With the number-one female fitness channel on YouTube and 1.3 million fans and counting on Instagram, 29-year-old Cassey Ho is on fire. Here, the social media superstar shares her top fitness secrets, the foods she eats to make her skin glow and her goal to bring her beloved POP Pilates workout to gyms all over the world.
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NewBeauty: What inspired you to create Blogilates?
Cassey Ho: Blogilates is a combination of my two loves: blogging and Pilates! It all started when I posted a POP Pilates workout on YouTube for the students I was going to leave behind when I was moving cross country for a new job. It was literally only meant for about 40 people. Then, that video got viewed thousands of times and I was getting comments from people all over the world asking for more! So I listened. I gave them more and my community started to grow.
NB: What is POP Pilates and who is it good for?
CH: POP Pilates is like a dance on a mat because it’s choreographed to Top 40 music. It’s a total-body, equipment-free workout that sculpts a rock-solid core and a lean dancer’s body like nothing else can. POP is great for anyone! No matter what fitness level you are, beginner or advanced, and it’s for men and women! You will get stronger and have so much fun while working out.
NB: What is your favorite 5-minute workout?
CH: A PIIT workout! One round is actually 7 minutes and 10 seconds, and for a full workout, you’ll need to do four rounds for a total of 28 minutes and 40 seconds. PIIT28, Pilates Intense Interval Training, is a program I developed that combines high-intensity cardio exercises with strengthening POP Pilates moves. You can do these routines in a short amount of time and reap major fat-burning and muscle-building benefits. Here’s an example of a quick PIIT workout:
NB: What are your beauty product must-haves?
CH: Belif Aqua Bomb Moisturizer, Vaseline and Givenchy’s felt tipped eyeliner.
NB: How does your skin react to your exercise-packed lifestyle?
CH: I believe that your outer beauty radiates from what you put inside your body. I fuel myself with lots of fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamins to keep my skin feeling and looking fresh. I also eat plenty of healthy fats like nuts and fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids that help give my skin a natural glow. I make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day (about 2–3 liters a day). This helps brighten my skin tone, leaving it nice and clear.
NB: What does your daily diet look like?
CH: My diet consists of mainly whole, unprocessed foods. Lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. My go-to snacks are fruit with coconut yogurt or avocado toast. And of course, I allow myself a YOLO (cheat meal) meal once a week or when I feel like my soul needs it!
NB: What are your top tips for people who struggle with maintaining a regular fitness regimen?
CH: Find a workout you love! This is so important. Once you find an activity that you actually enjoy, you’ll be able to look forward to it and it won’t feel like a chore. Fitness should be fun and motivating, not boring and dreadful. Then, schedule your workouts into your daily life. Write them in your planner and think of them like business meetings that you wouldn’t miss.
NB: Being a tech fitness guru and always blogging, how do you make sure to take care of yourself and find balance?
CH: It’s true! I’m ALWAYS looking at a screen, whether it be my phone or my computer. But I know how important it is to take care of myself and find balance. I wear Alcon Dailies Total 1 contact lenses because they keep my eyes feeling hydrated late into the night as I continue working so I’m comfortable and can focus on what really matters—my fans. I also like getting up and going for walks or doing a short stretch session to step away from the screen. I also have disabled the vibrate feature on my phone so that I can’t hear it when I am working.
NB: What is your can’t-live-without piece from your activewear and accessory collection POPFLEX Active?
CH: I am obsessed with the Draw the Line Legging in Mermaid!
NB: How do you find time to relax?
CH: I love to workout! Fitness is my stress reliever and it actually relaxes me. It makes me feel so fresh and re-energized. I also love cooking. Being in the kitchen and experimenting with recipes is super calming for me. Oh, and massages of course!
NB: What are your favorite apps?
CH: The Blogilates app is a must for PIIT28. I use the timer in there to write down my moves and time my intervals. Postmates for ordering lunch when I don’t have time to cook food! And Stitcher for podcasts while I’m driving.
NB: What projects are you currently working on?
CH: We are currently continuing to expand POP Pilates in gyms all over the world! We have a list of training dates and locations updated consistently on poppilateslife.com. Internationals can also get certified through the online program. My goal is to bring live POP classes to as many people as possible and create a real-life connection through fitness. Also, expect more POPFLEX Active collections next season!
