Stretching isn’t only a great way to cool down from a workout, but can also help expand your range of motion and help muscles repair more quickly for another workout. Perform static stretches at the end of your workouts when muscles are still warm and hold each stretch for 20 to 40 seconds to reap the benefits. Take a nod …
Pick The Right Running Shoes
Choosing the right running shoe can mean the difference between a great run and a bad experience. Running in old shoes or the wrong shoes can lead to discomfort, pain and even injuries. And now that running shoes are built more hi-tech than ever, shopping for a shoe can be confusing and expensive. Here are some tips from SK-Life Fitness on …
Why Swimming is good exercise
If you are looking for a break from high-impact exercise like running and plyometrics, add a day or two of swimming laps to your fitness routine. Whether you’re cross-training, training for a triathlon or looking for an exercise that’s easy on the joints, a pool workout may be just what you need. Cardio: Swimming requires deep breathing, which improves circulation and …
Focus on Abs
Most dream of having sculpted abs, but it’s not an easy goal to reach. The abdominals are used in virtually every movement from running, lifting, bending and jumping. While cardio exercises will whittle away your middle by torching calories and burning fat, you can achieve a flatter and tighter stomach with the right strength exercises. And crunches aren’t the only …
Focus on Legs
If you want to lose weight off your legs, then one of the easiest ways to do this is to get up and use them more with consistent walking, jogging or biking routines. These cardio activities will also burn calories and help reduce overall body fat. But if you are looking for toned, lean, strong legs, the prescription is strength …
Focus on Arms
Summer is just around the corner , which means sleeveless tops and days at the beach can’t be far away either. Get toned and strong arms with classic free weight and bodyweight exercises. Use these tips from SK-Life Fitness to work your triceps, biceps and shoulders to get the definition you desire. Front Shoulder Raise: You might as well call this exercise …
Elevate Your Mood with Exercise
Did you know that regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, improve sleep and ward off anxiety and feelings of depression? While exercising, the body releases chemicals called endorphins that reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in the body that can make you all smiles. Often referred to as a “runner’s high,” the …
The Secret Muscle That Helps Tight Butts – Psoas
So come on, hands up who really wants to work the glutes, or feel that their bottoms could do with a bit of improvement? How many of you think that you are doing glute exercises but without success? Well current research suggests that with certain adjustments we can help ourselves achieve these goals. The problem it seems does not just …
Meditation and Yoga Weekend at THE GARAGE
Are you wanting to learn meditation techniques and practice yoga? Or simply in need of some peaceful time-out and want to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life? It’s time for a weekend of discovery and relaxation with a team of respected professionals. Let me introduce you to The Garage, an ancient stopping station at Greta Bridge in rural Teesdale, …
Why Exercise?
By definition, exercise is any movement produced by your skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure – this sounds technical – well yes and no! Exercise includes any structured exercise, like going to the gym, but also lifestyle activities such as walking, shopping and gardening and the good news is that it doesn’t have to leave you exhausted to do …
Health benefits of the Power Plate®
SK-Life Fitness are proud to announce that they have now added a Power Plate® machine to their Private Studio offering clients a course of 25 minute 1-1 sessions. The Power Plate® gives the body’s muscles a high-speed workout by using vibrations to stimulate them to contract and relax. They generally contract once or twice a second, but by standing on …
HAPPY NEW YEAR – HAPPY NEW YOU!!!
We are all asking ourselves after Christmas “how can I lose this weight around my middle?” Nobody wants to feel fat around the middle — but abdominal fat can be sneaky, accumulating in subtle ways over the years until you suddenly realise you can pinch way more than an inch! Risks of Excess Abdominal Fat 2 Types of Abdominal Fat …
Health Screening – What is your body composition?
At SK- Life Fitness all my clients receive a health screening on a regular basis; which involves checking blood pressure levels and monitoring your body composition in order to establish each individual’s total health and fitness. Your body is comprised of two major components: lean mass and fat tissue. Lean body mass represents the weight of bones, muscles, organs and …
Power walk this way – shed the pounds by pounding the streets
Why power walking shifts pounds Walking briskly is one of the few activities that works on almost every part of your body, from your posture to your muscle definition. It’s the perfect all-rounder. Indeed it not only tones up your thighs and calves and lifts your bum, it can actually burn more calories than jogging at the same pace. And …
London Olympics 2012 – Get Motivated and Inspired
London Olympics 2012 is about to begin, how exciting – so many different sporting events will be taking place and I am hoping that this will boost you all to want to be fit and healthy and to definitely make some positive lifestyle changes! Have you gained a few extra pounds on your Summer holiday? Have you struggled to keep …
The Best Workouts for Your Body Type
At SK-Life Fitness I strive to give you the best information regarding Health, Fitness and Nutrition, and recently I spoke with the Kathleen Chu, Outreach Director for Everyday Health in New York, who wanted to share with me their latest content and views on The Best Workouts for your Body Type. I had already blogged on “are you eating and exercising …
Purpose of Warm up & Cool Down Stretch
At SK-Life Fitness I make sure my clients understand the importance of a warm up and cool down stretch before and after exercise, and explain how it is an essential part of their exercise session. Whilst time spent warming up and cooling down may seem like time that could be better spent actually exercising, this is certainly not the case. …
Moddershall Oaks Launches ‘Trim Trails’
At SK-Life Fitness I often ask my clients what they think a short definition of a health walk is. I get many different answers but it is “ a purposeful, brisk walk undertaken on a regular basis.’ Doctors say a good health walk “helps fight of heart disease, high blood pressure and other illnesses as well as aid weight loss”. Introducing just 30 …
Beach Running
Running on the beach can not only be a peaceful, beautiful running experience, but it can also help make you a stronger runner. Running in the sand, especially dry sand, is tougher than running on pavement, so you’ll definitely work harder on the beach. But being able to jump in the water after you’re finished will make it worth your …
Beach Body Boost
Summer holidays are fast approaching and many of us will be getting excited about a relaxing holiday in the sun. It is so important for us to recharge our batteries, unwind and enjoy good food, but we must also be careful that we don’t over indulge, eat too many ice creams, drink too many mojitas – then laze around on …