Sarah Louise Rector is a dynamic fitness trainer, dancer, model, and lifestyle host with over 16 years of experience empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals. With a passion for inspiring self-care and motivation, Sarah blends her expertise in dance and fitness into lively, energizing classes available through her app, The SLR LIFE.
In this interview, Sarah reveals her go-to self care rituals for post-workout recovery, emphasizes the importance of moving your body, and shares tips for maintaining fitness goals as we step into the new year.
1. What inspired you to start your fitness journey, and who or what has influenced you the most along the way?
My background in dance has always been the engine starter for movement and taking care of my body. When I moved from the U.K. to LA I loved how creative the fitness scene was here and decided to venture my career path into the fitness world and start helping others to feel good about themselves and not be intimidated to workout. I’m in my forties now and even more aware of how fitness makes me feel more confident and energized so the importance of doing it daily really does make my day feel more alive and accomplished. I would say my influencers have been clients that would come and take my classes in the early days of my career and speak so highly about how I teach and how motivating I make them feel. This has driven me over the last 8 years to keep finding ways to move the body with movements that are kind and create more functionality with the ability to perform them anytime anywhere. This is where my workout app The SLR LIFE came to life almost 4 years ago.
2. What does your typical workout routine look like, and what’s your go-to exercise when you’re short on time?
I’m someone that loves an all round full body workout. On the daily I personally try to get at least a 30 min session a day, with a weighted Pilates style session from the comfort of my home but I always do something from my workout app THE SLR LIFE. Sometimes I can only accommodate 15 mins for “myself” and I would do a STRONG BODY MOVES video from the app. But when I’m training private clients, some clients like me to workout with them to help their motivation so I’m definitely getting in a great workout! I’m a big lover of getting in my steps, either with my dogs on a walk or I’ve become a fan of my REVO walking pad at home which I would never have thought that would be something for me but I love it. I often include The SLR LIFE arm sculpting exercises at the same time with my BALA bangle wrist weights.
3. How has your fitness journey influenced your skincare or beauty routine?
Well I always love that post workout glow!! In my early days of teaching 10 classes a week I was very challenged with my skin. I’d never been someone to go through skin issues, but I kept breaking out extremely badly around my early - mid thirties so I knew I had to start finding out what products suited my skin and lifestyle. Now I’m totally obsessed with my skin care routine and I get so excited to do my morning and nighttime routine (even if I’ve had a late night I’m still 100% doing it!) I’m very consistent with brands and products I love. I’ve added some more aging style products into the mix and am totally obsessed with red light therapy on my face as well as face steaming. My whole routine is a ritual to the point where every day I feel like I’ve been and had a facial!
4. What role does rest and recovery play in your fitness plan? Do you use any specific tools or products?
I need my rest, and thankfully I’m a very good sleeper so my 8-9 hours of sleep a night plays a huge part. I’ve also become the biggest fan of the HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat. This has been a big game changer in my household! I’ve never been someone that would take a nap or meditate during the day but since I’ve had it, I’ve found myself taking breaks and laying on the mat and even starting to get more into mediating. The infrared heat is so soothing especially on days when my body is a little aching from workouts and now 10 mins before bed you can guarantee I’ll be laying down on it getting my PEMF in (level 1 Delta before bed).
I am also a big lover of infrared saunas but sometimes I just find it hard to fit during my schedule and then post sauna wet hair etc… so the HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat is my absolute biggest recommendation for wellness and TLC for the body! I just travelled overseas and couldn’t wait to get back and lay on my mat!
5. What are your favorite recovery rituals after a workout?
Stretching! My advice to someone who has no interest in lifting weights or working out is to at least stretch your body! I also like to use my REVO massage gun if I’ve got a little extra tightness in certain areas as it’s a quick and easy tool to use and navigate around the body. Plus I always wash my face and do my beauty regimen, shower, and put a nice outfit on to really feel great in myself!
6. How do you include meditation in your fitness routine, and what benefits have you noticed from it?
This has never been something I’ve been good at. I feel I’ve always got a million things to do in my head especially as a business owner. I like a Kundalini class, but with my work scheduling, business and life, I find it hard to fit going to class in my day. So, at home, meditating has been a huge challenge for me. However, as mentioned before, my HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat is getting me into a more meditational practice. I know how good the benefits of meditating are so I’m keen to keep practicing and extremely thankful that I’ve finally found something that is helping me face my meditating challenge.
7. Do you have advice for someone trying to start a new fitness habit for the new year?
I always say treat it like an appointment that you would show up to. Book a class, sign up to a fitness program, hire a trainer, or get an accountability partner. For example, on my workout app, ‘The SLR LIFE’ you can select on demand videos and automatically add them to your phone's calendar so it’s like an “appointment.” Scheduling keeps you in the swing and even if it’s a 15 min session, you're always benefiting! Plus, if you're newer to fitness try not to overwhelm yourself. Start small and build up to bigger sessions.
8. What strategies do you use to avoid falling off track with fitness goals after the new year motivation fades?
Be realistic with your workout goals. If working out at least 5 days a week does not look possible to you then start with 3 days and work your way up. Be mindful of any diets, don’t throw yourself in at the deep end and go cold turkey. Do baby steps, reduce rather than fully cut anything out!
9. What’s the key to turning a new year’s resolution into a long term habit?
Love what you do. If going into a gym to run on a treadmill feels like a chore then try a fun workout class or at home workout app. Like I said before, treat it like an appointment for yourself, remember it should be exciting that you are showing up to take care of yourself for body and mind. Go with baby steps first then before you know it, it becomes a lifestyle and that’s when you’re on the right track.
10. If you could share one piece of advice for overall wellness, what would it be?
Take care of YOU and live the best balanced life!
For more tips on achieving full body wellness and fitness advice, follow Sarah Louise Rector's journey on her Instagram: @theslr_life.
