CHOOSING THE RIGHT GYM IS LIKE PICKING THE PERFECT PARTNER… IT’S NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO JUMP INTO. ABOVE ALL, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR IDEAL FITNESS SPACE As the new year commences, many people will list improving their health as their main resolution and gyms and health clubs are preparing for an avalanche of prospective members. Joining a gym or health club takes courage, but with so many…

IT’S THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR. WHILE SOME PEOPLE HAVE WOKEN UP EACH MORNING OVER THE HOLIDAYS WITH A MASSIVE HANGOVER, THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO VIEW THE NEW YEAR WITH GREAT OPTIMISM. SURE, LAST YEAR PRODUCED SOME STRESSFUL TIMES IN A CHANGING ECONOMY BUT I LIKE TO VIEW THE PAST EXPERIENCES AS LESSONS. When you reflect on the past year, you can view and rate your performance in different fields and, more…

There are many who believe that it is impossible to stay in shape and to eat healthily without turning into a Xmas scrooge over the holiday season. You may be one of them, choosing to sprawl across the couch watching festive movies as your knights in shining armour, chocolate and ice-cream always ready to answer your call rescue you from a hangover and a stressful year. This conditioned response to stress is one of the…

Charles Poliquin Four years have passed since the Olympic flames have been extinguished and the time is upon us to light the flames again and to honour the best athletes in the world. These athletes have devoted thousands of hours to be in a peak state in Beijing, to test there training and nutritional protocols that they have tweaked over the years. The effectiveness of these protocols will judge who steps onto the winner’s podium…

Is your little black dress a bit too snug? Fit in it before Christmas by performing the right exercises and making simple lifestyle changes As the festive season approaches, businesses are aiming to reward their hard-working staff on what has been a difficult year. The tightening up of finances has seen you searching for last year’s lovely party dress instead of opting for a new one. As you try it on, one look at your…

THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS HAS BEGUN. THE LIGHTS ARE ON ON GRAFTON STREET, CHRISTMAS TREES ARE BEING ASSEMBLED AND THERE’S A GLINT IN YOUR CHILDREN’S EYES AS THEY AWAIT SANTA’S ARRIVAL. The hustle and bustle of town is expecting your arrival as you prepare to take on the crowded checkouts and heavy traffic in an effort to purchase your list of presents. With so many activities to occupy your time, you may start to forget…

AS WE AGE, OUR JOINTS TIGHTEN UP AND MAKE US LESS SUPPLE. BUT SIMPLE STRETCHING CAN KEEP YOU NIMBLE. AND IT CAN BRING SOME SURPRISING REWARDS. There is a saying that goes: ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it.’ As the years roll by, the demands of our lifestyles place challenges on how we use our time. The daily rituals of working, family time and socialising always rank high on our list of priorities,…

WHAT THE MIND CAN PERCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT CAN ACHIEVE SAY THE PSYCHOLOGISTS — WHICH INCLUDES HELPING YOU TRANSFORM YOUR BODY During an initial interview with a potential client, I ask them to tell me what their goals and expectations are. Often they’ll say: “I don’t want to be big and muscled, and I don’t want to be too gaunt.” To which I reply: “Don’t worry, you will remain exactly the way you are, as…

THE HONOURABLE AMATEUR WHO COMPETES ONLY FOR PRIDE AND A PAT ON THE BACK IS A RARE BREED IN THE MODERN WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL SPORT. HOW LONG CAN TOP PLAYERS CONTINUE TO WORK DAY JOBS AND REPRESENT IRELAND AT THE SAME TIME? The International rules series in Australia has opened up a can of worms of whether Irelands GAA players should retain their amateur status. Ireland’s part-time athletes and full-time bank officials and postmen compete…

PARENTS, AND EVEN SOME EXPERTS, FREQUENTLY QUESTION THE WISDOM OF YOUNG TEENAGERS USING WEIGHT-TRAINING AS PART OF THEIR FITNESS REGIME, BUT WITH PROPER GUIDANCE IT CAN CERTAINLY BE BENEFICIAL, AND EVEN GUARD AGAINST INJURY For most schoolchildren, the academic year began two months ago, but for some it actually began back in summer. The Junior and Senior Cups preoccupy the minds of rugby boys, while other boys dream about cup or championship success and it…