Elite Gymnast Lauren Hannaford Shares Fitness Secrets

Victoria Webster

May 16, 2016

Celebrities, athletes and Olympians alike seek her out to be their own personal trainer. She’s even toured with The Wiggles (she’s now engaged to co-star Simon Pryce).

Luckily for us, however, Loz has also pioneered a signature exercise style that’s accessible to us mere mortals.

It’s called Functional High Intensity Training (FHIT), a core-focused, weight-free program designed to get results fast.

The Carousel chatted to the IsoWhey Sports ambassador about how it all works, her own fitness, diet tips and how her new fiancé is the best form of inspiration.

What is your advice to beginners who don’t exercise much? How can they become more fit? 

Take baby steps to improve your fitness by moving your body a little more every day. You don’t need to go 100% straight away, as you can scare or hurt yourself by going to hard too soon.

Between dancing, gymnastics and being a fitness model, when did you feel the most fit?

I would say that I am currently at my peak of fitness. Fitness is a work in progress, which is why we need to integrate it into our lifestyle every day whether it be consciously or subconsciously.

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Loz showing us what correct hand stand technique looks like. Image: @lozhannaford

Tell us all about FHIT

FHIT is my signature style of high-intensity bodyweight interval training, which I created while touring the world.  My program differs from other workouts as it utilises my knowledge of gymnastic exercises which focus on strength, conditioning and cardio.

How does it help you engage your core strength? Why is this so important?

The core muscles are the vital link in a chain connecting your upper and lower body, so it is important to keep it strong, preliminarily to help prevent injury from occurring. FHIT includes exercises that are bodyweight based, which really engage the core ensuring that it exposes and works the muscles.

Can you give us some examples of exercises you include and why?

There are so many. In FHIT a gymnastics inspired exercise is called the dish, it assists in developing strong core strength which allows you can hold positions, such as a handstand. Others include frog runs, front support salutes, l-sit leg pulses and turning squat jumps. Every one of these exercises works the whole body, where you are engaging your core creating stability, technique, strength and active flexibility.

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The Dish by Lauren. @lozhannaford

How does it help you to lose weight and gain muscle?

When you’re working at a high intensity, your heart rate rises and therefore encourages your body to burn more fat. These body weight exercises create resistance on your body, which helps to build strength and therefore give you longer, leaner muscles.

What does your diet look like?

Diet is really important to make your mind and body feel great! I make sure that I stick to a well-balanced diet, including protein, fresh vegetables, fruit and lots and lots of water. I believe it’s really important to treat yourself, so every once and a while, I do to keep myself balanced. I try to eat smaller portions, more regularly, so that I don’t overeat throughout the day.

You are a known celebrity and Olympian personal trainer. Who were your favourite people to train and why?

I have loved working with so many, in particular The Wiggles and Captain Feathersword, however my preference is training athletes. It’s quite funny, I sometimes have big, tough footy players coming in to a workout not really knowing what they’re in for when they see me, then end up exhausted in a pool of sweat. 

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How does she make it look so effortless? Image: @lozhannaford

 

 

What were the highlights of your time with The Wiggles?

It’s really hard to pinpoint just one, as there are really are so many. The Wiggles’ shows really do bring enjoyment into children’s lives, seeing their faces light up and knowing you’re a part of that – is really lovely. Another highlight over the years is the distance my fiancé Simon and I have covered running all over the world – it is a really great way to explore a city, or town when you’re travelling.

Who inspires you?

On an industry level, my inspiration would have to be Michelle Bridges. It’s really hard to maintain longevity and she has managed to do that in this business, which is really motivating! On a personal level, this may sound cliché but my fiancé Simon really does inspire me the most. From the moment I met him, I had this fire inside me and when you have that feeling you’re inspired to achieve great things. Inspiration is driven by emotion and motivation, and Simon is both those things for me.

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The happy couple- Loz and Simon. Image: @lozhannaford

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

By Victoria Webster

Victoria Webster is a contributor for The Carousel. She began her journalism career by studying Media and Communications at The University of Sydney.

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