“It has to be something you actually look forward to”—a trainer shares the exact workout routine she does as a busy mom, Pilates instructor and studio owner

Welcome to Workout Diaries, a 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.

Emma Mahama is a Pilates instructor and the founder of Everbody Reformer, which has grown to three studios in London, U.K.

The most important thing for Mahama when working out is that she has fun.

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“My priority is enjoyment,” she says. “If I don’t enjoy it, I won’t stick to it.”

She tells Fit&Well that her love of working out inspired her to become a Pilates instructor. She loved the method, and wanted to do more of it and share it with others.

“It’s the same with going to the gym and weightlifting,” she adds. “I’ve found workouts I love, I feel good after doing them and that feeling is super motivating to me.”

Emma Mahama’s weekly workout routine

Mahama always works out in the morning, aiming for five training sessions a week.

“I am fortunate to have my own Pilates studios, so even if I’m busy, I will always aim to squeeze in a workout before or after I teach,” she says.

“I am a mom, so when there are school holidays, schedules change, but I always try to fit in my workouts.”

Here’s what a working week looks like for Mahama:

Monday
45min Pilates

Tuesday
45min Pilates

Wednesday
45min-plus strength training at the gym

Thursday
45min Pilates

Friday
45min-plus weightlifting

Emma Mahama’s tips for developing an exercise routine

1. Find something you enjoy doing

“People overcomplicate it, but if you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to keep it up,” says Mahama.

“That’s the biggest mistake. I see people forcing themselves into workouts they hate and then wondering why they fall off.

“It has to be something you actually look forward to, or at least don’t dread.”

For Mahama, this looks like Pilates, weightlifting and strength training, but your ideal routine may look completely different.

Mahama adds that once you’ve found something you enjoy, everything else gets easier.

“You show up more, you stay consistent, and you actually get results without it feeling like a constant battle.”

2. Find the right instructor

Once you’ve identified what you enjoy doing, you should find a professional to teach you to do it well.

“It’s about finding the right expert to guide you, so you’re actually doing things properly and getting results,” she says.

“After that, consistency comes naturally, because it fits into your life and doesn’t feel like a chore.”