Who is Amanda Bisk?

Women's Health chats to Amanda Bisk

If the world of Instagram was, well, the real world, Amanda Bisk’s celebrity status would rival Jennifer Lawrence’s. And if you’re one of her 200k followers, you’ll already be inspired by her super-bendy yoga poses, positive energy and insane body.

But there’s more to this Perth-born 28-year-old: the exercise physiologist is a certified CrossFit and yoga instructor. Amanda competed in high and long jump during her teens, but it was pole vaulting, which she took up in 2005, that landed her on the Commonwealth Games team in 2010.

Amanda didn’t bag a medal in Delhi (she came sixth), but she was in training for London 2012 when she started getting flu-like symptoms and “feeling drained – every day!” After six months of doctors’ visits, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and forced to quit her childhood Olympic goal. She went to a “pretty dark place” for six months, but then rebuilt by expanding her nutrition and health knowledge, tracking her recovery via yoga poses on Instagram. In the process of healing herself, she’s inspired thousands of other people, too.

You're impressively fit - Spill all your secrets please
“My exercise program changes allthe time. I love being outdoors. At the moment, Monday to Saturday I’m upat 6am at the park doing body-weight exercises and sprinting. I don’t have a set plan each day; I listen to my body and do what feels right. Afternoons I go for a walk with a friend or play tennis. Weekends are for fun, like surfing, bike riding or boxing. Sunday is my rest day.”

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What does being fit mean to you?
“I’ve been exercising since I was three, when my dad took me to gymnastics because I was going crazy running around the house. Really, I keep fit for my self-esteem, confidence and energy levels. And it makes me feel happy!”

What gets you out the door when you can't be arsed exercising?
“I do it for the way I feel afterwards– how great is that feeling of being happy and buzzed?”

You're a cardio freak, so why yoga?
“Yoga perfectly balances all of the more intense training I do. I do it as recovery and a way to reset my body and mind. When I was recovering from chronic fatigue three years ago, I had to stop all forms of exercise for a while. Yoga was one of the first active things I could start doing that was gentle enough on my body and would help me de-stress.

Plus, learning all the postures and different stretches was a new challenge for me. Stretching is underrated. Doing simple stretches every day – even just for five minutes when you wake up or in front of the TV in the evening – will improve your health and make you feel amazing!”

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You're handstands on Insta are awesome... What are your tips?
“It may seem like you need incredible upper body strength to hold a handstand, but it’s all about core strength and control – holding a straight body witha tight core (abs, obliques and glutes). Handstands are about finding balance and keeping your centre of gravity stable. Try working on your static core strength, like front plank and side plank.

Take it to the next level by lifting a hand or foot off the ground (or opposite hand and foot) while holding your plank.”

What are you currently teaching?
“I taught CrossFit when I lived in Sydney, but now I’m back in Perth I’m teaching yoga at a local studio called 24/7 Lifestyle. I’m big on Vinyasa– tuning into breath with movement.”

What are your 2015 fitness goals?
“When I did a trip with Active Escapes, I tried stand-up paddleboarding and loved it, so I’m keen to do more. I’ve also started doing aerial yoga. Maybe I’ll become an aerial yoga or SUP teacher.”

Check out Amanda's top five exercises, healthy-eating advice and Insta tips, in the March issue of Women's Health - on sale now!

Women's Health chats to Amanda Bisk