Personal training blog
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February 19th, 2012
Motor skills, proprioception, balance and co-ordination: vital parts of fitness
A lot of the time our personal trainer clients obsess about being thin and svelte sexy beasts prowling the high street. We can certainly help to get them to this point, but along the way there are other components of fitness that are just as important and which should not be ignored. Although these components are not perhaps the main tools in the weight loss battle (resistance training, cardio-vascular work and good nutrition) they are just as important, and can actually be combined … More
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February 13th, 2012
Walnuts are the healthiest nuts
Scientists from Pennsylvania told the American Chemical Society that walnuts contain the highest level of antioxidants compared to other nuts. Antioxidants are known to help protect the body against disease. The scientists said that all nuts have good nutritional qualities but walnuts are healthier than peanuts, almonds, pecans and pistachios.
Dr Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton, scrutinised the antioxidant levels of nine different types of nuts and discovered that a handful of walnuts contained twice as many antioxidants as … More
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January 16th, 2012
Lean muscle is the key for weight loss
Many articles and websites write about the importance of lean muscle mass. It is important, but why? Your muscles provide may functions: just about all body movement, from walking to nodding your head, is caused by skeletal muscle contraction. Your skeletal muscles function almost continuously to maintain your posture, making one tiny adjustment after another to keep your body upright. Skeletal muscle is also important for holding your bones in the correct position and is essential for strong, stable joints. … More
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January 10th, 2012
Keep your New Year’s resolution
Yesterday, the 9th of January, was the day on which, statistically, 3 out of 4 people gave up on their New Year’s resolution. Here are some tips on how to stick with it this year.
1 – Be realistic. With all the good intentions in the world, if you have done no exercise for an extended period, deciding to start marathon training this week might not be realistic. Setting yourself unachievable targets is likely to lead to failure and may not be … More
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December 20th, 2011
Stay slim over the festive season
Here we are again. As the time for making resolutions draws near it is easy to switch off and be resigned to the inevitable: at Christmas you will put on weight. However, there is no need to deprive yourself in the name of health and fitness just to stay the same weight. Here are three tips as to how to cheat the seasonal pounds.
1 – Stay as active as possible. An obvious one I know, but it’s worth saying again. It’s the inactivity … More
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December 16th, 2011
Children too fat for drugs
Penicillin doses for children – which have stayed the same for 50 years – need to be reviewed because youngsters are getting heavier, experts have said.
Dosages are based on age but an average weight is assumed and average weights have risen, the London-based team warn. In the British Medical Journal, they say a review is needed to ensure children are getting enough medication. But one pharmacist said using weight could mean more room for error. Oral penicillins, such as amoxicillin, … More
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December 8th, 2011
The benefits of flexibility
Very often overlooked, even by those who are already exercising, there are lots and lots of benefits to stretching and flexibility. Our teacher at Premier Training always used to nag us by saying “the basis of all mobility is flexibility – no flexibility means no proper movement”. If you see an older person shuffling along the street this shuffling is most likely due to shortened hamstrings that are stopping the leg going forward all the way properly.
In all our sessions … More
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December 6th, 2011
Stay healthy this winter
You have stocked up on First Defence, are packing more vitamin C than a Florida orange farm, but still manage to get sick and spend the winter snivelling and feeling tired. Here are 7 tips to help you stay healthy, happy and fit throughout the festive season and beyond. Keep in mind that we only have 13 days before it will start getting lighter – 2 minutes a day, or 15 minutes a week!
Tip 1: get some exercise. Reasonably intense … More
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December 1st, 2011
The plate that tells you not to gobble
The NHS will be deploying a new war in the fight against obesity: a talking plate that tells people not to gobble their food, reports the Sunday Times. The Mandometer, a £1500 Swedish made device, consists of two parts: a scale which sits under the plate, and a small computer screen. The screen displays a graph with one red line to indicate the speed at which the person is eating, and one blue line which is a guide to the healthy rate. … More
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November 29th, 2011
Water works
A 2% dehydration leads to a 20% loss of performance. Increase your fluid intake, especially during and after exercise. We are made largely of water, so any lack of the stuff of life has a dramatic effect on you. Tiredness, lethargy, loss of concentration and poor performance can all be attributed to a lack of water. The press have had a field day with this topic over the last few years, how much should we have, is too much bad, … More
