Getting the mix right for exercise

Like most things in life there is always a delicate balance that creates harmony and exercise is no different. The choice of exercises in a program needs to be carefully constructed to ensure that the body is given the right blend of nutrients. While it is true that any movement is better than inactivity, optimal planning of movements allows for maximum gains.

It is easy enough to see the link between the right exercises and our physical wellbeing, however most people are unaware of the effects of exercise choice on our moods. To understand this, we must think back to our infancy and the instinctive behaviours that we adopted well before we were aware of it!

Awareness is the key

In the pursuit of health improvement, so much of our success comes down to improving our awareness. It is easy to breeze through life on autopilot, however when we stop for a moment to reflect and become more aware, we often find the solutions we were searching for. Take for example weight loss. One of…

Volunteering- Why it can be good for both body and mind

There is a common saying that volunteers are some of the happiest people in the world. This has been confirmed in research showing that people who volunteer are much less likely to suffer from depression than those who don’t volunteer. Reasons for this are quite apparent and include more social contact, the feeling of contributing, having a social/support network and not being isolated.

Why does museum walking hurt more than standard walking?

A common complaint among people is that they are often ok when they are walking continuously, however in a situation where they are required to walk slowly and regularly stop and start walking (such as in a museum) they struggle with discomfort and fatigue. There are a few fundamental reasons for this.

Why does museum walking hurt more than standard walking?

A common complaint among people is that they are often ok when they are walking continuously, however in a situation where they are required to walk slowly and regularly stop and start walking (such as in a museum) they struggle with discomfort and fatigue. There are a few fundamental reasons for this.

Enter the kettlebell … how is it different to a dumbbell?

Exercise equipment is evolving and changing all the time. While the kettlebell has been around for a long time, its use and popularity has accelerated over the last decade.

Why has it increased its popularity and how is it different from a dumbbell?

“It may be the wrong side for you but it’s the right side for me!”

Compensations are often a difficult concept to explain to people. While in the past we thought that the site of pain was the problem area, now we understand that we often have to look well beyond that area to determine where the real problem arises.

Some different insights on cravings and memory

Humans are extremely reliant on their senses. In fact, our senses have far more control over our actions than we realise. This is particularly true of our vision and our visual cortex which is the area of the brain dedicated to visual stimuli.

One of the most difficult barriers to weight management and better nutrition is often food cravings. While they may not seem like it, food cravings are largely a sensory experience. The strength of these cravings is often linked directly to our ability to visualise the type of food we are craving. When we think about a type of food, our brain automatically creates a visual image of that food that strengthens our desire for the food.

Heat vs Ice

Most people are aware that when you sustain an injury or have a musculoskeletal problem that ice and heat can be beneficial, however no everyone understands why and which is most suited in different situations.

How carrying can strengthen your core?

When people are told they need to strengthen their core muscles, often their minds thinks of sit-ups in large quantities. What most people don’t realise is the effectiveness of simply carrying a load or weight in terms of stabilising and strengthening the core muscles.