LATEST IN FITNESS AND HEALTH —
Our FIT journal.
The Power of Pilates: Enhancing Flexibility and Core Strength
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise, has been celebrated for its ability to enhance flexibility and build core strength. Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, this method has grown in popularity across the globe, offering a balanced approach to physical fitness. Whether you're an athlete, a fitness enthusiast or someone simply looking to improve their overall health, Pilates provides a powerful tool for enhancing both flexibility and core strength.
Functional Fitness: Training for Everyday Life
In today’s fitness landscape, where intense workouts and aesthetic goals often dominate, a refreshing and practical approach has emerged: functional fitness. This training philosophy focuses not just on building muscle or losing weight but on improving the body's ability to perform everyday activities efficiently and safely. Functional fitness is about enhancing your quality of life by making daily movements easier and reducing the risk of injury.
HIIT vs. Steady-State Cardio: Which is Best for You?
When it comes to cardiovascular exercise, two popular approaches dominate the conversation: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Steady-State Cardio. Each method offers distinct benefits, but which one is best for you? The answer depends on your fitness goals, preferences and physical condition. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both to help you make an informed decision.
Circuit Training 101: How to Design an Effective Total Body Circuit
Circuit training is a popular and efficient workout method that combines strength training and cardiovascular exercise to provide a comprehensive total-body workout. This form of exercise is ideal for those of all fitness levels, offering numerous benefits including improved cardiovascular health, increased strength, enhanced endurance, and effective calorie burning. If you're new to circuit training or looking to optimise your routine, this guide will help you design an effective total-body circuit.
Barre Basics: Sculpting Long, Lean Muscles with Ballet-Inspired Moves
In recent years, Barre workouts have surged in popularity, captivating club members with their promise of sculpting long, lean muscles through ballet-inspired exercises. Rooted in traditional ballet techniques, these workouts blend elements of dance, Pilates, and Yoga, creating a unique fitness regimen that emphasises grace, strength, and flexibility. If you're curious about the benefits and fundamentals of barre, read on to discover how these workouts can transform your body and elevate your fitness routine.
WHAT ARE THE KEY Fitness Trends of 2024
As we reach the midway point of 2024, the landscape of fitness and wellness continues to evolve, driven by new scientific insights, technological advancements and shifting societal attitudes. Here’s a comprehensive look at what’s trending and what’s falling out of favour in the world of wellness this year.
BUILDING CORE STRENGTH WITH PILATES
In the ever-evolving landscape of fitness, where new trends emerge almost weekly, Pilates has stood the test of time, offering a unique blend of strength, flexibility and mindfulness. Originating in the early 20th century, Pilates has become synonymous with core strength, and for good reason. This low-impact exercise regime emphasises controlled movements, alignment, and breath, making it a powerful tool for building a stable foundation for overall fitness.
10 TIPS To Stay Active and motivated During Winter
Staying motivated and active during the winter months can be a challenge, especially when the cold weather and shorter days make the idea of cosying up indoors all too appealing. However, maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for physical health and mental well-being. Training in the club during winter offers a controlled environment where you can keep up with your fitness goals despite the outdoor chill. Here are some tips to stay motivated and make the most out of your workouts during winter.
Yoga for Strength and Flexibility: A Beginner's Guide to Asanas and Their Benefits
Yoga is an ancient practice that has evolved over thousands of years to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Among its many benefits, yoga is particularly effective in enhancing strength and flexibility. This beginner's guide explores key asanas (poses) that can help you build these attributes and explains their benefits.
Kettlebell Workouts for Strength and Conditioning: Mastering the Swing and Beyond
Kettlebells have become a staple in strength and conditioning programs due to their versatility and effectiveness. Originating from Russia, these cast-iron weights resemble a cannonball with a handle, offering unique advantages for developing strength, endurance and functional fitness. Among the various kettlebell exercises, the swing stands out as a fundamental movement. However, there's much more to kettlebell training than just the swing. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mastering the kettlebell swing and progressing to more advanced exercises.
High-Intensity Interval Training: Maximising Calorie Burn in Minimal Time
In today's fast-paced world, finding time for exercise can be a challenge, however, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a great solution for those seeking to maximise calorie burn in minimal time. HIIT is a workout strategy that alternates between short bursts of intense exercise and brief periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. This method has gained popularity due to its efficiency and effectiveness in improving cardiovascular health, increasing calorie expenditure and boosting overall fitness levels.
zero to 5km: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Running
Embarking on a journey from not running at all, to being a 5km finisher can seem daunting, but with the right guidance and determination, it's entirely achievable. Running is not just about physical fitness; it's a mental challenge, a journey of self-discovery, and an opportunity to push your limits. Whether you're aiming to shed a few pounds, improve your cardiovascular health, or simply embrace a more active lifestyle, this guide is your ticket to success.
Unleashing the Power of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
In the realm of fitness, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as a powerful and efficient workout methodology, capturing the attention of fitness enthusiasts and professionals alike. Here, we delve into the fundamentals behind HIIT, chat about why it works, explore its myriad benefits, and identify who this style of training is best suited to.
Strength Training for Women.
Strength training has long been misunderstood when it comes to women's fitness. Myths and misconceptions have perpetuated the idea that lifting weights will make women bulky, unattractive, or overly masculine. These myths have deterred many women from reaping the incredible benefits of strength training. In this article, we'll debunk these myths and shed light on how strength training can empower women to transform their bodies and their lives.
Unlocking the Power of the Hack Squat.
In the realm of strength training and bodybuilding, squats are often considered the cornerstone exercise for building lower body strength and muscle mass. Among the various squat variations, the hack squat stands out as an effective and vital movement.
Building Muscle and Boosting Metabolism.
Strength training is a fundamental aspect of any well-rounded fitness routine. Not only does it help in building muscle mass and increasing strength, but it also plays a pivotal role in boosting metabolism and promoting overall fat loss.
Staying Fit and Healthy While Travelling.
Travelling doesn't have to mean putting your health and fitness on hold. In this article, we're diving into practical strategies and creative ideas to help you stay on top of your fitness goals, no matter where your adventures take you.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Cardio Workouts.
When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart and improving overall fitness, cardio workouts are key. However, to truly maximise the benefits, it's important to go beyond simply going through the motions.
Your mid-year fitness goal review.
At the start of 2023 we wrote an exciting journal article about how to set realistic goals for the year. The key takeaway from that article was to set SMART goals, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely goals. It also outlined that there are a few other key steps to make sure you stay on track with your fitness goals, which include starting small and building from there, valuing consistency over intensity, being adaptable and sharing your goals with a friend or personal trainer. We’re now past the halfway point in 2023 and we thought that would be a great opportunity to look back on the first half of the year and see how far you’ve come along, and if you’ve struggled this is your reminder to be patient with yourself and get back into FIT and start working towards those goals.
So as we’ve said, as we’ve reached the midpoint of the year, this presents an opportunity to pause and reflect, and if need be review the fitness goals we set ourselves. When doing this it’s important to remember everyone’s fitness journey isn’t the same, and to be self-compassionate as we may need to make adjustments in order to reach our fitness goals.
Deadlifting: What it is and why you should add it to your workout week
If you’re looking into deadlifting but aren’t sure if it’s the workout for you then here is your beginner’s guide! Deadlifting is a compound exercise where strength, power, and muscle growth come together, and it might just be the exercise for you to take your fitness journey to the next level.