We caught up with STRONG Pilates' store manager Anna-Maree Thomas to see how she spends a day in her life. Along with being a busy manager and dedicated instructor, Anna-Maree also doubles as an actress and recently starred on New Zealand’s very own Evil Dead Rise.

4.45am

My alarm goes off bright and early at 4.45am. Hitting snooze is a dangerous game to play at this time of morning so I get ready and head to STRONG Pilates Newmarket by 5.30am to open up the studio and set up for a busy day.

6am

First up, I coach our packed morning classes. We have 24 ‘Rowformers’ in the studio, so it is pumping! STRONG is quite different from traditional pilates and our classes incorporate a hybrid of rowing and strength and conditioning work. Today's workout is a super burny Pilates only class, which consists of dynamic movements, pilates flows, and a mixture of stability and mobility.

8am

After class, I catch up with members on their weekends and then listen to a quick guided meditation to help me re-centre. I then get stuck into some emails and eat my protein oats for breakfast. I’ve been using Mitchell's Bone Broth Protein Powder for years and I’ll never go back. We even stock it here in the studio!

9am

I head across the street to L'affare for my morning coffee. Neihana is usually manning the machine and he makes one of the best flat whites in the city.

9.30am

I’m back to the studio to coach the 9.30am class for a mixture of long-time regulars and brand new people coming in for their first time, which is always a nice mix. If the sun is shining I’ll walk up to the beautiful Auckland domain to run some laps, as I'm training for the Auckland Marathon. Then I’ll grab some lunch on the go from one of the many options on Carlton Gore Road. My regulars are Hello Mister for their delicious rice paper rolls or a donburi bowl from & Sushi.

12.15pm

My last class of the day is full of our members who work in nearby businesses and train during their lunch break. There's always a lot of cheeky banter and we love turning the lights down and the music up to make the most of everyone's 45 minutes for themselves. Then it’s time for some planning and a chance to meet up via zoom with the rest of the STRONG studio managers to organise upcoming events and promotions.

3.30pm

I live a double life as an actor, so sometimes I will have an audition to go to or prepare. If not I'll head home for some 'me' time, and either have an afternoon nap or play my guitar. I finish up the afternoon with a strength workout.

7pm

If I’m super organised I’ll have done all my meal prepping for the week. I’ll have one of these for my dinner and watch an episode of a TV show. I’m currently watching the last season of a brilliant Kiwi TV show that I'm starting to film next month!

9pm

Then I'm tucked up in bed with a book. Sleep is so important for my recovery and for managing early starts and I try to be asleep by 9pm.

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To learn more about STRONG Pilates or to get started on their 10-day trial click here.

STRONG Pilates Newmarket, 9 Melrose Street