Woodlands Fitness Centre

Hi, Infectious disease outbreaks, like the current coronavirus (COVID-19), can be scary and can affect our mental health. However, there are many things we can do to support each other and manage our wellbeing during such uncertain times. Across the nations of the UK, lockdown is easing in different ways and at different times. As we begin to come out of lockdown many of us are faced with both challenges and opportunities. Within social distancing guidelines, we may be able to see friends and family in person, play sport or return to work. However, many of us may find even these longed-for changes difficult for our mental health. The idea of coming out of lockdown when the scientific debate is…

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Hi, On the 16th April, we posted on Facebook and Instagram to offer all of our members a complimentary 30 minute online PT session, which many members took us up on. It’s absolutely imperative we all keep active. These are really unusual times, a completely unprecedented situation, and I just hope that regular exercise can keep us all sane. For 10+ years I’ve been teaching classes, group personal training and 1-to-1 personal training sessions and I also need you guys to keep me busy too. Being part of a gym should be about being part of something more than just leg extensions and kettlebell swings and we need to stick together to get through the lockdown. Exercise is not just about…

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Hi, This lockdown is playing havoc with peoples’ mental health. Working from home. Can’t see your friends or family. Can’t go out for dinner or to the pub or to the cinema or to the gym. It’s just making people climb the walls. For this reason, we are offering all of our members complimentary 30 minute PT sessions. Businesses talk incessantly about how much they care. They bang on about it constantly, It’s on their logos. And on their websites. And on their headed paper. It’s everywhere. But it means absolutely nothing if you don’t back it up with evidence. Talk is cheap. It’s action that counts. It’s during this time that you need to look at what the gyms in the area are doing for…

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Hi, What can you now do that you couldn’t do before? Well, you can: Spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing Meet one other person from a different household outdoors - following social distancing guidelines Exercise outdoors as often as you wish - following social distancing guidelines Use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart. We can now continue to train our personal training clients. This must be outdoors, providing we are alone and only meeting with 1 person from outside of our household, outdoors, and we stay a minimum of 2 metres apart. We can meet…

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Hi, I’ve had a flurry of messages coming through following the announcement by Boris just now. “When will the gym be open?” Well this is down to us. All of us. This is only being spread by us. It doesn’t have legs. Or wings. It isn’t flying down your chimney or crawling into your mouth while you sleep. No. This virus needs us to spread it through contact with other people or things other people come into contact with. Without us it just dies. Hopefully this summarises the relevant points: Step 1: From Wednesday, unlimited outdoor exercise but sticking to social distancing and only with members of your household. This doesn’t include outdoor PT or Bootcamps - but maybe this will change in…

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Hi, Have you adjusted your maintenance calories since you started working at home? With changes to working patterns, people staying at home, limits on us going outside, gyms temporarily closed etc our calorie expenditure is likely to be much lower. And if you’re eating more because of boredom or comfort eating then many of you will be piling on weight. If you were previously moderately active you might now be lightly active or - worst case scenario - sedentary. This means your calorie expenditure will have dropped by as much as 22%. So make sure you’ve adjusted your maintenance calories. If you’re not sure, please email me your height, weight and age and I’ll reply with your BMR, maintenance calories and a viable…

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Hi, Many people benefit from mindful eating, which involves being fully aware of why, how, when, where, and what they eat. Making more healthful food choices is a direct outcome of becoming more in tune with the body. People who practice mindful eating also try to eat more slowly and savor their food, concentrating on the taste. Making a meal last for 20 minutes allows the body to register all of the signals for satiety. It is important to focus on being satisfied after a meal rather than full and to bear in mind that many “all natural” or low-fat foods are not necessarily a healthful choice. People can also consider the following questions regarding their meal choice: Is it good “value” for the calorie cost? Will…

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Hi, A lot of people drink too much. And I don’t just mean alcohol. It is possible to consume hundreds of calories a day by drinking sugar-sweetened soda, tea, juice – as well as alcohol. Those beers and those cheeky little glasses of prosecco. It all adds up. These are known as “empty calories” because they provide extra energy content without offering any nutritional benefits. Unless a person is consuming a smoothie to replace a meal, they should aim to stick to water or unsweetened tea and coffee. Adding a splash of fresh lemon or orange to water can provide flavour. Avoid mistaking dehydration for hunger. An individual can often satisfy feelings of hunger between scheduled meal times with a drink of water. We are offering…

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Hi, Being overweight or obese can lead to a range of health problems. Although many different “fad” diets are available, a balanced lifestyle and nutritious diet are the key to healthful living and better weight control. Carrying excess body weight can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. As I’ve said countless times before, crash diets are not a sustainable solution, whatever perks their proponents might claim them to have. To lose weight safely AND sustain that weight loss over time, it is essential to make gradual, permanent, and beneficial lifestyle changes. As a gym and personal training studio, we are all about providing sensible and sustainable advice for long term weight control. We are offering online coaching,…

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