Correct movement when carrying out any activity is key, whether you’re lifting weights, riding a bike, or picking up some heavy shopping. Incorrect movement can lead to a range of physical issues, such as stiff muscles and joints, or worse – damaged muscles and broken bones, which can impact the level of fitness you’re able to maintain. If your fitness levels are badly affected, it will begin to negatively impact your mental health as you suffer the detrimental effects of…

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It’s fair to say that a lack of hip flexibility is a significant problem for many people, regardless of whether they are new to a workout programme or are an experienced athlete. As Gray Cook says in one of our feature interviews (above) one of the most common reasons this occurs is due to a lack of core strength. In turn, your body naturally compensates by tightening up your hip flexors and in order to bring your body’s alignment back…

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Knee injuries aren’t just painful, they can also make getting on with your day-to-day tasks difficult. Below we discuss some ways to deal with three common knee and hip injuries. Piriformis Syndrome Sufferers of Piriformis Syndrome will feel spasms and buttock pain as a result of a condition affecting the Piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttock region. A side effect of the condition is irritation to the nearby sciatic nerve which manifests itself as pain or tingling in…

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You are probably familiar with RICE protocol (rest, ice, compress, elevate) when you first injure yourself, but what about after that? How can you effectively overcome injury and get moving again? Ankle and foot injuries are very common and, when treated appropriately, can be easily overcome. We recommend that you seek the advice of a professional to diagnose and treat your injuries, as it’s important to rehabilitate in the correct way. That said, it’s always a good idea to be…

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Tendon injuries can occur during sports or other activities that involve sudden sharp movements such as jumping or throwing or as a result of repeated overuse of the tendons during running or even computer use. What are tendons? Tendons are strong cords of connective tissue that attach the muscle to the bone. Their function is to help move the bones and joints when the muscles contract. Symptoms of a tendon injury A tendon injury can affect many different parts of…

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Core strength and core stability are two terms that are frequently used interchangeably in discussions concerning the training of your core musculature, or trunk musculature. Many people use both of these components during their training regime and workouts, however they do not always fully understand the difference between these two components. It’s important to understand the difference between the two, as there are very distinct differences, and depending upon what you’re hoping to achieve in your training you will need…

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If you suffer from lower back pain, it’s important that you take steps to exercise safely and carefully in order to prevent further injury. Many people shy away from exercise when suffering from back pain, but avoiding exercise altogether can exasperate the problem as well as lead to other conditions such as obesity, which in turn can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. With the right exercises, you can benefit from increased mobility and pain relief through…

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All of us would love to get that little bit fitter. Whether it’s for health reasons, to tone up or to have a better general level of fitness – exercise is one of the best ways. If you want to start making lifestyle changes and regularly exercise for fitness, that’s great but it can be hard to know where to start. This article gives you some ideas on the best way to start your fitness journey. The phrase ‘the longest…

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Clean eating diets have experienced a gradual increase in popularity over the years, and it might be time to consider if this diet would be good for you. Many people love the fact that with a clean eating diet you still get to eat plenty of food and the same amount of calories, the only difference being you take better care of what you put in your body in the first place.

Many fitness experts talk about core strength and stability as a crucial component for all-round fitness for anyone. For rugby players, whether they favour league or union, possessing good core strength is absolutely vital.