At the age of 30, AFL Football was my new passion for 2011, a new sport to try. To give my training some new meaning. It was a great season and looking forward to 2012!
Remember, you are never too old to try something new!
Hopscotch Fitness is a small business offering personalised training to meet the needs of any individual or group to help you reach your goal and to learn more about staying healthy in today’s fast paced environment.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Vibram - FiveFingers
Some of you may have seen me walking around and training in these funny looking shoes but they are called - Vibram FiveFingers.
These shoes are definitely not for the fainthearted and needs some getting used to but are a good change to wearing your commercial runners/trainers.
The basic concept of the FiveFingers are to bring our feet back to basics, back to walking around as if we were in bare feet and of course with other great features.
Many people complain about issues with their bodies i.e. their backs, hips or knees and yes, sometimes there are issues specifically in those local areas, but other times, it come all come from the way your feet are. The structure of your feet can have great affects on the rest of the body, as it carries you around all day long.
Although the Vibram FiveFingers are not suited to everyone or suitable for every exercise specific to the person wearing it (i.e. it can be tough work for those with pronated feet (flat feet) to run in these), overall the FiveFingers may benefit many of you.
Check out their sites and understand the product before purchasing it. I have a great beginners PDF that I can send out if you're interested in reading more. (I can't seem to find the link to the document on their website anymore!)
So next time you have any issues with some of the common areas mentioned, have a look and see how old are your current trainers? How are my feet? Do I need to walk around at home bare feet more often? Maybe I'll try the Vibram Five Fingers out?
These shoes are definitely not for the fainthearted and needs some getting used to but are a good change to wearing your commercial runners/trainers.
The basic concept of the FiveFingers are to bring our feet back to basics, back to walking around as if we were in bare feet and of course with other great features.
Many people complain about issues with their bodies i.e. their backs, hips or knees and yes, sometimes there are issues specifically in those local areas, but other times, it come all come from the way your feet are. The structure of your feet can have great affects on the rest of the body, as it carries you around all day long.
Although the Vibram FiveFingers are not suited to everyone or suitable for every exercise specific to the person wearing it (i.e. it can be tough work for those with pronated feet (flat feet) to run in these), overall the FiveFingers may benefit many of you.
Check out their sites and understand the product before purchasing it. I have a great beginners PDF that I can send out if you're interested in reading more. (I can't seem to find the link to the document on their website anymore!)
So next time you have any issues with some of the common areas mentioned, have a look and see how old are your current trainers? How are my feet? Do I need to walk around at home bare feet more often? Maybe I'll try the Vibram Five Fingers out?
Foam Rolling
Some of you have been lucky enough (or unlucky as some may say) to experience a foam rolling session with myself. The FOAM ROLLER is a great tool to help you loosen up the muscles where there maybe some knots. It's the next best thing to a proper Massage Therapist and can be a handy 5 - 10min quick fix or a nice 30 minute session.
You can purchase Foam Rollers from Rebel Sports and some shops but the best deal I've found online is from QPEC which even after the postage cost is still slightly cheaper than that purchased from shops here.
If you want one, it might be a good idea to let me know before 12th Sept and based on the responses, I could bulk order to reduce the price even more. So jump online and let me know if you want one and if you want a session in using this fabulous tool!
You can purchase Foam Rollers from Rebel Sports and some shops but the best deal I've found online is from QPEC which even after the postage cost is still slightly cheaper than that purchased from shops here.
If you want one, it might be a good idea to let me know before 12th Sept and based on the responses, I could bulk order to reduce the price even more. So jump online and let me know if you want one and if you want a session in using this fabulous tool!
Weight Loss and Carbs
A common mistake for people who exercise and especially those who want to loose weight is to cut out carbohydrates from their diet. There are few good reasons not to entirely cut out carbs and instead learning about carbs and choosing the so called 'good' carbohydrates.
There are two types of carbs. Simple carbohydrates - includes sugars such as fruit, corn, grape and table sugars and Complex carbohydrates - includes everything made of three or more linked sugars.
Carbs ....
1. Can help you boost your mood and improve brain function - Your brain only source of energy comes from Carbohydrates (the main source with organic chemical breaks down and transform them to energy sources.
2. Can help prevent weight gain and even promote weight loss - 'Good' carbs will keep you fuller for longer therefore eating less
3. (some) Are good for your heart - Carbs like Oats have soluble fibre which will lower the 'bad' cholesterol in your blood
4. Will help you loose fat - as it gives you energy to workouts! Whether it be fat burning and/or muscle building workouts!
Some good carbs: Oats, Brown Rice, Wholegrain food (like bread is ok in the right portion), Lentils, Green Vegetables (beans in particular), Fruits!
The body needs Carbohydrates to function at an optimal level. Time of day in which you consume Carbs can also affect your body and weight. If you know you will be doing a marathon, then 'loading' up on carbs will help your body to deal with the long run. Best to stay away from carbs late at night as the body tends to run out of time to break it down and depending on the choices, it can be stored as fat within the body if the 'energy' is not used.
So the secret is actually choosing the right carbs, the 'good carbs' at the right time to help you with your goals.
There are two types of carbs. Simple carbohydrates - includes sugars such as fruit, corn, grape and table sugars and Complex carbohydrates - includes everything made of three or more linked sugars.
Carbs ....
1. Can help you boost your mood and improve brain function - Your brain only source of energy comes from Carbohydrates (the main source with organic chemical breaks down and transform them to energy sources.
2. Can help prevent weight gain and even promote weight loss - 'Good' carbs will keep you fuller for longer therefore eating less
3. (some) Are good for your heart - Carbs like Oats have soluble fibre which will lower the 'bad' cholesterol in your blood
4. Will help you loose fat - as it gives you energy to workouts! Whether it be fat burning and/or muscle building workouts!
Some good carbs: Oats, Brown Rice, Wholegrain food (like bread is ok in the right portion), Lentils, Green Vegetables (beans in particular), Fruits!
The body needs Carbohydrates to function at an optimal level. Time of day in which you consume Carbs can also affect your body and weight. If you know you will be doing a marathon, then 'loading' up on carbs will help your body to deal with the long run. Best to stay away from carbs late at night as the body tends to run out of time to break it down and depending on the choices, it can be stored as fat within the body if the 'energy' is not used.
So the secret is actually choosing the right carbs, the 'good carbs' at the right time to help you with your goals.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Heart Rate Monitors & 2XU Free Performance Sessions
Hi team,
Welcome on board, Deb! A big Welcome back to Patrick and Andrew R. Many of you guys have been setting new short/medium term goals for the end of the year. Remember what they are and try and work hard on them. When you think you want to give in, whether it's eating that piece of cake or skipping out on the gym. Try and remember that every little bit counts!
Melbourne Marathon in October, we have some of our members participating in this great event! Good luck with your training.
Heart rate monitors are great tools not only for runners but walkers, cyclist etc. Check out The Polar Shop for some great deals.
New Packages have been updated for the 84 Day Challenge! So check out what suits you if you're really struggling with your weight and getting into a good/better routine and lifestyle. There are still a couple of participants on this journey and slowly making progress. The biggest finding/realisation that all participants have made is that what you eat really does affect your body and weight!
Check out the 2XU Free Performance Sessions, you may just find one ran by South Pacific Health Club :)
Keep up the great work team! Don't forget to to like the Hopscotch Fitness Facebook Page!
Train Hard, Eat Well, Rest Up
Welcome on board, Deb! A big Welcome back to Patrick and Andrew R. Many of you guys have been setting new short/medium term goals for the end of the year. Remember what they are and try and work hard on them. When you think you want to give in, whether it's eating that piece of cake or skipping out on the gym. Try and remember that every little bit counts!
Melbourne Marathon in October, we have some of our members participating in this great event! Good luck with your training.
Heart rate monitors are great tools not only for runners but walkers, cyclist etc. Check out The Polar Shop for some great deals.
New Packages have been updated for the 84 Day Challenge! So check out what suits you if you're really struggling with your weight and getting into a good/better routine and lifestyle. There are still a couple of participants on this journey and slowly making progress. The biggest finding/realisation that all participants have made is that what you eat really does affect your body and weight!
Check out the 2XU Free Performance Sessions, you may just find one ran by South Pacific Health Club :)
Keep up the great work team! Don't forget to to like the Hopscotch Fitness Facebook Page!
Train Hard, Eat Well, Rest Up
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