Don’t go into hibernation! Improve your strength, increase flexibility and boost mood with this low-impact workout routine
WORDS: CIARA MCGINLEY
What Is The 3-2-8 Workout?
Created by UK Pilates and barre instructor Natalie Rose, founder of virtual Body by Barre studio (bodybybarrestudio.com), the 3-2-8 method is the latest fitness trend to know about. Since Natalie shared the method online, she’s gained millions of views on social media and now has thousands of loyal fans who swear by this workout.
The method consists of three strength training sessions and two Pilates or barre workouts per week, plus 8,000 steps per day. Alternatively, you can swap this for three Pilates or barre workouts and two strength training sessions, depending on your preference.
Natalie was inspired to develop this routine by her own experience with PCOS and her need for a low-impact workout. She also wanted to help her clients struggling to find an effective exercise regime that fits within their busy lifestyles.
“Creating a strong, mobile body is vital to health. So I developed a routine that incorporates weight training for strength and hypertrophy (muscle development), plus barre and Pilates for mobility and flexibility,” Natalie explains.
She added walking to help burn more calories throughout the day and promote active rest days between training sessions.
Put it all together and you have the 3-2-8 method.
Why You Should Try It Now
The 3-2-8 workout is a great routine to embrace at this time of year, especially if you can no longer do the activities you enjoyed in the summer, such as tennis, cold water swimming or gardening.
This method will help keep activity and energy levels high as the days shorten and cold weather sets in. According to Natalie, it has endless benefits for physical health, too.
“From increased strength and fat loss to improved cardiovascular fitness, my clients are more mobile and experience less joint pain since doing this workout routine. They also have more energy throughout the day,” Natalie says.
Georgie Spurling, fitness instructor and Founder of the Arvra Wellness App (arvra.co.uk) points out that this method is also beneficial for mental health.
“These workouts help produce endorphins, our happy hormones.”
Benefits Of Barre and Pilates
