2012 Olympics tickets: you win some, you lose some

Posted on June 1, 2011 by admin

Bidders for tickets to the 2012 Olympics learnt last night whether or not they had been successful. The vast majority of those who had been randomly allocated tickets had their cards debited by midnight last night, however they will have to wait until around 24th June to find out which events they will get to see. This system, of having the money debited before finding out what event it is for, has been deemed unfair by critics including the consumer group Which?

As the nation awoke today to discover whether they’d had their cards debited, Twitter has been awash with winners and losers, celebrating their good fortune or venting their spleen…

Stephen Hunt applied for £36,000 worth of Olympics tickets, thinking his chances of actually getting any were slim. He got billed for £11,000.

Television and radio personality Richard Bacon tweeted today :

@richardpbacon Whoops. 3K has been taken out of my account for Olympics tickets. [...] Thought they were meant to be hard to get. That backfired.

Diver Tom Daley also Tweeted his frustration after his mum only got a quarter of the tickets she wanted and they are yet to find out whether she will be allocated tickets to see her son compete.

Most applicants who did get tickets, got less than 40% of those they applied for. On the other side of the coin, some bidders who got a surprising and unexpectedly high percentage of tickets found that they didn’t have to cash in their account to cover the cost.

Those who missed out this time round will get first pickings on unfilled seats later in the year, on a first come, first served basis.

Did you apply? Any joy?

Image : Ben Sutherland

New In: GORE RUNNING WEAR™

Posted on May 4, 2011 by admin

Just to let you know about our new stock of GORE RUNNING WEAR™ at Simply Sweat.
We’ve just added to the store a great range of men’s and women’s running gear suitable for various distances.

First up, the men’s GORE Running Wear Air So shirt in black and red (left); ideal for distance running and made with GORE Running Wear’s WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell fabric, which brilliantly wicks away sweat so you can run over long distances in comfort. It gives excellent freedom of movement with stretch inserts and is breathable, windproof and water resistant.

Another great new piece of running gear just arrived from GORE Running Wear is the men’s Essential Jacket in black. This is an excellent lightweight jacket good for long distance running. The WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell fabric is designed for highly aerobic exercise, so it’s particularly well suited to trail running, keeping you comfortable and well protected from the elements. For warmer weather, the men’s GORE Running Wear tight fit summer shirt with long front zip for extra ventilation is a good choice for long distance running.

The women’s Essential Jacket in fuchsia pink (right) is equally well designed, making use of GORE Running Wear’s innovative WINDSTOPPER® technology to give you exceptional protection from the elements so you can run long distances in comfort.

The Sunlight range is a perfect fusion between high performance running gear and high fashion. Performance is not compromised for looks, but the two go together brilliantly well. The Sunlight Extra Lady Shirt in atoll blue is designed for comfort, with the added touch of sequin panels at the sleeve seams and a star print at the back of the neckline.

This is just a snapshot; take a look at our complete range from GORE Running Wear : http://www.simplysweat.com/manufacturers/GoreRunningWear.aspx

Getting buff in the buff: could the naked gym workout catch on?

Posted on April 26, 2011 by admin

Following news that a gym in the Basque region of Spain is offering its members the chance to work out naked, it got us thinking; could nude fitness actually (surely not!) take off in the UK?

The people behind the Easy Gym in Arrigorriaga noticed a drop in member numbers, which they put down to the economic climate, so they did a bit of research and opened Spain’s first naked workout. The Basque region is home to no less than twelve naturist beaches, as well as the annual Sopelana nudist race at Sopelana Beach near Bilbao; a 5K naked race where competitors are only allowed to wear sunnies, hat, socks and shoes as they run, so the region is no stranger to public displays of nudity, but what Britain? Are we ready to body-build in our birthday suits?

Now, there’s no shortage of opportunity to shed your kit in public should you wish to do so here in Britain, with official nudist beaches dotted all around the coast and a long history of naturism, with the first nudist club dating to the early part of the 20th century, but a naked workout? Now that’s another story.

First up, what about all those fitness gear producers – Helly Hansen, Nike to name a couple – who’ve dedicated years of research into making innovative fitness clothes that wick away the sweat so we can exercise in comfort. Would it not be a little on the uncomfortable side, exercising in the nude? The gym in Arrigorriaga says that towels are available to avoid slippage, but do you think that would be enough to attract naked gym goers?

It’ll be interesting to see if it does catch on, and here in the UK we’re known for being up for trying anything new, but we may take some convincing of the merits of working out in the buff.

As far as social nudity goes, is one of the main draws the very fact that enthusiasts get naked in the great outdoors to be more at one with nature, not a sweaty gym?

Hmmm, call me a prude but I think I’ll keep my gym kit on. How about you? Would you sign up if your local gym offered you the chance to body build in your birthday suit?

Race for Life 2011 will be bigger than ever

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

Why not join the girls this summer for Race for Life, the UK’s biggest female-only fundraising event, and raise money to help Cancer Research UK in their life saving work.

Now in its 18th year, Race for Life has raised an astonishing £362,000,000 since it started. This phenomenal sum has enabled 4,000 doctors, nurses and researchers to help people beat cancer through research including drug development and trials and investigations into the risks and causes of cancer. Such developments have led to an approximate 16% drop in the death rate from cancer since Race for Life began in Battersea Park back in 1994.

Well over 5 million women of all shapes, sizes, fitness levels and ages have taken part in the race over the years and 2011 promises to be the biggest Race for Life yet, as Tesco celebrate 10 years supporting the cause. Between them, Cancer Research UK and Tesco aim to gather 1 million women in 300 events throughout the UK to raise a ground breaking sum for the world’s largest charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

Many of the events are 5K but there are also a few 10K races dotted around the country, too. Anyone who’s ever joined in will know that the atmosphere is electric, from the moment you get there and the music pipes up. A massive amount of fun is had by all and no matter if you run, jog or walk, you can be sure you’ll be encouraged every step of the way.

Lots of women are inspired to take part following their own or a loved one’s experience with cancer, others are simply keen to do their bit to help raise money to help beat cancer.

Walk, jog or run, 5K or 10K – you choose

Whether you’re taking part in a 5K or 10K, walking, jogging or running, are an absolute beginner looking to improve your fitness gradually, a jogging enthusiast wanting to build your distance or a keen runner looking to better your race time, Race for Life have compiled some useful training guides in preparation for the big day.

Race for Life events will take place on various dates in the summer and you can find out when and where your nearest race is, as well as the training guides and all the info you need on the Race for Life website : http://www.raceforlife.org/

So, what are you waiting for? Go on – gather the girls and go!

Boxing clever, fighting fit – women’s combat sport strengthens body and mind

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin

It’s no surprise that boxers are some of the fittest people you’re likely to meet. Boxing is the ultimate high intensity sport that uses every muscle in your body and requires the utmost agility, co-ordination, stamina and strength. There are several benefits of combat sports for women, however there has been, until recent years, quite a stigma attached to women’s boxing. The sport’s hard image is subsiding as training methods are now becoming more varied, making it a far less daunting prospect for women interested in reaping the physical and mental rewards of combat sport.

Boxing is an excellent full body workout, burning around 500 calories an hour and it’s great for arm and shoulder sculpting. Although you use all your muscles, you won’t bulk up because of all the repetition of movement.

Not only does boxing firm your body up, it raises your fitness levels quickly. Boxing or kickboxing will also help with conditioning for other sports that require short, sharp bursts of physical exertion such as sprinting, throwing etc. The impact as you land your punch or kick is what provides the strengthening effect, as opposed to the motion, so a session with the punchbag can do wonders for strength. Find the right training program for you and before long you’ll find that your arms and legs are more defined and your stomach flatter, and your strength and stamina will be significantly improved.

Stress management and combat sport

Combat sport will not only improve your aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, strength and stamina, but it has a positive effect on the mind, too. Releasing your mental tension through a sparring session is the ultimate in stress relief. Boxing and kickboxing are both highly effective stress-busters, literally knocking out the negative emotions. Both sports have gained in popularity recently as more and more people discover the positive effects they have on mental as well as physical well-being

Engaging in a combat sport is an excellent way to alleviate pent-up aggression in a safe, productive way. Many women report an elevated sense of empowerment and a boost in self-confidence after engaging in combat sports. It’s a positive and satisfying way to take out your mental stress, which is often linked to suppressed anger. Vent this accumulated anger on a punchbag and reap the benefits as you feel calmer and more in control.

Stress and anxiety can leave you feeling helpless, with a feeling situations out of your control. Boxing and kickboxing provide you with a sense of empowerment, not to mention self defence skills, physical strength and mental agility. You’ll probably find you feel lighter and more relaxed after a session, ready to take the world on in a positive, productive way.

If you’re looking for a high-intensity, total workout for mind and body, then boxing or kickboxing could well be the way forward.

Stretching Before Excercise Doesn’t Help In Avoiding Injury

Posted on March 16, 2011 by admin

A recent study has shown that stretching before physical activity does not reduce the risk of injury.

Doctor Daniel Pereles at George Washington University in America, along with a number of other colleagues, conducted an experiment involving 2,729 volunteers who all recruited online and ran at least 10 miles per week, thus increasing the reliability of the findings.

The runners were split into two groups. One of which were asked to stretch their quadriceps, calves and hamstrings before running, whereas the other group were asked to run as normal without stretching before hand. However in the latter group volunteers were asked to report any injuries which would prevent them from running for a whole week.

The results of the findings, which were published at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, showed that injury rates in both groups were exactly the same at 16%.

The most significant risk factors for injury were having injuries in the last four months or a higher BMI, which stands for Body Mass Index. Injuries were also increased when competitors were asked to switch groups, which is mainly due to the fact that their usual routine was being abandoned which causes the body to respond accordingly.

Dr. Pereles said:

“Some insist you need to stretch, others say you don’t, and every time I tried to assess a study on this I found that the authors were extrapolating the results from gymnasts or wrestlers or soccer players or other sprinting or short distance athletes, and nothing was related to running.

“I just wanted to know whether stretching before going for a run would be beneficial for recreational runners like myself.”

The important to thing to bear in mind is that this study is solely aimed at runners who did not compete in any other activity. If you take part in Football matches, (or soccer to our American friends) Tennis games or just the occasional Squash encounter then stretching your muscles is highly advised to decrease the risk of injury and to gain optimum performance from your body. By not stretching it has been proved that it is more likely you will pull or tear a muscle, or just incur other problems which stop you from taking part in physical activity.

In professional sports, competitors train every day and then stretch before a match, and then warm down following their activity to gain maximum results from the most important muscles in the body. By not stretching it is doubtful their bodies would last for the length of time their match or game takes place.

However, judging by this study, if you’re a regular runner then perhaps you could add 10 minutes to your route, rather than using the time to stretch your muscles!

End of season marathon for Norwich City CE

Posted on March 9, 2011 by admin

The Chief Executive of Norwich City Football Club is to run the London Marathon in April in aid of the NORCAS charity.

David McNally will run the 26 miles for the `Too much too young appeal` which helps to support up to 15,000 young people in Norfolk who live with parents or guardians who have addictions to drugs, alcohol or gambling related issues.

It will be the third time that he’s competed in the captial and (reportedly) around 25,000 people will join him for the race this year, which is considered one of the biggest running events in the world.

This year the event takes place on April 17^th which could be an exciting time for McNally who may be preparing himself for an exciting end to the Football season with Norwich currently in a position where they may be promoted to the Premier League.

The Chief Executive of the club has already run the race twice before and wasn’t planning to do so again until he met the representatives of NORCAS. He said:

“I felt it would be a fantastic way of supporting the appeal because I was really taken aback by some of the awful statistics surrounding these vulnerable children who need our support. What we are trying to do is employ professionals who can support these children who have to live with parents or guardians with alcohol or drug problems.

“We want to make sure they don’t end up in a cycle where they might experience the same problems. We would really appreciate whatever money people could spare us, because I can genuinely say every penny raised goes to supporting these vulnerable children. I feel desperately sorry for the parents, of course, but we have to support these young children by giving them the confidence and reassurance to know they can get help.”

His training will consist of up to 50 miles running per week, (which will equate to 200 miles per month) until the race comes round later in the year, but he appears ready for the challenge and determined to raise money for a charity that he feels very strongly about.

“It would be nice to finish in under four hours,” he said. “But the most important thing is trying to raise as much as we can for NORCAS. It’s not easy to find the time but what I tend to do is if I need to be at work for 6.30am, I will get up an hour earlier. My problem is with the job I do, I’m not sure how my day might develop. If I plan to run in the evening and something happens, I can’t do that.”

The record for the men’s race is 2:05.10 which is held by Martin Lel of Kenya. Judging by these statistics the elite runners are capable of running the marathon at a consistent pace of thirteen miles per hour.

Preparing for a race such as this one is not easy work and it requires an awful lot of determination, training, and above all, resilience. If you choose to run it then you must have undertaken fitness training or have some experience of marathon running. The marathon is around 26 miles and its certainly not a case of turning up on the day and going for a jog. Any previous competitor will tell you its a gruelling event which requires buckets of determination and grit, although if you think you have what it takes its also very rewarding at the same time, and in David’s case even more so as he’ll be raising money for a charity close to his heart.

You can enter for next year’s London Marathon shortly after the completion of this year’s event.

Latest Arrivals

Posted on March 3, 2011 by admin

Pure Lime

This latest Spring collection of Pure Lime offers women a fantastic range of sportswear and accessories. Find some lovely new tank tops, vests, t-shirts and capris in a range of Blacks, Blues and Purples as well as new Pure Lime underwear. Pure Lime offer some gorgeous seamless underwear, sports bras, hot pants and cami’s in the same matching colours as the outerwear. See everything we have to offer from Pure Lime Sportswear here.

Reebok

Find new Reebok sportswear and accessories now in at Simply Hike for both men and women. There’s t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, running jackets and pants. The Reebok Play Dry fabric used in some of their sports clothing wicks moisture away from the skin to help the evaporation process, increasing ventilation and reducing chaffing keeping you nice and comfortable whilst you exercise. There are also new mens and womens trainers to choose from as well as new sports holdalls and water bottles to keep you well hydrated. For all Reebok Sportswear and Equipment click here.

Casall

This high end sports brand is a true winner, season after season at Simply Sweat. The collection is aimed at women who want to both look and feel good whilst they exercise. They offer great yoga and tennis wear as well as your stylish gym wear. Find a range of colourful tanks, vest tops, t-shirts, shorts and pants in the new range. There’s also the popular Casall Sports Bra and Brief in black and blue to get your hands on. To see this fantastic Casall collection click here.

Peak Performance

Peak Performance offer great technical sportswear for both men and women. For men you will find shorts, t-shirts and long sleeve zip jackets. For women there is a colourful range of sports tops whether you like tank tops, t-shirts or vests as well as capris and training pants and long sleeve zipped jackets. See all Peak Performance sportswear click here.

Adidas

New for this season we have Adidas fitness equipment. We have picked products from their extensive range which we think are good for home training. The collection includes high quality dumbbells, kettle bells, medicine balls, skipping ropes, resistance tubes, training mats, gym balls, push up bars and supports. Click here for the latest Adidas sports equipment.

Nike

Nike is renowned world-wide for its fantastic products at competitive prices. This latest collection is no different; top quality products for both men and women at affordable prices. Find great new sportswear in a range of colours for your activity from mens t-shirts and shorts to womens tank tops and capris. Check out the latest Nike sportswear range here.

New footpaths to be created in 2011

Posted on February 11, 2011 by admin

In an effort to bring people closer to nature as well as to encourage them to spend more time outdoors, the National Trust has announced plans to create 100 miles of new footpaths this year.

The latest announcement is part of the charity’s plans to create 1,000 miles of footpaths, cycling and horse riding trails, and kayaking routes by 2020.

The new walking trails will be created on the Trust’s land.

It plans to organise a major outdoor celebration in October, with local communities taking an active part in designing, creating and walking the 100 miles of new paths.

Studies show that getting outdoors is essential to people’s health and wellbeing, both physically and psychologically. It helps uplift people’s mood as well as improve mental health.

However, there have been concerns that people are becoming increasingly disconnected with outdoor spaces.

Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, said: “We want to play our part in helping to reconnect the nation with outdoor spaces, whether in the Lake District or a local park.”

Aerobic exercise ‘boosts memory’

Posted on February 2, 2011 by admin

New research has shown that aerobic exercise boosts memory in older adults.

Moderate exercise carried out over a year increased the size of a part of the brain associated with memory and learning, a study conducted by a team at the University of Pittsburgh found.

Researchers selected 120 dementia-free physically inactive adults aged 55 to 80 for the study.

For a year, one group of participants took part in aerobic activity that involved walking for 40 minutes a day, three days a week, while the other group only performed stretching and toning moves, and did no aerobic exercise.

At the end of the year, the scientists found that the volume of a brain part called hippocampus increased in the group that did aerobic exercise, but decreased in the other group.

Hippocampus is responsible for spatial memory, which is associated with navigation skills. Spatial memory is known to decline with old age.

The aerobic exercise group also showed improved scores on spatial memory tests.

Levels of a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were also raised in participants who did aerobic exercise.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences.

Simon Ridley , head of research at the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “Increasing evidence suggests regular exercise and a healthy diet may help reduce our risk of developing dementia, as well as reaping numerous other benefits from living a healthy lifestyle.”

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