‘The Viking Method’ Is The A List’s Toughest Workout Yet

Could You Handle 'The Viking Workout'?

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by Daniela Morosini |
Updated on

We've all known for a long time that those Scandi countries were doing something right. They've got plenty of covetable exports: TV shows, fashion and minimal decor, to name a few.

But now research is showing there's one more thing they do better than us - exercise.

Scandinavians are some of the fittest in the world, with more Icelandic men winning strong-man competitions than any other nationality, and that's not to mention the outdoorsy, sports-loving culture that prevails in many Scandinavian countries.

While most of us in the UK are currently tucked up inside, sheltering from the cold, the Scandis are out there braving it come rain or shine. But have no fear - Icelandic A-List trainer Svava Sigbertsdottir is here to whip us all into shape.

Having developed a workout plan she calls 'The Viking Method', Svava's sculpted the bodies of Nicole Scherzinger and Suki Waterhouse with her primitive full-body workout. The method relies on tough, challenging movements like bear crawls, squats and boxing-type exercises that can be done in or outside a gym.

Svava expects a lot from her clients; she told The Independent, "For me, it’s all about performance. I want people to be so tough and motivated – the attitude has to be ‘it’s snowing? You do it anyway’.”

Svava, founder of The Viking Method
Svava, founder of The Viking Method

If you're the type to shy from bootcamp-style workouts and prefer the gentle exertion of Pilates, The Viking Method might not be for you. But it does give results - Svava's philosophy of engaging all your muscles with low-equipment, gimmick-free exercises provides a full-body workout that's as toning as it is strengthening.

One thing not to say during training? The other 'I' word - Instagram. Svava added "We don’t train to impress others, we train to impress ourselves. When you open Instagram it’s so tiring to see a girl wearing a G-string – let’s see a girl doing a tuck jump instead.”

And she doesn't reply on 'before and after' photos to recruit new clients - “It’s not real – you can have a spray tan, change your knickers – there are plenty of tricks to look better. Instead I have the Viking Challenge [think a minute of burpees], where you can see how much you can do and how far you’ve come with your fitness, because of your own hard work and actions. No one can take it away from you.”

If you think you're tough enough, you can try the plan at home. The Viking Method is available as an online programme, at £19.99 for a month, or £69.99 for three months. thevikingmethod.com

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