Q&A with AJ Odudu

We took 10 for a quick Q&A with AJ Odudu of the #workit Adidas Summer Series. The TV presenter (who is also the burpee’s biggest fan) talks affordable fitness classes, favourite workouts and the ‘exuberant strut’ ahead of her collaboration with Adidas’ #workit campaign.

Q. How did you get into fitness?

A. Accidentally! I was always playing out on bikes, skipping ropes and climbing trees. School trips were in the Lake District and we’d build rafts and go canoeing. It was just a way of life. My secondary school took sports seriously too, and when I left my home town of Blackburn, I found a new community of friends through sport. I class-hop my way around London and really enjoy it.

Q. What do you think makes a great fitness class?

A. A great instructor who is clear and politely corrects your body positions if you’re going wrong to prevent injury, and a great playlist that’s in the line with the fitness class. It helps if the class is affordable too. Fitness should be for everyone.

Q. What sort of workouts do you usually do?

A. I try to work out three times a week, 45mins per session at least, incorporating cardio and weight training to keep me balanced throughout the week. I like running outdoors for endurance training, HIIT for all-round fitness and dance workouts at SOSFitness are great fun. At home I love using my TRX suspension straps for bodyweight training and I love dynamic, explosive exercises like burpees, squat thrusts and ski jumps that get me sweating within the first five minutes of my workout.

I still love aerobic workout DVDs. I remember vividly that my mum used to get my siblings and I to join her to do Mr Motivator’s workout VHS in the living room back in my home town, Blackburn. Even though VHS is long gone, I still love a good workout DVD for when I’m travelling with work. I do it in my hotel room on my laptop and hey presto, an aerobic workout done and dusted!

Q. Home workouts or gym workouts? And why?

A. I do both but I find I get the most out of my gym workouts. I’ve travelled all the way to the gym, which is at least 45 minutes away from me, so I always make the most of it.

Q. Working out with friends or going solo? And why?

A. If I’m in a fitness class I love working out with friends. It’s sociable, fun and (dare I say it), a little bit competitive. I love that. I tend to run faster and longer by myself, and weight training in the gym is always better on my own too. I’ve got to ride solo when exercising like that as I’m such a chatterbox, I’ll get distracted otherwise.

Q. What’s your involvement in the Adidas #workit Summer Series?

A. I have worked with Adidas to co-create a bespoke workout that is specifically designed to boost your energy as part of their #workIt Summer Series. I love having a spring in my step and our programme will enable that exuberant strut. This summer, over a six-week period from late June until early August, workout moves will be revealed weekly on the Adidas Women’s Facebook page, allowing people to join me on my energy-boosting, upper-body-strengthening fitness journey.

Q. Talk us through what people will be doing on the six-week workout plan.

A. The series incorporates a lot of plyometric and dynamic exercises to maximise fat burning and cardio-enhancing qualities in a shorter time frame. It’s ideal for a person like me, who doesn’t always have an hour to work out in the day. It’s also aimed to boost energy, giving you stamina and endurance not only to get you through your workouts but to get you through your day! Think squat thrusts, high jumps, donkey kicks and push ups with an explosive twist.

Q. Why do you think online workouts are so popular now?

A. People are busier. The cost of going to the gym is increasing. And not everyone is as confident to hit the gym and ask questions to gym instructors without feeling insecure or pressured into buying a 10-week programme with a personal trainer. Working out online allows people to try a variety of exercises, in the comfort of their own home, free of charge, allowing them to experiment with movements that they enjoy the most without feeling silly in front of a crowd.

Q. As a DJ, you’re obviously into your music. What sort of music do you like to work out to?

A. Heavy bass-lines, funky beats and music with lyrics so that I can sing along to it in my head are always on my playlist. Although my playlist constantly changes, at the moment remixes of M.I.A, and Diplo are making me run faster and sweat more. Cyril Han and Cedric Gervais remixes are great to workout to and 1990s throwback floorfillers including Tony Di Bart, Dr Alban, Tori Amos and Crystal Waters provide the soundtrack to a lot of my aerobic workouts.

Q. What’s your favourite healthy dish to cook?

A. I’m such a meat eater. Lamb cutlets with broccoli and sweet potato is tickling my taste buds the most these days. I also love lemon sole on a bed of spinach and rocket salad for something lighter.

Q. What’s your favourite cheat treat?

A. I have such a sweet tooth! Sweet Virtues truffles are sorting me right out. They are super sweet, come in small boxes so that you can’t go overboard, and come with energising ingredients such as chia seeds and maqui berries. Well worth the calories.