River Surfing

Today’s news, aside from being a little different, I didn’t even know occurred. Call me a naïve city lad but who knew we had tidal bores or that there are those who surf them! News to you too? Then read on…

Motivational Music (6)

Azealia Banks – 212 ft. Lazy Jay

Hi Vis Gear

We like to think we’re a fairly safety conscious bunch but as a runner who enjoys his evening runs running in the dying light can have its dangers...

Motivational Music (5)

Rage Against The Machine – Wake Up

Motivational Music (4)

Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand – Let me think about it

Active Valentine's ideas (4)

Spontaneity is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship so why not take a leap, quite literally, together? Yes we’re talking about bungee jumping. Nothing screams ‘true love’ more than being tied to your lover and hurtling headfirst towards the pavement. That’s romantic right?

Active Valentine’s ideas (3)

Did you crash and burn? Never mind, many gyms are running Valentines themed classes designed to get the heart pumping even if your love life fails to do so. Check out what high intensity classes your gym might be doing this weekend. If you’re a member of Gymbox (fancy pants) they’re offering their Valentine’s Day Massacre to sweat out the love.

 

Active Valentine’s ideas (2)

More than Gym buddies?

Any other time of the year we’d probably advise against hitting on a fellow gym member, after all they’re there to work out, none of us look our best when we’ve got our sweat on and if you are turned down then it’s just going to be awkward. 

That said there are TONS of beautiful singles moaning on Twitter that they’ll be in the gym instead of a date for Valentines so odds are if someone’s working out Friday night they’ll probably single, why not strike up a conversation? Just don’t lead with “Hey there – it’s your turn to spot me because I spotted you from across the room when you got in”

Active Valentine’s ideas (1)

What could be more romantic than watching a sunset? Well, how about racing it instead?

Held in the Lake District, Race the Sunset is the perfect opportunity for you and your other half to come together as you set off at sunrise and complete a 50 mile cycle, scale Helvellyn and paddle across Lake Thirlmere. You can admire the gorgeous countryside whilst keeping a whether eye on that beautiful horizon as you both race to complete each task before the sun goes down. Set at the end of August, that leaves plenty of time for you to break the news, get training and raise money for charity to boot. Signups are for teams of 4 – double date anyone?

Details here: http://www.actionforcharity.co.uk/eventdetailsnew2.php/urlsearch/Race-the-Sun-Lake-District-2014

Valentines Day

In tribute to Valentines we decided to give everything an amorous induced twist on the blog this week. If, like us, you completely forgot about the dreaded Vday (crap – I’ve got to buy a card) and are stuck for ideas to woo your significant other – never fear we’ve got you covered. Similarly, if you’re single we’ve got some stuff that might peak your interest too. 

Kev Brady

Just do it!

In tandem with our post last Friday we wanted to post our congrats to British adventurer Kev Brady. Paddling 14 hours a day for three months he completed a solo rowing mission down the Mississippi river whilst determinedly steering his canoe through one of the harshest US winters on record. (oh, and raising £3000 for sick children in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the process) 

The prep work involved?  One weekend messing about on his local river before heading out and doing it. Just shows what anyone of us can do, if we get out there and just do it. Nicely done Kev. 

Check out his Facebook page here to see how he got on and a fun victory video when he finished too: https://www.facebook.com/paddlingthemississippi

Motivational Music (3)

Eagles of Death Metal - I Want you so Hard

Obstacle Races

We’re throwing down the gauntlet and challenging you, YES YOU, to sign up to race.

Getting that work/exercise/life balance

Time. It’s probably the number one factor that can inhibit us all from cracking on with our workouts. Between juggling work, personal commitments, odd jobs (and let’s face it the preferable pub session) it can sometimes feel that there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Guilty of being an A-class procrastinator here are the methods I use to ensure that run or workout gets in.

Man-Flu

ATTENTION READERS,

URGENT HEALTH WARNING ANNOUNCEMENT

Motivational Music (2)

The Crystal Method - Born too Slow

A Cure for Hangovers?

Drinkers of the world unite! No longer will we have to suffer the retching sickness, the pounding headaches and bothersome fatigue that hit after a night on the town. Quite possibly, the greatest service to man is now on offer: a hangover cure in 30 minutes.

Nintendo-Fit for 2015

With Nintendo’s new business plan comes the promise of some interesting developments that could help with your health and fitness

City White Water Rafting

When you live in the city, it’s easy to think that all the concrete jungle can offer you is a surplus of gyms or a roadside run – but there’s so much more on offer! Fancy something a lil bit different for your exercise session? You’ve come to the right place. 

Motivational Music (1)

Fort Minor - Remember the Name

How often should I wash my running shoes?

Somewhere down the line your running shoes are going to get filthy. Be that via a culmination of local jogs in the mud & rain, or maybe thanks to a dedicated ‘Mud run’ or obstacle race (be prepared, you get muddier than you think) or perhaps the dreaded stink that arises from a sweaty exercise shoe. Either way you’ll ask “Can I wash my running shoes?”

Adventure?

Just a quick post today – if you’re the adventurous type be sure to check out the Adventure Travel Show this weekend being held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London. Travel Writing and Photography, Adventure Planning Seminars and the chance to talk to the biggest collection of specialist adventure travel companies face-to-face. Perfect if you’re looking for an adventure!

Info Here: http://www.adventureshow.co.uk/

Blue Monday

Beat the Monday Blues

Today is Blue Monday, reportedly the most depressing day of the year. Many of us will be hit by the January ‘blues’; a combination of crap weather, lack of funds, failing our new year’s resolutions and low motivation. Mathematically speaking it looks like this, which in itself looks depressing enough:

But before we cry “Goodbye cruel world!”, we’ve decided to take heart in the simple things that can make it not so bad.

Choosing the right pair of Running Shoes (2)

At the shop

So now you have a general idea of your foot’s features and how it rolls on the ground allowing for a more informed choice, it’s time to pick up your shoes.

Choosing the right pair of Running Shoes (1)

At Home

These steps only take a few seconds and you can do them at home. They’re not 100% essential but when you come to buy your shoes this info might be handy – you’ll have a general idea of what you may be looking for, know what the heck the salesman is on about when he throws in “under/over pronation” and can narrow down your options.

Your first pair of Running Shoes

Unless you fancy making a salesman’s day don’t bother spending out on new running clothes. Compression tops, leggings, lightweight jackets and all that jazz will come later. At this point an old pair of tracksuit bottoms and a jumper will do just as well as long as you feel warm and comfortable during your jog.

However, there is an A1 piece of kit you need in your life and that’s a decent pair of running shoes. Why? Because when you run, effectively you’re hammering your feet against the ground and we want all of that impact force to be absorbed by the shoe and not your legs, knees, joints and feet. Also we want as much grip as possible not just to give maximum speed and traction but also when the weather takes a turn for the worse the last thing you need is a nasty slip – suffice to say an old pair of converse won’t cut it.

Everyone’s feet and how everybody runs is different and there are hundreds of shoe options to choose from. So how do you go about finding the right pair for you? Check in to our next 2 posts to find out.

Motivational Music

We know you’ve done it, cos we’ve done it too – embarked on a particularly strenuous workout humming ‘Eye of the Tiger’ under your breath. And with good reason; 

Winter

Ah Winter – it’s a tricky time of year. Ironically the time we decide to make a new year’s resolution is exactly the same time when the weather is completely crap. Conjured excuses like “It’s too dark out” or “I could slip on a leaf!” pitched at any other time of year would make us sound pathetic but because we’re in winter they sound like life or death. Best to stay in eh? Who wants to risk being eaten by a polar bear on an early morning run anyway? Far better to kick back in the warm, binge watch Breaking Bad and hibernate til spring.

But consider this, if you can tear yourself away from the warm it’ll give you a head start on everyone else – remember the slowest pace still outruns the bloke lazing on the sofa. The cold will mean you burn more calories and if you can face doing it now you’ll be able to do it any other time of year - just wear a hat.

 

Running

There are many ways to go about cardio. Swimming, cycling, rowing, spinning, dance classes, anything that gets the blood pumping, your heart rate up, the body moving and some sweat on the brow. However I’m making a case for running. For me it just doesn’t get more basic than that. It’s probably the most accessible cardio exercise out there; everyone can do it (that means you!), it’s free, you can do it anytime, go at your own pace, decide on your own targets and is probably better than cycling if you don’t feel confident using a bike on busy roads.

Stretches and warming up – they’re bloody important

Let’s talk warm ups and stretches. Usefully, for every site on the internet that says they’re beneficially important you’ll also find others claiming research that they’re not. Likewise, should you stretch then warm up OR warm up then stretch? Both? Neither? What about afterwards? Professor from X University says one thing while a research team from institute Y say the opposite. So what to do?

Men's Health Survival of the Fittest

I thought it might be worth putting up at this stage a post I did a while back. With an aim to get fitter I (somewhat stupidly) decided to do the London Survival Run.

“I sometimes think that running has given me a glimpse of the greatest freedom a man can ever know, because it results in the simultaneous liberation of both body and mind”

Goals

First things first, let’s start with goals. Walk into a gym and one of the first things they’ll ask (if they’re a gd’un) is what it is you actually want to get out of it. Do you want to lose weight? Slim down? Tone up? Go for definition? Build muscle? Odds are, if you’re anything like me during my first gym encounter the hesitant answer will be ‘Errrr – all of the above?’.

Seriously though, knowing what you want out of all this and having an image of how you want to look is important. Firstly it’s a great motivator – you can’t start without something to aim for. Secondly it’ll highlight what you need to focus on - if you’re aiming to be a long distance marathon runner you’ll focus on other areas and exercises than say a professional body builder, this is a bit of a sweeping example but you get the drift. Identify what you want and that’ll streamline the next steps – even if at this stage it’s quite general i.e. I want to lose weight. I want to tone up my upper body. I want to get fitter overall. Give yourself that goal!

Introductions

If you’ve found this blog then odds are you’re looking to get fit.

Whether that’s getting rid of those last few pesky pounds or a complete lifestyle overhaul you’ve dedicated yourself to nailing that ideal  body target and to look at yourself in the mirror with a thumbs up (or maybe even a little growl) of approval.