At its most basic level, the step-up is a great functional strength exercise that replicates a movement that most of us do every day – stepping up and down. The step-up is also a good way to exercise a group of muscles, rather than isolating just one muscle. The calves, the quads, the hamstrings, the glutes and the hip flexors all get a good workout. The core also comes into play as it works hard throughout the movement to stabilise the body.
Cycling’s popularity increases year-on-year. You may have swapped the car for the bike as part of your daily commute. You might have installed a stationary bike in front of your television so you can cycle while you watch your favourite shows. You might be part of the crazy crew that sweats for an hour in the Kelsey Kerridge Spin class or you may just enjoy tootling around the streets of Cambridge on your elegant sit-up bike. Whatever your cycling preference – you can be proud of the fact that you are getting a healthy and sustainable form of exercise.
Whatever your cycling choices, you can use the cycles in the gym or your own machine to improve your cycling and general fitness. And, in a bid to maintain or improve all-round fitness, we would suggest some strength and conditioning exercises to make sure the muscles used by keen cyclists also remain as strong and flexible as possible.
You are going to the gym four times a week, you do a long run at the weekend.Your friends admire you for your discipline but still, at the back of your mind, is a nagging doubt. ‘Is my fitness regime getting results?’
When the playing season ends – be it football, hockey, rugby or any other seasonal sport – the first thing you need to do is take some time away to give the body and mind time to relax and recover. Just put down the hockey stick, put away the boots, hide the mouth-guard. But, if you want to return to the field after the off-season in great shape then you will also need an off-season training plan.
Tennis at its highest level is a sport that makes huge demands on the body. You only have to think of the gruelling matches between some of the top tennis stars to see that fitness for tennis involves just about every body system and every part of the body.
There are record temperatures raging across Europe as I write this fitness blog, so it seems a relevant moment to talk about how to exercise safely in the heat. This article is largely talking about running but the advice is equally true for any activity you are doing outside when temperatures hit the summer peaks.
It is the time of the year when running outside becomes both popular and enjoyable. Running on the treadmill is a great way to get, and stay, fit, especially when it is dark and cold outside. But, when the mornings and evenings are light and the temperature is warm, then running outside can be a highly enjoyable.
Not only do abdominals look great when they are toned but they play a vital part in our ability to do everyday tasks. Core strength is absolutely key to how we move and abdominals, combined with the back muscles, are essential to a stable core.
One of the huge attractions at Kelsey Kerridge is the climbing wall. The climbing centre, with its 200 square metre climbing surface attracts people of all ages and abilities. People who have a go at the activity tend to be instantly hooked, not just because of the adrenaline rush that climbing provides but because of the nature of the activity.
Gym etiquette is all-important if the gym or health centre is to provide a safe and pleasant place for all users.
Think about it for a second: heavy weights, moving parts on machinery, exhausted bodies and minds, sweaty hands, towels lying around – it could be a recipe for a disaster if people are not switched on and aware of what is going on around them.
