Ant Washington
Are Healthier BBQs Possible? You Bet! For a lot of Australians, the warm summer months mean that barbecue season is here. Think big juicy burgers while the kids play in the pool; beers with mates while you watch over the snags together… or perhaps chicken skewers on and cans of soft drink in the park? … Read more
It’s time to get familiar with quinoa, it’s nutritional value, the health benefits it can provide and the best way to integrate quinoa into a well-balanced diet. Quinoa – nutrition’s well-kept secret The first item to address is how to pronounce quinoa – think KEEN-wah and not kwin-oh-ah. The correct pronounciation has been an item … Read more
Discover Bouldering and Indoor Climbing Bouldering is a great way to discover the fitness benefits of rock climbing without the need for equipment or a head for heights. Bouldering is cheap, safe and is growing rapidly in popularity as a sport. What is Bouldering Imagine rock climbing, but done at heights that are close to … Read more
A great way of progressing from steady running to running faster times is to incorporate strides/speed intervals into your run. They can be done either at the end of your run or in the middle of the run, but never at the start of the workout. How to do strides/speed intervals The idea is that … Read more
There is considerable discussion on both sides of the debate on whether it is better to stretch before a workout or after. Pre-workout Vs Post-workout Stretching The following are are my guidelines, based upon the research I have studied over the years and also my experience as a personal trainer. The general purpose of stretching … Read more
Some years ago, I learned about the 80/20 rule which I sadly didn’t adopt at the time. Back in those years, I was one of those ‘all or nothing’ sort of guys who would train until they faint. The 80/20 rule is regularly used as a guide to safe, progressive strength training, but over time I’ve realised … Read more
Massage Guns – Our view on the latest trend in fitness and recovery Do you ever wonder how some people continue to push harder when stretching and doing their daily exercises? Ever wonder why some gym bunnies never seem to be sore or tight? Is your workout partner annoyingly smug and patronising whilst you groan … Read more
Discover what to eat to reduce anxiety, overcome depression, and improve your memory. Certain foods deserve a regular place in our diets for their brain-boosting prowess. Brightly coloured produce – think: berries, broccoli, grapes, butternut squash, tomatoes – along with superfoods like garlic, green tea and cacao, all improve concentration and decision-making because they contain … Read more
Ten Tips on How to get Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin 1. Go to bed earlier “Sleep is one of the most powerful anti-ageing weapons we have,” says Karina Stewart co-founder of the Kamalaya Wellness Resort. “Getting sufficient quality sleep directly impacts ageing, because it affects adrenal gland health and the body’s levels of the hormones cortisol … Read more
Buying protein powder, collagen, vitamin supplements and concerned by the cost? Spare a thought for the poor bodybuilder! If you’ve every been curious about the bodybuilding supplements that a seasoned pro takes, read on. SmartPlay spoke to Tom Lawry, a competitive bodybuilder, to get an understanding of what supplements and vitamins he takes on a … Read more
It’s that time of the year again. Summer is fast approaching and that dream of spending your weekends relaxing by the pool or beach is quickly becoming a reality. There’s just one problem. Do you want to be the star of Baywatch or Whalewatch? In all seriousness though, most of us aspire to have that … Read more
Hypertrophy training – Building muscle is a science. The experts have long told us that impressive muscle growth will only be triggered by combining progressive resistance training with sufficient calories, rest, healthy hormones and optimal protein intake. Hypertrophy is the scientific term for growing muscle and understanding the process behind muscle growth can be both … Read more
It’s the same every year. January comes around and so many of us, feeling sluggish and looking a touch portly, enthusiastically sign up to a common New Year’s resolution – that of the shiny new exercise and fitness regime. The festive season may have been fun, but it’s unlikely to have been kind to your … Read more
Tips for running your Bootcamp or Personal Training business Here are some quick tips on enhancing your fitness business, so that you can free up your time to live your life how you want. Remember, you are both a fitness professional and a business operator. The number one tip is to set up systems. Have … Read more
Following on from our earlier study of the best massage guns available in Australia, we decided to give Healsage’s new flagship device a go. Read on to see what we thought: Massage Guns – the background The massage gun (also known as a handheld percussion massage device) has become very popular, very quickly. Massage guns are … Read more
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