You might have heard a little bit already about the wide-ranging benefits of Pilates, as the unique approach to rehabilitation and conditioning – developed by U.S-based fitness instructor Joseph Pilates in the 1920s – has become hugely popular in recent decades. And for good reason! Practitioners say regular Pilates practise can help improve posture,…
With the World Cup in Russia starting today, we thought it would be interesting to explore just how elite athletes peak at the right time. How can a professional footballer make sure they are in the form of their lives leading into the World Cup? How can an Usain Bolt make sure he is ready…
Continuing on from our recent post about optimizing performance, this 3-part piece focuses on the role of training cycles in elite performance, from the viewpoint of our Personal Trainer and Rehab expert Paul McBride – himself a former football professional. Training cycles The development of a football player and the preparation of a…
Co-owner Jamie George will be hosting a Q+A session at the practice on Wednesday 15th August from 7pm. Jamie will be discussing the recent South Africa tour, his pre-season at Saracens and the season ahead. He will also give insights on what recovery and injury management strategies he uses to ensure he remains in peak…
Continuing on from last week, Paul McBride comments on the preparation and competition phases of an athletes training cycle. The preparation period This is the key period for getting the players and team in the right physical condition. this phase should last between 4 and 10 weeks (depending on the level of the players and…
Part 3 of our blog series on training cycles, written by our resident Personal Trainer – Paul McBride. The transition periods This is the period when the level of performance drops off and where the player must be able to recover physically and mentally from the exertions of playing. The period usually lasts between 4…
Injuries happen, fact. It is estimated that 29.7 million sports injuries alone occur annually in England and Wales. Commonly, the first things that springs to people’s mind when an injury occurs are “how badly am I injured” and “when will I be fit to play again”. The first thought is always concerning their physical state…
It is well researched that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can be worsened by physical activity. A study has suggested that flare ups of the condition can be caused by a muscle strain or nerve irritation. The study out of Johns Hopkins University in the USA proposed that Physiotherapy could be a perfect treatment option for…
With the London Marathon fast approaching, we asked our personal trainer Paul McBride for his advice on running, training, and recovering from the biggest race in the country. With over 40,000 competitors running 26.2 miles, it’s important to be prepared! This is what he told us… “When it comes to running, form and…