Across the running community, people are beginning to ditch their expensive, high-tec running shoes in favor of taking to the streets barefoot (or the closest alternative). But why is this and what do they hope to gain from doing it?   Why Run Barefoot? People have been running barefoot for as long as they have been present on this earth. Many tribes in Africa and South America in particular, have continued to do this. Others wear very minimally supportive footwear such as moccasin

Benefits Of Stretching Stretching has many benefits. The most obvious is an increase in muscle flexibility, which results in many other improvements.   There are many benefits to be gained from a regular stretching programme: Increased flexibility and range of motion. Injury prevention. Preventing DOMS. Improved posture. Improvements in sports performance. Stress relief. Increased flexibility and range of motion This is the most obvious benefit of regular st

It is important to warm up prior to exercise and cool down after. The main two reasons for this are to improve performance and to decrease the risk of injury. A good warm up will increase the temperature of muscles which work better at a temperature of 40 degrees. Blood flow and oxygen to muscles will be increased as will the speed of nerve impulses, making you faster. There will also be an icreased range of motion at joints reducing the risk of tearing muscles and ligaments.   A w

In spite of our best intentions, a vacation often sees us stray from the fitness and training regime we follow at home. Relaxing on the beach, savouring indulgent dinners and drinks and enjoying the local nightlife are the pleasures that make a break so joyful. However, how do we return to our training schedule and regain fitness after an indulgent fortnight? I spoke with the experts at London's BodyWorksWest gym for a little advice for getting back on track following a break. With the Th

A good sports bra is a vital piece of a ladies sports kit. Not wearing a sports bra can lead to irreversible damage to the breast. Research from Shock Absorber and the University of Portsmouth has demonstrated that wearing a sports bra reduces breast movement (bouncing) by a massive 74%!   Why wear a sports bra? The breast does not contain any muscle, as falsely believed by many women. The only support it receives is from a ligament called the coopers ligament. If unsupported durin