A Peloton Instructor Shares Her Best Tips, Favourite Workouts & More
Image: @LEANNEHAINSBY
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A Peloton Instructor Shares Her Best Tips, Favourite Workouts & More

As one of two UK-founding instructors for Peloton, Leanne Hainsby-Alldis understands the positive power of movement. Not only is she known for her upbeat, energetic classes – a reflection of her professional dance background – she’s also a breast cancer survivor. From the advice she gives to Peloton members to the workout that’s been a game-changer, we asked her to run us through her best tips, the health lessons she’s learned and what’s made the biggest difference to her fitness journey.
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Image: @LEANNEHAINSBY

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My fitness mantra is ‘fit for life’. You have to be ready for whatever life throws at you. It’s less about having the perfect body and more about having a body that will work for you in the good times and bad. 

Consistency and mindset have made the biggest difference to my fitness journey. My body is my home, and so I want it to be the best place to be. Some weeks I feel stronger, some weeks I lack motivation but I’m always disciplined, always consistent. First, showing up for myself every day — even when I’m tired or don’t feel like it — has been key. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, but it builds up over time, and consistency is what gets you there. Secondly, the shift in mindset. I had to let go of the idea of being perfect and instead focus on doing my best in each moment. It’s about embracing the journey, celebrating the small wins, and being kind to myself when things don’t go as planned. That’s when the real change happens. Fitness is so much more than just physical; it’s mental and emotional too!

My advice to Peloton members is always focus on progress, not perfection. It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to do everything perfectly, but the truth is, there’s no such thing. Every small step you take, every effort you make — it all counts. Whether that’s adding a little more resistance or continuing to show up through tough life moments, it’s about celebrating what you’re capable of, no matter where you are on your journey. 

@LeanneHainsby

I love to incorporate a mix of cardio, strength, and mobility into my workouts. For me, cycling is a big part of my routine – it’s such a great way to build cardiovascular fitness and endurance, plus I just love the energy and focus it brings. I’m on the Peloton bike for classes Sunday to Wednesday and I do my PT sessions on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Friday is fun day. Saturday is chill day. I work out for my job, so it’s a lot. But for myself, I like to do three strength sessions per week and dog walks every day. 

Strength training is key for me. I love feeling strong, I love pushing myself. Not only does strength help with cycling performance, but it also improves overall stability and helps prevent injury. I always make time for stretching and mobility work. My background is as a professional dancer, so it’s part of what I’ve always done. It’s key for recovery and maintaining flexibility, especially after intense cardio or strength workouts.

Adding more mobility work into my workouts has been a game-changer. It’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook, but it’s made a huge difference in how I feel both during and after my workouts.

I always make time for STRETCHING AND MOBILITY WORK. Not only does strength help with cycling performance, but it also IMPROVES OVERALL STABILITY and helps prevent injury.

On my rest days I move slower. I make nice food, make fewer plans, if possible, and chill with my hubby. We don’t get rest days enough, but when we do, we make the most of them. Diving into a series on Netflix with a Bleeker burger screams chill time to me.

Nutrition is about adding to your diet, not taking away. I always think ‘What can I add to this to make it more nutrient dense?” For example, adding nuts, seeds, spices, lemon and lime, and a great olive or flaxseed oil can make such a big difference to the simplest of dishes. My usual breakfast before a busy day is pretty standard. Eggs, avocado and sourdough, with broccoli sprouts and chilli oil. If I know I’m going to be training hard or if it’s a long run, a bagel with almond butter and banana, pumpkin seeds and a bit of honey. The key is having diversity on the plate. Think ‘eat the rainbow’. My favourite snack is Greek yoghurt or kefir with cacao nibs, berry powder, nuts and seeds, and obviously a big dollop of nut butter. For on the go, a protein shake is always great. Get yourself a great blend of protein, fibre and healthy fats in there to keep you energised. 

@LeanneHainsby

I love a sauna but I need to be better at the ice bath. We have a Brass Monkey and I’m determined to use it more, even in winter. I’m about reducing stress where possible. I use a Sensate as I’m not great at meditating. I like to wind down with a bath, chilled music, cuddles with my dog, a chamomile tea and some dark chocolate. 

Supplements are super personal. My best advice is to do a comprehensive blood test to see which areas could be better supported and then work with a nutritionist if you want a more personal approach. A great diet with lots of colour and variation will always do amazing things for your body.

Sleep is so important. It’s definitely something I’m working on, because I find it hard to switch off if my day has been busy. It’s when your body does most of its recovery and repair, so if you’re pushing yourself hard in your workouts or in daily life, you’ve got to give your body the time it needs to rest and recharge. Sleep and rest are all part of the process, you can’t out-train poor sleep, so prioritise it just like you would any workout! My Oura ring helps me stay on top of my sleep health. 

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