So as “Quitters Day” (Jan 10) and “Blue Monday” (Jan 20) recede in the rear view mirror of our daily lives and we start to fall into the rhythm of a new year, let’s spare a thought for all those people (some of whom I’m sure most of us know) who have yet to get … Continue reading The Real Benefits of Hiring Your Own Personal Trainer
What Is “Muscle Mass”? Why It Matters.
The weight of the human body is made up of water, fat, bone and muscle. Quite simply, 'muscle mass' is the quantity of muscle you have in your body. What Happens If We Lose Muscle Mass? Unfortunately, muscle loss is part of the process of ageing and whilst it is a normal experience for virtually … Continue reading What Is “Muscle Mass”? Why It Matters.
Is It OK to Exercise with a Hangover?
OK, the excuse is that it’s Christmas and you have 'the cocktail flu': there’s the headache; the dry mouth; queasiness. After all, alcohol is a toxin (if you look up the dictionary definition of a toxin, trust me, you’ll never drink a drop again!). It's funny how an exercise session can seem like a great … Continue reading Is It OK to Exercise with a Hangover?
Managing expectations
One of the most important (and sometimes difficult) roles a personal trainer has is to manage a client’s expectations of what is achievable and how they are progressing along the route to their objective. My approach with new clients is to start with a frank discussion about what the client thinks they need from their … Continue reading Managing expectations
Stress Awareness Week, 4 – 8 November
Just a brief mention about an annual event which I highlighted last year and which I referred to back in April this year. Stress is a condition that can affect everyone at some time in their lives and probably touches more people than we know – or they realise themselves. Stress Awareness Week commences today … Continue reading Stress Awareness Week, 4 – 8 November
Exercise Referral for Controlled Conditions
What Does It Mean and How Can It Help? Although the vast majority of a personal trainer’s clients make their own choices as to which PT suits them and their ambitions, there are some who are referred by their own GP for health reasons. This practice, known as ‘exercise referral’ is when a healthcare professional … Continue reading Exercise Referral for Controlled Conditions
Life-Coaching De-mystified
Is there more that you could do to realise your full potential? Are you struggling to balance the pros and cons of accepting a job offer? Perhaps you’ve been experiencing a drop in confidence that’s affecting your relationships. Or maybe a new project has grabbed your imagination and you need to focus on managing the … Continue reading Life-Coaching De-mystified
“You Are What You Eat”
The expression “You are what you eat” originated in 1826 from a French lawyer, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, who actually said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are”. (Apparently he meant that the food you eat affects your state of mind and your health). How many of us believe this mantra? And … Continue reading “You Are What You Eat”
How to Identify ‘Exercise Burn Out’
As a Personal Trainer I am accustomed to tailoring fitness programmes to meet the needs of my clients while at the same time coaxing them outside their comfort zones (what doesn't challenge you doesn't change you, right?!) However, it is possible for people who enjoy training (outside of a Personal Training programme) to take things … Continue reading How to Identify ‘Exercise Burn Out’
Exercise in Pregnancy
I have worked with clients through their pregnancies and it’s surprising how often it is thought that exercise should be abandoned until the little bundle of joy has arrived! Naturally, when informed of their new status of 'expecting', I was pleased to be given the chance to introduce them to their own bespoke programmes which … Continue reading Exercise in Pregnancy
Personal Trainer 