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Stability, the opposite of flexibility, describes the state of being rigid and stable; too much flexibility renders a joint unstable whilst too much stability increases the risk of tissue strains and tears. In relation to kinesiology and exercise, the degree of stability explains one’s ability to be able to resist and oppose external forces and movement. The core is the most important stabilising mechanism in the body- not only does it protect the organs but it also provides a solid foundation from which the arms and legs move from.   What is the Core?If we were to remove the arms and legs, we would be left with the trunk- the core describes all of the muscles that are involved in the stabilisation of the trunk; thus ‘core stability’ refers to one’s ability to recruit these muscles in their capacity as stabilisers (usually called fixators).... more info

Self myofacial release is a technique typically used to increase the flexibility of muscles that have become tight or hypotonic. Occasionally referred to as ‘self myofacial therapy’ (SMT) or simply ‘foam rolling’, this technique primarily focuses on the pliability of the muscle’s connective tissues and the neuromuscular aspects of flexibility. As a result of regular and daily use, tiny knots or ‘adhesions’ form within the muscle which impede the muscle’s flexibility and create tender points along the length of the muscle fibres. These adhesions form within the muscle during the repair and recovery process; primarily made from ‘scar tissue’, adhesions are inelastic and therefore make the muscle less flexible.... more info

A career as a Personal Trainer is one of great privilege, reward and immense satisfaction but its not all glitz and glamour. Achieving the qualifications is the easy part, the hard work starts once you are qualified. Ask most people what they think of Personal Trainers and it doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to anticipate their response! The modern day Personal Trainer has to overcome these old stereotypes and set a new standard, one that conveys an image of professionalism, passion, enthusiasm, care and competency. Prospective clients need assurance and confidence that their Personal Trainer can meet their needs and solve their problems. All great businesses have the same thing in common; they are the solution to people’s problems and Personal Training is no different.... more info

The Kettlebell Swing is the foundation of all kettlebell exercises and characterises everything kettlebell training is about- power-endurance. The kettlebell swing, which from this point on we will simply refer to as ‘the swing’, is perhaps the most basic of kettlebell exercises and can be performed as an exercise in its own right or during transitions between other kettlebell exercises. Prior to attempting the swing, exercisers should ensure that they can correctly perform the ‘kettlebell deadlift’, of which the swing is a natural progression. Both the deadlift and the swing can be described as triple extension exercises because they require a simultaneous extension of the ankles, knees and hips, although extension of the ankle is somewhat limited in these exercises because the heel remain on the ground.... more info

If you have recently been to a modern health club, you won’t have been able to ignore the rather peculiar looking vibrating contraptions that appear to be trying to ‘shake their users into shape’.  Are these machines credible? Do they work? In this 3 part article will explore the facts surrounding this type of exercise and provide some guidance on how you can incorporate vibration training into your workouts. Alternatively, if you are a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer looking for some new information to share with your clients, you may also find this useful. The content of this edition will primarily focus on how vibration training related to resistance training. Vibration training or whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise phenomenon that has recently emerged into mainstream fitness clubs and has become increasingly popular throughout the European health and fitness industries.... more info