The world is full of people with the qualities necessary to be successful in health or in business but it is rare to find people who have mastered the disciplines in both areas. Exceptional athletes like George Best achieved tremendous success on the soccer pitch amidst his personal life crumbling. Ireland’s successful business people and politicians may be leaders in the boardrooms while it is plainly visible to see their health is in a state…

THE SWISS BALL CAN BE A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR GYM PROGRAMME, WORKING CORE MUSCLES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY UNUSED. BUT REMEMBER TO VARY YOUR WORK-OUT, OR YOU MAY END UP WEAKER IN THE LONG RUN… When you walk in to a modern gym today, you may end up a little bit confused. You may be going there to perform your workout, while other gym members are thinking it’s an open audition for Cirque…

MOST MEN TAKE THEIR CARS FOR A SERVICE MORE OFTEN THAN THEY TAKE THEMSELVES FOR A HEALTH CHECK-UP, BUT THEY REALLY NEED TO START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY — PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE If you asked any man who the strongest sex is, he’s sure to reply male. It’s easy to see why — men are bigger, faster and stronger than women. But, if you asked doctors the same question, they are likely to say women…

In part two of common mistakes in the gym, we will look at using common mistakes in the gym as opportunities to learn. We can’t force muscles or fitness to grow but we can continually fine-tune our methods for an improvement in performance. Every sportsperson analyses their performance, and through an acknowledgement of our faults, we can change it in order to achieve our athletic potential. To this end, here’s another five common error found…

Is there a right shape for summer, it’s that shape that makes you happy.  Anna Coogan enlists the help of two experts who know how to help you get just that. SUMMER is fast aproaching, but there’s no need to panic – yet – about looking and feeling your best during the sunshine months ahepad Nutritionist Miriam Gormally and fitness expert Damien Maher are here to offer both tips and motivation forgetting into better shape and health….

GETTING IN SHAPE IS MUCH LIKE BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP, WITH ALL THE HIGHS AND LOWS THAT GO WITH IT. JUST AS BEING IN LOVE CAN BE TRYING AT TIMES, SO CAN YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR EXERCISE REGIME. SO HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO STOP THE FIZZ GOING OUT OF YOUR FITNESS RELATIONSHIP THIS VALENTINE’S DAY The years I have spent in the gym under a bar have helped me learn that there are principles…

MANY OF US ARE GEARING UP FOR AN ACTION-PACKED SKI HOLIDAY AT THIS TIME, BUT EVEN THE FITTEST GYM FANATICS MAY NOT BE WORKING THE RIGHT MUSCLES FOR THE SLOPES. SO FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR LOTS OF FUN AND SAFETY ON THE PISTE. It’s that time of the year when people start counting down the days to their adrenaline-filled ski holiday.  But people tend to forget that skiing is a sport, not merely a holiday,…

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT PUMPING IRON WILL TURN YOU INTO A FEMALE RAMBO, THEN THINK AGAIN — WELL-PLANNED WEIGHT TRAINING CAN HAVE MANY BENEFITS FOR WOMEN One of the biggest myths in fitness is that you should perform all-aerobic training for fat loss.  Women tend to have the perception that you should avoid weight training because upon lifting a dumbbell, you will become big and bulky. This belief has been reinforced over the years by…

Increasing levels in obesity have seen an expanding number of fitness crazes enter the health industry.  Since the fall of the Eastern Bloc, a number of training methods have been unearthed from behind the iron curtain. One such craze that entered the fitness industry is the kettlebell revolution. Formerly used by Russian strongmen and wrestlers known as a Girevoy, it is similar in appearance to a large metal football with a handle. Kettlebells come in…

THE START OF A NEW YEAR IS A GREAT EXCUSE TO GET A NEW HEALTH REGIME UNDER WAY. BUT DON’T WORRY IF YOU BROKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS SOON AFTER JANUARY 1 — PICK YOUR OWN DAY TO START A PLAN OF ACTION. The new year has begun and you may be one of the population who started the year with a splitting hangover. You woke up and everywhere you looked, people were talking about new year’s…