Favorite Essential Oils for Fitness & Working Out

By Caryn Gehlmann

An active lifestyle can do so much to help your mind, body and spirit. However, it seems like with office jobs and smartphones it’s getting easier and easier to be sedentary. So I was thrilled to connect with Angela Young, an experienced personal trainer, to get tips on keeping our bodies moving and how she uses certain essential oils for fitness and working out.

Angela has been a trainer for 6 years at Superior Athletic Club. We met recently when she attended the lavender festival at Lavender Fields Forever. We got to talking about how essential oils can help you get moving and stay moving. She agreed to be interviewed on her favorite essential oils and to share with us motivational tips to stay active.

Tell us about your background. How did you get interested in fitness?

15 years ago I was looking for a part-time job to supplement my income. I was hired to work the front desk at Superior Athletic Club. At the time, I wasn’t enjoying a healthy lifestyle. I was sedentary, didn’t eat healthy, didn’t drink enough water, and was about 80 pounds overweight. But the trainers at the gym took a real personal interest in me. They helped me to make gradual changes and I started feeling so much better! The weight came off almost effortlessly when I started making simple changes to my eating and exercising habits.

As I sat at the front desk, I noticed people coming in for the first time who were dealing with some of the same issues I had in the beginning. They were embarrassed or overwhelmed and they didn’t know where to start. I decided I wanted to share what I had learned so I could make a difference in their lives. I wanted to be part of their journey so now I’m a trainer myself and I work with clients ranging from 7 years old to 72!

Which essential oils do you use to help you get motivated for your workouts?

I discovered that a blend of lemon and eucalyptus is better than a cup of coffee in the morning. The scent is so pleasant and so invigorating it wakes me up and gives me an instant energy boost. I’ve had several clients ask me about the scent and when they try it they love how it makes them feel. An added benefit, if you’re exercising outside, this scent is a natural mosquito repellent.

Which essential oil blends have you found helpful for pre- and post-workout sore muscles?

I’ve dealt with a sore shoulder for years and I’ve tried every product imaginable to ease the pain. Recently I discovered e3’s Muscle Soothe and it’s my new go-to for my shoulder. What I like about it is that it acts right away to lesson the ache, but what’s even better is it lasts for hours. Since I have to use my shoulder in various exercises, like using a Kettlebell, having a natural way to ease the discomfort has been incredible. One of my clients, who has a neck injury, reported that e3’s Inflammation Blend was really helpful. I also like e3’s Protection Blend to give me an immunity boost if I’m fighting a virus.

If someone is struggling to stay motivated to live a healthier lifestyle, what advice can you share?

With most of my clients, I find the biggest problem is they put their well-being last on the list. We’re always busy taking care of others. So it requires honoring yourself. From a practical standpoint, this means putting healthy appointments on your calendar. For example, you might schedule 30 minutes every Sunday afternoon to chop veggies so you have healthy snacks all week. Put your workouts on your calendar and don’t cancel on yourself!

Another important thing is to get support from others. Get your spouse or your co-workers on board as you begin to make healthier choices. If you’re still struggling, consider working with a trainer. They can help you identify and then avoid those crucial moments – times when you say no to good choices and yes to bad choices! Finally, instead of trying to be perfect all the time, shoot for making healthy choices 80% of the time.

Thanks Angela for sharing so much great advice on how to enjoy an active lifestyle and the essential oils you use for fitness and working out! ! For the rest of the month, we’re going to be sharing more tips on Facebook and Instagram on how to use essential oils to support your healthy lifestyle. Please join the conversation!