Ok so hula hooping is not new news, most of us had one as a kid; but hooping for fitness does seem to be having another moment on the fitness radar, with TikTok video demonstrations and gym clubs putting hula hooping classes back on their timetables. I myself used to teach a hula-fit class 10 years or more ago… so I’m familiar with how hula hooping works as a great fitness tool.   It’s worth pointing out here that we’re talking about ‘weighted’ hoops, (before you go stealing your 7 year olds plastic hoop from the shed!) The weight in the hoop creates a resistance to work against with your ..read more

Pilates has become well known as a type of exercise helpful for people suffering with back problems, often a ‘go to’ recommendation of doctors, physio’s, osteopaths and other health care professionals, to complement their own treatment plans – yet not all Pilates classes are made equal! There are many levels to Pilates, think of it as having multiple-layers in terms of technique and application, which is then added to as you progress with your practice. If the wrong level is attempted without proper preparation, there can be a negative effect, especially when dealing with existing back issues ..read more

A cocktail drink is described as ‘a mixture of often diverse elements or ingredients” – according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. If we liken our personal fitness to that of a cocktail, we need to mix together the ‘five main health related components of fitness’ (listed below) with activities we enjoy in order to come up with our own unique formula. Body composition, Flexibility, Muscular strength, Muscular endurance and Cardiorespiratory endurance are all to be incorporated into your weekly fitness schedule. So what does that actually look like? We must also consider elements such as our a ..read more

Joseph Pilates’ life work was developing & tweaking his pioneering exercise system which he called ‘Contrology’. We refer to it now simply as Pilates. However many differences have evolved between the original Pilates Joe designed and the contemporary forms of Pilates available today. The last few years has also seen an explosion in the popularity of ‘Pilates based exercise’, with hybrids of the method emerging & amalgamating with other exercise disciplines & sports, for example – ‘Piloxing’ is Pilates joined with Boxing, or ‘PiYo’ which is an aerobic version of Pilates & Yoga ..read more

Hurray spring is upon us, and what better time to put into action those plans to get fitter. With milder temperatures and the evenings getting lighter, we can begin to emerge from our winter hibernation. I personally love all of the seasons for the differences they bring, and as long as I’m warm and fed I can enjoy the slower months of the winter but when the time comes, I like to shake off the winter excess and enjoy the freshness I always seem to feel as we move into springtime.   Embracing the turn of the season might inspire you to get outdoors for your fitness, the positives of this ..read more

There are many, many ways to exercise your body, yet if you are specifically looking for options that have little to no cost, here are a few suggestions.   One of the easiest options for most of us is to simply go outside for a walk, and whether the area is urban or rural, taking a walk is ‘usually’ absolutely free! It could be around the local area where you live, or whilst you are away on holidays or on a business trip. Just getting out for 30 minutes or more for a brisk walk, will get the heart pumping and your limbs moving. You can also change up the way you walk in terms of speed &am ..read more

The beginning of the year always seems like a good time to start a new health & fitness regimen and maybe you are one for making big declarations of change, perhaps reeling off your new year resolutions to friends & family with much enthusiasm, only by January 4th you’ve already fallen off the healthy eating/new fitness routine/dry January bandwagon!   Well you haven’t ruined it, there’s no need to pack it all in and wait till January 1st 2024 – Just do a soft reboot! A figurative reboot that is of course! Take for example when you have something go wrong with a piece of tech, the ..read more

It’s December and for many of us there might be one or two ‘Christmas &/or New Years Eve parties’ to attend. No doubt they will include some food & drink, which could possibly put the healthy eating plan on hold for the night/weekend/week/month but….to balance out the indulgence there may also be the opportunity to throw some shapes on the dance floor or twerk around the kitchen island – depending on where your party is!   Dancing has so many benefits, even if it’s done with little coordination and finesse, the calories burned still count, the release of stress is priceless and th ..read more

Recently, while out on a walk, I came across one of my class clients, as we stood chatting away about various things, she casually slipped into the conversation that I had a reputation for, as she put it, being ‘particular’. I wondered for a moment what her true sentiment might be, as it could have gone either way, yet as she elaborated it became clear my client was referring to my style of teaching Pilates and in-fact meant it as compliment. Knowing that I am a bit of a stickler for correct technique, gave her & others, the confidence in class that they were doing the exercises safely fir ..read more

Go on.. try it…   How did you do? Now close your eyes while you do it… Now put your hands on top of your head as well…   Apparently the ability to balance on one foot points to a longer life expectancy and is an indicator of the status of your overall health, according to a recent Brazilian study published in the British journal of sports medicine. The study findings were not such good news if you are unable to balance for at least 10 seconds – yet we shan’t dwell on the negative details here, rather let’s bring you the positivity of a solution, because the good news is you can devel ..read more