Warming up is critical to a better overall performance and reduces the risk of injury. It’s essential to a good workout. The safest way to exercise is to gradually raise the body’s temperature and loosen the muscles before starting into your full body workout. That’s what warm ups are designed to do. You can warm up with a light run, using the cross trainer, completing some jumping jacks or a combination of the above. Five minutes should be enough time to allocate to a warm up.
Read MoreIn my last video log I introduced my 30 day challenge. It’s time to put a bit of meat on the bones of that challenge in this blog. I’m a big believer in setting goals and challenges for yourself, in every aspect of life. I’m concentrating on a health challenge. My aim is to be as healthy as I can be for 30 days. You can look on this as a detox, as preparation for a sporting event like a race or a big match, or simply a way of adopting a healthier lifestyle. Whatever your own personal goals, I know you will gain a lot from following my lead.
Read MoreI've been fortunate enough to spend time in gyms in both Ireland and Brazil recently and I've come to notice some interesting differences. The Brazilian model wins without question for me. It’s important to note I haven’t travelled the length and breadth of both countries researching this (interesting idea though). I'm basing my argument on about 10 gyms I've frequented in recent years in the Dublin area versus a couple of gyms in Rio de Janeiro and a handful more around Florianopolis in the south of Brazil.
So what makes the Brazilian approach win out?
Read MoreI've been hitting the gym three times a week every week for the last 6 months for resistance training (check out my routine here), with a bit of cardiovascular exercise thrown in on top of that probably twice a week. I'm delighted with my discipline and I can honestly say my exercise routine has become a habit now which was a goal I had set for myself. This might sound like I'm patting myself on the back here but that’s not the case at all because overall I'm a little disappointed with my progress. The blame for my slow progress, I believe, can be laid at the door of my ‘comfort zone’ (and the fact that I'm not getting out of it!).
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