Tag Archives: Fitness

Atomic Floyd AirJax In Ear Acoustics Review

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Atomic-Floyd-Airjax-reviewAirJax are made especially for iPhone, iPad and iPod. They can also be used on non-Apple products Skype and Blackberry. They offer amazing audio quality and style. Unbelievable style, they are the Naomi Campbell of in-ear acoustics. Just beautiful.

Just to up the style quote they come with a black leather case which is red suede inside and opens when you apply pressure. They are ‘hand-crafted in metal’, this metal includes acoustic steel, an ultra thin metal, titanium and 24k gold. They are high quality as you would expect, well made and just sigh-worthy.

They come with a microphone and have a button for answering calls. The earphones have removable metal hooks which turns them into fitness earphones, very handy and you do not even notice them as they are so comfortable. The earhooks also come with black sleeves, a flight adapter and mini jack.

Now to the audio: it is just perfect. Everything works in harmony and every genre of music sounds magnificent. The rich, creamy bass is first class. These gorgeous and pretty much perfect earphones, their only negative for some people is that they are not compatible on a PC or ordinary MP3 player, are a must if you have the extra cash for beautiful, high-quality earphones with impeccable sound. Amazing.

Atomic Floyd AirJax Stereo Headset with Remote can be bought here

5 Fun Life Skills To Improve Your Life

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5 fun life skills to improve your lifeIt probably is possible to go through life without developing any life skills at all. But would it be easier? I think not. With that in mind here is a fun little list of 5 fun life skills to improve your life. Add your own below.

Cooking

By the time you get out of your teens you should be able to whip up one amazing dish. By the time you hit thirty, you should have at least five amazing dishes that you can easily make that people compliment you on. This should be made without stress and fuss.

Driving

Driving is an unparallelled life skill. Running a car may be expensive but freedom costs money. Nothing beats being able to get into a car and go anywhere you want. It is debatable whether or not you are truly grown up until you can drive.

Dancing

Being able to dance is definitely a strength in life. So many social occasions call for it. If you don’t have natural rhythm then just take some classes and know your way around a fox trot. It will make you much more appealing to the opposite sex and people will think you are talented and sophisticated.

Games

Any party will probably include games, and dinner parties generally include post games fun. For something more entertaining than your average board game, and most things are, getting in touch with your gambling skills for an occasional flutter is fun. I am not talking about online gambling, but poker with friends is always lots of fun and very interactive. Brush up your card skills and bleed them dry.

 

Sport

No, not watching. Unless the sound is off and it is just for some eye candy. Learning a sport is an invaluable skill to improve your life. It will keep you fit, help you meet new people and maybe even get some fresh air. Take a class, do Zumba, running, football, yoga, anything you want. It will be another skill that will improve your life. I recently did Anti-Gravity Yoga which was different and lots of fun.

What do you think? What other fun life skills are there?

 

 

Anti-Gravity Yoga & Ballet Barre Conditioning at London Dance Academy + Always Infinity Competiton

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Recently I got up at 7:30am to exercise on a Saturday. Was I having a mad moment? No, I went to an Always Infinity event to do some Anti-gravity yoga and Ballet Barre Conditioning. I also had a pep talk from a life coach who also went through the benefits of Always Infinity. These include: These are the most exciting Always innovation in over 20 years and are set to revolutionise the pad. They use new-to-UK Infinicel:  while regular pads mostly contain fibres, they are made from liquid foam to absorb liquid. Impressively, they can absorb 10x their weight. They also mould to your body. I love them as they stop a period getting in the way of living your life. They are very light and comfortable. I barely feel like I am wearing them and I am very impressed with the new technology. They are like no other sanitary protection I have ever used. Full marks from me.

I also had a chat with Freya Lingerie about sports bras. They have some really beautiful bras.  I also spoke to a nutritionist who said I had a great diet, Yeah! Her only comment was that I might need more calcium.

The Anti-gravity yoga looked like the picture below, except the fabric was a lovely electric blue colour. The London Dance Academy is an excellent venue. Our instructor was amazing and said we would be doing back flips. I did not think I would be able to do this, but I did! I hung upside down and even stretched my legs out, I did a backflip and I even did the ‘chandelier’ which Pink did at the Grammy’s while singing. All respect to that woman. The chandelier is when you hang from your middle and grab your feet behind you, making a chandelier shape. I really loved Anti-Gravity yoga and would like to do it again. It really made me push myself past what I thought I was capable of and my back felt like it had been stretched out.

Anti Gravity

The Ballet Barre Conditioning was just as much fun. Our instructor was fun and super fit. I could really feel the burn and even the warm up felt hardcore.

Ballet Barre Conditioning combines ballet barre conditioning, pilates, weight training , yoga and isometric. It promotes a leaner, stretched-out look for women. It doesn’t shorten your muscles or make us look like men. Some parts of it reminded me of the Tracey Anderson Method. I definitely want to do it again. It completely works out the body and challenges you. I’m a fan.

I will definitely be doing more Anti-Gravity Yoga and Ballet Barre Conditioning.

We are running a competition to win some pads and Sweaty Betty Yoga Top and Gap Capri Yoga Pants. To win the kit in the photo below like Frost on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube Channel or newsletter. Comment below to say which one you did.

win, competition, yoga gear, always infinity, fitness, healthGood Luck!

Get Fit On The Move With James Haskell’s Fitness Advice

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Want to get fit but can’t find the time? Here are some tips from James Haskell. James is the health and fitness ambassador for The Healthcounter.

 

Planes, trains and automobiles Exercises to do on the move, don’t let that long haul journey effect your health

 

Lululemon_Yellow_YogaThe obvious one is walking the cabin. If it’s a Jumbo or a large plane you can create a circuit by walking down one aisle and back-up the next. However you might not be too popular with the Air Hostesses if they are working the aisles with the drinks trolley or they are in the galley, when you do your circuit end turns!

Another must-do exercise is stretching, when you get the chance. You can also do some simple exercises to switch muscles on. Like standing, feet slightly apart, one leg to the front the other behind and imagine that you are trying to push the earth apart. Hold this for 20 seconds and then rest for 20 seconds.

You should feel all the muscles in your leg work. You can repeat this with your feet a shoulder width a part. Find a wall or divide in the cabin – put your hands on it and try to either push-in the wall, keeping straight arms, or trying to split the wall down the middle of your hands. Hold all of these for 20 seconds and repeat 4 times

 

Spare 5 minutes? Exercise you can do in your garden, on the beach etc. Simples exercises that will work the all muscles as well as target areas

 

“I would say you should do a 5 minute tabata, which is a form of high intensity interval training. It is a method that is much more beneficial within this specific time frame than regular, moderate intensity training, such as jogging, biking, skipping, and so forth and in my view much more fun!”

 

One suggested circuit which is guaranteed to get your heart rate-up and sweating.

 

10 x standard press-ups

No rest

 

10 burpee jumps – start standing up – feet slightly apart. Then drop down to a crouching position on the floor, with your knees, which should be up to the chest, with your hands either side of the knees, palms to the floor. Then jump out into a press-up position. Then jump back into a crouching position and then jump back up into the air landing back into the standing position. Then repeat

No rest

 

10 Spiderman’s – Position yourself on the ground in a push-up position with hands a shoulder width apart and feet together, resting on your toes. Keeping one’s spine straight. Then using your abdominals, move your leg forward, bring your left leg to your left hand and then back to the neutral position. Repeating for the right leg.

No rest

 

10 sit-ups – Unlike the “Crunch”, which is predominantly a shoulder movement as the lower back should be kept on the ground. The sit-up you lift-up your whole torso off the ground moving through the vertical sit-up position and then back down again.

No rest

 

10 each leg lunge change-up to the other leg

No rest

 

Sprinting on the spot for 10 seconds

 

Repeat as many circuits as you can within the scheduled 5 minutes.

 

James’s top 10 lifestyle changes to get you on the path to fitness

 

1.            Diet is everything. In any successful programme diet will always comprise 70% and exercise 30%. Most people think it’s the reverse. There is a great truth in the saying “You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet!”

2.            Make small changes and stick to them. Don’t try everything or indeed to do everything in one go. Sadly you will never stick to it.

3.            Have breakfast every day – protein based ideally. Eggs are great

4.            Eat a massive variety of vegetables, put a lot colours into your food. Don’t worry too much about fruit. Vegetables are more important and remember with vegetables you can eat as much as you want

5.            Avoid processed food and ready meals

6.            Try and exercise for at least 10 minutes a day, every day. Get your heart rate-up. Walk the dog; go running, do some body weight work just do something!

7.            Always seek advice and guidance before you start. So may diets and exercise plans fail because people get disillusioned. That’s because they were doing it all wrong to start with and sadly they were never going to achieve what they wanted.

8.            Create a plan. As Scott Alexander says “if you walk into a gym without a game plan then walk straight back out again. Get one sorted and then re-enter the gym with purpose, knowledge and vision. Execute the plan with precision.” So start properly and stick with it for a minimum of 4 weeks. You have got to give anything you do reasonable time to work. Everyone has an opinion, try it and if you don’t get results after giving it a reasonable shot then change. Don’t change every 5 minutes and don’t give up after the first week or two

9.            Preparation is the key. Double-up food when making dinner and put in the fridge for the next day. Hydration is also key, Avoid fizzy drinks, especially the diet ones as they are more often or not worst for you to drink because of the hidden sugar levels.

10.          Keep a record of your results and achievements through pictures and measurement’s. Avoid worrying about the scales.

James Haskell is the health and fitness ambassador for The Healthcounter, to see James’s blog topics visit www.thehealthcounter.com”

 

We Are StrongFirst

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FOR THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

 

So as i write this, I am sitting on the floor in a sweltering room.

No matter what I do I just can’t seem to cool down, ye I could go outside but isn’t that where the sun is?

 

It doesn’t matter, I just needed to come up with an intro.

But here is what I wanted to write about…..WHAT AN AMAZING MONTH SO FAR.

 

Summer arrived, Andy Murry wins Wimbledon, The Lions CRUSH Australia in the final match for the series, Josh completes his first PARAS’10 event (a 10 mile speed march carrying 37lbs) and StrongFirst hold their first UK kettlebell certification.

 

Achievements made by all, well not for StrongFirst, no the instructors didn’t do much except show the skills needed and passion that all us SFG instructors have, no the achievement was made by the 40 plus candidates that didn’t just turn up for the 3 days of not just tuition and guidance but the hard….and i mean HARD 3 days work and up to 12 months prep.

 

It has been known for candidates to prep for up to a year before taking the cert and there is good reason to do so.

This is the only kettlebell certification where you CAN FAIL, or as we call it referral.

But what I mean is if you cannot complete the strength test, or the technique test or the horrific snatch test (100 kettlebell snatches in 5 mins-weight based on you’re body weight) you get “refured” therefore until you complete it you are NOT able to call yourself a StrongFirst certified instructor, a badge of honor. A proud family.

 

Its true that this weekend not everyone passed, they are referred and will have to meet the requirements before receiving their certificates and added to the StrongFirst database of instructors.

 

People may think it’s elitist, but to me those are the people who also come up with excuses when it rains or it’s cold. when they have a sore shoulder or no one to train with.

And who would much rather do a dumbass 6-8 hour kettlebell instructors course “at times having never touched one before” and then going to teach someone.

 

In StrongFirst there is a saying, we train you to be at a level where we are happy for you to teach our mothers. Not mother in-laws but mothers.

 

Now who would you want to teach you’re mother not only how to lose some weight, tone up a  bit, maybe improve flexibility or gain the strength to walk upright, to pick up an object or ever roll out of bed because to some people that in it’s self is an achievement and to us its why we dedicate our time and bodies to prepare ourselves for this event.

 

PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH, if you’re personal trainer cannot do the snatch test yet tells you to run, press and swing the bell what the hell are they doing. How can they aim to help you if they will not aim to better themselves.

In the Paras we call this JACK, they are being Jack on themselves and they are being Jack on you.

 

This weekend NO ONE was Jack, the fear of not passing kicked Jack’s ass out the building. Honestly Jack would have been scarred to show his face.

Not only did the candidates take on bored a lot of info but there was workouts, oh god there was workouts.

It was beautiful, loud music playing exciting the body and emotions as they swung, pressed, squated and snatched iron.

Sweat was dripping and smiles showing.

 

Remember these people are not elite, we are not elitist. They come from all works of life and are in all different sizes and ages.

For example one of my students was a 55plus year old gent and yes he had to do the same as everyone else…….and he did, because he worked for it.

 

We have barriers but no blockades.

Not only do you have the right to do what you want but also the ability to do so. Ye it may be a struggle for some and others take longer but what is the point of doing things if they are too easy.

 

At the end of the final day we hold the Grad Workout which was led by myself and another instructor.

Now with over 40 people working together after such a great accomplishment I got a little excited and the music drove me hard, i drove the candidates and in return I made my work out myself harder.

 

As the group did more I made myself do even more, so much that at the end a newly qualified StrongFirst kettlebell instructor approached me and said “goddam what is the matter with you, how did you find the endurance to do almost every set when you where meant to work in pairs”. My response was simple

 

Because I am StrongFisrt

 

 

Ladies and Gents, we can all be StrongFirst if you want it. In everyday life. It Is up to you.

 

FOR THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

 

To view photos of the fist UK StrongFirst kettlebell certification please visit and like our facebook group www.facebook.com/KettlebellStrength

 

website www.kettlebellstrength.co.uk

twitter @KB_strength

 

Seb Morgan

SFG

Primal Move

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Get Bikini Ready With Simple Steps from Fitness First

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yogaWith only weeks to go until bikini season, Fitness First have come up with a set of
simple but effective tips to help you step from the beach hut with confidence.
Fitness First Health & Fitness Expert, Paul Cheeseman’s 30 minute circuit workout is a
great way to combine cardio and weight training together so you can burn fat and
tone up at the same time as well as increase endurance and stamina. Combine this
with a positive mindset, and you’ll see a real difference on those legs, bums and tums!

Squat Jump

The squat jump will give your leg muscles a workout and get your heart pumping. Stand with
your feet roughly shoulder-width apart, then slowly bend your legs and arms to about 90
degrees at the same time. Once your thighs are parallel to the floor, explode into the air as
high as you can go. Land softly and repeat the motion again. Perform eight to 10 repetitions, or
20 to 25 seconds for a timed circuit. Modify the reps or time to suit your fitness level if the
workout seems too difficult or not difficult enough.

Jump Rope

Rope jumping is a staple of training systems such as boxing and martial arts. Jumping rope will
enhance your footwork, coordination and balance. Find a rope that just clears your head by a
few inches on each revolution. Practice different footwork combinations as you become more
comfortable. Jump rope for about 30 seconds as part of a beginner circuit routine. Increase
the time and intensity of the jumping as your fitness level progresses.

Burpees

A burpee is a standard gym class type of movement that will work your entire body. Start in a
standing position and bend down to place your hands on the floor. Shoot both of your legs
backward into a push-up position, then bring them back to your chest quickly. Stand up and
repeat the movement for eight to 10 repetitions. For a timed circuit, try for 20 to 25 seconds of
continuous burpees. Modify the reps or time to suit your fitness level.

Push-Ups

The basic push-up is an exercise that will strengthen your triceps, shoulders and chest. Including
push-ups in your circuit training routine will help to give a complete body workout. Do eight to
10 push-ups to start, then increase as your level of fitness increases. Perform push-ups for 10 to
20 seconds as part of a timed routine.

Lunges

Lunges will strengthen and tone your thighs and buttocks. You can either step out into a lunge
position then return to the start and repeat, or alternate legs in a continuous walking motion
across the floor. Lunges can be performed with no added weight or with a dumbbell in each
hand for more of a challenge. Start with eight to 10 reps or 20 to 25 seconds and modify the
resistance or reps according to your fitness level.

V-Ups

The V-up can be a challenging exercise for people with weaker abdominal muscles. Lie on
your back and extend your arms up over your head. Raise your upper and lower body at the
same time, keeping your arms and legs straight to form a “V.” Lower yourself slowly and repeat.
Aim for eight to 10 repetitions or 20 seconds, but don’t push yourself too hard because the V-up
is a difficult exercise

Make It Happen! Get Healthy and Join Us On Pinterest

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January is full of promises of better health habits, but as the year goes on, resolve weakens and more help is usually needed. So I have made a Pinterest board full of inspiration. Join me on Pinterest and make your own #bootsmakeithappen board. Boots will be choosing the best one and will put it on their Facebook page.

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According to new research, more than three quarters (84%) of us are feeling positive about achieving our health and beauty goals throughout 2013. That’s why Boots has launched Let’s Make It Happen – to encourage people to take action on their health and beauty goals. The initiative basically looks at what can we change in our lives this year – whether that’s stopping smoking, going to the gym more regularly, having more body confidence etc.  Boots’ Let’s Make it Happen tells you what you need to achieve these health and beauty goals, including products and service support. All the information is available in The Feel Good Forum on Mumsnet.

I have been walking, eating less meat and drinking lots of water. I have also been taking a multivitamin. What have you been doing?

Get pinning and have fun.

 

Sponsored Post

 

Running a Marathon For Dummies | Book Review

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runningamarathonMarathons are hugely popular now. It seems everyone I know is doing one. Although I have yet to join in, this book has made me feel inspired. Unfortunately injuries are rife as people underestimate just how hard it is. Enter Running A Marathon For Dummies. An incredibly informative book which covers everything you could possibly want to know about running a marathon.

What I found particularly interesting was chapter three: Understanding the Physiology of Marathon Running. It tells you all about your heart and what happens when you are running. How the heart pushes blood through your body and how your muscles carry you 26.2 miles. (the length of a marathon) It is completely fascinating and essential knowledge for those serious about running.

The book also has brilliant tests like the one to tell you how high your arch is. It gives you recommendations on what gear to buy. It also tells you how to stay strong and healthy. This book will hopefully make any injuries less common, in fact an entire chapter is dedicated to recognising and avoiding common injuries and also has the treatments in case the worst happens. You will also be educated about your body and what it goes through. It has a good amount of exercises with a step-by-step guide on how to do them.

It also helps you train with running drills, the tools to help you create your own training preparation and it also gives you training programmes. An excellent book for everyone from the beginner to the more experienced. Jason Karp really knows his stuff. I loved this book. An excellent guide.

Running a Marathon For Dummies by Jason Karp,

With record numbers participating in marathons worldwide, whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner, this title provides tips and techniques to help improve stamina, speed and overall health. Taking the reader all the way from sitting on the couch through to their first marathon and beyond, it also contains advice for practiced marathoners as to how to continue improving performance.