Expert Articles

Australia Day

If there is one overarching rule that always applies in regards to health and fitness (and believe me there are not many) it's that energy balance dictates body weight. This is called the law of thermodynamics and it simply means if you consume more energy than you expend in a day then over time your body weight will increase. Vice versa if you expend more energy than you consume then over time your body weight will decrease. This is of course not inclusive of rare metabolic disruptions which are an exception to the rule. This is a law that you cannot escape. This is the reason that the multitude of different diets out there all actually work (at least in the short term) because they put people into an energy deficit resulting in body weight coming down. There are many different ways in which to create an energy deficit including:

As of the last 10 years, research has found that we are evolving to have our shoulders rolled forward and due to a lot of people's circumstances, this could be work related - sitting on a computer all day, using our mobile phones or even something as innocent as feeding a baby, we now bend our necks over and face down throughout the majority of the day.

In my experience of training people for weight loss, I have found that the majority of these people I have trained, seen or spoke to generally do eat a good range of healthy foods. Considering 'you don't know what you don't know', I understand why these people feel so confused about why they're not losing weight - because they genuinely believe they eat healthy foods. Many of these people I've spoken to don't eat takeout food, don't eat junk food, don't eat lollies or other sweets. They have serves of vegetables, fruits and meats. No wonder weight loss can be confusing!

A strong core is essential for all aspects of life and health, and at all ages.   The biggest problem is we tend to work on what we think is the core and miss the mark, both where the core actually is and how best to work it.  This doesn't stop with our abs or even the muscles around our stomach. It is throughout the trunk of our body into our legs.  The following will help you locate and engage your core, help you to work it to it's potential, and then some example of the most effective exercises. 

I am a great believer in flexibility and mobility. I don't preach to be the best, but I frequently practice stretching and am a regular yoga attendee [addict]. My number one motivation to stay flexible and mobile is because I know that it's an investment for my future active self. To employ a cliché often 'stretched' to its limit: I must use it or lose it!

Osteoporosis is a major health concern for our aging population and is a growing concern, because it's not going away - it's getting worse in its national spread. Osteoporosis is a degradation of the bones due to many factors. Three of the major factors are due to the declining amounts of Oestrogen, in women, and Testosterone, in men, that is released as we get older. This combined with a lack of absorption (and intake) of vitamin D and vitamin C, which are both essential for bone health, are all factors in the onset of Osteoporosis.

I have been a Personal Trainer for some time now and I have had plenty of face to face time with a lot of different people. I've had countless conversations about many different topics and I've learnt a lot about people and about myself. Over the years I've had to learn how to listen, how to be patient and how to ask a lot of questions and I understand that not all people are motivated the same way. Once you peel back the layers there are similarities with most people, however it would be naive to believe that when someone asks for your help that they are wanting what they are asking for. Personal Trainers often want what we think is the best for people. That is for everyone to live happy, healthy lifestyles consisting of regular exercise and healthy eating habits and when someone tells us that they want to lose weight we could be quick to assume that they are ready and are committed to doing so. Without asking the right questions and clearly identifying a person's priorities and expectations both Trainer and client can be left feeling disappointed and frustrated when things don't go to plan.

The Festive Season is upon us which means more social occasions and the food and drink that comes with it. It is still possible to enjoy your time whilst actively working towards your health and fitness related goals, and we're here to show you how!