FLASH stands for Fit Ladies Always Stay Healthy
Manama: Two Bahraini women, Alaa Al Shaikh and Noor Al Hulaibi, have recently started a new fitness concept called FLASH, which stands for Fit Ladies Always Stay Healthy.
They are both certified as Master Trainers by one of the top fitness institutes, the UK-based European Institute of Fitness. This not only qualifies them as fitness instructors, but also as personal and group trainers, exercise specialists, motivational coaches, nutrition coaches, lifestyle coaches and fitness entrepreneurs.
They specialise in different exercises working with different groups of women: elderly people, adolescents, people with diabetes, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, pregnancy and post pregnancy as well as postural retraining and corrective exercise including functional training for sports, rehabilitation and back care.
Both Al Shaikh and Al Hulaibi have always been into sports, both were sprinters at school and as kids they have always been very keen into eating healthy.
Al Shaikh grew up around three brothers, who have been into sports, bodybuilding and Brazilian Jujitsu. By the time she was 20, she started personal training as a side job and later became certified.
As a teenager, Al Hulaibi always watched out what she ate, participated in school fitness programmes and danced since she was a 14-year-old. She is also a physiotherapist with six years experience from Ahlia University in Bahrain.
The FLASH team aims to help women achieve all their needs in one stop.
“Most ladies fitness centres in Bahrain target ‘only’ weight loss, and they do not have the one-stop place where clients can get it all. Women usually join a gym yet go seek a nutritionist to help them with their diet or join those food delivery companies; they do not have someone who is experienced to motivate them,” the FLASH team said.
“This is why FLASH team is different as it will be the one stop for all women who need workout from the inside to the outside. Our target is not just weight loss; we believe that beauty is within and it is not based on how you look nor the amount of make-up you have on,” they explained. “Most women spend a lot of money on expensive bags and make-up, but when it comes to the inner health, they lack it. You need to remember that your greatest wealth is health. If you do not love yourself enough, you will never be able to reach your goals.”
“This is why our approach is unlike other personal trainers. While we are training you, we will make sure you realise how loving yourself is extremely important. Without it, you will not have the patience, the discipline, the commitment nor the self-respect to start a healthy lifestyle. Being healthy is not a phase; it is a lifestyle with no expiration date.
“Our unique fitness approach provides our clients with a personalised and comprehensive approach to healthy living. We customise a programme for each client that includes a progressive strength training (weight lifting & cardio) and fat-burning nutrition. We strive to give you continuous encouragement and support you need to succeed in reaching your personal goals,” they added.
The FLASH team claims to have helped a teenage girl lose 20kg in a year with the help of exercise and a healthy eating lifestyle. They are currently giving new classes and seminars and are working with two different fitness centres in Bahrain.
They also have an insight to share with women who are trying to work out during Ramadan, which they called ‘Fasted workout’.
“Fasted workout will force your body to primarily use glycogen (stored carbs) to fuel exercise. Therefore your body is forced to find and burn other energy sources, such as fat. So if you want to lose fat and weight, the best time to work out during Ramadan is one hour before you break your fast. Fasted cardio works effectively for women with stubborn fat problem areas like the lower back, lower abs or thighs,” they explained.
“Those who want to build muscles should understand that when glycogen is in short supply, they may lose muscles too. Solution is cut down cardio during Ramadan and focus on weights. Working out one hour before breaking your fast is fine as long as it’s for just one hour; also have a quick digested protein within 30 minutes after your workout. You will need to manage your diet by eating high protein meals with reasonable amount of carbs. Also make sure to have protein shakes twice a day: preferably a fast absorption protein such as Whey protein immediately after workout and a low absorption protein such as Casein protein right before your bedtime or your last meal of the day. Doing so, will actually make big changes in building muscles during Ramadan,” they added.
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