As the temperature is beginning to drop, moody wet clouds appear to be looming overhead and the days are quickly drawing to a close, it feels far from appealing to stick to any sort of exercise regime this winter (or any winter, mind you). Sorry to burst your Netflix or Prime bubble but flexing 

your fingers don’t constitute exercise!

There are many reasons to pull yourself off from your sofa, out of your bed or off your office chair and get active in winter, starting with this one. Apart from staying in shape and avoiding those extra kilos from piling on, staying active can help boost those feel-good hormones, endorphins, give a positive oomph to your immune system and keep you feeling warmer. Not only is it a great way to support your physical health but also your mental wellbeing – a win-win really! 

Models Direct will take you on a little journey to show you that even with a little effort, the health benefits of exercising when it’s cold out there outweigh lounging indoors and being immobile. Fitness models with our agency are staying active during the winter period and not giving up because of the cold. Here’s a short guide to your ultimate winter workout which some of our fitness models also follow. Let’s go!

Easy access to the gym or classes

Join a nearby gym or exercise class to make it easier for you to pop into. If it’s accessible, it’ll hopefully keep you feeling motivated to get in there – so no excuses for not turning up! Think about enrolling on something you haven’t tried before to keep it fresh and interesting. Learning something new even if the year is drawing to a close – put aside the new year, new you mindset – doesn’t have to just apply when we welcome a new year. 

Get your dose of the sunshine vitamin

Whenever the weather looks pleasant (or if you don’t mind blustery showers or strong winds), get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Your winter time doesn’t have to be limited to indoor settings (as tempting as it is), your skin will definitely thank you for it. With the heating on, you’ll be exposing your skin to the constant whirling of dry, heated air which will only draw moisture out of your skin, leaving it feeling dehydrated, flaky or itchy. Embrace the sun even in the winter chill to get your daily dose of vitamin D, helping to reduce depression, fight diseases and boost weight loss. 

Work out at every opportunity

Exercising doesn’t always have to be intentional and scheduled into your day, it can be spontaneous and quite a lot of fun. When you’re putting your laundry out, maybe add in some squats, when you’re packing your dishes away, incorporate a few lunges (mind the dishes though!), opt for stairs instead of the escalator and take that long-overdue walk instead of the car. Every regular and varied action will have a big impact in the long run. 

Dress the part

Buy yourself comfy and on-trend sportswear to feel and look like you’re ready for exercise. There are so many different styles and designs available so something will be bound to catch your attention and tickle your fashion buds. 

Find an exercise pal

Life just isn’t the same without your bestie so if you’re finding it hard to arrange a meet up why not ask them to join you at the gym or on a run? Having a friend who is willing to help will encourage you both to persevere, stay focused and who knows? You might even be the one doing the prep talk and chasing them up about reminders! 

Here’s our final tip: Don’t forget to warm up. Why? Not just because exercise is recommended but because the chill can make your muscles contract making them more susceptible to injury. 

There you have it! If you like what you have read then head on over to our platforms, Facebook and Instagram to find out more. 

Even though models should feel fit and healthy all year round, we’ll excuse a few “heavy” days in late December. It should be a fun time, right?

The key to a guilt-free Christmas is to start your fitness regime now. Well, “regime” is perhaps the wrong word, as this evokes a disagreeable obligation. The run-up to Christmas should be quite the opposite: regular bite-size exercise routines that don’t feel like a chore, with the aim of feeling in peak condition by the time Christmas trees and tinsel are up.

So which are the best options for those of you looking to feel better – mentally and physically – pre-Christmas festivities. Read on for Model Direct’s fitness lowdown:

1. Get into a habit. Most people find having a recurring schedule easier to stick to. Having a weekly pattern will help massively, and you’ll quickly discover which time of the day you feel more enthusiastic. Some of you will be full of beans upon waking up, getting in a few minutes of exercise before breakfast, whilst others may prefer to work up a sweat on your lunch break. A lot of adult models prefer early evening workouts, and research suggests this is the optimal time for burning calories. Whatever your allocated time, try to stick to it.

2. Don’t go too hard too early. This is a common mistake amongst fitness newbies. Start with simple, 10 – 15 minute exercise workouts for the first couple of weeks, and gradually increase duration and intensity as you feel fitter. A good example is a short run, 10 press-ups and 30 sit-ups for the initial couple of weeks. Then, go from there!

3. Apps. Most of you will have Smartphones, and there are numerous fitness apps to download. Many of them are regulated by professionals, and if you find it more effective to stick to their routines, then go for it!

4. Don’t give up. No one will get noticeably fitter in a few days. You’re in for the long haul, so don’t get despondent if you don’t think you’ve been productive

5. Have an off day. Even professional athletes have a rest, so treat yourself with one or two days of inactivity so your batteries are recharged for more exercise.

6. Hydration. Drink water throughout the day to keep your body in tip-top condition. Also, eat well, but avoid junk food.

7. By all means join a gym – it may help with keeping to a schedule. Plus, is there any real reason to wait until January when gym membership can sometimes triple in numbers? On that note, if you stick to your pre-Christmas fitness programme, you may be in line to appear in one of our fitness modelling assignments in the New Year – gyms may need models to advertise their membership, so won’t it be an achievement if you get fit enough in the next three months to be put forward for these types of jobs? See this link for more information:

Don’t be a sheep and follow everyone else! Start your fitness schedule now and you won’t be guilty when you’re tucking into second helpings of Christmas pud! You’ll thank us for it!

BUT – if you answer in the affirmative to the following questions, a career as a sports model could be right up your street: 

• Do you enjoy tennis or other racquet sports?
• Are you capable on a football or rugby pitch (even if you say so yourself!)?
• Do you have gym membership and like to take advantage of it regularly?
• Is your figure favourable when sporting tight-fitting vests, shorts, or leggings?
• Do you like running a few circuits of an athletics track?
• Are you the type who wakes up at 8am to take part in boot camp training – and it’s your idea of a good time?
• Are you a personal trainer, or yoga practitioner? 
• Do you have a low body fat percentage?

A few “yes’s” to any of the above is a clear advantage in your quest to becoming a sports model. Also, it helps if you’re good looking! Plus – there are opportunities for both men and women, so the world of sports modelling is an open invitation for anyone who stays active and relishes keeping in tip-top condition.

Perhaps the best aspect of being a sports model is the feeling when an assignment goes perfectly, the model knowing all that hard work has paid off. Sports models rarely have an ideal modelling physique without putting in extensive effort; what’s better than getting paid by notable clients by starring in campaigns and promotions because you’ve cared for your body and lived a healthy life? 

With so many sports / fitness products out there, it’s hardly surprising sports models are in demand. But this makes it super competitive, although this shouldn’t put off athletes looking to dip their toes in the modelling industry. After all, competition is what makes sport popular, and models are no different. Sports models are confident, realistic, and always looking to better themselves. Pushing oneself and going the extra yard is what keeps them in perfect condition – and they love the workouts! 

Sports models don’t have to be narcissistic, but many are partial to practicing certain poses in front of a mirror. Lace up your trainers, put on your favourite tracksuit top and see how good you look serving a tennis ball. How about doing some squats with a barbell, or simulating a runner’s position before a 100m sprint? Perfecting sporting poses may also make you more comfortable on set – any little tips you pick up about the industry could pay dividends. 

Find out more here to become a sports model with us. Just think when you next visit the gym or play your next sports match and your friends ask what you’ve been up to…being a sports model is one of the most enviable jobs going, providing you continue working hard!