Sadie Rigby in Two-Piece Workout Gear Reveals 5 Benefits of Free Weights

It might be tempting to work the machine circuit at the gym. However, according to one fitness expert, you are better off sticking to the free weights. Sade Rigby is a social media influencer and personal trainer with over 220,000 followers on Instagram. She is committed to encouraging a “strong, not skinny” approach to health and is a weight training devotee. “Not all machines are made for all body types, and thus can limit the effectiveness of the intended exercise,” she explains in the post. “Here are some reasons why I prioritize free weights in my training.” Here is everything you need to know about how free weights may be better than machines.

Free Weights Help Build Strength

First, she explains the strength benefits of lifting weights. “Free weights engage stabilizer muscles and require controlling the weight throughout the movement,” says Sadie. “This results in improved stability, coordination, and functional strength throughout the body.”

Free Weights Help with the Range of Motion

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Next, they help with range of motion. “Machines can’t cater to every body type,” she explains. “Free weights allow for a greater range of motion compared to machines, which are often limited by their fixed paths. This can result in more natural movements and improved flexibility/mobility over time.”

Related: The 11 Top Proteins for Weight Loss, According to Dave Asprey

Core Engagement

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Free weights are also superior when it comes to core engagement, she claims. “Many free weight exercises, such as squats and deadlifts, require core stabilization, leading to improved core strength and stability,” says Sadie. “Machines, on the other hand, often provide support for the body, reducing the need for core engagement.”

Functional Transfer

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Finally, they are better for what she calls functional transfer. “The strength and stability gained from free weight exercises tend to transfer better to real-life activities,” she says. “This makes weight training superior for longevity and athletic performance.”

Related: 15 Proven Ways to Sculpt Your Dream Body by An Expert Coach

She Also Recommends Progressive Overload

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In another post, she elaborates on the concept of progressive overload. “Sometimes we think progressive overload is just doing the same workouts over and over again. Progressive overload is gradually increasing the stress on our muscles, and there are multiple ways to achieve this!” she reveals. She recommends starting by increasing time under tension. “Add a pulse, slow down the exercise, do tempo work)” she says. Next, she says to increase the weight lifted, “or add a band,” she suggests. Finally, she suggests increasing volume, “add reps and/or sets,” she says.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you gravitate toward machines, try using free weights for a week and see if you notice any difference.

There is a big misconception that “leaning out” is the same thing as losing weight. According to fitness expert Sadie Rigby, this is not the case. Rigby, a social media influencer and personal trainer, is committed to encouraging a “strong, not skinny” approach to health. In a new Instagram post, she explains how losing weight to lean out isn’t something that should be your goal. “My advice for anyone trying to lean out,” the first blurb of her video reads. Here is why you shouldn’t try to lose weight and what you should do instead.

Losing Weight Is Not the Right Way to Lean Out

In the caption, Sadie explains that losing weight “is not an effective approach to leaning out because usually it means you’re going to eat less and try to burn calories.”

You Will End Up Looking “Weaker,” She Says

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“This never works because even if you do lose weight, a lot of it isn’t even body fat, so you end up looking the same, just weaker,” she continues. “Not to mention you’re miserable so you’ll just end up right back where you were!”

Related: 6 Health Myths Busted by Dietitians

Instead, You Should Strengthen Your Body

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“Strengthening your body, on the other hand, is going to mean you’re eating more healthy, nutrient-dense foods, developing metabolically active muscles that give your body shape and definition while simultaneously shedding body fat specifically!” she concludes in the post.

Increase the Weight You Are Lifting

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In the video, she adds that you should “stop trying to decrease your body weight” and instead “start increasing the dumbbell weight.”

Related: 6 Health Myths Busted by Dietitians

Here Is Why Progressive Overload is Important

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In another post, she elaborates on the concept of progressive overload. “Sometimes we think progressive overload is just doing the same workouts over and over again. Progressive overload is gradually increasing the stress on our muscles, and there are multiple ways to achieve this!” she says, mentioning a few ways to do it. The first? “Increase time under tension (add a pulse, slow down the exercise, do tempo work),” she says. The second is by increasing the weight lifted, “or add a band,” she suggests. Finally, the third is to increase volume, “add reps and sets,” she says.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to achieve a leaner-looking body, don’t try to lose weight. Instead, work on building lean muscle, which will offer the leaner look you desire. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Do you want a Pilates body without having to pay hundreds of dollars a month at a studio? Sadielee Thomas is famous for sharing her totally doable at-home workouts on social media. As part of her “10-Day Pilates-Inspired Foam Roller Challenge,” the influencer and NASM Certified Personal Trainer recently unveiled a 10-minute pilates-style workout that you can do in the comfort of your own home, without a reformer. “This Pilates Reformer inspired full body workout will leave your body shaking in just 10 minutes!” she writes in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about how to do the workout.

Pilates-Style Workout

For her “Full Body Strength,” she recommends 45 seconds on 15 seconds off for 5 rounds with 30 seconds of rest between rounds. Here is the workout, which she demonstrates in the clips.

1. Kneeling quad stretch
2. Static single-leg lunge with chest opener
3. Side-lying leg swings
4. Windshield wipers on foam roller

Glute Workout

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Sadielee recently shared a glute workout, recommending 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on your fitness level.”

1. Donkey kicks
2. Side-lying leg extensions
3. Standing glute kickback
4. Fire hydrants
5. Static glute bridge abductions

Related: 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

Walking Workout

Sadielee enjoys walking on the treadmill and recently shared a 50-minute walking workout. “Experience the ultimate blend of speed, incline, and interval challenges,” she wrote in in the caption.

1. 5 min warm-up - 3.5 speed
2. 10 min steady pace - 4.0 speed
3. 7 min incline walk - 3.5 speed
4. 5 min moderate pace - 3.5 speed
5. 8 min interval walk - 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed
6. 10 min speed variation - 4.0 ~ 4.5 speed
7. 5 min cooldown 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed

Core Workout

If you want abs like Sadielee, try her core workout, which she recently shared via her Instagram. “This particular workout didn’t single-handedly transform my core. However, incorporating movements like these, along with a diet tailored to my goals, was pivotal in achieving core transformation post-pregnancy,” she wrote, recommending 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on fitness level.”

1. Squat chops
2. Dumbbell windmills
3. Dumbbells around the world
4. Single-leg knee drive

Related: Brianna Joye in Exercise Set Reveals 3 Moves to Shape Your Arms and Waistline

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Sadielee recently gave her followers a glimpse at her daily diet, which doesn’t involve any meal prep and enables her to hit her macros. “I need quick, efficient, and easy to grab, but I also want it to taste yummy. My goal with nutrition right now is to just hit about 1g of protein per lb of body weight!” she says. She starts with yogurt and a Fairlife protein chocolate milk. For lunch, she eats “adult Lunchables,” which she makes with sliced turkey, cheese, edamame, grapes, nuts, and healthy crackers. For dinner, she has Chicken Kofta with Tzatziki and lemon rice. She finishes her day off with dessert, a cashew butter dark chocolate bar, and a “sleepy girl mocktail” made with cherry juice and Poppi soda.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to get into shape without having to leave your home, find an online fitness trainer who regularly shares workouts on social media and start trying them out.

Sadielee Thomas is sharing her glute workout – and all you need is an exercise band. In a new social media post, the influencer shows off her perfect glutes and demonstrates the exercises she does to maintain them. “POV: you realize you only need these 5 exercises & a band to tone and tighten your booty! 🍑” she wrote in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about her glute workout – plus her walking workout and the exercises responsible for her abs.

Muscle “Toning and Tightening” Involves “Muscle Growth and Fat Loss”

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Before she gets into the workout, she shares “some crucial points I’d like to emphasize,” namely that the idea of “toning or tightening” muscles is a misconception. “Rather, the process involves muscle growth and fat loss, which collectively sculpt the desired toned appearance. Despite the appeal of catchy phrases, it’s important to understand what it’ll actually take to reach your fitness goals,” she explains.

Related: 5 Mistakes I Stopped Making After Becoming a Dietitian

You Need to Consider the Nutrition

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“It’s important to recognize that no workout alone can lead to significant body fat reduction. For effective results, it’s important to complement your workout routine with a nutrition plan tailored to your goals. Remember, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in results,” she says.

Here Is Her Glute Workout

She recommends doing 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on your fitness level.”

1. Donkey kicks
2. Side-lying leg extensions
3. Standing glute kick back
4. Fire hydrants
5. Static glute bridge abductions

Here Is Her Walking Workout

Sadielee recently shared a 50-minute walking workout on the treadmill. “Experience the ultimate blend of speed, incline, and interval challenges,” she wrote.

Check out the workout ➡️

• 5 min warm up - 3.5 speed
• 10 min steady pace - 4.0 speed
• 7 min incline walk - 3.5 speed
• 5 min moderate pace - 3.5 speed
• 8 min interval walk - 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed
• 10 min speed variation - 4.0 ~ 4.5 speed
• 5 min cool down 3.0 ~ 3.5 speed

Here Is Her Core Workout

Sadie recently shared a core workout. “This particular workout didn’t single-handedly transform my core. However, incorporating movements like these, along with a diet tailored to my goals, was pivotal in achieving core transformation post-pregnancy,” she wrote in the caption, specifying that you should do 12 to 15 reps and 2 to 3 rounds “depending on fitness level.”

1. Squat chops
2. Dumbbell windmills
3. Dumbbell around the world
4. Single-leg knee drive

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to tone and tighten any part of your body, keep in mind that you will need to build muscle and burn fat. This usually involves a combination of dietary changes and fitness.

Having children and getting older is no excuse when it comes to fitness. Becky Greenan, a 37-year-old mother of two, is living, breathing proof that you can get into the best shape of your life after having kids. The fitness trainer and influencer has built up a following of nearly one million on Instagram, sharing effective, at-home workouts.

This week she dropped a new one that will change your body. “Upper & Core that will hit every muscle in your upper body with just 5 exercises,” she writes in the caption. Find out how to do the workout and see her amazing 10-year transformation on The Body Network.

Here Is the Workout

“I’m holding 10lbs and 5lbs,” she notes, suggesting 12 reps per exercise and 3 to 4 total sets.

1. Lean backs with front raise
2. Skull crusher with alt. leg raise
3. Alt. curl into press
4. Kneeling lateral raises
5. Push up into superman

Her 10-year Transformation Is Shocking

Becky also shared a shocking transformation photo on Instagram this week, “ 27 years old vs 37 years old with 2 kids,” she wrote in the caption. “My transformation didn’t take me 10 years to see results. But my progress hasn’t been linear either - especially with 2 pregnancies.

Related: I Lost 75 Pounds While Jumping Rope and Push Ups

Be Consistent, She Says

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What is one of the secrets behind her transformation? “One thing I’ve always been is CONSISTENT. I’ve always kept going and I’ve never given up on myself,” she says.

For Building Muscle, Lift Weights, Not Cardio

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“If you want to change your body composition by getting lean and adding curves - LIFT WEIGHTS. If you want to build confidence - LIFT WEIGHTS. Cardio isn’t going to give you the shape you’re looking for,” she points out.

Her Workouts Can Be Done with Resistance Bands and Dumbbells

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She adds that the majority of workouts on her fitness app only require resistance bands and dumbbells, and can be done at home. “YES it can be done and it’s what I’ve been doing for years,” she concludes.

Related: 15 Proven Ways to Sculpt Your Dream Body by An Expert Coach

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

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As for diet, Becky consumes “2000ish calories and 120ish protein,” per day. “Full day of meals on a rest day for this 37 year old mama of 2. Each meal contains carbs, protein and fats. I did an estimate of my calories and protein intake for you all. I usually eat more on lifting days because I’m hungrier,” she writes in a post.

1. 2 eggs, 2 egg whites and feta toast with butter

   400 calories / 25 protein

2. Apple with peanut butter, protein shake

   450 calories / 35 protein

3. Chicken thigh and leg, sweet potato and broccoli

   450 calories / 45 protein

4. Bun with turkey, and orange

   350 calories / 15 grams protein

5. Cucumber salad and cookies

   400 calories

💪🔥Body Booster: For a successful transformation, be consistent. Never give up on yourself and keep going.