Gore Running Wear Pulse Beany

Now the colder weather is here, those who love outdoor sports will need to keep their heads toasty.  The Gore Pulse Beany is an ideal for difficult runs as it is lightweight and made from quick drying material to keep them comfortable and warm.  The reflective detailing will also help to keep them safe and visible in low light, or at night.
2. Ronhill Switch Glove

Ronhill Switch Glove

It’s not just their head that needs to be snug, their hands shouldn’t be left out in the cold either (poor things!).  The Ronhill Switch Glove is made from a special soft, lightweight fabric that will keep hands warm and dry, whilst allowing excess heat and moisture to escape for added comfort.  It even has a thoughtful waterproof  mitt  you can pop over the fingers.
3. Puma Womens Body SL Trainers

Puma SL Trainers

If toning up is their New Year’s resolution, the Puma Women’s Body SL Training Shoe is a perfect gift.  They not only look stylish and give all the comfort and performance you’d expect, they tone your legs by creating resistance and micro-instability to activate the muscles as you move.  They could even be a perfect gift to yourself – it is hard to look just for other people!  Imagine toning as you do your weekly food shop, I’d feel smug!

4. Camelbak Octane LR Hydration Pak

Camelbak Octane LR Hydration Pak

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated when you’re exercising (drinking a litre an hour), but it can be really irritating to carry a bottle of water, especially if your loved one runs, hikes or cycles.  The Octane LR Hydration Pak from Camelbak straps onto their back leaving their hands free, placing the water weight onto the hips for extra comfort.  It is made from ultra-lightweight materials so it won’t add bulk or interfere with performance, and has pockets to stash other items they might need like energy bars.  Refreshing!

5. Ronhill Vizion Waist Pack

Ronhill Vizion Waist Pack

The Ronhill Vizion Waist Pack is a perfect present for those who like to exercise outdoors as they can not only store their keys and other accessories, but their MP3 Player too.  If they like to listen to their favourite songs as they run, they can simply feed the headphones out of the handy headphone port!  The bright fluorescent colour and reflective detailing will also help to keep them visible and safe when running or training in the darker months.

6. Suunto M1 Unisex Heart Rate Monitor

Suunto M1 Heart Rate Monitor

Not only does this Suunto M1 Heart Rate Monitor tell you your heart rate (as the name suggests!), but it also lets you know how many calories you’re burning off. Both the heart rate and calories are calculated in real time, so it’s a brilliant motivator. Ideal for gadget fans of either sex.

7. Men’s Ronhill Vizion Contour Tights

Mens Vizion Contour Tights

Perfect for winter running when the light’s not so good. These Men’s Ronhill Vizion Contour Tights come with a handy back zip pocket which is great for an MP3 player. A great pressie for a keen runner; he can wear them in all weather conditions, so there’s no excuse not to go out for a winter run!

8. Reebok Step with DVD

Reebok Step with DVD

If your loved one works out at home, this adjustable Reebok Step with Workout DVD is a great Christmas pressie idea. There are three height levels they can increase as their fitness improves.

9. Nike Womens Cyclone Running Jacket

Nike Womens Cyclone Running Jacket

This  Nike Womens Cyclone Running Jacket ticks all the boxes; it’s lightweight, water resistant and highly breathable, so it can be worn in the harshest of conditions. If you’re looking for a pressie for a fashion conscious runner, this jacket is as stylish as it is practical and comes in crimson or voltage yellow.

10. Reebok Yoga Set with DVD

Reebok Yoga Set with DVD

For experienced yoga-goers to those taking their first tentative steps into yoga world, this Reebok Yoga Set with DVD includes an eco friendly mat, strap to carry it in, cork block and DVD of yoga suggestions. Take your pick between vibrant chemical blue (as shown) or wild berry.

So there are some great ideas for you, I hope they help to ease the panic! And if you’re lucky enough to get one of these gifts – even if it is from yourself (it’s been a hard year!) – you can write your thank you letter to me Simplysweat.com

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I know what you’re thinking; that all sounds VERY embarrassing.  However, as we all know, in these modern times we barely use our body to its full capacity, spending long hours at our desks behind a computer.  Even at the gym, as Bee’s article explores, we exercise “mindlessly”, getting into repetitive habits and not challenging our bodies in new ways.

Having felt like a hamster on a wheel in my local gym before, the statement by Erwan Le Corre (founder of the American “Move Naturally” sessions) that we are “zoo humans” struck a chord.  Humans crave interaction with nature, a desire Bee names as “biophillia”, and much like the forlorn apes and gorillas we see in cramped zoo cages, a lack of outdoor interaction can lead to mental health issues such as depression.

Prehistoric workouts tap into little used muscles through natural movements such as climbing, crawling and jumping, all things we tend to associate with childhood.  Whilst watching “Origins of Us” on BBC 2 last night, I found it fascinating and awe inspiring just how brilliant the human body is.  As Dr Alice Roberts tracked the human body’s evolution from apes, to walking upright, to long distance endurance runners, to tool users, she highlighted how our bodies still retain many ape like qualities – being able to rotate our arms 180 degrees for example, comes from tree climbing.  We are literally designed for this kind of outdoor workout.

However, as Bee found out, we are constrained by a fear that the tree-climbing child does not have, disbelieving the strength and agility of our own bodies.  Yes, falling might hurt, and I’m not denying that the ungraceful sight of a grown woman flying face first onto the local cricket pitch isn’t slightly embarrassing, but you only have to look at the impressive robustness of Free Runners (another form of more acrobatic outdoor exercise, not for the faint hearted!) to see the resilience of the human body.

Despite the potential for some serious awkwardness when my boss happens to stroll past and sees me swinging wildly from a tree branch, and even the possibility of me being sectioned when I am spotted dragging my knuckles and charging like a gorilla next to the children’s play ground, the idea of evolutionary fitness appeals to me.  The health benefits, both mental and physical, the liberating release from the sterility of the gym and from what some may consider ‘normal’ behaviour (at least you can say you’re not boring!) makes a prehistoric workout a brilliant, fun, free way to exercise.

So, this weekend you may well see me dangling from an oak tree in my local park, grinning like a maniac.  I seriously hope you’ll join me!

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When someone takes a photo of a QR code, they’re taken to the advertiser’s website. In this case Betfair, where they are offered a free bet.

Opinion is, unsurprisingly, divided as to whether this is just a cheeky bit of fun or not. A spokesman for Betfair said “There is huge interest in beach volleyball and we want to ensure that our advertising campaign is seen and remembered by as many sports fans as possible”

However, the idea of professional athletes selling advertising space on their behinds has outraged some. Sian Norris from the Bristol Feminist Network said “I think what this really shows is that there’s still a lack of seriousness taken when it comes to women’s sports. There’s the assumption that men are the spectators rather than women for a start. But also do we want these women to be seen as athletes or are they walking advertising billboards? These are big, big questions.”

Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin, who have degrees in law and marketing respectively, are now full time lottery funded athletes, hoping to compete at London 2012. The QR codes will have to come off if they do, as sponsorship is banned at the Olympics.

Beach volleyball athletes have previously called for  the sport to be taken more seriously and to be seen as less about sex and more about sport. With that in mind is this kind of advertising a step backwards, or just  canny marketing?

What do you think?

beach volleyball image : Terence Kearns

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Godmersham Park House

Godmersham Park House is set in the most spectacular grounds and the 5K race took place on the private land around it. I got assigned my task when I arrived at the site and was given a course marshall job, which involved donning a hi-viz vest and carrying a walkie-talkie to receive instructions from the course manager and report back any incidents as the runners and walkers passed me. It was a scorcher of a day, so the main concerns were the sun and heat. Thankfully all was well. It’s an easy, fun job. You’re really there for encouragement more than anything else. . The only thing I had to remember was to call myself “course marshall 11″ not “Lorraine” on the walkie-talkie!

It was estimated that about 1,200 women took part in the Canterbury race, which is considered one of the smaller ones, and they hoped to raise somewhere in the region of £136,000. I was really impressed at how everything ran like clockwork. It’s a polished operation. The local radio DJs really added to the atmosphere, spurring everyone along and making everyone laugh.

If you haven’t volunteered before, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s such a positive experience, as women of all ages, shapes and sizes – and even two on crutches in this case! – come together to run, walk or hobble to the finish line, some in memory of loved ones, but all with the desire to make their contribution to the fight against cancer.

Did you take part? If so, send your pics in and we’ll add them to this post!

More info. on volunteering for Race for Life : http://www.raceforlife.org/support-race-for-life/volunteer.aspx

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Whether you want to get an idea of which type of yoga is the right one for you, or you need to know what to take and what to wear for your first yoga class, we’ve covered all the basics  to help you decide.

Take a look at our Types of Yoga page which covers the main disciplines.

If you’re not sure what to wear or what kind of mat to buy, have a look at our Yoga Clothing and Mats page. 

Hope you find them useful in deciding what to go for. With yoga types, we covered the basics – there are many different forms, but the ones we’ve outlined are generally the most widely practised in the UK.

We’ve compiled advice pages on a number of different fitness related topics. You can find them all on our Fitness Advice page.

Anything you’d like covered? Feel free to leave a comment and let us know. Thanks.

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What are Reebok EasyTone Trainers?

EasyTone trainers help you tone key muscles in your calves, hamstrings and glutes. Wearing them increases muscle activation in your leg muscles and buttocks. Reebok tested their EasyTone Go Outside trainers against a normal, foam based walking shoe of theirs, the Reebok Expresswalk, and found that EasyTone shoes increased muscle tone up to 11% in the calves and hamstrings and up to 28% in the glutes.

How Do They Work?

They’ve got built-in pods under the heel and forefoot, which are made to create instability at each step, forcing your muscles to adapt, in turn toning them up. The pods are highly durable and the trainers are lightweight.

When are They Worn?

 Reebok EasyTone Trend trainers are designed as a fashion item as well as a muscle toning trainer, so you can wear them out and about all day as you go about your usual daily routine. The black with berry trim can be worn with just about anything, including jeans. Alternatively, they can be worn for a gentle workout.
These trainers are best suited for walking and light exercise as opposed to high impact sports such as running or tennis.

Who are They Suitable For?

If you’re always busy running around but don’t get to the gym quite as often as you’d like, they’re ideal. As Reebok’s EasyTone slogan goes : “Take the gym with you”.
Many women wear them for things like shopping and the school run. The breathable black leather uppers, cushioned fit and versatile colourway makes them wearable throughout the day with your casual clothes. If you’re on your feet with your job and can wear casual shoes, these are great.

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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

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1. Great Urban Race, London 23rd July 2011

Described by the organisers as a ‘wild urban adventure’, this is a fun, interactive event where teams of two complete 12 mental and physical challenges along the way, starting and finishing in Notting Hill. Sort of a cross between a treasure hunt and It’s a knockout. Brilliant fun.

More info : http://www.greaturbanrace.com/

2. JogScotland 5K, Throughout Scotland 8th – 29th June 2011

These 5K fun runs are taking place on midweek evenings in June all over Scotland. You can participate in a team and there are prizes to be won. You can walk, jog or run and it’s a great opportunity to make the most of the summer evenings in the fresh air with your friends. If you’re a more serious runner, it’s a good chance to attempt a PB.

More info. : http://www.jogscotland.org.uk/challenges

3. Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, 2nd October 2011

For spectacular scenery, you’d be hard pushed to beat this event. The natural beauty of the area is the big draw here. A great opportunity to raise money for your favourite charity whilst enjoying the scenery and indulging in a spot of monster spotting along the shores of Loch Ness! Really rather special. If you’re not quite up to a full marathon, you can participate in a 10K or 5K instead.

More info : http://www.lochnessmarathon.com/

4. Bupa Great North Run, Gateshead, Newcastle 18th September 2011

A large half marathon event with over 50,000 participants, now in its 31st year. Tremendous fun, and with so many runners taking part, the atmosphere on the urban route is electric, with live bands and massive crowds to cheer you on. If you’d rather do a 10K, there’s the Great North 10K event on 17th July.

More info. : http://www.greatrun.org/

5. The Prince’s Trust Wild UK Challenge, West Somerset – South Devon, 23rd-25th September 2011

Off road, rugged terrain and spectacular scenery is the order of the day here. Hike, cycle and kayak 100 miles in 3 days, from Somerset to Devon and raise money to help disadvantaged young people in the UK.

More info : http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/support_us/adventure_challenges.aspx

6. The Sumo Run, London 18th June 2011 & Manchester 2nd July 2011

This 5K event is what fun runs are all about. Utterly ridiculous and for a great cause. Dress up in an inflatable sum outfit and take to the streets with your friends to raise money for Gemin-i, which is an educational charity that brings 60,000 children in both developed and developing countries together to raise awareness of and tackle the world’s health and human rights issues.

More info. : http://www.sumorun.com/

7. Liverpool Marathon, 9th October 2011

Expect a great atmosphere and big crowds, taking in the city parks and docks and the residential streets of Liverpool, on both sides of the Mersey. The last marathon in the city was the Mersey Marathon back in 1992, this new one replaces the old with a brand new 26.2 mile course. Be one of the first to try out Liverpool’s new marathon.

More info. : http://www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/

8. London Duathlon, Richmond Park 11th September 2011

The world’s largest running and cycling duathlon, taking in the sights of beautiful Richmond Park. You can take part as an individual or in a relay team and there’s also the chance to take part in the Ultra Distance 20km : 80km : 10km event if you want to go for a longer distance.

More info : http://www.thelondonduathlon.co.uk/

9. Pants in the Park, Leeds 12th June, London 25th June and Andover 17th July 2011

Pants in the Park is a 5K  fun run and, as its name suggests, is completed in pants – on the outside of your clothes, you’ll be pleased to know. Money raised from Pants in the Park goes to Prostate Action, which funds research and education to beat prostate cancer. Very much a family orientated event with face painting and entertainment going on throughout the day.

More info : http://www.prostateaction.org.uk/pantsinthepark

10. Run Kingston 9th October 2011

On flat road and gravel track over distances of 16 or 8.2 miles, taking in the scenic river views of Kingston-upon-Thames, Hampton Court Palace and through to the centre of Kingston, this is a nice, relaxed run and great for marathon training.

More info. : http://www.humanrace.co.uk/events/run/runkingston-2011

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TRAINERS-

Nike Air Pegasus

(Simply Sweat, £69.00).

Although you can wear any pair of trainers or running shoes for a Triathlon, ideally you need footwear that’s reliable and will give you optimum performance when competing. Nike are a household brand who are famous for manufacturing high level products, and if you are thinking about challenging yourself in a marathon or a triathlon then these will certainly do the job. You must be comfortable with your selection of footwear, and it’s always best to compete in a pair you have practised in.

GOGGLES-

Speedo Speedsocket Mirror Goggle – Black (Simply Swim, £20.00)

Triathlon specific goggles offer a wide range of vision to help you see where you’re going when you’re swimming in dark or murky rivers. Speedo products are always a great way to go, but you need to be secure with them on your face, as the fit and comfort of the goggle is vital when swimming.
TOWEL-

 Speedo Bright Logo Towel  (Simply Swim, £14.00)

A towel is a surprisingly useful bit of kit for any triathlete. Aswell as its traditional use for drying the body, it’s also good for marking out your spot in tradition. The logo is recognisable, and if you buy one with a bright colour its easily identifiable.

DRINKS BOTTLE-

 Camelbak Podium Bottle 710ml-Clear Blue

(Simply Sweat, £9.00)

Most water bottles or drink bottles are designed to fit into the bottle cage on your bike so you can sip away while you ride and simply slot the bottle back into position. This enables you to stay hydrated and take in carbohydrate via an energy drink. It’s advisable to use the same bottle in training aswell as you don’t want to waste time figuring out how it works and how it connects to the cage.

TRISUIT-

Mens’- Aqua Sphere Ironman Pursuit (Simply Swim, £178.00)
Womens’- Aqua Sphere Ironman Racer Pro (Simply Swim, £295.00)

Wearing a tri suit enables you to compete without having to waste time in between getting changed into different attire.  They dry within minutes after finishing the swim leg and they’re tight fitting so that they don’t drag in the water.

WETSUIT-

Men’s- Mares Reef 3mm Man Wetsuit (Simply Scuba, £85.00)
Women’s- Mares New Tropic 3mm She Dives (Simply Scuba, £69.95)

If you enter a Triathlon in the United Kingdom then the chances are you will need a wetsuit to keep the chill off during the swim. They have thicker neoprene on the legs and body for buoyancy, and thinner materials around the shoulders for extra flexibility.

 SWIM CAP-

 Speedo 3D Fast Cap-Black  (Simply Swim, £6.99)

If you’re participating in an open water swim then you will need a swim cap for safety. Usually you’re given a cap before the race but its better to take your own just for extra warmth.

FUEL-

Powerbar Natural Energy Bar – Strawberry and Cranberry (Simply Hike, £1.25)

Eat some breakfast before you race and you’ll have enough energy for about 80 minutes of high intensity exercise. A triathlon event takes longer so you will need to boost your energy levels at some stage with some snacks.
Try out some different bars in training so you are well aware which ones work well prior to the start of the event.

And most importantly of all, don’t forget your bike!

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Us humans sweat all over our bodies, helping us cool down and regulate our body temperature  efficiently, whereas our feline friends can only sweat through the little pads in their paws, so they have to come up with other ways to cool themselves down. The fact that cats have only got these paw pads to sweat through goes a long way to explaining why they don’t do a whole lot in warmer weather, preferring to find a cool, shady spot for a lie down. That’s their excuse, anyway!

We say ’sweating like a pig’ but pigs hardly sweat at all… 

While we’re on the subject of aminals, the phrase ’sweating like a pig’ is a bit ironic, because pigs are highly ineffectual sweaters, having to wallow around in mud to keep cool. Opinion varies as to the origin of ’sweating like a pig’. Some say it’s meant to be ironic, but no-one seems to know exactly why we say this. Horses sweat more than almost any other animal, so we should probably swap the sayings around ‘eat like a horse’ and ’sweat like a pig’ should really be ‘eat like a pig’ and ’sweat like a horse’. Anyone know the origin of the sayings? Let us know!

Women sweat half as much as men during exercise

Researchers at the universities of Osaka and Kobe in Japan found that women perspire half as much as men during exercise. This is because women reach higher temperatures before they start to sweat. It’s thought that this may be an evolutionary thing – thousands of years ago, men needed to sweat more to cool themselves down because they tended to be more active, hunting in high temperatures, whereas women with smaller bodies containing less water evolved to sweat less to avoid potential dehydration. The study looked at 37 men and women and the findings were published in Experimental Physiology journal.

You learn something new every day!

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