By Stacey Friedberg
Rebecca Louise bio
Rebecca, who is originally from England and now lives across the sea in Los Angeles, is also the founder of the top subscribed fitness app BTES where people come to learn her tips and tricks to keeping fit.
Rebecca Louise: making paddling a part of your fitness routine!
Being out on the water is a workout whether you know it or not, but world famous fitness trainer and celebrity coach Rebecca Louise has made it a part of her routine and others to keep fit and healthy.
We spoke one-on-one with Rebecca about why being out on the water is so important to her, how she makes paddling a part of her routine and all about her upcoming world adventures!
Why is being out on the water so important to you and your mindset as a person?
Being out in the fresh air and in nature is great for everyone’s mentality. There is something about being around water that is calming, soothing for our brain and can help release stress and unwind our mind. For me being in the water grounds me, it’s also playful so you can be silly and have fun! Both of these aspects make it it important to incorporate being in and on the water important to my mindset and wellbeing.
You kayak, canoe and paddle board… which is your favourite to do in California and why?
My favourite to do anywhere is paddle board because it’s a great workout for your full body. You work your core by testing your balance, your arms are working with each paddle and you get a killer legs and booty workout in!
You are originally from England. Where did you like being out on the water most while living there?
Well it is definitely a little chiller in England to be in the water! I have done lots of kayaking and canoeing school trips, even capsized once! We would play the game of putting all your kayaks together and running across the front end one at a time without falling in. Not sure it was the smartest idea, it was definitely fun though! In the summer you can get in the ocean without it being too cold. We lived 15 minutes from the beach in Eastbourne and I used to love swimming out to the rocks, being in the salt water and rock pooling.
What types of paddle boarding fitness tips can you give our readers? What parts of the body does paddle boarding help?
Paddle boarding is a great full body workout plus it’s a fun way to get your cardio in. When you use your paddles the water creates its own resistance bands for you that will help sculpt and tone your upper body. It takes stability to stand on the board and core strength! With every single paddle you are twisting your core, building your obliques and engaging your core. The main muscles we are using are your legs and gluten, bend your knees on the board and lean forward for an extra booty burn! These movements are great for strength and resistance training. We also get our heart rate up paddling and focusing on staying on the board!
Where have been some of your favourite places to be out on the water?
First place that comes to mind is the Galapagos! I got into the water around the corner where the seals were hanging out and one lonely penguin swam right beside me. It was a magical moment, very quick, yet I can stay. I was swimming with a penguin in the wild. My other favourite memory was in the Maldives swimming and snorkelling first thing in the morning. The air and colours of the skies are beautiful, so peaceful and full of harmony. I loved just floating around, being in the water without a care in the world!
Where are some places you want to travel to and explore in the future?
Travel is my favourite and I have been to 40 countries and counting. I definitely have New Zealand on my list because of the adventure and outdoor activities, plus I have family there I would love to see! I would love to visit Brazil, Argentina and Peru to experience new cultures. Mostly I am excited to attempt to summit Mount Everest in 2022! I have been training in the Alps and Ecuador so far and looking forward to more trips this year!
You are obviously in great shape… What is your own daily fitness routine like? And what do you do to prepare for adventures you go on?
Each week my goal is to workout with a trainer twice in a gym, film workouts for 2-3 hours, average two live workouts a week and get in one hot yoga class. When I travel I like to find local classes which helps make sure I get a great workout in, always look for hotels that have a wellness aspect to them and take my supplements with me. Nutrition is 80% of how you look, feel and what fuels you to perform at your best. If you are traveling, preparing for an adventure or at home schedule daily exercise and focus on getting more good food in your body!
What tips can you give to those who are fairly new at paddle boarding?
Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously! Start off kneeling on the board to give you a little more stability, as you stand up keep your knees bent to help with your balance. Hold your core tight and when you stand own it! Get your body in a confident position and tell yourself “I’ve got this!” It is amazing what some self-talk to your mind can do your physical body.
You balance on a board, but how do you balance all your other endeavours in life?
I think life is all about finding your rhythm rather than trying to balance everything. Some weeks you workout more, some weeks you work more and sometimes you play more. Think about your life as a whole 365 days, what did you do last year? Rather than analysing each day and trying to ‘balance’ everything into one day. Most important is to not to beat yourself up, spend the energy focusing on the future, learn from what didn’t work, how you felt and move on!
Anything else ‘paddling’ related you wish to add?
One of the best times I had paddle boarding was with my dad in Hawaii, although he was trying to push me off it was great family bonding time! Take the time to get out into the water, we all need to reset, to connect with nature and why not get a workout in too!
