You have probably heard that exercising with a companion is a major key to success in weight loss or fitness: it’s also the basis of my profession as a personal trainer!
Early this morning, under a beautiful blue sky eerily free of planes courtesy of the Icelandic volcano, I observed just how many joggers in Battersea Park were accompanied by a friend or partner.
However, it can be a frustrating experience if you are significantly less fit than your friend.
Overview
Westbourne Green is located on the Harrow Road, opposite Royal Oak Tube station.
The Green affords a useful training space for Westbourne Park or Notting Hill residents that don’t fancy the run to Hyde Park. Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue residents could also use it as an alternative to the, albeit more picturesque, Regent’s Park.
The trim trail’s 9-stations are placed around a 200 metre running path. » Read more: London’s Outdoor Gyms Review: Westbourne Green trim trail
A few years ago, I found the ideal piece of fitness equipment for adding variety and challenge to bodyweight exercise programmes.The Suspension Trainer takes personal training sessions to another level.
This deceptively simple device is little more than one long piece of woven fabric with handles at either end. I attach the strap to a strong anchor point, which can take a client’s bodyweight, before asking him/her to perform a variety of exercises whilst » Read more: Strap-Hangers of the World Unite!
Primrose Hill’s Trim Trail: 1 of 16 stations
This blog is the first of an occasional series, reviewing trim trails and outdoor gyms around London, where you may find me training clients or myself.
The trim trail at Primrose Hill is one of my favourites, located at the foot of the hill, » Read more: Exercising on Primrose Hill’s Trim Trail
Spring Crocus & Bumblebee: Primrose Hill
Usually, we train under the glow of a lamppost in Battersea Park. But today, as we spar with hook and jab pads, the lamppost cuts out as the sun rises over the Thames, turning it golden. Spring is on its way.
My client is telling me of her plans to spend the weekend gardening, which is a real passion of hers. It occurs to me, that the structure of a gardener’s growing year (seeding, planting, nurturing, harvesting), is not dissimilar to the structure of a year in fitness – especially outdoor exercise. » Read more: Spring Exercise
I find steady “state cardio” tedious, compared to bodyweight exercises. However, the efficacy of a structured running programme is beneficial for the cardiovascular fitness of most people, including me. So, I develop proper running form in my clients who like to run, training outdoors in locations across London.
Trying to lose weight by going running is common practice. It’s a cheap and accessible form of exercise. There are plenty of after-work runners of all abilities, fitness training in London’s parks. They’ve taken the initiative, stepping towards a fitness lifestyle, which is great – but my major concern is witnessing various horrible running techniques, so I thought to offer a few tips: » Read more: Horrible Running Styles
Improvised Bodyweight Exercise: a tricep dip outdoors, stablised by tree branches
I like exploring the natural movements of the body using this low-tech/high-effect combination. Wikipedia defines this form of physical fitness as “strength training exercises that do not require free weights, as the practitioner’s own weight provides the resistance for the movement.” Using your own body in this way and being free from the necessity of specialised equipment, means you can practice bodyweight training anywhere.
However, I feel these guides often skip the practical advice that newbies would value – teaching you how to drive without helping you out of the driveway. I hope to remedy that with a few practical pointers: » Read more: Bodyweight Exercises – practical pointers
Squat Thrust holding a 10kg medicine ball ...
As an outdoor fitness trainer, I use snow as a great way to vary an exercise session. Rolling giant snowballs is good for the back and legs, when supervised and performed correctly. While it might seem like a whole lot of child’s play, snow is really heavy stuff and hauling it around adds intensity to a workout and burns a lot of calories.
Have you ever seen ITV’s The Biggest Loser? I was reminded the other day of this competitive weightloss programme when one of the show’s fitness trainers jogged past me in Regent’s Park. I watched an episode online, interested to see how my television counterparts worked with weightloss clients.
Their approach to client management is different to mine. One trainer yelled “No Pain! No Pain! No Pain!” to an individual who was clearly in pain. Another shouted insistently that her client should “Go! Go! Go!” as the man wheezed on his exercise bike. » Read more: Missing the Air-Punch Gene
We offer home and outdoor personal training across London, from Hampstead to Chelsea.
You are currently browsing the archives for the Outdoor Fitness category.
Proudly powered by WordPress
&
Green Park 2
by Cordobo.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional | Valid CSS 3 | 
