It is well known that there are several benefits to regular exercise, including decreased risk of disease, cancers, mental disorders and increased physical, mental and social wellbeing. But how much is too much? There is a point where exercise can become excessive to a point where we become injured and experience negative psychological symptoms, like…
Are cool-downs effective?
You’ve probably heard that cooldowns are essential for several aspects of recovery, including injury prevention, decreasing symptoms of muscular soreness and preventing stiffness. They have been part of exercise routines for decades, but does research support the prominence that cooldowns are given? What is a cooldown? Cooldowns come in a variety of shapes and sizes…
Choking under pressure: how you can spot it before it happens, and what you can do about it…
Think to yourself, ‘have I ever been neurotic about anything?’. Chances are there has been a moment in your life where the answer is yes. Does this make you a neurotic person? Probably not. Don’t get me wrong, there are some people who are permanently neurotic – they happen to have that kind of personality…
Periodisation – What is it and how it can make you an athlete.
Periodisation. It’s a bit of a scary word. A word that you may not have even heard of. A word that athletes use frequently. Put simply, periodisation is a training method that, if used correctly, will make you fitter, stronger, faster, all at the right time, and will also prevent you from overdoing it. That…
2017 Review: No man is an island.
At the end of 2016 I said to myself that I would start writing a journal; a book that outlines what my day was like, what I achieved, and what my aims were for the next few days. As an idea, it seemed great – it allowed for goal setting and reflection on a regular basis….
Goal setting: 5 steps to ensure your 2018 is EPIC!
It’s December. The month where, if you’re anything like me, nothing really gets done. You’re kind of in limbo for the first part of the month, not being able to get much done as things wind down for the festive season, and then forget about the second half of the month! But.. December is the…
What to look for in a Fitness Tracker?
For those looking to establish their own fitness goals (and actually stick to them, especially during the holidays), fitness trackers can be one of the best new tools to stay on track. Accountability is key when it comes to getting into shape, and these trackers are known to help wearers take charge of their activity level. In…
6 Thoughts about being a Les Mills Presenter – and why doing ‘the big events’ aren’t always the best bit…
It’s been about a year now since I became a fully fledged member of the UK Presenter Team, and seeing other people do the same this year has made me reflect on what a year it has been! I have also moved house, moved country and started (am about to finish) my Masters Degree. Overall I’ve been a very busy bee.
But how has the year been? What’s it really like to be a Presenter?
Talk Less, Do More. Actions Speak for themselves. — Staying healthy isnt a crime-Fitness is a lifestyle choice
How can I say this politely without offending anyone, hmm? Talk less and do more. Sounds easy enough, but guess how many people say they will do something and talk a big game, but when the time comes, hey.. they are still talking about it and yet haven’t taken any action. We all like to […]…
5 reasons why gym classes aren’t just for girls
Girls…leotards…lycra..headbands… This is the image that comes into most males’ heads when you mention the word group exercise. In the past, this may have been the case (google Jane Fonda and you’ll see what I’m talking about), however times have changed…my oh my have they changed. Group exercise is no longer only for cohorts of…
Research paper review: Group exercise intensity, enjoyment, and adherence
A study by researchers at the University of Pavia in Italy have found that the higher the intensity in a group exercise class, the less likely you are to enjoy it, and, therefore, adhere to it. Or so it would seem… The researchers took 27 people and put them through a moderate intensity fitness class…
HIITers, GRITers and CROSSFITers! New study suggests rest days are more important.
With the rise of programs such as Les Mills GRIT Series over the past half decade or so it is interesting to see when happens to participants. I have seen it myself – people flood into these varied, high energy classes, and you can see the appeal; it’s quick and the science has told us…
