The Holy Exercise Trinity: 10k Steps, Pilates, and Strength Training

Every now and then, a new fitness crave saturates the market. From hot girl walks to the latest pilates boom , it’s as if you’re always being sold a way to get your body right. Truly, your exercise routine should be crafted solely from what makes you feel good, energized and excited.

However, if you’re out of ideas and are looking for a structure of exercise that’s simple yet effective, the combination of 10,000 daily steps, pilates, and strength training seems to be every hot girl’s summer secret. Whether you’re looking to switch up a workout routine or are ready to live your best Lori Harvey life , here’s some insight into why 10,000 steps, pilates, and strength training may be your holy exercise trinity.

10,000 Steps

While the average American walks about 4,000 steps a day, setting a goal of 10,000 steps can be miraculous for your health. It can reduce your risk of things, like heart disease, high blood pressure and depression. If you’re able to do your steps outdoors, walking in nature can significantly increase mental health. It also can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

A low-impact exercise accessible for all levels, going on a brisk walk is not a vigorous task. Therefore, it’s easy to maintain over time, which is an important factor for long-term weight loss. Walking five miles a day will elevate your heart rate and activate muscles, like your quads, glutes, calves and hamstrings. This helps burn calories and strengthen your lower body.

While getting to 10,000 steps isn’t the easiest to attain if you aren’t in a walkable city, little things, like opting for further parking spots and taking the stairs, can bump your step count up exponentially.

Pilates

The intersection of physical health and spiritual mindfulness, pilates is the latest rave in girl world and for good reason. There are countless benefits to the practice. Pilates can build and tone lean muscle, improve posture and flexibility and reduce stress. Lori Harvey played a crucial role in the sudden rise of pilates popularity amongst Black women. She shared that it’s the source of her famous rock-hard abs. As a former equestrian who struggled with joint pain, she felt like she had hit the jackpot when she stumbled across the resistance-based practice.

Whether in a studio or opting classes on YouTube, there are so many ways to begin your practice.

Strength Training

By reducing body fat, increasing muscle mass and burning calories, strength training stands as one of the most effective forms of exercise. While free weights, barbells and machines are game changers, practicing body weight exercises, like pushups, pullups, planks, lunges and squats, can be transformative without any added weight. Research shows that three sets of 12 to 15 repetitions with the proper weight focused on a specific muscle groups can completely evolve your body, so long as you’re supplementing with the proper rest.

It’s also important to note that strength training doesn’t mean you’re lifting the heaviest you can lift. In fact, it can be unsafe without proper form and building your way up. You don’t have to deadlift 280 lbs in order to reap the benefits of strength training. Using 10 lb dumbbells for your arm exercises and gradually working your way up is ideal.

Combining All Three

With a dollop of each of these kinds of exercises, you can build your strongest, healthiest body yet. Strength training will build muscle. Pilates will tone and lengthen, and the 10,000 steps will aid in maintaining a healthy weight along the way. There’s no goal weight or perfect formula to attain. The only thing that matters is that you listen to your body and move it accordingly.

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