Articles
In this article I am going to explain how this one equation guides my approach to rehab and also give you a few secrets which explain how we get Gold Coasters pain free in record time... Read More
No doubt every Gold Coast and Australian female sat up and took notice with the recent news that multivitamins increased the risk of breast cancer. Now normally I try and stay as far away as possible from female problems – you only have to read the cover of ‘Men are from Mars & Women are from Venus’ to understand that we are on totally different planets. However this news definitely registered with me. Especially as I recommend a good multivitamin to all my female training clients and the fact I had a host of Gold Coast’s top personal trainers emailing me asking for my opinion on this news... Read More
Recently one of my professional surfing athletes complained about not doing enough ‘surf specific’ training and using too many ‘machines’ here at the CCPC on the Gold Coast. This surfer was in what I call a remedial intensification training phase (more on this later) which was designed to correct his weaknesses based on his structural balance testing. Unfortunately he had just had his head messed with by a ‘the only way to train for surfing is by standing on a Swiss Ball while simultaneously performing multidirectional pelvic floor anal translations’ health professional. So after I questioned his sexuality, I explained to him that a) the only actual sport specific training for surfing is SURFING (well duh right?) and b) if he does not correct his weaknesses, it is a waste of time trying to train ‘specifically’ for any sport as the weaknesses will always hold him back. These same rules apply to training for any sport... Read More
Do we really need to train in front of mirrors? Not at all. But hold on - aren't mirrors essential for good form? The truth is that it is the complete opposite. Now this might really piss off all the bodybuilders and pump class enthusiasts out there. Actually when I think about it, this will piss off the majority of gym goers and personal trainers too (especially here on the Gold Coast )... Read More
This is probably the biggest and most controversial myth in the health and fitness industry. You hear so many nutritionists and dietitians deride low carbohydrate diets as dangerous, especially in regards to damage to the kidneys and the heart. And if you have been around the industry long enough, you have probably heard that high protein/low carb diets can also cause osteoporsis and how dangerous ketosis is. So let us kick this myth square in teeth right now.... Read More
Think diet is as simple as restricting carbohydrate or eating less? Then think again. To get lean and healthy, we also need to start considering the pH or acid base balance of what we are eating.... Read More
For those that want to have triceps that resemble horseshoes and impressive upper body pushing strength, consider this your bible for the next 12 weeks. This article covers all the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the much-maligned Bench Press; the secrets, techniques and tricks of the trade when it comes to massive pressing.... Read More
While learning the tools of the ART trade, I decided to quiz the grand doohickey of ART, Michael Leahy to find out what it was all about. This guy has been around the best athletes in the world for the last ten years and you will not find a professional sporting franchise in Northern America at the moment without an ART practitioner. This speaks volumes for not only how well ART works in rehabilitation, but also for its use in performance enhancement.... Read More
On my recent trip to Sydney, I completed the Active Release Techniques (ART) Upper & Low Extremities courses. Basically, it entailed being stuck in a hotel seminar room from 8AM to 5PM each day, learning the ART protocols with an exam at the end. This meant I had little to no sunlight exposure during the day, which I definitely was not used to. Sitting next to businessmen and women in transport to and from the ART location, I realized people lived with this lack of sunlight each day which was quite alien to me living on the Gold Coast and being a surfer. Now this really got me thinking about the effects sunlight and in particular Vitamin D has on our function & health. So after doing a bit of research, this is what I have found… Read More
Health, diet and exercise resolutions always seem to be the first to fall flat. We have all heard it or said it before - ‘I am going to lose this amount of weight’, ‘I am going to exercise every day for an hour’, ‘I am not going to eat junk food anymore’ or something along those lines. Yet to be honest how often do these resolutions actually stay good? Read More
One of the main problems people approach me about is the amount of information out there about health and fitness and that they simply do not know what to do with it all. This all to often leads to ‘paralysis by analysis’.... Read More
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What people do not sometimes understand is that what type of food you eat is also very significant. To control blood sugar, brain neurotransmitter balance and energy levels throughout the day, it is a good idea to make sure that your breakfast is ‘on the money’. Now although everyone is different when it comes to what food you should and shouldn’t eat, the recommendations here will suit the majority and will have you well on your way to a better day.... Read More
Any form of games, sport and competition are great ways to push yourself a little harder in your quest to fit into those jeans from a couple of years back or turn those triceps into horseshoes. I am always quite amazed at the difference a little bit of competition can make when training. The increase in effort, determination and also satisfaction it brings out in trainees is almost always higher than when training solo. So to get everyone started I will give you some key things to think about when contemplating exercising with a partner or a group and how to make sure you maximize your benefits... Read More
As an exercise physiologist, I am constantly asked about the best diet to lose body fat, improve muscle mass and drop weight. The ZONE, CSIRO, Blood Type, Low Carb, Metabolic Typing, Food Pyramid, Cyclic Ketogenic diets – you name it and I’ve been queried about it. Truth to be told, the best diet for YOU is highly individual and is based on issues like food intolerances and carbohydrate adaptation. There are however certain principles that hold true no matter what diet you are undertaking that will ensure you enjoy as much success as possible.... Read More
This is a subject truly close to my and any other males’ heart – training arms. Without a doubt, it has to be the most popular and enjoyable time spent in the gym for a man. However, too many trainees have had as much success in this area as New Zealand has had in Rugby World Cups since ‘87. Now if you are a female and think this will have as much value for you as a power drill for Christmas, think again especially if you aspire to complete bodyweight exercises like chin ups... Read More