Personal training blog
0800 040 7526
-
August 26th, 2010
The key to a good night’s sleep
Why do some people sleep through anything and others wake up at the slightest noise? Scientists are starting to unravel the secrets of a good night’s sleep, and think it has to do with “spindles”- rapid waves of brain activity that only occur during sleep. These are believed to shut out noise by closing down the entrance to the part of the brain known as the thalamus, which is where sounds are registered. This much was already known, but a new study … More
-
August 23rd, 2010
Trying for a baby? Relax…
Couples anxious to conceive have long been advised not to get too worked up about it, and the advice is sound according to latest research. In a small study carried out by Oxford University, researchers found that women with the highest levels of adrenaline in their bodies were 12% less likely to conceive in the first month of trying than those with less of the “fight or flight” hormone. “The findings support the idea that couples should try to stay as relaxed as possible … More
-
August 19th, 2010
The contradiction of nutrition
Nutrition really is a tricky subject. Nearly everything is good and bad all at once; this remains true especially if you have too much of anything. Take fruit for example. Some personal trainers (purists) might say that a client should not have fruit at all, as it contains fruit sugars or fructose. These fruit sugars are easily converted by the digestive system into glycogen (blood fuel) so are more likely to make you fat if you are not being active. This can hamper … More
-
August 18th, 2010
Get fit for your wedding
With strapless off the shoulder dresses in vogue, looking your best on your wedding day is as important as ever. Bingo wings (flabby underarms) and stage curtains (flabby upper back) have nowhere to hide and will be captured forever by the photographer. How best then to prepare for the big day? Spot reduction (exercising a specific body part to tone that particular area) is difficult. You can exercise your arms until you are blue (or red) in the face but … More
-
August 17th, 2010
MBTs come out on top
A recent survey covered all the latest shoes that claim to improve posture and muscle tone. Since the release of MBT shoes (the first shoe of this type on the market in the UK and the most recognised) in the UK competitors have been relatively slow to follow on with rival products. However in the last 12 months many major shoe manufacturers from Addidas to Nike have jumped on the bandwagon and brought our shoes with rounded soles similar to MBTs and … More
-
August 12th, 2010
Halle Berry does high intensity intervals for a great body
Halle has recently been papped in her beach outfit looking seriously buff and fit, including a flat tummy.
The Oscar wining actress has a personal trainer, Ramona Braganza, and follows the Factor five Plan (all our new personal training clients in London, Maidenhead and Windsor get a copy of this). This involves eating 5 small meals a day. She also works out in short 25 minute bursts five … More
-
August 11th, 2010
Forget the gym, jog in the park
If you want to get fit, boost energy levels and improve your mood don’t go to the gym says the Daily Mail. A walk in the great outdoors is better for the body and the mind than pounding away on the treadmill says a new study. Those who burn calories in the park or hiking also feel happier than their gym counterparts. The outdoors exercisers also have more energy and can concentrate at work better. It is thought that being surrounded by … More
-
August 4th, 2010
Save the world with curry
Curry spices could play a critical role in the battle to prevent global warming by reducing the vast amounts of greenhouse gasses emitted by agricultural animals like cows and sheep. Based on laboratory research, a team at the University of Newcastle concludes that adding the spices to the animals’ diet could reduce the amount of methane produced in their stomachs by up to 40%. It is believed that the spices kill off the gut bacteria that create the gas. Methane emissions from … More
-
July 30th, 2010
Eat primary colours
Our personal trainer client Nick in Virginia Water recently had his annual BUPA health check. As well as doing tremendously well his doctor had some other interesting advice. Although you may be eating really well, and having lots of fibre, lean protein, fruit and vegetables, if everything going down your throat is a similar colour (brownish for example) than you need to try to eat more primary coloured foods. These bright colours (reds, yellows, greens, oranges) are indicative of foods that contain … More
-
July 29th, 2010
Personal trainer improves client hearing
Nick, our famously chic and fit personal trainer client in Wentworth has just had his annual BUPA health check. This is the full monty, including a finger up the bottom, ECG, anaerobic threshold, VO2 max and lots of other fun things. Three years into his personal training and, even at his age, everything is still getting better. Measurements are smaller, resting heart rate lower (41, similar to that of an elite athlete) and arms more beefy. The interesting thing is that even … More
