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05/02/2016
Whenever I hear the word ‘Aerobics’ I get a picture of Jane Fonda in leg warmers. I remember studying Sports Science back in 1995 in Sydney and it was a very competitive course to get into. 4000 people applying for 90 places. It was seen as a great thing to do at the time and a super fun and promising career. The only problem was that most people who applied thought they would be kicking a footy around or doing aerobics all day long. The reality was a pretty serious science degree including physics, chemistry, biomechanics, physiology and anatomy. This saw about 40 people out of the original 90 who got in actually make it to graduation. That being said, there was one course we had to do later in the degree, and that was teaching an aerobics class. We all thought this was pretty stupid in light of all the other mind bending stuff they had got us to do to that point, but it was a prerequisite for reasons that remain unknown. Maybe it was comic relief for the lecturers in seeing science nerds jump around like Richard Simmons. Now, I saw myself as aerobically fit, and when I had last done aerobics in the 80’s, it was a million repetitions of the same thing, which any idiot could do if they were persistent and crazy enough to keep pushing… I was that idiot. I decided that I should get myself ready for my compulsory teaching of the class (with or without leg warmers) and do a few […]
21/01/2016
At Best Practice, we are big on behaviour change and we like to use every little psychological trick in the book to achieve it. When it comes to the best tricks, I look at how games are designed and then use the addictive nature of such ingenious methodology to mould the action of clients towards the ‘good’ habits, as opposed to the numerous bad ones we form, seemingly without even trying. And you know what, I think that last point is key – ‘without even trying’. When I finish a workout now, I almost can’t wait to tick the box in our systems that says, in graphical form, “hey you got something done pal”. My little calendar, which is easily accessible on my smart phone displays a little orange man on the day when ever I have completed a workout. As simple as that is, the accumulation of little men means I know at a glance that I am active in that week, and I will do almost anything to make sure I can tick the box that means I get a little icon to show up. I guess another big reason this works is because ‘being active’ is one of my KPI’s for a good life and like anyone, I want a good life. We use this method with our clients and members because it is easier to drive new behaviour with the simple rather than the complex. You should give it a go. Even a simple walk get’s you a tick and an orange man. Our two group […]
16/12/2015
Let’s face it, it’s hard to stay on track on holidays. Also, we live in a very fortunate place where a lack of food is not usually our problem. Ahh yes the doubled edged sword! We are not going to starve but will we eat too much this Christmas? Whilst we don’t count calories here at Best Practice, it is a solid fact there is much ‘energy’ stored in the various tasty treats that get thrust in our face a bit more so than usual around the Christmas period. Without being accused of being the Grinch of Christmas, let’s look at some strategies for incorporating a bit of naughty whilst staying nice to our temples. We all know that there is a price to pay if we let things get out of control, so read the list below and think about it a bit when next faced with the calorie oblivion of the staff Christmas pudding. We may not know exactly how many calories are in that mince pie, but I can tell you that it does equate to something extra that must be dealt with somehow. You can decide whether it is worth it when you really consider the reality of ’cause and effect’. After all, you know what your body can handle – so listen to it this Christmas and keep exercising too. It is simple mathematics when you consider what the end result might be of nothing going out and stacks going in. It doesn’t end pretty! So here are my Top 7 strategies to avoid big […]
02/12/2015
Okay… I don’t really know why your back is sore or your booty is small, but there is a good chance there is a weak glute issue lurking. The two are not necessarily related but they certainly could be. This exercise below (the single leg glute bridge which you probably haven’t seen or done) ably demonstrated by Kennet could help get your glutes activated and worked out well as part of a bigger program – if it is identified that your glutes are not doing the job they were designed for and/or you aren’t doing enough of the right glute exercises including this one. But hey, don’t go rushing into this exercise if you currently have a bad back. Please see your physio, chiro or osteopath first for a proper diagnosis and specific exercise prescription. Consider poor core stability as another obvious and likely cause for the back issue too by the way.
15/07/2015
As I hear asked over and over again, what are the fat loss methods that work??? Here at Best Practice Personal Training in Bowen Hills, we specialise in combining behavioural change with the most well researched training methods. You can have a look at our services on our website at www.bestpracticept.com.au. When it comes to fat loss methods that actually work, different approaches can work for different people. In saying that, the top 5 things to do if you really want to start losing body fat now and then manage it for the rest of your life are as follows: Get your head right: Science has now proven that what you think on a regular basis directly affects your actions. It is no longer a cute coffee cup platitude to say “so as doth think, thou wilt be”. By implementing goal setting (i.e. writing it down and practicing positive thinking) you are carving a new groove of thinking which will lead to the new (desired) action. You absolutely must do strength training. There is no escaping this fact. If you do not lift weights you will lose 2-4 kg of muscle mass per decade meaning that your ability to burn energy will diminish. This essentially means the older you get, the fatter you get. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be that way at all. Build muscle and burn body fat. It’s that simple. You have to move more on a regular basis. You burn calories by being active, but you can burn more calories if you are […]
09/07/2015
The question most people want answered when they decide to to get fit and healthy is how do I burn up those excess calories as quickly and effectively as possible…? Should I do strength or cardio training? The answer, my exercise loving friends, is BOTH! Wonderful, isn’t it? 🙂 There are many facets to this debate, and the calorie thing should not be the only consideration. Improving general health and fitness is a combination of many things, not being limited to weight control. Don’t forget to think about flexibility, heart health, functional strength to perform daily tasks and postural correction, just to name a few. There is no argument when it comes to the fact that cardiovascular training will burn more calories in a session. However, it is worth keeping in mind that when you are actually lifting weights you are burning more calories, it is the rest time needed in strength training that limits the total calories burned in a session. It is worth noting however that higher total calories burned doesn’t necessarily translate to greater body shape transformation. A well designed strength training routine is likely to have a greater impact on body composition than cardiovascular training on a session for session basis. This is because while it will be burning less total fat content, it is simultaneously increasing lean muscle mass (and this helps out those before and after photos more than you can imagine). The crucial point above is ‘on a session for session basis’ – a drawback with strength training is that your muscles need time to repair themselves. So you need longer […]
08/07/2015
We make a living by what we get. We make a life from what we give. – Winston Churchill. I believe the best thing you can ‘give’ is a great example. I am thinking specifically here about family and health. In health and fitness, it is all about a getting into a consistent routine. When you can display this in your own life, you will start to see it multiply around you. Your kids will model what you do. Have you ever heard the saying “I can’t hear your words because your actions are screaming so loudly”? If you are wondering why your kids aren’t getting outside to play whilst all you ever do is crack a beer and slouch down on the couch, then maybe it is time to think what kind of picture you are giving them of life. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed and all you ever do is give. Well, the idea that charity starts at home is well worth considering. When was the last time you gave something to yourself? When did you last carve out some ‘you time’? I have mentioned this concept before. You are no good to anyone if you are feeling this way. You need to factor in some ‘energy up’ time. Let’s also not forget recovery and recuperation. It is a salient point that the most gains in fitness happen when you are NOT doing anything. But of course you have to do the ‘something’ first! So harking back to the wise words of Winston… You can make your own […]
26/06/2015
Where do you wear your carbs? Now this is a question I’m sure many people are very interested in… There is a lot of confusing information out there about diet and eating. Make no mistake – the ‘weight loss’ business has been (and will continue to be) a huge industry. Why though? Why is this the case? If what they are selling is so good, why hasn’t someone come up with the answer yet thereby effectively ending the prolific amount of information written on the subject?? The answer is that it is a self perpetuating business model. What I mean is that what they are collectively suggesting creates short term but unsustainable results, which inevitably leads to snap back. And not only does the weight snap back, it comes back with interest… The reason is that most diets create a metabolic environment that makes long term fat loss (which is what the whole thing should be about) harder and harder. Talk about an ingenious business model… Give quick, short term joy only to take it away (thus creating the need again) and offer the same thing again in a new form that seems appealing all over. We all recognize the need within ourselves for novelty and fresh ideas to keep us interested. What do I suggest then? Stop looking for the easy answer. As a mate of mine once told me when I was learning how to work on my old timber boat, “the shortcut you are looking for will be the long cut you were trying to avoid. Do […]
16/06/2015
Half way through the year: health check up So, it’s halfway to the end of the year! Are we on track or not? This is an important question that needs to be periodically asked because operating without feedback is akin to ‘hoping for the best’. And you know whilst I am a big believer in positive thinking and many of the elements of the celebrated “The Secret”, merely ‘hoping’ without the hard data to adjust course does not normally end well. At the start of this year you probably made some claims, resolutions, assertions or if you were really serious, actually had written goals about how this year was going to go health wise. I am suggesting to you that now is a good time to do your check in. I would like to think you were appraising your progress on a monthly basis and taking the appropriate action to keep on target, but I know that not all of you have your health on that pedestal of priority! At the very least though, let the EOFY signify more than just a check in on your finances… So what should you be checking? I would at least be looking at the broad numbers of health including your blood pressure, blood sugar, liver function, immune system and cholesterol. These are a good start but I would go further than this. If your only goal is to live with the ‘absence of illness’, then maybe this is enough. But I think most people are looking at how better to thrive not just […]