A champion who has won the World’s Strongest Woman title three times showcased her extraordinary strength by pulling an 18-ton Aldi truck. Teaming up with the budget retailer, Rebecca Roberts demonstrated how everyday activities like grocery shopping can serve as effective workouts. The 6ft 4in powerhouse then proceeded to haul a 17.8-ton lorry loaded with Aldi’s protein and fitness Specialbuys range. Roberts highlighted that tasks such as carrying groceries can mimic movements utilized in elite strength training.
Research indicates that everyday items like shopping bags can be utilized as weights for exercises such as curls, squats, and presses, aiding in enhancing muscle strength. A survey of 2,000 Brits revealed that over a third struggle to find time for regular exercise, with common reasons including cost, motivation, and time constraints hindering gym visits.
Many Brits visit supermarkets multiple times per week, with a significant percentage acknowledging that they would value carrying their shopping more if they knew it could contribute to strength-building. Carrying a fully loaded shopping bag, which weighs around 6-10kg on average, involves various motions that align with strength training principles.
Incorporating activities like Farmer’s carries and exercises such as bag squats, curls, and presses with shopping bags as improvised weights can effectively enhance strength. With a majority of Brits feeling accomplished after carrying their shopping home, it is evident that the weekly grocery trip can offer significant fitness benefits.
Rebecca emphasized the importance of functional strength in daily activities, likening the act of carrying shopping bags to her competition training regimen. Alongside exercise, the study highlighted the increasing focus on protein consumption among Brits, with many opting for protein-rich foods over alcohol and actively seeking high-protein products during their shopping trips.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, emphasized the physical activity involved in routine tasks like grocery shopping, emphasizing the potential for unintentional strength training. The partnership aimed to underscore how the weekly shopping routine can contribute to building functional strength and support fitness goals, especially for individuals looking to increase their protein intake.