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INSPIRATION AND ADVICE
TOP TIPS FROM OUR CLASS OF 2021
By Symone Keisha, 26 August 2021
It might be the holidays right now but the Under Armour Class of 2021 are schoolin’ us on living our best lives! We sat down with five mega athletes to talk sports, beauty, what it’s like to be part of Under Armour’s Class of 2021 – and ASOS (obvs!). So, whether you consider yourself a proper sporty spice or your fave workout is shuffling to the kitchen (no judgement here, bb), take notes from this girl gang of pros and their gems of advice, below ✍️
ANNA OLOYEDE – RUNNING
What do you love about being part of Class of 2021?
After the year we all had in 2020 where we were all chucked into a rollercoaster of unknowns, Class of 2021 makes me feel motivated and optimistic. We’re all slowly finding our feet again and have learnt how to be adaptable, which is important in all walks of life! We’ve realised how important community is to us all.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
Growing up, I loved sport (shout/out to my secondary-school year, who voted me most likely to go to the Olympics. Not quite sure how that’s going!), but I went through a phase of going through the motions and training because it’s what I’ve always done. Sometimes, you’ve got to switch things up, try something new and change your routine or environment to spark the joy again. Some people like to set a goal and work towards that, but for me it was the opposite. I felt like I was doing it for other people instead of myself. I’ve learnt to train for the enjoyment and to feel good, not to meet other people’s expectations. Always put yourself first.
What’s your go-to beauty product before a workout?
Before starting a workout in the winter, I always make sure I’ve got a super-hydrating lip balm on as I find cold weather and heavy breathing during exercise dries my lips out. SPF is an essential all year round for me, especially as I love working out outside and I want to keep my skin as healthy as possible.
Talk us through your post-workout look
Once my skincare routine is done, I’m straight into comfies. A cozy oversized tracksuit and my big fluffy blanket is essential.
After the year we all had in 2020 where we were all chucked into a rollercoaster of unknowns, Class of 2021 makes me feel motivated and optimistic. We’re all slowly finding our feet again and have learnt how to be adaptable, which is important in all walks of life! We’ve realised how important community is to us all.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
Growing up, I loved sport (shout/out to my secondary-school year, who voted me most likely to go to the Olympics. Not quite sure how that’s going!), but I went through a phase of going through the motions and training because it’s what I’ve always done. Sometimes, you’ve got to switch things up, try something new and change your routine or environment to spark the joy again. Some people like to set a goal and work towards that, but for me it was the opposite. I felt like I was doing it for other people instead of myself. I’ve learnt to train for the enjoyment and to feel good, not to meet other people’s expectations. Always put yourself first.
What’s your go-to beauty product before a workout?
Before starting a workout in the winter, I always make sure I’ve got a super-hydrating lip balm on as I find cold weather and heavy breathing during exercise dries my lips out. SPF is an essential all year round for me, especially as I love working out outside and I want to keep my skin as healthy as possible.
Talk us through your post-workout look
Once my skincare routine is done, I’m straight into comfies. A cozy oversized tracksuit and my big fluffy blanket is essential.
KALIA LAI – TRAINING
What’s your go-to beauty product before and after a workout?
Pre-workout: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray - the staying power is WILD if you need to go somewhere straight after your session. Post-workout: perfume and Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk lipstick.
What’s your favourite UA product?
The HOVR Mega MVMNT NM trainers. They are so versatile, whether you’re training, doing day-to-day life or looking for a cute way to make an outfit more casj. I've worn these trainers while running after someone who attempted to steal my phone, so yeah – very versatile! 😂
What's your workout mantra?
Every session is an opportunity to learn and get 1% better. Film yourself on your phone, review, change and repeat!
What's been your biggest learning curve?
The little things outside of training are the key to lasting progress and performance. I used to just put all my effort in the gym and that would be it. Now it’s all about nutrition, sufficient sleep, having a good immune system and getting a mobility routine in place.
What’s the best part about being an Under Armour ambassador?
Being a part of the UA Turf Games and becoming friends with Amanda reminded me of how lucky I am to be a UA ambassador. I made a great friend and it taught me to push through what I thought were my limits!
Pre-workout: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray - the staying power is WILD if you need to go somewhere straight after your session. Post-workout: perfume and Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk lipstick.
What’s your favourite UA product?
The HOVR Mega MVMNT NM trainers. They are so versatile, whether you’re training, doing day-to-day life or looking for a cute way to make an outfit more casj. I've worn these trainers while running after someone who attempted to steal my phone, so yeah – very versatile! 😂
What's your workout mantra?
Every session is an opportunity to learn and get 1% better. Film yourself on your phone, review, change and repeat!
What's been your biggest learning curve?
The little things outside of training are the key to lasting progress and performance. I used to just put all my effort in the gym and that would be it. Now it’s all about nutrition, sufficient sleep, having a good immune system and getting a mobility routine in place.
What’s the best part about being an Under Armour ambassador?
Being a part of the UA Turf Games and becoming friends with Amanda reminded me of how lucky I am to be a UA ambassador. I made a great friend and it taught me to push through what I thought were my limits!
ROSIE KMITA – PRO FOOTBALL
What’s your favourite UA product?
The leggings! They’re so comfortable and I didn’t feel restricted at all when exercising, which was great!
What do you look for in a workout buddy?
I look for someone who holds me accountable. I have days, like everyone does, where I struggle to motivate myself, so it’s in those moments that I need my workout buddy to tell me that I’m going to train regardless of how I feel. I also need to work out with someone who makes it enjoyable. Training, for me, is my release, so I want to enjoy it.
How do you know when to rest?
I used to really struggle with this. I would always work until I was completely burned out; however, recently I’ve realised that it’s so important to look after myself, regardless of how much you have going on. I’ve now made sure that when I plan my week on a Sunday evening, I have one day to completely switch off and not think about going to the gym or what I would like to achieve. I’ve felt so much better since then, because it allows me to reset, so I never feel completely worn out or run down.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
If I’m honest, confidence has been something I have struggled with throughout my life. I have learnt that if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will – it took me a very long time to figure that out.
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
For me, it’s more about the mental and emotional benefits of working out. After a workout, I feel highly motivated and productive, which inspires me to take this momentum with me through the rest of my day. I’ve realised throughout this past year that you can only control the controllable. For me, this is my work rate, effort, and desire. I take these values into my workouts and my day-to-day life. We’ve all had to adapt, so finding new ways to work out and push myself has been a process, but one I feel I have grown and developed from.
The leggings! They’re so comfortable and I didn’t feel restricted at all when exercising, which was great!
What do you look for in a workout buddy?
I look for someone who holds me accountable. I have days, like everyone does, where I struggle to motivate myself, so it’s in those moments that I need my workout buddy to tell me that I’m going to train regardless of how I feel. I also need to work out with someone who makes it enjoyable. Training, for me, is my release, so I want to enjoy it.
How do you know when to rest?
I used to really struggle with this. I would always work until I was completely burned out; however, recently I’ve realised that it’s so important to look after myself, regardless of how much you have going on. I’ve now made sure that when I plan my week on a Sunday evening, I have one day to completely switch off and not think about going to the gym or what I would like to achieve. I’ve felt so much better since then, because it allows me to reset, so I never feel completely worn out or run down.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
If I’m honest, confidence has been something I have struggled with throughout my life. I have learnt that if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will – it took me a very long time to figure that out.
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
For me, it’s more about the mental and emotional benefits of working out. After a workout, I feel highly motivated and productive, which inspires me to take this momentum with me through the rest of my day. I’ve realised throughout this past year that you can only control the controllable. For me, this is my work rate, effort, and desire. I take these values into my workouts and my day-to-day life. We’ve all had to adapt, so finding new ways to work out and push myself has been a process, but one I feel I have grown and developed from.
CHRISTINA OKENLA – TRAINING
What do you look for in a workout buddy?
Someone with good banter and we both need to equally push each other to work hard!
What's your workout mantra?
What would Beyonce do? Beyonce’s work ethic is a huge inspiration to me and when I feel unmotivated or that I can’t get through those last through reps, I think ‘what would Beyonce do?!’
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
I focus on how I feel after the workout – full of energy and in a great mood, especially after teaching my Bodied By XO workout squad! Exercise is part of my lifestyle, and lockdown made me realise how important it is for my mental health. A great playlist and cute workout gear also helps to motivate me too!
What's the one sport you can't do?
I am terrible at football, which is a shame, as my dad used to play for Nigeria!
Talk us through your post-workout look
Mascara, hoops and nice sweats. I feel like I don’t know how to dress day-to-day post-lockdown, unless it’s for a night out!
Someone with good banter and we both need to equally push each other to work hard!
What's your workout mantra?
What would Beyonce do? Beyonce’s work ethic is a huge inspiration to me and when I feel unmotivated or that I can’t get through those last through reps, I think ‘what would Beyonce do?!’
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
I focus on how I feel after the workout – full of energy and in a great mood, especially after teaching my Bodied By XO workout squad! Exercise is part of my lifestyle, and lockdown made me realise how important it is for my mental health. A great playlist and cute workout gear also helps to motivate me too!
What's the one sport you can't do?
I am terrible at football, which is a shame, as my dad used to play for Nigeria!
Talk us through your post-workout look
Mascara, hoops and nice sweats. I feel like I don’t know how to dress day-to-day post-lockdown, unless it’s for a night out!
Pictures: Under Armour
AMANDA NGONYAMA – TRAINING
What’s your favourite UA product?
My gym bag goes everywhere with me, whether I’m training or travelling.
What do you love about the Class of 2021?
Being a part of Class of 2021 was a dream because, to me, it signified unity and togetherness. As somebody who comes from a team-sports background, I understand the impact that your team members can have on your performance. Your teammates are your pillar, your rock to get you through the toughest times, your motivation and your encouragement. I also loved the diversity of talent and the fact that each lady brought the fire in their area of expertise, but were able to build positive relationships and gel together as a unit.
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
I log onto my IG and look at some of the hardest, most badass workouts, put my gym playlist on and this gets me in the zone. I look at my IG because each video has a backstory and this reminds me of how hard I work, so, by reflecting on the work I’ve done, it quickly whips me into shape and keeps me on track.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
Learning the importance of recovery. Recovery is one of the most underrated, but essential, parts of any training regime. It allows time for our bodies to heal in preparation for the next training load, helping to decrease the risk of potential injury.
What’s the best part about being an Under Armour ambassador?
The best part of being an Under Armour ambassador is being part of a global brand and community that I know shares the same ethos as myself. This just makes producing content more natural and authentic because UA represents everything I am about and believe in. It’s also been an honour to be granted amazing new opportunities to work on co-branded activations.
My gym bag goes everywhere with me, whether I’m training or travelling.
What do you love about the Class of 2021?
Being a part of Class of 2021 was a dream because, to me, it signified unity and togetherness. As somebody who comes from a team-sports background, I understand the impact that your team members can have on your performance. Your teammates are your pillar, your rock to get you through the toughest times, your motivation and your encouragement. I also loved the diversity of talent and the fact that each lady brought the fire in their area of expertise, but were able to build positive relationships and gel together as a unit.
How do you get motivated when you CBA, especially over the past year?
I log onto my IG and look at some of the hardest, most badass workouts, put my gym playlist on and this gets me in the zone. I look at my IG because each video has a backstory and this reminds me of how hard I work, so, by reflecting on the work I’ve done, it quickly whips me into shape and keeps me on track.
What's been your biggest learning curve?
Learning the importance of recovery. Recovery is one of the most underrated, but essential, parts of any training regime. It allows time for our bodies to heal in preparation for the next training load, helping to decrease the risk of potential injury.
What’s the best part about being an Under Armour ambassador?
The best part of being an Under Armour ambassador is being part of a global brand and community that I know shares the same ethos as myself. This just makes producing content more natural and authentic because UA represents everything I am about and believe in. It’s also been an honour to be granted amazing new opportunities to work on co-branded activations.
