It’s fair to say that a lack of hip flexibility is a significant problem for many people, regardless of whether they are new to a workout programme or are an experienced athlete. As Gray Cook says in one of our feature interviews (above) one of the most common reasons this occurs is due to a lack of core strength. In turn, your body naturally compensates by tightening up your hip flexors and in order to bring your body’s alignment back…
Angela Belassie talks through the process of working with Chris Hole. When I first met Chris Hole, I had recently had a baby and had not done much exercise for some time. I wanted to get back into the habit of working out more regularly, but was a little unsure about where to start. I learned Chris had experience of postnatal training – in a safe and effective manner – and I decided to sign up. We started with a…
Knee injuries aren’t just painful, they can also make getting on with your day-to-day tasks difficult. Below we discuss some ways to deal with three common knee and hip injuries. Piriformis Syndrome Sufferers of Piriformis Syndrome will feel spasms and buttock pain as a result of a condition affecting the Piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttock region. A side effect of the condition is irritation to the nearby sciatic nerve which manifests itself as pain or tingling in…
You are probably familiar with RICE protocol (rest, ice, compress, elevate) when you first injure yourself, but what about after that? How can you effectively overcome injury and get moving again? Ankle and foot injuries are very common and, when treated appropriately, can be easily overcome. We recommend that you seek the advice of a professional to diagnose and treat your injuries, as it’s important to rehabilitate in the correct way. That said, it’s always a good idea to be…
Tendon injuries can occur during sports or other activities that involve sudden sharp movements such as jumping or throwing or as a result of repeated overuse of the tendons during running or even computer use. What are tendons? Tendons are strong cords of connective tissue that attach the muscle to the bone. Their function is to help move the bones and joints when the muscles contract. Symptoms of a tendon injury A tendon injury can affect many different parts of…
Core strength and core stability are two terms that are frequently used interchangeably in discussions concerning the training of your core musculature, or trunk musculature. Many people use both of these components during their training regime and workouts, however they do not always fully understand the difference between these two components. It’s important to understand the difference between the two, as there are very distinct differences, and depending upon what you’re hoping to achieve in your training you will need…
Steve, 59, a WPA healthcare partner from Warmley, Bristol. Steve, who coaches cricket at Knowle Cricket Club, had a knee replacement after suffering several injuries during years of sport. The former professional cricketer worked with Chris to get fit safely – and found the workout actually eased the pain. He has since had a knee replacement and is in the best shape he’s been in for a long time. Why did you decide you wanted to work with a personal…
Jacky, 41, a software consultant, Redfield, Bristol. Jacky used to work out regularly until she injured her back in 2008. Left in agony, she was unable to move or work for a time, and feared she would never regain her previous fitness level. But within six months of working with Chris, she was able to exercise regularly and safely. The workout sessions were tailored to her needs and Jacky believes she is even stronger now because of it. She credits…
Ian , 71, a retired orthopaedic surgeon from Bristol. Ian has seen his fitness improve with age since working with Chris. He has lost some weight, toned up and can compete reasonably well in some sports against people 30 years his junior. He has increased the pull ups he can do five-fold, improved his core strength and feels he is generally fitter than many of his peers. He is also able to continue to enjoy body surfing, rowing, cycling, running, swimming,…
If you suffer from lower back pain, it’s important that you take steps to exercise safely and carefully in order to prevent further injury. Many people shy away from exercise when suffering from back pain, but avoiding exercise altogether can exasperate the problem as well as lead to other conditions such as obesity, which in turn can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. With the right exercises, you can benefit from increased mobility and pain relief through…