PHYSIOCARE TWYFORD
T 0118 934 4055
E physio@physiocare.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE EARLEY
T 0118 966 4585
E physio@physiocares.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE NEWS & EVENTS
Beware injuries from New Year faddy fitness regimes
The festive season is over and it’s back to the grindstone for most of us. The promise of a new year and a fresh start, coupled with a post-festive waist line are fuelling the annual rush to start new diets, cash-in on gym membership deals and try out the latest faddy fitness scheme. But beware that you don’t swap short-term gain for long-term pain, warns our founder Elizabeth Jones.
“The New Year is the perfect time to think about improving your fitness,” Elizabeth explains, “but it is essential that you develop a sensible, planned regime that will become a life-style change, not just a quick fix. Joining the gym or trying out a new dance video at home are initiatives to be applauded, but I would urge enthusiasts to work on developing a gradual scheme, focusing initially on stability and strength before launching into a high-energy routine to burn calories.”
Gyms and households up and down the country will play host over the next few weeks to over-eager, would-be fitness enthusiasts who are at high risk of at best pulling a few muscles and at worst creating longer-term complaints, such as soft-tissue damage and joint injuries. “It’s really worth building up your strength, mobility and suppleness through a gradual programme, especially if you haven’t exercised regularly for a long time” advises Elizabeth. “January and February are some of the busiest months in our clinic, as people overdo it in an attempt to get fit quick!”
Top tips for a gradual approach include:
• Walking short and then gradually longer distances, becoming more of a power walk as your fitness improves
• Swimming – great way to improve mobility and strength and you can gradually increase intensity
• Pilates – builds strength and tone to provide core stability for cardio exercise later
• Tailored gym programme – work with a qualified professional and review your progress regularly
Our Body Management Gym members will already be familiar with our gradual, tailored approach. For those of you who haven’t checked it out, why not ask for a tour? Our members have told us that Physiocare’s more hands-on, personal approach and the ability to exercise under the watchful guidance of a chartered physiotherapist provides great reassurance and excellent results, so give it a try!