5. START LOW IMPACT

While bobsled might not get much press over here, in the States, it’s a big winter sport and one that their athletes excel in at the winter Olympics. Training is gruelling and long, with sessions combining power and speed to help competitors really get an edge on their rivals. Lauren Gibbs won silver at the 2018 winter games, and she says that because of the usual intensity of her workouts, she likes to kick off each season by focussing on building core strength. Rather than smashing weights or clocking up the miles, she prefers to choose activities that challenge her flexibility, balance and body awareness.

“When I return from the off-season, I start with pilates,” she says, explaining that it allows her to “get moving again and get (her) body ready for higher intensity training.”

6. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

Ask anyone who’s had a stress injury and nine times out of then, they’ll tell you that they’d had niggles before the muscle or bone gave out. Our bodies are great at letting us know when they need a break, but we’re not so great at listening or acting on those signals. Lauren stresses the importance of really tapping into our bodies and acting on what they tell us. If you need a rest, take a rest. If you’ve got sore knees, do something about it.

“What most people miss when they are trying to stay in shape is the preparation and recovery piece,” she says. “To push your body hard you have to take care of it, and pilates is a great place to start.”

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