SQUAT JACKS Benefits: By adding a bend of the knees to a standard jumping jack, this all time favourite move becomes a tough leg and bum booster. It makes great cardio exercise too, which is great for burning off any Christmas indulgence! How to do it: Stand with your feet close together, hands touching the […]
Feeling stuffed after that Christmas feast? If you seriously need to work on that belly bulge and want to get back into a healthy eating plan, then here are some simple slimming strategies to get you back on track. 1. You’ll need to eliminate all processed, packaged foods over the next four weeks to help […]
Above all, the practice of Pilates is widely known to carve a rock-solid core. But its benefits don’t stop there. Pilates will also help heal, strengthen and relax your body. Here’s what the holistic practice has to offer: 1. Mental function Pilates builds mental stamina and focus by requiring concentration on each repetition, exercise, and […]
If you’re not already a fully paid-up member of the kale fan club, its low-calorie, high-fibre and zero-fat profile should tempt you to get on board. As well as being a great addition to any weight-loss plan, kale is ideal for digestion and will help keep your system moving as it contains around 5g fibre […]
Forget stress eating—new research shows that crazy long to-do lists do more than encourage you to reach for that triple chic muffin. Try these simple stress busters to keep your metabolism up to speed. Take a spin. Twirl around in a circle and say what’s bothering you out loud. You’ll feel silly and may even […]
Everyone knows Yoga is a great stress buster. But it also packs serious perks for runners, like improving flexibility, easing aches and pains, and helping you recover from long runs and races faster. The Downward-Facing Dog pose will help you to stay strong and balanced while you train. Instructions: Start on hands and knees. Place your […]
This is one of the biggest controversies in fitness. Will stretching help you get a better workout? Probably. Does it matter how you do it? For the average person, probably not. Research shows that long static stretches, in which you hold the area still for 60 to 90 seconds, can cause a decrease in force […]
There are two opposite tactics here that can both work. Plan A: Increase your intensity – add intervals to your cardio or intense strength circuits two or three times a week. This shoves your brain and muscles out of cruise control, and your body will start burning stored calories to do the activity. Plan B: […]
Some studies show that early birds lose more pounds, whilst other research says that you perform better if you wait until muscles are warmer. But science isn’t needed to explain the “stuff happens” principle: The later you plan your session, the higher the odds that something – work, fatigue, social events – will get in […]
If you’re going all out, keep workouts separate, because whichever comes second will certainly suffer. But if you can work out only a few days a week and want to max your calorie burn, pair them up and do cardio first. A study found that running before lifting weights resulted in a slightly higher afterburn […]