Rees Fitness Personal Training
Strength, Fitness & Behaviour Coaching
Movement compensation on crutches
Since I started to learn Karate when I was 7 years old, I have consciously or subconsciously been trying to improve the way I move. I have learned that if I want to put my body in a certain position, there are loads of different ways I can do it. But I have also learned that some ways are better than others.
Slipping on ice When (not “if”) you slip on the ice, your feet are going to shift away from you. If your hips are mobile, you have a greater chance of shifting your support into a position where you might be able to avoid falling. If your hips aren’t mobile, then you have a greater … Read more
Do you want to get fitter? Do you want to get stronger? Follow these 3 golden rules and improve your chances of success…
This is a very common question. The short answer is:
I was chatting to someone about their strained back the other day.
***Disclaimer! I’m not any kind of physiotherapist, so I am not any kind of expert in this.***
She had pulled her back picking up a bag from the floor, so she was asking me for some things to strengthen her back so it won’t happen again. But because I have way too much free time on my hands and am a bit of a nerd, I tried to investigate and understand the problem and come up with a good solution. So I started off with a very important lesson I have learned…
Often, a pulled muscle is not due to a weakness in that particular muscle, but because of a weakness in a totally different muscle.
Why?
Cossack mobility stretch
Name: Cossack mobility stretch
Also known as: (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below).
Main muscles used: Bum, hamstrings, adductors.
Other muscles used:
Top tips:
Cancer You may have noticed this story in the news: Over 40% of cancers due to lifestyle. If not, click here for the story, and click here for an explanation of the story from the excellent NHS “behind the headlines” website (I love this place, it explains the millions of health related stories you read … Read more
Side leg swing – good
Name: Side Leg Swing. Also known as: (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below). Main muscles used: Bum, adductors, abductors. Other muscles used: Top tips:
Front leg swing – good
Name: Front Leg Swing. Also known as: (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below). Main muscles used: Bum, hamstrings, hip flexors. Other muscles used: Top tips:
Backward Lunge – Good
Name: Reverse Lunge
Also known as: Backwards Lunge. (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below).
Main muscles used: Bum, legs.
Other muscles used:
Top tips:
Bastards
I get bored easily. I have noticed that unless I have some kind of goal to aim for, or unless I have someone keeping me accountable, I can easily put things off until another time (why do something today if you can put it off until tomorrow?).
Bastards
Name: Bastards
Also known as: (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below).
Main muscles used: Legs, chest, shoulders, arms, heart.
Other muscles used: Everything else.
Top tips:
Inverted Row – Good
Name: Inverted Rows
Also known as: Australian pressups, bodyweight rows (If you know these by any other name, please leave a comment below).
Main muscles used: Upper back, arms.
Other muscles used: Lower back, bum.
Top tips:
I was asked a common question the other day. A young lad came up to me and asked if he should be having a protein drink like he sees all his friends having. He trains once or twice a week and when I asked, he said he had no specific goals. He seemed the perfect example of the average lad doing recreational exercise for general health. This was an easy one to answer…
If you are a swimmer, or if you know anyone who wants to get good at swimming, make sure you know about this Olympic Day Masters Swim Clinic on Sunday Dec 18th. Download the poster below: Olympic Masters Swim Clinic poster
Booze
Is a small drink good or bad for you? Does a small glass in the evening give you health benefits? Read this special report from the NHS for an analysis on “the media’s relationship with research on alcohol, the science behind it, and what all this means for us when we consider raising a glass.” The report covers:
Shotokan Karate
First of all, here is the disclaimer…I am not a physiotherapist, or qualified in pain relief in any way. I am just a person with an interest in the way the human body moves and works. So if you know more than me, and know that i am just talking out of my hat, leave a comment below and tell me. But I work with several people with various injuries and disabilities. A few of whom suffer from chronic pain. It took me a while to appreciate the concept of chronic pain. As a young, healthy bloke with a background in martial arts I would think that i have been hit by loads of people and got hurt (I was never that good at martial arts!). I would think:
Click here for a news link i just came accross. It tells of Fauja Singh, a 100 year old gentleman who took up competitive running at the age of 89! He sprints 100 metre races and is also aiming for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon today! This 100 year old guy can do it…how old are … Read more
We did the Marine Commando Challenge on Sunday. I’ll write a report of how much fun it was later…but in the meantime, here are some photos from the day… http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwkzwq6
A clip i just found of one of the obstacles i’ll be facing Sunday…