See an expert

“There are some things one person needs that another doesn’t and vice versa, so I really recommend investing some money into seeing a professional, such as an osteopath, who can point out your weak spots,” says Tess.

For me, this has meant working with a handstand coach. Aaron has pointed out to me that my shoulder mobility is great, but that I need to work on the strength in my traps and the alignment of my hips to be able to push up in a straight line. It means that I can cross off the 20 minutes of my workout that I would have spent stretching and opening my shoulders, which I now know would be a waste of time. Instead, I can focus on the things I really need to improve on. Essentially, it’s best to spend your time working on your specific weaknesses, rather than generic weakness, which is hard to objectively work out yourself.

Start with the hardest part

The general rule of thumb in training is to start with your compound exercises such as squats and deadlifts while you still have the energy to complete the big, energetic moves. If gaining muscle or power is your goal, this can be really helpful as you can put your all into working multiple muscle groups and building functional strength.

With a skill-based goal such as a handstand, I find it easier to practise before I go into my strength training. This is because my arms are jelly after 45 minutes of lifting weights – not conducive to then attempting a good handstand. But also because handstands are a mental challenge, and my brain is often as exhausted as my body at the end of a workout.

It’s a task of prioritisation, which is less easy than it sounds, and will chop and change depending on your goal, your energy and your availability to train. But starting with the thing you care about is a good way to get your mind and body in the game.

Fitness goals: How to prioritise exercise and make progress in your workouts