Functional Training

Whether you’re new to running or a seasoned running fanatic, you’ll know that one of the key aspects to running success is endurance. Endurance gives you the ability to run for longer periods and greater distances. But what more can you do than different styles of running? Enter the weighted vest. This piece of kit, initially favoured by the army, is a fantastic way to add intensity to your running sessions. Here, is an overview of weighted vests, a guide on how to choose the right vest for you and advice on how to plan your running sessions wearing one....

Crossfit isn’t just a type of training - it’s a lifestyle. Well, really it’s just a brand of fitness program based around some key training principles and values all carried out in a group setting. ‘Boxes’ are the gyms where Crossfit goes down, and with over 15,000 locations worldwide, it’s become a fitness phenomenon. Such a phenomenon that people are now crafting their own CrossFit type workouts from home. So to give you the lowdown on Crossfit, we’re going to take you through some of its key features, how it could benefit you and things to know before getting started....

Warning: the sofa is bad for your health With mobility gurus such as Kelly Starrett suggesting that sitting is a ‘death trap’, finding a solution to a sedentary lifestyle becomes ever more important. The impact of sitting on health and athletic performance is well known. This has lead to an explosion of mobility and flexibility focused training options, with the ever popular yoga and pilates being joined by revived methods, such as animal movements and kettlebell flows. With sitting being compared to the new smoking, getting away from your desk and incorporating regular functional training into your schedule becomes ever...

Plyometrics go hand in hand with building power. Pushing your body through explosive movements makes you more resilient to everyday tasks. This makes them a perfect accompaniment to your home workout. What are plyometrics? Plyometric exercises are quick, explosive movements designed to increase your strength and power. They do this by targeting ‘fast twitch’ muscle fibres. The more muscle fibres you use, the more strength and power you’ll build. As such, plyometrics are impact-heavy and mainly target your core and lower body — think jumps, squats, and powerful landings. Through a non-stop combo of power and cardio movements, plyometric circuits...

Resistance bands are such a cheap and easy tool, but often we don’t appreciate just how valuable they can be for our health and fitness goals. Resistance bands are so adaptable, they can be utilised anywhere, and in many different ways,  to help you get the most out of your workouts. Here we explore exactly how you can utilise resistance bands in your everyday life, whatever your fitness goals. What are resistance bands? Resistance bands are pieces of flat stretchy rubber, which come in different widths. It is the width of the resistance band which determines how hard it is...

Crossfit can seem a bit intimidating for a range of reasons. The supposed ‘clique-ness’ of some boxes, the competitive nature and all of the jargon. And whilst we can’t calm your first-day nerves or necessarily stop you from feeling competitive pressure (although the only person you need to compete against is yourself), we can certainly help with some of the Crossfit jargon. So here’s your one-stop-shop of all the need-to-know lingo so you’ll be up to speed for your first Crossfit session. The basics Affiliate: Box or Crossfit gym that is affiliated with the Crossfit brand. Box: An individual Crossfit...