A Pilates instructor says this is the exact weekly workout routine she follows—and it only contains two Pilates sessions

Welcome to Workout Diaries, a new series where we ask expert trainers to talk us through what a week of exercise looks like for them, helping you figure out how to develop and maintain an effective workout routine

You might think that someone who owns a Pilates studio would dedicate all their time to Pilates workouts, but that’s definitely not the case for Rachel Lennon.

Instead, the instructor balances her weekly routine to include a mix of Pilates, cardio, and strength training.

“I think strength training should be a core part of most people's routines," she tells Fit&Well. “It's super beneficial, especially as we get older, to be lifting weights.”

Lennon qualified as a trainer over a decade ago, before discovering Pilates a few years later.

Impressed with its ability to improve mobility, core strength, and mental health, she decided to train as a Pilates instructor, but she never stopped lifting weights.

“You can really use what you've learned in Pilates and apply that to weight training. They complement each other really well,” she says.

Below, she's shared what a typical week of workouts looks like for her.

Keep in mind that this is the diary of a full-time trainer—if you’re new to working out, your exercise routine might look very different!

Rachel Lennon's weekly workout routine

Monday 6am
60-minute strength session
Focus: Lower body, with barbell squats and single-leg dumbbell exercises

Tuesday
Rest day with a long walk

Wednesday 6am
45-minute Pilates routine
Focus: Full-body

Thursday 6pm
5-kilometre run
Focus: Cardio

Friday 6am
30-minute CrossFit workout
Breakdown: 20 minutes of weightlifting, followed by a 10-minute high-intensity dumbbell workout

Saturday, 9am
45-minute Pilates workout
Focus: Glutes and core

Sunday
Rest day with a walk

Rachel Lennon Q&A

What are your priorities when it comes to working out?

“My goals in the past were a lot more aesthetics-focused. But now, I try to take the pressure off and do things that I enjoy,” Lennon says.

“Building strength is a good goal to have because it is completely away from the aesthetic side,” she adds.

“It's about challenging yourself and seeing if you can up your weights every week, and so that's why I like to do it.”

What type of workouts do you do?

“I enjoy going to group sessions,” Lennon says, explaining that she enjoys working out with others as it adds a sense of accountability.

“I do Pilates either at home or in the studio when I teach. The priority for me is my strength workouts, so lifting weights, and then doing Pilates for my mental health, mobility and core strength. I also like to do running or cardio once per week.”

How often do you aim to work out each week?

“I try to stick with around five days of exercise and then two days rest,” Lennon says.

“But obviously it is my job, so I do have more time to exercise.”

Do you usually hit this target?

“I've found a routine that really works for me so I do [hit my target] most weeks,” Lennon says.

However, she adds that she's not rigid with her routine. Occasionally, she will drop a session or reschedule, prioritizing rest if needed.

How long are your workouts?

“They are all between 30 minutes and an hour,” Lennon says.

She typically spends between 45 and 60 minutes on strength training and Pilates, but sticks to 30 minutes for CrossFit and cardio.

What time of day do you workout?

“Most days, it's the morning and I usually do one evening session in the week,” Lennon says.

“There's no specific reason for this apart from that it works for my routine.”

How do you find workout motivation?

“I always say that you will never regret a workout,” Lennon says.

According to the trainer, looking at her workouts as a promise she has to keep to herself has boosted her self-esteem and changed her approach to moving her body.

“The most important promises that you can keep are the ones to yourself,” she adds.

What's your number one tip for someone looking to develop an effective exercise routine?

“Find a form of movement that you love,” Lennon advises. “So whether it's Pilates or strength training or CrossFit, try a few different things out.”