Why do I have a bad back........can exercise help?

The best way for me to answer this question is for me to discuss why a large number of the population suffer from bad backs.

Over the years our lives have become more and more sedentary, we drive to work whereupon we sit at our desk having taken the escalator to our office for example! This has resulted in a number of adaptations to our bodies and none of them particularly beneficial to us.

One of these adaptions is that our hip flexors (the muscles that we use to run, located at the very top of our legs) become shorter (or they may be called tighter or over active) either way this shortening of these muscles has a very important and detrimental effect on our bodies. The effect is that they inhibit the opposing muscle of the body from working properly. In this case the opposing muscles to the hip flexors are the glutes (bum). If this muscle isn't working properly another muscle immediately next to it has to do its job or role.

The muscles next to the glutes are the hamstrings and lower back. Thus either one of these group of muscles will be loaded with a force that it is not designed to take. It is therefore easy to see why a large number of people complain of lower back discomfort or in fact perceived hamstring tightness. When all that is happening is that the lower back or hamstrings are taking on the job of the glutes.

It is therefore common sense for an exercise programme to attempt to counter act this by lengthening those muscles that have become short i.e. the hip flexors and then strengthening the underactive ones i.e. the glutes (bum).

If you would like a progressive way of doing this then look out for the new video podcasts that are coming soon. They will give you all the routines needed to not only lose body fat but help fix the problems that every day life has caused us!

Do I have to run to lose weight?

As soon as the Christmas break is over you can be sure that the streets and parks are going to be full of those people attempting to get rid of their Christmas excesses. And running will be the way that they will all choose to do this. But who is it that has told them that they should run and why?

I doubt a lot of them would be doing as much pounding of the pavements if they new the damage they were potentially causing themselves! It is assumed that by running we will become fitter and healthier. Now I won't disagree that running will improve you cardiovascularly, that is if you can keep running regularly enough without getting injured! It is the health aspect of running that I would like to concentrate on here.

If you have ever watched someone on the treadmill, you might have noticed how uncomfortable a lot of people look when running. Now this is not solely down to them either:

A: finding running hard as they are unfit

or

B: because they are tired.

A great number of times it will be down to them having not spent enough time or in fact no time stabilising their body. Now if you have not spent any or very little time making sure that your body is strong from the inside out (particularly what is called the lumbo-pelvic hip region aka your lower back pelvis and hips) you are going to greatly increase your chance of injury, not only whilst running but in every day life.

If we were to take running as an example, whilst a person may not injure themselves immediately upon commencement of a running programme, it would be the repeated poor movement pattern that would cause the stress to the body and the eventual injury (cartilage damage to the knees as an easy example) .

I strongly recommend that you spend a good amount of time making sure that you follow a progressive stabilisation programme before you commence running (if you are unsure how to do this either drop us a line and we will be happy to help or use the progressive weight loss podcast that will be available soon!!

Fitness Equipment

Hi all, with Christmas coming up and the inevitable New Year fitness resolutions many people will be thinking about buying fitness equipment. This is a good thing, especially when they are combined with our fitness podcasts!!

So here are a few things to think about when purchasing a treadmill:

The most important areas to look at when buying a treadmill are; quality of motor, the running deck, the tread belt, the frame and the warranty. The best treadmills will have the best of all these.

The most, and we mean the most, important thing to look at is the motor.

The best treadmills all come with excellent motors that have the strength to handle speed and weight and are durable. Some manufacturers will give you sleek lines and control panels that are designed to impress, but to save money they will install an inferior motor. You dont want your treadmill conking out because you are using it 24hours a day like we know you will be! ;)

Others will tell that their motors are big and boast about the hp rating. But be careful and learn to understand what kind of motor you'll actually be getting. Engines are measured in horsepower and there are two ratings; peak duty rating and continuous duty rating. Many treadmill manufacturers boast of the hp of their motor, but what they usually state is the peak duty but it’s the continuous rating, stamped directly on the motor that really determines its quality and durability. The best treadmills will always have the highest continuous rating; so find out what it is before you buy.

A hint: a manufacturer confident in the motors they install will give the longest warranty!

Everything else is superfluous when it comes to determining whether or not a treadmill is among the best on the market. Some manufacturers give you lots of features like flashy consoles that help motivate the user. Others will put a lot of effort into the overall 'look' of the treadmill.

But don't let things like that deceive you. The best treadmills are about motor, running deck and belt, frame and warranty provided.

So there you, go a few tips on buying a piece of equipment that could give you a lifetime of fitness!! Good Luck!

Fitness Video Podcasts

Welcome to Fitness Video Podcasts, which will enable you to have us, your fully certified personal trainers, with you wherever you go!

Access to 24hour fitness routines could be yours for the rest of your lifetime, so prior to launch we will be posting regular fitness tips, our views on diet, equipment and weight loss, and the general do’s and don’ts of the fitness industry.