Fitness

People who play sports appear to have an enhanced ability to process sounds from their environment, according to new research. Share on PinterestAthletes’ brains may be better at processing the sensory environment, new research suggests. Scientists at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, measured brain activity relating to sound processing in athletes and nonathletes. They found

Picture this yogi: You’re in your flow, moving through asanas with ease, and having an om-azing time on your mat. Then, just as the Zen starts to really kick in, you pull your hips up into your umpteenth downward-facing dog, and suddenly you feel one of the telltale symptoms of (dramatic sound effect): yoga butt. “This

Get the Basics… Personal trainers must be mindful of their verbal and nonverbal communication with clients. It’s best to provide cueing and motivational comments that are focused on overall health or function instead of appearance. Personal trainers can further boost client satisfaction by using technology and social media to communicate with and encourage clients. Every

One surefire way to improve your pushup game is by trying the hand-release pushup. This variation on the phys. ed. classic will target a lot of the same muscles used in a standard pushup — shoulders, chest, and core. But it will work them even harder by breaking down each stage of the exercise. What’s

Don’t you just get those days when you’re like ‘that’s it, I’m joining the circus’? Nope? Just me then. But in all seriousness, I actually did. I joined the flying trapeze department in Stellenbosch with the Living Arts Foundation. Here’s what went down… and up. Flying Trapeze So how did I even hear about this? Well,

Researchers using a new method of assessing risk factors for prostate cancer have found an intriguing link between a lack of physical activity and an increased risk of this condition. Share on PinterestNew evidence suggests that being physically active could help slash prostate cancer risk. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer

Often referred to as your body’s “powerhouses,” your glutes (a.k.a. the muscles that make up your booty) help you do pretty much everything from strolling around to squats. But thanks to desk jobs and endurance sports, tight glutes are common. “An imbalance of activity — either too much or too little — usually causes tight

Get the Basics… Fitness classes should be doable for any fitness level Participants need to have options in order to get the most out of your class Your class design should match the title and description listed on the group fitness schedule If you have ever taught a group fitness class, you know how fun

Neck tension refers to neck pain that develops when the muscles in the neck cannot relax, which can lead to soreness, muscle spasms, and headaches. It has numerous possible causes, ranging from joint problems to inflamed nerves. Depending on the underlying cause, people can experience different types of neck tension and pain, which distinct symptoms

It’s easy to skip out on the gym when you’d only have 15 minutes to sweat before running out the door. But that’s the beauty of circuit training: You can get through a total-body, calorie-burning workout at turbo speed in your own living room and still make it to work on time. You can use

We’re celebrating these local brands, that were featured as part of our Women’s Health Fitness Awards. These proudly South African activewear brands are the ones to keep your eyes on this year! 1/ Rush Activewear Tester: Susan Barrett, Managing Digital Editor 1/Rush Sports Short These high-rise sports shorts are perfect for coverage if you’re not

Warmer days call for making the most of your time in the great outdoors — especially with the holiday season upon us! The Women’s Health team took a bunch of hydration packs outdoors as part of a fitness gear trial — all in the name of “fun in the sun”. Avid hiker, cyclist or trail

Torn between watching Netflix and working out? I get it. But what if I told you there was a move you could do to tone your arms, abs, shoulders, and back while sitting down? It’s called the seated overhead press. It’s kind of similar to a military shoulder press, but instead of using your bodyweight as resistance,

You can never have enough gym gear, right? That was certainly the feeling in the WH office as we browsed Black Friday deals from all our favourite activewear brands… most of us already wearing activewear. But unlike with, say, jeans, activewear can’t just look cute, it needs to hold its own in a workout, too.

Lateral raises may not look like they’re doing much for your bod, but trust me — they do. They’re an essential shoulder exercise that will amp up your strength and stability in a big way. The move targets mainly your deltoids (the triangular muscles on top of your shoulders) and will create the kind of

Get the Basics… Briefly get to know your client as a person before jumping into their consultation. Thoroughly gather their medical history and measurements in order to write appropriate goals. Include your client in writing goals and formulating a plan. Focus your pitch on selling the achievable results, not the package. Almost every personal trainer

It’s Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT) race week and you can feel the excitement building in the Mother City. The pros have arrived and final prep is being done. I’ve always said running is so much easier than mountain biking (my other sport) because all you need is a pair of trail shoes and your legs. But…

Get the Basics… Sustainability over Intensity Healthy Lifestyle Mentality over Hardcore Boot Camp Mentality Educated Coaching over Extreme Calorie-Burning When starting your own business, you must be driven by pleasure in the work and/or the prospect of wealth; otherwise, you won’t have the resolve to persevere through the inevitable challenges. Today, we’re talking to Timothy

Stretching feels oh-so-soothing post-workout or even after sitting on your butt all day. Finding the perfect pose that seems to ease just the right tight spot can instantly calm the mind and offer a deep sigh of physical relief. That’s especially true when you score a sweet upper-body stretch that opens the chest and counteracts

I tried the Garmin Vívomove Style – and it changed the game for me. Here’s why… Did you see that meme that said something along the lines of: “When you’re wearing formal clothes, please take off your fitness tracker – you look like you’re in a Spy Kids movie”? I felt that meme (deeply) because, come

Having a strong pelvic floor is ideal for lots of reasons. “Your pelvic floor works in tandem with the deep abdominal muscles, acting as an internal corset, which can help reduce low back pain, urinary and bowel incontinence and improve sexual function — good coordination of this muscle group is also a great step towards

Get the Basics… There are numerous creative options to host or create events to engage with current members or get potential new members. Some events have a low or minimal cost but could generate new revenue for your fitness business. Partnerships with local events, local businesses, or local professionals are also great ways to boost

If I had to pick a favourite move, the bent-over row would be on my shortlist. As a weight training exercise, bent-over rows target and tone several back and arm muscles, plus your core. Of course, that only happens if you’re doing them with proper form and recruiting all the muscles you need to get the

Get the Basics… Don’t get in over your head on overhead costs Research your geographic market, provide something that’s currently missing Focus not only on customer acquisition but also retention Implement employee development to upgrade your operation Use the right technological tools that make running your business easier One can get started in owning a

Actress Nicole Bessick, better known for her role as Chole Hendricks on eTV’s Broken Vows, is taking SA’s entertainment — and boxing — industry by storm. The 25-year-old stepped into the boxing ring back in 2017, when she was challenged by her opponent to compete in the annual Celebrity Boxing Event, which sought to raise awareness

Get the Basics… Group fitness training provides participants with the coaching and motivation needed to reach their goals Certification is not always required to teach a class, but the credibility and knowledge is very useful People return to classes because of the instructor as much as the workout If you are looking for a way

Get the Basics… Perseverance and Persistence Over Perfection Process Over Product Patient and Purposeful Personal Development Over Popular Opinion When starting your own fitness business, it’s always good to prepare well and to have a solid business plan. But sometimes, it helps to encounter some fortuitous circumstances on the way to making a fortune in