Why You Should Workout Like a Viking

The Viking Method is a full-body workout designed with a focus on power, agility and strength. After sweating through a class, we asked founder Svava Sigbertsdottir for her advice on finding your inner Viking.

Tell us about The Viking Method.
It’s all about functional training (think planking, crawling, jumping). I pair specific exercises together in a certain way where it’s forcing your body to use more muscle fibres and burn more energy. Also, we train for fitness performance. [With my clients], I don’t do before and after photos, we do before and after performances, so it’s more about setting goals, not giving up and feeling the benefits of that. I love making people feel a bit invincible and like they can do whatever they want to.

What does a workout involve?
You don’t need a lot of equipment. You just need dumbbells, a mat and your own body weight. I also use towels a lot. You can do loads of moves [with just a towel].

Do you have to be advanced to try a class like this?
If you’re a beginner, you can scale the workout to your abilities. You could take longer breaks between sets, do fewer reps and use light weights or no weights.

What does it mean to be a Viking?
I’m from Iceland and the method is inspired by the Icelandic lifestyle. Being a Viking just means to be really strong and powerful and a leader of your own life. You can take on any challenge. Anybody can be a Viking; it’s just the mindset of being, you know, a bit of a badass in a sense.

Fit for a Viking

Foam rollers help to soothe muscle knots in places where simple stretching can’t. Try: Camo Print Foam Roller Set, $25 at Marshalls

Compression shorts and fitted leggings keep muscles warm and help with the recovery of blood flow. Try: Grey & Black Leggings, $30 at Marshalls

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