNTIL NOW?
Getting back into shape after having a baby! I lost most of my strength and had to completely start over. It was challenging but also extremely rewarding. I had to work hard to get back in shape and the results for all my efforts have been doubly rewarding because it instilled in me a new appreciation for my body.
