We’ve seen a fair amount of fitness trends hit the internet promising better recovery for athletes- some more founded in truth than others. From ice bath recovery to massage guns, we’re not short on options. Sport-specific training is rigorous; it requires endurance, intensity, and repetition, and demands a lot from our musculoskeletal system. Recovery, therefore, is paramount for maintaining an effective training regime and sports performance. Traditionally, recovery has involved rest, diet, supplements, medication, and physical garments such as braces and supports. But could kinesiology tape ..read more

We’re told from childhood that the harder we work, the better results we’ll get. However, like many things in life, things aren’t always that simple, and sport can be particularly unpredictable. Things like weather conditions, injuries, the behaviour of our opponents, fans or the venue are just a few of the ‘uncontrollables’ in sport that can go a long way in throwing us off our game if we aren’t ready to accept that they are outside of our direct control. One of the most important lessons in mental toughness for athletes to learn is how to focus on the things that they do have control over. S ..read more

The immune system protects the body from “foreign agents”, such as viruses and bacteria. It’s essential to ensure the existence of a strengthened immune system, in order to promote training capacity, maintenance of sports performance, and health. Although there are different factors involved to optimise your immune system, nutrition is a factor of great attention and importance. An insufficient intake, with an inadequate amount of micronutrients, macronutrients and energy, can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of diseases and infections. In fact, for athletes, energy availability h ..read more

Nearly all of us have experienced the dreaded workplace performance review. There’s nothing quite like sitting in your boss’s office, waiting to hear how you’ve performed over the year, to stir up a good old dose of anxiety! However, most of us go home fairly unscathed, perhaps with few things to work on. Sports performance analysis, on the other hand, is far more complex. And how we utilize it can even be career-defining. So, what is sports performance analysis and why does it matter in sport? WHAT IS SPORTS PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS? Exactly as it sounds, performance analysis is an athlete’s vers ..read more

Whichever sport you compete in, it’s likely that there are only a handful of opportunities each year to secure that gold medal or champions trophy, meaning only a very select few athletes are rewarded with a podium place. How then, when the chances of winning are statistically so slim, are elite athletes able to stay motivated in sports through their often gruelling training regimes, early starts and strict nutrition plans? Clearly define your goals and objectives Ask the average person about their goals and objectives for the future and they’ll likely give a general half-hearted answer or no ..read more

A large number of athletes have busy schedules, limiting opportunities to properly nourish and hydrate.  In this way, it is important to find strategies that allow these athletes to consume nutritious foods throughout their day, meeting their nutritional and energy needs. There are some snacks that, due to their practicality and nutritional characteristics, can be of value.  We’ll move on to the seven (potentially) best snacks for busy athletes: Oleaginous fruits Oleaginous fruits, such as coconuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and olives, have an excellent lipi ..read more

Nothing beats the feeling of an expertly curated, pumping music playlist during a tough workout. Whether you’re hitting your stride on a run, attacking a sprint finish on the treads, or gearing up for a 1RM- when the perfect tune syncs with your big finish… it just feels epic. WHY DOES MUSIC MATTER DURING A WORKOUT? Music is an excellent motivator when it comes to exercise. Whether you enjoy working out or not, we can all agree that the right song can lift us up and carry us over the finish line. But hold on, there is some science involved! Music can not only help improve mood and focus, but i ..read more

If you’re looking for new ways to max your gains without maxing out your bank account, it’s time to think outside of the box when it comes to affordable gym equipment. You don’t need a fancy gym set-up to achieve your fitness goals. Instead, you need to think smart. Want to know how? We’ve got 5 simple and affordable gym equipment ideas to fuel your home workouts. THE SKIPPING ROPE The ultimate calorie burner! Skipping not only ramps up cardio but also improves coordination and offers an endlessly creative addition to your workout routine. PRO TIP: If you’re looking to pump up the intensity ..read more

The concept of ‘marginal gains’ is a training philosophy coined by the former performance director of British Cycling, Sir David Brailsford. He believed that concentrating on minutiae detail and making aggregated small gains in many areas was far more important than looking at the bigger picture. Brailsford made adjustments to every aspect of his team’s training regime. Some adjustments were expected, like redesigning their bike seats, and changing the material of their racing suits. But some were unprecedented. He went as far as handpicking the right pillow for each of his riders, and hired a ..read more

Think about a typical day in your life. How many of those hours are geared towards your happiness? Be honest! Most of the time, we are simply moving through the motions of the working day. School runs, work, family commitments- the list goes on and on. We know how tough finding ‘me’ time can be, but moving from the mayhem of the day to your exercise mat might just be your path to greater happiness. Not sure how? Allow us to step in. Here are 5 ways to find more happiness from your exercise mat. MAKE EXERCISE YOUR PRIORITY Rather than cramming exercise into your day, try to prioritize it inst ..read more