Author: O2 Health Studio

This author has written 93 articles
Nutrition

Eat for exercise

NUTRITION AND EXERCISE go hand in hand. If you are exercising a lot, you want to make sure to get the right kind of fuel in your body for optimal performance. Hardcore athletes often have particular food rituals, like runners who load up on crabs the night before a marathon with a giant pasta dinner. But for general fitness, we just want to get enough fuel for maximum energy for the workout, but not so much food that we are weighed down or get a cramp or stomachache. So, the best thing to do is wait 2 hours after a big meal before working out, but don’t hit the gym on an empty stomach. (more…)

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December 21, 2011
Fitness

Personal stereos

Since it is not very convenient to drag your stereo equipment to the gym, personal stereos are the best way to listen to music while working out. Music can enhance your exercise experience. It can add a little spice to your workout. It is more fun pedaling on the stationary bike or running on the treadmill to the beat of your favourite  song.

Some gym take music extremely seriously and play music throughout. But if your gym does not or if you do not particularly like what is being played you may prefer to create your own workout soundtrack and listen to it on your personal stereo. (more…)

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December 13, 2011
Fitness

Why you need strong abdominal muscles

NOT ONLY DO FIRM, STRONG ABS look attractive, they are important for overall strength. They are the center of your body, and they are part of every movement. They assist in the regular breathing movement and support the muscles of the spine while lifting and keeping the abdominal organs in place. They are the core of your strength and power.

Strong abdominal muscles can alleviate back pain and increase your general fitness. Toned abs play an important role in stabilizing the spine and pelvis. Contracting the ab muscles increase pressure within the abdomen, which then pushes against the back and help the back stabilize itself. This is helpful in all sorts of everyday activities, from lifting objects to playing sports. (more…)

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December 6, 2011
Fitness

Personal trainers

PERSONAL TRAINERS ARE HIRED FITNESS coaches who can asses your fitness situation and get you going on the right track by working with you one-on-one. They can help custom design your workout, choose the equipment that is right for you, and guide you through the moves safely and effectively. Some gyms will offer one free session when you join. If yours does, by all means take advantage of  it. (more…)

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December 1, 2011
Fitness / Weight Gain

Rest builds muscle


WEIGHT TRAINING IS SOMETHING to ease into. Even if you want to, you shouldn’t life weights every day. It’s counterproductive. You need to give your muscles 48 hours between workouts-always, even as you progress. The skeletal muscles start to break down when exercised intensely more often than every other day. The day after intense exercise, bleeding and microscopic tearing can be seen in muscle fibres. That’s why you feel sore after a good workout. That sounds bad but it is not, because the muscles are much stronger when they heal. (more…)

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November 25, 2011
Fitness

Testing Your Flexibility

Flexibility is an important, and often overlooked, aspect of being fit. Being flexible is more than just being able to bend over and touch your toes. Flexibility helps prevent injuries and enhances balance and co-ordination. Below are two quick flexibility tests. Before you begin them, warm up with a short walk or jog in place. Once you feel loose, you can begin.

  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder width apart
  2. Bend at the waist, reaching towards the floor without bending your knees.
  3. Note how far you can reach and write it down. (You may want to try this a few times and record your longest reach) (more…)

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November 15, 2011
Fitness / Sports Physiotherapy / Sports Training

The Do’s & Don’ts of Treating a Sports Injury

The Do’s; If you suffer an injury such as a sprain, strain, muscle pull, or tear, immediate first aid treatment can prevent complications and help you heal faster. How we manage an injury, be it a sprain or a fracture in the acute or the first 72 hours plays a major role in the recovery time. The commonly used practices are rubbing, pulling, and applying heat to the injured area. This unfortunately, doesn’t hasten the recovery. The following are the scientifically proven methods on how to treat an acute injury and are widely accepted across the globe. (more…)

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November 13, 2011
Group Excercise

Best Ways to Burn Calories

AEROBIC EXERCISE IS THE BEST WAY to burn calories and lose weight. Although aerobic dancing is certainly a fun way to exercise, there are plenty of other ways to get an aerobic workout. Any endurance exercise is aerobic and that includes running, cycling, swimming, and many team sports. The most important thing is that you find some aerobic activity you enjoy. Read on to find out which exercise suits you best and pick up training tips on how to improve your performance. (more…)

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October 31, 2011
Fitness

Realistic expectations

AS YOU MOVE ALONG THE PATH to fitness, it is important to remember that your personal physique will respond to exercise in its own unique way. In truth, there is only so much you can do to change what you are born with; your body type, your VO2max to some extent  and of course, gender are some things that are impossible to change through exercise. Keep in mind the limitations imposed by nature as you begin exercising as well once you have been exercising regularly (more…)

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October 22, 2011
Fitness / Group Excercise

The heart of the matter


ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK about fitness and exercise without mentioning the heart and the cardiovascular system. Aerobic exercise(exercise that gets your heart pumping and your blood moving) is one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular health. Since heart disease claims many lives each year, improving your heart health can help you lead a long, healthy life. (more…)

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October 21, 2011