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When it comes to movement, Shona Vertue has never subscribed to quick fixes or fleeting fitness trends. The London-based Australian trainer, author and founder of The Vertue Method has built a global following by reframing exercise as something joyful, sustainable and empowering.
Speaking to ELLE Australia at the launch of Nike’s latest innovation, the Metcon 10, Vertue explains that strength and mobility are not separate pursuits, but deeply intertwined. “Your strength and your flexibility cross over,” she says. “One of my biggest tips is to use strength training wisely. Make sure you’re moving through a full range of motion. If you’re going super heavy, you often can’t do that, so sometimes it’s better to reduce the weight so you can move properly.”
At the same time, she cautions against falling into the trap of striving for perfection. “A lot of women feel pressured to execute everything flawlessly, but true strength adaptation happens when you’re closer to failure. Not complete failure where you can’t finish, but heavy enough that you’re challenged,” she explains. “Progress isn’t always poised or graceful, and that’s okay.”
For Vertue, this reflects broader social conditioning. “We’ve been taught to value poise and perfection, so it shows up in training. But actually, you want to forget about that and do the tough work that pushes you to the end.”
Her third piece of advice is deceptively simple: don’t skip your stretching. “Passive stretching gets written off as a waste of time, but it isn’t. It helps with tissue change, and just as importantly, it facilitates psychological relaxation, which in turn, creates more release in the body. It’s restorative and it gives you a moment to breathe.”
For those intimidated by weights, Vertue suggests starting small. “If you can afford a personal trainer, that’s ideal. But there are also great group classes that act as a bridge. You still get feedback without the one-on-one cost. And don’t be afraid to approach trainers in the gym,” she says. “They’re often mindful about not overstepping, but if you ask, they’ll be more than happy to help, even without trying to sell you something.” Online tutorials can help, she adds, “but you can watch as many squat videos as you like. Until you get in there and try, you won’t really learn.”
Her philosophy also shaped her recent partnership with Nike on the launch of the Metcon 10, the tenth iteration of the brand’s cross-training model. At the Sydney launch, held at the Sydney Swans HQ, Vertue led an intimate session that blended conversation, demonstration and her trademark wit.
The workout gave attendees the chance to experience not only the new Metcon 10s and Vertue’s fitness approach but also the mindset that underpins it: strength and flexibility aren’t about perfection, but about progress. Though she admits she was sceptical at first, the shoe soon impressed her. “It felt kind of stiff [when I first put it on], but as I warmed up, I could feel how well it moulded to my feet,” Vertue shared on Instagram.
For Vertue, the Metcon isn’t the story, but it fits seamlessly into it. Just like her approach to fitness, the shoe is built for versatility, resilience and strength. It’s proof that when the right tools meet the right mindset, the results can be transformative.
The post Why Shona Vertue Wants Women To Stop Training For Perfection appeared first on ELLE.
