﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Future Fit TrainingBlog RSS</title><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/</link><description>The latest entries from the blog</description><copyright>&amp;copy; Copyright 2012 Future Fit Training, all rights reserved.</copyright><ttl>5</ttl><item><title>Dance into a new career</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	<strong><u>Choreography and Conditioning</u></strong></p>
<p>
	Choosing a career in Choreography and Conditioning can offer a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all those involved. For qualified instructors, the employment options are in abundance and you can take control of your future as you have the freedom to create your own routines or styles of dance, and design customised classes.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Your career options:</strong><img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/Dancer.JPG" style="width: 179px; height: 271px; float: right; margin: 5px;" /></p>
<p>
	Once you&rsquo;re qualified, you&rsquo;ll have a host of opportunities where you can share your expertise with clients.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Work either on a full time or part time basis for health clubs and gyms</li>
	<li>
		Become your own boss by working freelance, creating your own classes and routines</li>
	<li>
		Teach classes at fitness events or conventions</li>
	<li>
		Become involved in studio co-ordinating</li>
	<li>
		Perhaps even become a fitness presenter!</li>
</ul>
<p>
	The frequency with which classes are held and the number of people who attend all contribute to your overall earning potential. Over time, as you build upon your experience and your reputation receives wider recognition, your level of income could increase even further.</p>
<p>
	<strong>The Course:</strong></p>
<p>
	The Choreography and Conditioning course with Future Fit is a practical workshop, with the choreography element specifically designed to enhance your teaching skills through more advanced choreography styles. You may find you are struggling to create new choreography and aerobics routines. If so, this course will support you by going through different delivery methods. This can benefit both you and your clients as it adds interest and variety to your classes.</p>
<p>
	Upon attending the Choreography workshop, you will cover an array of styles including; Salsacise, Dance Aerobics, Hip-hop Grooves/Aerobics, Combat Aerobics, plus many more. Covering such an extensive collection of styles will ensure you have highly regarded skills, maximising your earning potential.</p>
<p>
	You will:</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Learn how to build effective balanced routines</li>
	<li>
		Develop skilful choreography</li>
	<li>
		Use music to help structure sequences and routines</li>
	<li>
		Enhance communication skills, class motivation and interaction</li>
	<li>
		Learn about class formatting</li>
</ul>
<p>
	Through studying the Conditioning element of the course, you&rsquo;ll learn to perform exercises to music. Students will be taught how to set up and run resistance-based body conditioning classes, using a range of different studio-based equipment.The conditioning course will cover exercises such as; squats, lunges, shoulder routines and leg workouts.</p>
<p>
	Upon completing this course you will be qualified to teach; Body conditioning, &ldquo;Legs, Bums and Tums&rdquo;, Free weight classes, a mix class and 50/50 classes (Involving half aerobics and half conditioning.) As well as being interactive and fun, you&rsquo;ll finish with lots of new ideas and skills to integrate with your own classes.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Find out more!</strong></p>
<p>
	We have limited spaces left on the Choreography and Conditioning course taking place in Gloucester on 7<sup>th</sup> July 2012. Book now through our team of dedicated Careers Advisors on 0800 458 1388 or download a prospectus.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/dance-into-a-new-career/</link><pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 16:43:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>It's never to late to start a new career!</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	<strong><u>It&rsquo;s never too late to start a new career!</u></strong></p>
<p>
	Adult Learner&rsquo;s Week inspires thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives. You can explore the many different kinds of learning in the hope of one day achieving your ambitions.<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/adult learner week.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 266px; height: 350px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
	How many of you out there have considered changing careers but have asked yourself the question &lsquo;<em>Am I too old&rsquo;? </em>If there is one thing that we want you to take away from this blog, it&rsquo;s that you are NEVER too old.</p>
<p>
	<strong>According to The Guardian, 80% of employees end up in a job that isn&rsquo;t appropriate. So finding a new and more satisfactory career might be your best move. </strong></p>
<p>
	Starting a business or new career when you are older is particularly promising as you can offer plenty of life experience, such as working with others and problem solving. These kind of skills will help you to progress faster when choosing a new career.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Personal training</strong></p>
<p>
	If personal training is something that you have always been passionate about and have hopes of pursuing, then there is no better time than now.</p>
<p>
	On the plus side, many older clients enjoy training with someone that is of a similar age as the trainer will have an excellent understanding of how their client&rsquo;s bodies change through age, which is great as 34% of the UK population is over 50 years old.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Getting started</strong></p>
<p>
	Your new career move is your chance to start putting your real passions, strengths and interests into practice. However, do not forget the experience you have achieved so far as none of it is irrelevant. Although you are taking a new direction, you are simply building and growing what you have learnt already in life.</p>
<p>
	Whether you want to become a Personal Trainer, Gym<br />
	Instructor, Pilate&rsquo;s Instructor and many more, Future Fit has the course for you.&nbsp; Remember, it&rsquo;s never too late!</p>
<p>
	This year, Adult Learner&rsquo;s Week is held from the 12-18<sup>th</sup>May. For more information, visit the official website:</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/its-never-to-late-to-start-a-new-career!/</link><pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 16:44:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Ruth Murphy -  Student Testimonial</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	From a very early age I developed the fitness bug. My Mum was a ballet dancer in the Royal Ballet and I studied dance for years. I auditioned for the Royal Ballet School but was told that I was too tall to qualify. From then onwards, my passion became running. I am a keen runner and have taken part in many local running events.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Why I chose a career in fitness</strong></p>
<p>
	I chose a career in fitness so that I could pass my passion onto others and help them meet their goals by building exercise into their daily lifestyles. I still can&#39;t believe that I am getting paid for doing something that I love. Before embarking on a career in the fitness industry, I was an Art Director working very long hours and sitting behind a desk all day. Becoming a Personal Trainer has allowed me to use my creative skills in the form of programme design and developing my own style as a trainer.<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/ruth 2 murphy.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 350px; height: 181px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
	My typical day is very interesting and brings plenty of variety. I travel to multiple clients and teach group fitness classes to a wide range of individuals ageing from 22-68, all with specific goals and requirements.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Why I chose Future Fit?</strong></p>
<p>
	I researched a number of training providers and chose Future Fit above them all. They offered the support that I needed to start my own business and the cost was within my budget. After reading some testimonials on the website, I was encouraged by what I saw.</p>
<p>
	I thoroughly enjoyed training with Future Fit, especially attending the workshops. Here, you get to meet like-minded professionals and learn about the industry. The workload was very manageable and incredibly interesting. I had to juggle my learning against my three small children. The course was delivered in bite size chunks, which allowed me to schedule my time appropriately.</p>
<p>
	Sometimes the modules were very challenging and I would end up calling Tutor Support. My questions were answered in a timely fashion and the instructors were very friendly and helpful.</p>
<p>
	<strong>My current job role</strong></p>
<p>
	Currently I am working as a Personal Trainer and have built up a solid client base. I teach group sessions on the local common and train my clients 1-1. I offer sound nutritional advice when required and have watched my client&rsquo;s progress through exercise programmes and meet their desired targets and goals.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Future goals</strong></p>
<p>
	My wish is to remain in the fitness industry and constantly build my knowledge through more courses so that I can continue to deliver quality training to all my clients. I have learnt that success does not happen overnight and it requires a lot of constant hard work with attention to detail. It is best not to take on too many clients at once, as this attention to detail is compromised and they don&#39;t get the quality service that they so rightly deserve.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<strong>My advice to others</strong></p>
<p>
	My advice to others that are interested in becoming a Personal Trainer would be to pursue your goals. Becoming a Personal Trainer is incredibly rewarding, you have the power to make training fun for others and watch them learn to embrace exercise and live healthier lifestyles.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Top five training tips</strong></p>
<ol>
	<li>
		Always remain professional, but at the same time very personable.</li>
	<li>
		Be very patient and reward your clients when they perform exercises correctly and encourage then when they are struggling.</li>
	<li>
		Be aware of how they may feel on the day. We all have bad days and good days!</li>
	<li>
		Ask them if they feel the exercises are working for them. Be open to suggestions.</li>
	<li>
		Create a positive training atmosphere and keep them motivated, they will stay with you!</li>
</ol>
<p>
	Ruth Murphy, Personal Trainer.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/ruth-murphy-student-testimonial/</link><pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 14:21:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Student Testimonial - Leanne Gatoff</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	<strong>About me<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/Leanne gatoff 1.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 166px; height: 245px; float: right;" /></strong></p>
<p>
	The mantra&acute;healthy body, healthy mind&acute; was ingrained in me from childhood. My parents are both very active and sport is their social life. I like to look good but I don&acute;t diet, so keeping fit is important to me to keep my body the way that I want it to look.</p>
<p>
	I started participating in lots of ETM classes when I moved to Zaragoza, Spain, in 2008. I figured it would be a good way to meet the locals and practice my Spanish, and it worked a treat. I&rsquo;ve never really been very interested in competative sports, and I think that ETM classes are a great way to encourage people who don&rsquo;t like to compete to get active.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Why Future Fit?</strong></p>
<p>
	On graduating from university, I thought I&rsquo;d swap sides of the studio and go from being participant to instructor. I chose to train with Future Fit because of its reputation. I believe that completing your qualifications with a recognised name makes you far more appealing to employers.</p>
<p>
	My training was a lot of fun. I yelled a lot of expletives mid-routine when I forgot what I was supposed to be doing, but it came together in the end. Plus the girls on my course taught me some great stuff, such as how to do a headstand, and how to hula hoop, which almost t<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/leanne gatoff 2.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 200px; height: 200px; float: left;" />wo years on I am still addicted to.</p>
<p>
	<strong>My Experiences</strong></p>
<p>
	I currently live and work in a state school in Madrid, teaching English. I moved here one week after completing my training. I set up a group called Free Fitness Madrid, in which I deliver free aerobics classes. It was a fantastic way to meet lots of people in a city where I didn&#39;t know anyone. We have an online network of over 350 members and I&#39;ve met people from all over the world; I ended up taking a trip to the USA last summer to see people I&#39;d met through the group. I also give fitness classes to Spanish kids to help them get fit and learn English at the same time. Last summer, I did aerobics workshops at a festival in Bristol, which was a great experience.</p>
<p>
	I think it&rsquo;s important for an instructor to create a fun, sociable atmosphere in their classes, as well as to have a sense of humour. We nickname my classes here &lsquo;Get the fat off with Gatoff.&rsquo;</p>
<p>
	<strong>Future Plans</strong></p>
<p>
	I am returning to the UK this summer. I want to do some more training with Future Fit and start to work in the fitness industry professionally.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/student-testimonial-leanne-gatoff/</link><pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 09:13:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>World Asthma Day 2012</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	<strong><u>World Asthma Day 2012</u></strong></p>
<p>
	World Asthma Day takes place on the 1<sup>st</sup> of May in hope of increasing awareness and care across the globe. World Asthma Day (WAD) is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with other health care groups and asthma educators.<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/Inhaler.jpeg" style="width: 201px; height: 201px; float: right; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" /></p>
<p>
	The theme for this year&rsquo;s W.A.D will be &ldquo;You Can Control Your Asthma&rdquo;. One significant goal for the treatment of asthma is to maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle which includes exercise and other physical activities. A particularly important role for all qualified fitness professionals is to understand your clients&rsquo; health and conditioning. Your clients may have medical conditions that can potentially put their health at risk if not addressed appropriately and taken into careful consideration.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Asthma and exercise</strong></p>
<p>
	Some people may find that exercise triggers their asthma symptoms. However, if their asthma is under control then they should be able to join in, keep fit and have fun.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Tips on exercising with asthma</strong></p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Increase fitness levels gradually</li>
	<li>
		Ensure that they always warm up and cool down steadily</li>
	<li>
		Make sure people that are exercising with those who have asthma are aware of their condition</li>
	<li>
		Speak to a doctor regarding using preventer medicine when exercising</li>
	<li>
		Avoid situations or exercises that may trigger asthma</li>
	<li>
		Make sure they always have an inhaler with them when exercising</li>
	<li>
		If asthma symptoms do occur when exercising; Stop. Ensure they use their inhaler and wait until they feel better before they begin exercising again</li>
</ul>
<p>
	<strong>What types of exercise are best for people with asthma?</strong></p>
<p>
	Carefully considering the advice and tips previously mentioned is crucial for asthma sufferers before they attempt any form of exercise. If these steps are followed carefully and your client&rsquo;s current condition has been checked and approved by their doctor, you can advise them on what activities they can get involved with, minimising any serious risks to their health.</p>
<p>
	<strong>DON&rsquo;T:</strong> Encourage activities which involve long periods of exertion such as; long distance running or excessive circuit training. These may be less tolerated.</p>
<p>
	<strong>DON&rsquo;T:</strong> Some asthma sufferers may also find it difficult to exercise in cold weather. So if you run outdoor aerobics classes or boot camps, this is an important consideration to take on board during the winter months.</p>
<p>
	You can provide your clients with helpful advice on other activities and exercise which they may find beneficial aside from your classes or sessions.</p>
<p>
	<strong>DO:</strong> Activities which involve short, intermittent periods of exertion are well tolerated by people with symptoms of asthma.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<strong>DO:</strong> Swimming is usually well tolerated by many people with asthma as it&rsquo;s performed in a warm, moist air environment and is a great way of maintaining physical fitness.</p>
<p>
	<strong>DO:</strong> Other activities such as; walking, both indoor and outdoor, aerobics and cycling are also regarded as safer options for those who may find other forms of exercise too intense.</p>
<p>
	<strong>DO:</strong> Alternatively, try intermittent sports like tennis or badminton. These are particularly useful on cold days or wintry seasons.</p>
<p>
	Keeping fit can significantly benefit those who have asthma. As their fitness levels increase, they will breathe less heavily for a given amount of exercise. Maintaining an active lifestyle is important for both physical and mental health. With proper diagnosis and effective treatment, clients should be able to enjoy the benefits of an exercise program without experiencing asthma symptoms.</p>
<p>
	If your clients have any questions regarding their condition, advise them to consult with their doctor.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/world-asthma-day-2012/</link><pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 12:03:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Success story - Scott Baptie</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	<strong><u>Scott Baptie &ndash; Testimonial</u></strong></p>
<p>
	<strong>Bio: </strong><em>Scott Baptie is a nutrition consultant, physique transformation expert and a published fitness model. Scott is the owner of <img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/scott baptie 1.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 146px; height: 219px; float: right;" /></em><a href="http://www.foodforfitness.co.uk/"><em>www.FoodForFitness.co.uk</em></a><em>and he specialises in fat loss, muscle gain and nutrition for sports performance. He likes to challenge and encourage his clients to surpass their physical and mental boundaries by using effective, scientifically-proven nutritional strategies to help them achieve their goals.</em></p>
<p>
	<strong>About me</strong></p>
<p>
	I have been involved in the fitness and nutrition industry for the last few years. I have worked directly with clients helping them transform their physique through proper nutrition and as a fitness/sports model. I am constantly looking to increase my knowledge and attain more certifications that I believe will increase my knowledge base so I can offer the best advice to my clients. I have always been interested in sport, fitness and healthy living so it seemed natural that I would try and forge a career doing something I love.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Why Future Fit?</strong></p>
<p>
	I was attracted to the Nutrition Diploma from Future Fit Training as I had heard many positive reviews about the company and the course looked appealing and I believed it would be a welcome addition to my qualification portfolio. I felt that the training course with Future Fit was not too difficult yet it was presented in an engaging way and the tutor support was always there if I needed it. I would encourage current students to always look to increase their knowledge, read around the topic and always strive to know more, don&rsquo;t just do the bare minimum, look to exceed expectations.<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/scott baptie 2.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 156px; height: 233px; float: left;" /></p>
<p>
	<strong>Personal Experiences</strong></p>
<p>
	On a personal level, I use evidence-based nutrition to improve, support and maintain my own physique as I also work as a fitness model in addition to my role as a nutrition consultant. I very much believe in the &ldquo;practice what you preach mentality&rdquo; so I feel that if I have a healthy, athletic physique then clients who I work with know that I can actually &ldquo;walk the walk&rdquo; rather than just &ldquo;talking the talk&rdquo;. After all, would you want to take financial advice from a bankrupt accountant?</p>
<p>
	I love my job. I enjoy meeting with new clients and I am always excited when I am presented with an opportunity to help clients achieve their goal. The sense of satisfaction is unrivalled when you hear of clients successes. The fitness industry is superb fun to work in as it is great to work with many like-minded individuals who are often so passionate about what they do. I think that sense of enthusiasm is hard to find in many other industries.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Future Plans</strong></p>
<p>
	At the moment I am currently involved in a wide range of fitness and nutrition projects and there are several exciting things on the horizon. I am still young and I am very eager to continue learning and to progress within the industry.</p>
<p>
	Check out Scott&rsquo;s website at <a href="http://www.foodforfitness.co.uk/">www.FoodForFitness.co.uk</a>.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/success-story-scott-baptie/</link><pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:06:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>International Dance Day</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	Its International Dance Day is on the 29<sup>th</sup>April!</p>
<p>
	The intention of International Dance Day is to celebrate dance, to revel in the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together with a common language &ndash; Dance.&nbsp; (International Dance Day, 2012).<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/international dance day.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 200px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
	Four great health benefits of dance are:</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		<u>Flexibility</u></li>
</ul>
<p>
	Dance requires a great amount of flexibility. The greater the range of motion, the more muscles can flex and extend. You may find yourselves using more muscles when dancing compared to other forms of exercising.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		<u>Endurance</u></li>
</ul>
<p>
	Endurance is the ability of muscles to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue. Regular dancing will help to improve endurance as elevating the heart rate can increase stamina.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		<u>Strength </u></li>
</ul>
<p>
	Dancing builds strength by forcing the muscles into many different ways and often holding positions for long periods of time.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		<u>Sense of well-being</u></li>
</ul>
<p>
	Dancing is often a very social event. Studies have shown that strong social ties and socialising with friends can contribute to high self-esteem and a positive outlook.</p>
<p>
	Below details a list of further ways that dancing is good for your health:</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		It&rsquo;s great exercise and is a good way to burn off excessive fat.</li>
	<li>
		Psychologically, it is relaxing. It can make you feel good by improving your mood.</li>
	<li>
		Improves muscle and coordination</li>
	<li>
		Relieves you of toxins through sweat</li>
	<li>
		Reduces blood pressure and lowers cholesterol</li>
	<li>
		Increases stamina</li>
	<li>
		Lowers the risk of coronary heart disease</li>
	<li>
		Helps to reduce stress</li>
</ul>
<p>
	The demand for aerobics instructors, including exercise to music has never been higher.&nbsp; So if you enjoy dance and are looking for a career in fitness then this could be the pathway for you.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	At Future Fit Training our qualified tutors will teach you the fundamental principles of structuring safe and effective exercise to music classes for mixed ability participants. These skills will give you the platform to go on to develop and devise a variety of different styles and types of group exercise to music sessions.</p>
<p>
	For more information on Future Fit Training&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.futurefit.co.uk/courses-included/exercise-to-music-instructor/">ETM module</a>, call a Careers Advisor on 0800 458 1388.</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/international-dance-day/</link><pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:35:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Marathon Running</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	The London Marathon is the country&rsquo;s most prestigious race and one of the largest races in the world.&nbsp; It will return on the capital on the 22<sup>nd</sup> of April 2012 for the 32<sup>nd</sup> time.</p>
<p>
	The first London Marathon was held on 29 March 1981, more than 20,000 applied to run. 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line on Constitution Hill. The Marathon&#39;s popularity has steadily grown since then. In 2009, 746,635 people have completed the race since its inception and in 2010, 36,549 people crossed the line, the biggest field since the race began.</p>
<p>
	The growing interest in marathon and charity runs has increased over recent years and now is a popular hobby for many. There are a number of reasons why people choose to run marathons; improving fitness, sense of achievement, experience of race day or more commonly, raising money for charity.</p>
<p>
	Whatever your reasons may be, it is important to have a basic understanding of the benefits of running and we have pulled together a list of considerations you need to be aware of when getting started for your training.<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/marathon.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 360px; height: 225px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
	<strong><u>Benefits of running</u></strong></p>
<p>
	There are many benefits to running and it is often regarded as one of the most generic ways of getting fit and staying in shape.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		There&rsquo;s an increased flow of blood and oxygen around your body, meaning you are able to work harder.</li>
	<li>
		Your muscles will be able to absorb more oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, whilst easily offloading waste products.</li>
	<li>
		The increased number of red blood cells improves the flow of oxygen to your energy producing cells, helping them to produce energy more efficiently.</li>
	<li>
		Regularly exercising means your body uses fat as an energy source rather than carbohydrate. You will improve your overall health and life expectancy.</li>
</ul>
<p>
	&nbsp;<strong><u>Getting Started</u></strong></p>
<p>
	- Medical check&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Before starting your training it&rsquo;s advised that you visit your GP. This is particularly important if you smoke, you&rsquo;re an ex-smoker or overweight. In addition to a fitness test a full cardiac assessment is also recommended.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	- Start your program slowly&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Try not to overdo things too early on in your program. Powering straight into a vigorous routine can cause injuries and do more damage than good. Start off with walking or gentle jogging. Over time, you will gradually ease into your training routine at a safe and healthy pace.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	- Setting goals and rewards&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	For any professional competitor it&rsquo;s is essential to set achievable and realistic goals and targets. This will enable you to track your progress regularly to identify if you are on the road to success. Remember to reward yourself for milestone achievements and establish reasonable rewards to encourage you further, providing incentives in return for all your hard work.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	- Safety tips and warm ups&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	It is important to remember to warm up before you exercise. Warming up gets your joints moving and helps you focus. It also brings oxygen and nutrients to your metabolism, whilst carrying away waste products. Stretching can reduce muscle soreness and risk of injury to muscles, joints and tendons. You should do this after your warm up and at the end of exercising.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	- Recovery&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Upon completion of the race you need to take care of your body.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Try elevating your legs to reduce the build up of fluid in your legs.</li>
	<li>
		Make sure you eat well after the race and increase your carbohydrate intake.</li>
	<li>
		Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.</li>
	<li>
		Relaxation and sleep are also significant. Allow plenty of time to rest after the race.</li>
	<li>
		Swimming is considered great for recovery as exercising in water is low impact. Alternatively, book yourself in for a sports massage to ease the pain of sore muscles.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>
	<strong><u>On to the next one</u></strong></p>
<p>
	After a period of well-earned recovery and rest you may find yourself hooked on the concept of long distance running. Perhaps you will be lacing up your trainers before you know it, preparing yourself for the next challenge.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	To find out more about marathon running in the UK and overseas visit<a href="http://www.marathonrunnersdiary.com/">http://www.marathonrunnersdiary.com/</a>&nbsp; - it also features a list of upcoming races for 2012-2013&nbsp;</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/marathon-running/</link><pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:38:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Miss Galaxy Universe: Jacqueline Hooton Testimonial</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	Future Fit Tutor Jacqueline Hooton is in training to take part in a brand new, all-female, fitness competition. Miss Galaxy Universe is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham and is the first competition of its kind to showcase a woman&rsquo;s athletic ability along with grace and physique.</p>
<p>
	Jacqueline and the &lsquo;Galaxy Girls&rsquo;, as they are fast becoming known, have been attending regular training camps in the lead up to the May competition. The camps are led by Sarah Donohue, British and European Powerboat champion and founder of Miss Galaxy Universe. Sarah runs the camps with assistance from Vikkie Kyzanowski, experienced competitor and winner of a number of titles including Figure Girl of the Year 2011, and Mike Lewis AKA &lsquo;Saracen&rsquo; from the television series Gladiators. During these camps, the girls are taught the requirements of the fitness tests and challenges needed for the May competition, as well as practising training drills aimed at improving performance.</p>
<p>
	Jacqueline explains further; &lsquo;<em>There are a number of categories within the competition. The titles we are competing for include; Beach Body, Fitness Model, Fitness Champion, </em><em>Newcomer, </em><img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/Jacqueline Hooton.JPG" style="width: 270px; height: 180px; margin: 5px; float: right;" /><em>Yummy Mummy and Supreme Champion. I am entered into the Fitness Champion, Yummy Mummy, Newcomer and Supreme Champion</em>.&rsquo;</p>
<p>
	The competition sits somewhere between traditional body building shows and beauty pageants. &lsquo;<em>Miss Galaxy Universe has been described as G.I. Jane meets Miss World as it combines the ultimate fitness challenge with physique rounds of posing in a bikini and evening wear</em>&rsquo; says Jacqueline. However, not everyone wants to stand on stage in a bikini or take part in fitness tests so the competition has been designed so women can choose which categories they enter for. &lsquo;<em>As I haven&rsquo;t competed before, I am automatically entered for the Newcomer category. I am passionate about fitness so naturally I want to challenge myself with the fitness tests and the Fitness Champion category, and as a mum to five children the Yummy Mummy category is the obvious choice for me!</em>&rsquo; All competitors entering a physique round, as well as the fitness tests, will be eligible for the prestigious title of Miss Galaxy Universe Supreme Champion.</p>
<p>
	Jacqueline&rsquo;s eldest daughter, Poppy, is also in training for the competition. &lsquo;<em>It&rsquo;s wonderful to be sharing this journey with my daughter. Poppy is entered into the &lsquo;Beach Body&rsquo; category so we are not in direct competition with each other! This is the unique aspect of Miss Galaxy Universe, there is something for everyone and with the age categories and accompanying scoring system, women of all ages can compete against each other. As a fitness professional, I am always looking at ways to promote the benefits of exercise to my clients. The girls taking part in this show have fantastic physiques and their figures have not been achieved through faddy diets or restricting calories. They have great bodies because they train regularly and this is the message we are sending out. If you exercise and eat sensibly the body you have always dreamed of will follow</em>!&rsquo;</p>
<p>
	As well as attending training camps for the competition, Jacqueline and the rest of the Galaxy Girls have worked alongside fitness professionals and celebrities with OK! Famously Fit, The Good Health Show and the Vitality Show. There are plans for shooting a Fitness App, for those who can&rsquo;t get along to a training camp and the girls have also featured in a number of fitness publications including; Fitnorama, Combat Magazine, Ultra Fit and Muscle &amp; Fitness. The Active Channel have shown huge interest in the development of this competition and filmed a recent training camp. The programme will be aired in April.</p>
<p>
	<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/Jacqueline Hooton2.JPG" style="width: 533px; height: 346px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" />Jacqueline hopes the show will be the first of many competitions and already has the next planned with the BNBF&rsquo;s (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation) southern heat in June, which takes place in her home town, Bognor Regis. &lsquo;<em>I have ran marathons and taken part in numerous fitness events, but this is the first time I have entered the world of bodybuilding. I have always been passionate about the benefits of strength training for women and competing is an opportunity for me to develop my knowledge further. I see it in a similar way to my marathon training; you can read and talk to people and take every opportunity to educate yourself about a subject but nothing beats first-hand experience. Many clients are concerned with weight management and diet and when it comes to stripping fat and maintaining lean muscle bodybuilders are the experts. Preparing for the competitions is proving to be a fascinating journey and as well as making lots of new friends and contacts, it is opening other doors to me which will be beneficial to my career&rsquo;</em></p>
<p>
	&lsquo;<em>Miss Galaxy Universe is creating a real buzz in the fitness world. Media interest is intense and there are some amazing prizes to be won. I am certain that within a couple of years this competition will be huge&rsquo; says Jacqueline &lsquo;in years to come I will be proud to say I was one of the original Galaxy Girls!</em>&rsquo;</p>
<p>
	Miss Galaxy Universe is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham 12<sup>th</sup> &ndash; 13<sup>th</sup> May</p>
<p>
	BNBF Southern Heat takes place at the Alexander Theatre, Bognor Regis 24<sup>th</sup> June</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/miss-galaxy-universe-jacqueline-hooton-testimonial/</link><pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:21:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>World Health Day 2012</title><description><![CDATA[<div id="fb-root">
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	<u>World Health Day 2012</u></p>
<p>
	On Saturday 7<sup>th</sup> of April 2012, World Health Day will focus on the theme of Ageing and Health. Recent figures indicate that life expectancy is on the increase in most countries. While there has been a steady increase in life expectancy and the elderly population, the burden of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and mental health are also growing, putting significant additional demands on health services.</p>
<p>
	World Health Day provides the perfect opportunity to teach people of an early age about leading long and productive lives. This year, many schools will educate their pupils on the benefits of healthy diets and regular exercise. Research suggests; &ldquo;An active childhood leads to a healthy lifestyle later, and builds the foundation for the social, psychological and mental skills needed to succeed as an adult.&rdquo; (<em>Active.com)</em><img alt="" src="../../../../furniture/cms/images/original/Yoga.jpg" style="width: 269px; height: 175px; float: right; margin: 5px;" /></p>
<p>
	The ageing process isn&rsquo;t just about fighting wrinkles and grey hair, but also staying mentally active and physically strong. We look at the four integral components which contribute to leading a healthy ageing lifestyle.</p>
<p>
	-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><u>Nutrition</u></strong></p>
<p>
	Good nutrition is central to longevity and plays an integral part within healthy lifestyles. Unhealthy diets can lead to weight gain/obesity, lowered immunity and fatigue. A balanced diet, with the right proportion of nutrients from a variety of foods can combat such symptoms.</p>
<p>
	-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><u>Exercise</u></strong></p>
<p>
	Exercise plays an important role in delaying the effects of ageing. Regular exercise regimes and activities from a younger age can strengthen your body and provide a higher immunity to possible problems such as frailty and falls often experienced in later life.</p>
<p>
	Your &ldquo;anti-ageing&rdquo; exercise regime should consist of a number of exercise methods.</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Stretching all your muscle groups means you remain flexible</li>
	<li>
		Strength training exercises help you maintain lean muscle and bone density.</li>
	<li>
		Cardiovascular exercise keeps your heart and lungs healthy.</li>
</ul>
<p>
	-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><u>Sleep</u></strong></p>
<p>
	The importance of sleep is often over looked as we find ourselves following stressful and hectic lifestyles. Your body and mind need sleep to rest and restore, otherwise your cells could become vulnerable to damage, eventually leading to a breakdown in your immune system. Making sure you get a comfortable and restful night&rsquo;s sleep can make all the difference and keep you healthy both physically and mentally.</p>
<p>
	-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><u>Health Screening</u></strong></p>
<p>
	Regular health screening is another fundamental aspect of healthy ageing. Simple tests are carried out to monitor various aspects of your health and annual medical check-ups should be part of your personal healthcare regime. Home test kits are now more widely available for people to keep track of their own health at their convenience.</p>
<p>
	Each of these considerations are key features of leading a healthy ageing lifestyle. Together, they all play a vital role in making sure you remain active and healthy, minimising the threat of serious health issues which can often trouble us as we grow older.</p>

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]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/world-health-day-2012/</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:16:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The importance of advising clients to stay hydrated</title><description><![CDATA[<p>
	If your client is dehydrated by just 2% it can have a negative effect on their performance, so it&rsquo;s important to keep their fluids topp<img alt="" src="/furniture/cms/images/original/hydrated.jpg" style="margin: 10px; width: 266px; height: 350px; float: right;" />ed up. (<em>Bupa, 2012)</em></p>
<p>
	If your sessions are highly active, or if the weather is particularly hot, there&rsquo;s a greater risk that your client will become dehydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids before and after exercise will help to cool their body temperature.</p>
<p>
	The NHS advises that to prevent dehydration, your client should increase their fluid intake. When exercising, they should drink up to 1 litre (2 pints) of fluid each hour of exercise on top of their normal daily amount. This should be increased if they are exercising in warm conditions because they will sweat more and fluid will be lost from the body more rapidly.</p>
<p>
	<strong>Before exercise</strong></p>
<p>
	Encourage clients to start workouts well hydrated. This should be discussed in your initial consultation and make a water bottle a mandatory piece of sports equipment at every training session.</p>
<p>
	If the client starts the workout dehydrated, it will also affect their concentration and motivation levels, resulting in a less effective workout session.</p>
<p>
	<strong>During exercise</strong></p>
<p>
	Every client will be different. The amount they need to drink whilst exercising will depend on how much they are perspiring. Make sure you give your client regular intervals throughout their workout to give them a chance to replace some of the lost fluids.</p>
<p>
	If you are working your clients for longer than an hour, advise them to drink sports drinks that contain carbohydrates, as this can help them to train for longer intervals as the sugar will provide extra fuel.</p>
<p>
	<strong>After exercise</strong></p>
<p>
	Once your client has finished exercising, they&rsquo;ll no doubt be ready to drink. At this stage, it is very important to restore their fluid levels to normal.</p>
<p>
	Drinking fluids will help their muscles to recover and the quicker they begin to drink after exercise, the sooner the recovery process can start.</p>
<p>
	<strong>What to do if your client becomes dehydrated?</strong></p>
<p>
	If you think that your client may be dehydrated, the first point of action is to try and rehydrate them by making them drink fluids, this will normally cure the symptoms. However, their level of dehydration will depend on what action needs to be taken. If your client is showing more severe symptoms of dehydration then they should seek medical advice urgently. (NHS, 2012)</p>
<p>
	6 symptoms of dehydration:</p>
<ul>
	<li>
		Dizziness or light-headedness</li>
	<li>
		Headache</li>
	<li>
		Tiredness</li>
	<li>
		Dry mouth, lips and eyes</li>
	<li>
		Concentrated urine (Dark Yellow)</li>
	<li>
		Passing only small amounts of urine infrequently (Less than three of four times a day). (<em>NHS, 2004)</em></li>
</ul>
<p>
	So ensure your clients drink plenty of water throughout their ftness session and advise them to make water a permanent and consistent part of their day throughout the upcoming months, after all, it&#39;s good for them.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
]]></description><link>http://www.futurefit.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-advising-clients-to-stay-hydrated/</link><pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:49:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
