Aliyah Sims is a powerhouse boxing instructor at Rumble and passionate fitness expert currently living in New York City. She’s also a Local Guide like you. In honor of Local Guides Wellness Week, we sat down with Aliyah to learn more about her wellness routine, both in and out of the gym, along with her tips for staying motivated at home. Ready to get inspired? Read on for Aliyah’s tips on the best ways to incorporate wellness into your daily routine.
Tell us about yourself! We’d love to hear about who you are, where you live, and what you’re passionate about.
Hi! My name is Aliyah Sims and I’m a positivity and wellness enthusiast. I’m originally from the sunshine state (Florida) where I competed as a cheerleader and indulged in all the theatre I could. I later ended up moving to NYC to go to college and pursue musical theatre. After graduating college, I realized I wanted to combine my love for fitness, performing, and helping people into a career. So, I worked really hard to learn from the best in the game to become a fitness instructor. I’ve always had a passion for rooting for people to be their best selves.
What is your top wellness tip for those who want to enhance their wellness routines in general?
I would say start from WITHIN. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Make sure you hydrate, eat to fuel your body, but also do what makes you happy, and SLEEP. Your body is a unit, so when something is not right, more often than not your body will let you know in some way what you need. Next, I would say prioritize. I know things are easier said than done, but I’ve found it helpful to lock things down in my calendar, make lists and have accountability buddies for times that I can’t seem to do it on my own.
What does your own fitness routine look like right now? Did you have to pivot what you normally do recently?
I enjoy doing workouts with my roommate who is also a fitness instructor. We hold each other accountable and take classes as soon as we wake up so there’s no room to think about it. It was so much easier to take all the classes I used to because I was always in the studio and was in that atmosphere, surrounded by heavyweights and punching bags which I don’t currently own. It’s definitely more difficult to self-motivate and stick to bodyweight exercises but you can always get creative and use what you have!
On the bright side, I have the opportunity to take a bunch of different classes aside from boxing/strength which has been nice to switch it up. I’ve gotten into more low impact workouts and really enjoy a good sculpting/pilates class. Nothing is the same right now, but I’ll take virtual energy over nothing at all any day!
Do you have any fitness tips for people who are struggling to stay motivated while working out from home?
GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD and stop comparing yourself to others on social media. I say this because there are many days when I think I’m not doing enough because of what I see other fit pros post and that’s just not the truth. Start off with even just 10 minutes a day and build from there. Repetition is key. I truly believe we are stronger together, so when in doubt, phone a friend and take advantage of all the free workouts on YouTube or even the donation-based ones! You’ve got this.
What are your favorite exercises for at-home workouts?
I love to start my workouts with some shadowboxing to get my heart rate up and loosen up my shoulders. Something as simple as throwing jabs and crosses for a minute or two can be super effective, yet simple. I’ve also been obsessing over my booty bands/resistance bands. If you add those to any regular squat, jumping jack, or glute bridge you are sure to feel the burn in a matter of seconds. Also, planks! You can do so many different plank variations while activating your core, glutes, arms, shoulders, and you are preventing injuries at the same time. If you want to amplify your plank you can lift your foot or arm off the ground. I like to challenge myself by seeing if I can hold a plank for an entire song!
How do you practice wellness outside of the gym?
I like to do things that make me happy, like singing. Nothing gets me out of my head more than belting out my favorite tune while I’m home alone. I’ve started writing more because sometimes my thoughts are so loud that I need to put them on paper to sort things out. Meditation is challenging, but I’m learning to love the process. Taking time for yourself away from the chaos is super important. Always recharge. Try something new, set goals, and watch YouTube tutorials. Never apologize when it comes to self-care. Self-care is not selfish, it’s essential.
Share your social handles! Let us know where our community can follow and support you.
@aliyahsims on Instagram and @aliyahsims29 on TikTok.
You can also see more about Aliyah on the Rumble website.
Local Guides, what do your wellness routines look like? Are there any wellness-focused places you frequent that you’ve reviewed on Google Maps? Let us know in the comments below.
