{"id":928460,"date":"2026-10-11T01:58:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T01:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/928460\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T01:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T01:58:21","slug":"strictly-star-jaime-winstones-home-strength-routine-at-41-im-not-a-gym-person","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/928460\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictly star Jaime Winstone\u2019s home strength routine at 41 \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m not a gym person\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jaime Winstone is well and truly immersed in Strictly rehearsals.
<\/p>\n

‘It’s pretty gruelling,’ the Kidulthood star tells WH one morning.<\/p>\n

The first few weeks of the show’s 24th series have seen the actor and her professional partner, Carlos Gu<\/a>, tackle both the tango and a cha-cha to ‘Pretty Woman’.<\/p>\n

‘I come in every morning with Carlos and we do a 15-20-minute warm-up, which is about getting used to moving in our bodies. It’s like a more intense yoga session, with lots of breathing work. We’re getting our nervous systems ready,’ she says.<\/p>\n

From there, they move into rehearsals.<\/p>\n

‘Each routine changes every week, so different parts of your body are working harder each time,’ she explains. ‘We’ll repeat sections of the dance over and over just to get the movement into our bodies and our minds.’<\/p>\n

\"two<\/p>\n

This week, they’re preparing a Viennese Waltz to INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’.<\/p>\n

‘It’s really beautiful and emotional,’ she says. ‘I think this week’s probably going to be the toughest because it’s the most controlled dance, but it’s also very free. I start the dance alone, which feels quite vulnerable. At the same time, it’s really powerful because there are so many spinning movements.’<\/p>\n

Most days they’re training from 9am until 5pm.<\/p>\n

‘It’s Dolly Parton hours, really,’ she jokes.<\/p>\n

But rehearsals are only part of the workload.<\/p>\n

‘There’s lots in between, like press, It Takes Two, costume fittings and rehearsals on stage,’ she explains. ‘So Carlos and I are getting some solid rehearsal time in.’<\/p>\n

Keeping up with the show’s relentless schedule isn’t easy.<\/p>\n

‘The pace is just immense. Come Sunday, you are exhausted, mentally and physically,’ she says.<\/p>\n

That also means she has to be careful not to overdo it.<\/p>\n

‘I’ve not been able to work out throughout this because you’re using so many different muscles and you don’t want to pull something by sticking to your old routine. It’s very high energy. You also don’t want to lose too much weight because you’re sweating so much,’ she explains.<\/p>\n

‘However much you want to push forwards, sometimes you shouldn’t because we don’t want to cause any damage. There’s only so much your body can take when you’re working such an extreme schedule.’<\/p>\n

\"jaimeHow Jaime’s keeping her nutrition and energy up<\/p>\n

She knows fuelling properly is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n

‘You’ve got to keep your meals and your hydration on point,’ she says. ‘The moment your brain stops working and your energy isn’t right…it can really set you back. So lots and lots of water, hot drinks and foods that comfort you.’<\/p>\n

All those hours on the dancefloor have at least earned her a little more flexibility with what she eats.<\/p>\n

‘You can really indulge because you’re working extremely hard, so you do need that extra bit of toast in the morning,’ she laughs.<\/p>\n

‘I’m having extra honey in my coffee and lots of electrolytes<\/a> to replace the minerals you lose through sweat.’<\/p>\n

\"dancers<\/p>\n

Despite the intensity, she’s embraced every minute.<\/p>\n

‘I’m just really loving listening to my body and mind, and sleeping so well because you’re just so exhausted.’<\/p>\n

As the competition has progressed \u2013 Jaime and Carlos found themselves in the dance-off last week \u2013 she’s also made a conscious effort to stay grounded.<\/p>\n

‘”Practice makes progress” is a good mantra. All you can do is your best \u2013 you’re not going to perfect a dance in five days. What a privilege it is to be exhausted by something you love doing,’ she says.<\/p>\n

‘This show brings so much joy. If Carlos and I can give that to an audience, that’s winning to me.’<\/p>\n

She relies on 5 yoga-inspired warm-up moves<\/p>\n

Jaime calls across the rehearsal room to Carlos.<\/p>\n

‘What are the moves called that you do with me?’<\/p>\n

‘We do a lot of cat-cow<\/a>,’ he replies. ‘And downward dog into child’s pose<\/a>, and then the sphinx<\/a>. We’ve been doing a lot of yoga.’<\/p>\n

Her feet, in particular, have been taking a beating.<\/p>\n

‘We’ve been doing lots of up-and-down exercises on my toes to warm up the muscles in my feet, plus rise-and-fall movements through my ankles to build strength because they’re really feeling it by week three,’ she says.<\/p>\n

Want to train like Liz Earle<\/a>?
Her PT, Michael Garry<\/a> has created a 4-week training plan exclusively for members of the WH COLLECTIVE. It’s designed to remove one of the biggest barriers to fitness: time. You’ll train for just 35 minutes three times a week \u2013 Liz’s exact strategy to build muscle, boost metabolism and support long-term health. Tap the link below to unlock 14 free days of training and start Liz’s plan today.<\/p>\n

Get the plan<\/a><\/p>\n

\"liz<\/a>Jaime’s workout routine outside Strictly\"jaime<\/p>\n

Outside her current dancing schedule, Jaime trains with personal trainer Holly Active<\/a>.<\/p>\n

‘I’ve worked with the amazing Holly for a couple of years. She’s fantastic,’ she says.<\/p>\n

She usually fits in two or three sessions a week.<\/p>\n

‘As a mum on the go, you’ve got to fit it in when you can. I usually manage two sessions a week, or, if we’re lucky, three 45-minute workouts.’<\/p>\n

One of the biggest draws is that Holly programmes everything for home.<\/p>\n

‘I’m not a gym person. It’s just not fun for me,’ Jaime says. ‘I love training in the comfort of my own home over Zoom. I can listen to my own music, nobody’s watching me and I can really go for it.’<\/p>\n

Strength training<\/a> forms the backbone of those sessions.<\/p>\n

‘I do a bit of weightlifting, lots of core work and plenty of leg days, which are definitely not my favourite. We do lots of weights and a fair bit of cardio.’<\/p>\n

When it comes to cardio, she prefers lower-impact options.<\/p>\n

‘I’m a big swimmer \u2013 I love swimming,’ she says. ‘Running isn’t so great. I struggle with my knees sometimes.’<\/p>\n

And when her energy is lower, she adapts accordingly.<\/p>\n

‘Some days, especially when I’m on my period, I lean more into stretching and yoga. Holly’s really taught me the importance of proper warm-ups and cool-downs, which has made a huge difference.’<\/p>\n

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