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Welcome to the second instalment of my detailed look at some of the most common exercises performed in the gym. Last week we looked at the Bench Press (click here) and this week we look at what is very commonly the partner in crime of the Bench Press, the Seated Row. I say partner in crime but really these two exercises compliment each other extremely well and they are the “bread and butter” of any good upper body strengthening program. Read on for my top tips and tricks for performing this exercise: 

There has recently been an increase in criticism of the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of body composition and as a health predictor. My question to the critics is what’s the problem with BMI? As with many measures of health it has it’s limitations but BMI is still a highly useful tool as long as you are aware of it’s benefits and limitations. Should you use BMI as a tool to help you to improve your health? Read on to find out what this trainer thinks…

Welcome to the 3rd in depth look at some of the most common exercises in the gym. I previously looked at the Seated Row and Bench Press. Squatting is fundamental to our movement and in training it is usually performed with either of these 2 specific purposes in mind: 

1. Athletic training
2. Maintain/Improve Function

For the past 18months I have had a working partnership with Bay Active Physiotherapy in Double Bay. It’s been of terrific benefit to my clients with their ongoing discounted treatments and a terrific relationship which allows for rapid reporting and referring. The result is a better outcome for patients and clients. Last week I had the privilege of trialling a unique piece of equipment that the team at Bay Active have available – Real Time Ultrasound. 

Part 4 of my series of exercise tips is the lunge. You can also view the bench press, seated row and squat from previous instalments. Lunges have long been part of a staple leg strengthening program. They pre-date gyms and are an excellent exercise for strengthening, balance and athletic development. This week I provide my expert tips and guidance to performing the lunge safely and for maximum benefit.

I was watching a little known film on the weekend called “Hector and the Search for Happiness”. You can view the trailer here. The film is the story of a psychiatrist played by Simon Pegg who leaves his successful career and girlfriend (played by Rosamund Pike of Gone Girl fame) in England to travel the World, touch base with some old friends and discover the secret to happiness so he can live a better life and deliver more for his patients. While the movie itself is probably not going to take home any major awards it was the final epiphany by the lead character that intrigued me. 

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Every year I have a strong representation of clients in the City2Surf. This year will be no different. As you all know I have run the City2Surf many times and coached many clients through the process. My clients can range from someone who is looking to compete in the City2Surf for the first time, someone who has never even walked 14km without stopping before to someone who has a target time to break 60mins or even faster! The bottom line is that the people I love working with are those that understand what a realistic goal is and no matter what their starting point, they are prepared to do what is required to achieve that goal. 

I know how to give you that feeling of achievement that only comes from a setting a tough goal – working hard – and achieving it! 

If that sounds like what you want to do this year for the City2Surf then that starts now!

I love hearing from people who are experts in the field and asking them about the little quirks of life that their experience has given them a certain controversial opinion on. I recall a conversation with a surgeon who mentioned he would never want to own or encourage anyone he knows to buy a motorcycle given that he has been responsible for harvesting organs from a number of motorcycle fatalities throughout his career. I recall hearing that according to author Jared Diamond, Papua New Guinean tribes never sleep under dead trees and he was able to decipher that a significant number of people in Papua New Guinea are killed by falling trees and branches every year. In his own life he likens this risk to having a car accident or falling in the bathroom and consequently is now exceedingly careful in these areas of his life. So if you ask an experienced personal trainer what do overweight people have in common, what would he say. Well, here is my list and yes it is controversial and includes some generalisations but I bet you or someone you know falls into many of these weight gain traps:

Last night I was privileged to attend a birthday party for one of my clients. I take it as a tremendous compliment when I am invited into their personal world for a social occasion and I think it is a testament to the profound effect that you have had on someone’s life. It is also an example of the point of difference a personal trainer has over other health industry professionals. What other professional can spend 3 hours completely focused on your health each week? You certainly won’t get it from your GP. You could get it from a surgeon, but you won’t get to see him/her on a regular basis. You could also spend that time with a physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor etc and it would serve you well but most people don’t venture into that level of regular contact with these professionals – and certainly not long term. This blog is not to serve to criticise other health professionals. Far from it. It is simply to outline the tremendous trust and rapport a personal trainer can build and why it makes a difference to your health.