Tag: fitness

Top 4 Benefits of Couples Yoga

Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Did you know yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit and is used to signify any form of connection? This definition is exactly what couples yoga or ‘partner yoga’ is all about. Not only does this medium enhance your physical relationship, but your mental relationship as well. Julia Lehram, a psychotherapist and certified yoga instructor, says the following: A couples yoga experience can serve as a kind of mini ‘retreat’ or ‘workshop’ to strengthen a relationship.

Couples yoga requires partners to really be in the moment, pay attention to each other and work together toward common goals. This practice truly brings people together and we’re here to let you in on the exclusive top benefits.

Photo Credit: @meliniseri 

Strong Communication

Throughout a session of couples yoga, you must rely on one another, constantly communicating through touch and eye contact. This constant communication requires the undivided attention from both partners and a strong level of trust. Physical touch is a language in itself, with the power of touch being able to convey a strong sense of emotion. A strong component of couples yoga is mimicry, the act of being able to match your partner’s mood. Movement like mimicry can greatly help increase bonding with your partner, according to a study done by The British Psychological Study. The verbal and nonverbal movements displayed in couples yoga is extremely beneficial for creating a deeper level of connection and communication skills.

Photo Credit: @desertswanblog 

Letting Go

Couples yoga is all about the art of learning to let go and enjoy life to the fullest without any unnecessary stress. After a stressful day at work, it’s normal to want to take out some of your frustration on your partner. This energy can easily be converted into positive energy. By taking part in couples yoga, you are learning to let go of unwanted stress and approach the world with fresh, new eyes. One of the biggest parts of learning to let go is having total trust in your partner. Let your guard down, and don’t be afraid to try something new! Your partner will be with you every step of the way, helping to uplift you and take away any anxiety you may have.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Embracing Laughter

Did you know laughing together as a couple is a sign that you are on a path to lasting love? Jeffrey Hall, from University of Kansas, conducted his studies around the importance of humour in a relationship, and his research shows that laughing is a true sign of a “spark.” Couples yoga creates a great deal of fun, allowing for a carefree and safe sanctuary. You will find some poses difficult and oftentimes humorous, allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable environment. It is not just about the outcome, but about the journey and what you learn along the way.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Creating Balance

In couples yoga, there is never a giver or receiver in a certain yoga pose. Both partners are equally engaged and have one common goal in mind: to support one another. This helps create the perfect sense of balance in a couples yoga session. This not only helps you in a session, but benefits your relationship outside of yoga. Every relationship is unique in its own way and has many different points of balance. Taking time to stay true to yourself, each other, and your values will help you create a balance that works for you and your partner.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Now it’s time to get your partner and roll out a mat! Looking for the perfect yoga instructor in a private environment? We got you! Book a session with us and you can add your partner to your session in any desired location. See you soon!

Your TruBe Team

Top 5 Reasons To Go On A Fitness Retreat

Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Our personal trainers have officially arrived at the beautiful Villa Lena for a July fitness retreat! If you’ve never heard of Villa Lena, you are in for a treat. Located in Tuscany, this hotel is a dream escape from your daily life. 

In honour of this retreat, we invite you to imagine a holiday where you are able to focus solely on your personal health and fitness goals in a beautiful destination surrounded by nature whilst being taught by the best fitness instructors from around the world. If this concept sounds intriguing to you, then a fitness retreat is the perfect place for you. Fitness retreats are an amazing way to focus on your well-being, and they create a healthy environment full of possibilities. 

If you’re looking to transform your 2018 in a healthy way, then a fitness retreat is for you.

There are countless benefits and reasons to go on a fitness retreat, but we’ve narrowed it down to a unique five. So, let’s escape!

Breathtaking Views

Surround yourself with nature, whether that be on the beach, or in the countryside. We encourage you to release your inner child as you breathe in air that is as fresh as a budding flower. Conquer the waves, fly through the trees and push your limits with a variety of activities such as hiking, kayaking, and even zip-lining. Experience the most beautiful sunsets whilst running along the beach and setting individual goals for yourself. These activities not only encourage you to embrace the outdoors, but they help build your confidence and get you outside of your comfort zone by not only working individually, but working with a team. Great for building on your social skills!

Always Inspired

“Fall in love with taking care of your body.” 

Inspiration surrounds you on a fitness retreat. Immerse yourself in workouts from around the globe, complimented with detoxing, cleansing and healthy food tips. You will have mind opening experiences with highly qualified personal trainers, fitness instructors and therapists. Enjoy a mix of individual sessions and group sessions, designed to inspire you and help you learn the best techniques to transfer energy in a healthy way, delivered from trainers who are truly passionate about their art. Set new goals and exceed your current ones, helping you understand your body and its needs.

Out of your Comfort Zone

Going on a fitness retreat is the perfect way to let go and embrace change, softly pushing you out of your comfort zone. A fitness retreat helps you change up your daily routine, whether that’s your normal fitness regime, the foods you usually eat, or your environment. Change can be intimidating at first but trying new things is healthy for your soul, and we can personally guarantee that you will be supported every step of the way!  

Relaxation

Not only will you be working out daily and pushing your body to new limits, but you will be able to treat yourself to luxury spa treatments and daily massages. This will help your body relax and recover, helping you reach your full potential. If you have any worries or concerns when it comes to your body, you will be able to address them and get them worked out, leaving you feeling revitalised. Daily relaxation not only helps prevent future athletic injuries but helps align your body and soul in perfect harmony!

Food Tailored to You

It’s all about healthy living when you go on your fitness retreat, even down to what you eat. Upon arrival, you will meet with a nutritionist to decide on the best meal plan which is tailored to your body. You are invited to participate in workshops that will teach you how to eat a plentiful, well balanced and healthy meal, all of which you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home upon your return. Learning about the right foods will benefit not only your body but help boost your mood and energy levels.

Like the sound of a fitness retreat? Experience one for yourself! If you are not sure where your first fitness retreat should be, we have got you covered. If you’re craving a break from city life in a location that is so idyllic you will never want to leave, then the following experience is a match made in heaven. As part of the TruBe community, we would like to reward you for all your hard work with 15% off your July stay at Villa Lena.

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Villa Lena is passionate about creating an environment where guests and artists from different backgrounds can come together to relax, create and be inspired. Enjoy 15% off your stay in July when you download the TruBe App and make sure to mention TruBe when completing your booking!

Your TruBe Team 

How to Overcome the Intimidation Factor: Fitness Addition

Alex CoombesLeave a comment

It is safe to say the first fitness steps are often the hardest. With so much out there, it is completely normal to wonder how exactly to begin. No matter how you decide to begin you are bound to come out the other side a healthier and happy version of you, and remember there is no right or wrong way to do things, just your way.  

You may have heard of the phrase, ‘One size fits all.’ With fitness, this is most certainly not the case. Some people thrive in certain environments, others don’t. We want to prove to you that no obstacle is too big.

We are here to offer a helping hand! Here are our top pointers for those who are ready to embark on their fitness journey this Summer.

Don’t like working out alone?

Walking into any fitness environment for the first time can be intimidating itself, but you don’t have to do it alone! A workout buddy is always favourable and helps keep you motivated as well as giving you the company you need. A study published in Nature Communications found that friends can influence a person’s workout routine, and they found exercise is “socially contagious.” If all your friends are busy, then this is where a personal trainer can be extremely beneficial. Not only will a personal trainer help motivate you, but they will be with you every step of the way and can even help accelerate the process allowing you to see visible results, faster.   

Anxious?

Try having a plan in place. It’s important to know exactly what you want from your body. If you are not sure, why not have a complimentary ‘lifestyle assessment’ with one of our TruBe professionals. Having a game plan will help you navigate your way from start to finish. Plans will help keep you motivated and can help relax any negative thoughts/ feelings that can distract you from your goals.

Once you have taken that first step, exercise it a great way to monitor your anxiety, it helps you order your thoughts and can even enable you to remove any stresses that have been playing on your mind.

Self conscious?

It’s important to focus on one thing: yourself.

Don’t let yourself become stuck in the mindset that people will be judging you. A poll done by the British Mental Health Charity shows that 2 out of 3 women say they feel self conscious about their body shape when they exercise in public, whilst 60% of women were uncomfortable about their bodies reaction to exercise. Just remember: people are concentrating on their own workouts, not on you. You are all there for the same reasons…to become healthier! Don’t dwell on what other people think, and remember, everyone must start somewhere. We’re all in this together! *cue High School Musical*

Scared you won’t see results?

There’s no need to rush when it comes to wanting to see results, time is important. Any fitness goal takes time to see the results you’ve been craving. It’s key to stick with it and to remember that it’s all about progress and passion. Once you build passion for your favoured discipline, changes will happen much faster due to increased energy. Results will come from your dedication and commitment and a healthy stress-free mindset.  Visible results won’t just come from working out, but from other factors as well. For example, it’s important to be fueling yourself properly. Eating fruits and veggies and foods that are high in protein are the perfect way to boost your workout. Healthy tip? Try making a fruit smoothie before a workout. A fruit smoothie the perfect pre-workout snack because it’s high in protein and can be quickly digested. 

We hope we have helped give you the motivation you need to help make you feel more confident and comfortable.  It’s important to not give up on your commitment of a healthy lifestyle! Our TruBe trainers are just a tap away and here for you anytime.  Overcoming fitness intimidation definitely takes time, but remember that with time, patience, and confidence, you will become comfortable in no time! 

Your TruBe Team

The Top 4 Benefits of Kickboxing

Alex CoombesLeave a comment
Trainer, Alessandra

When it comes to kickboxing, the benefits are countless. From increased flexibility to a boost in energy levels, kickboxing is a fun sport that’s worth the hard work. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, kickboxing is a great way to change up your usual workout routine. Since we’re all about kickboxing this week at TruBe, we’re here to let you in on 4 of our favourite (and exclusive) benefits of kickboxing.

Kickboxing Improves Your VO2 max

What exactly is VO2 max? The technical definition for the maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise, in short, kickboxing improves your overall fitness. Kickboxing is usually comprised of ‘rounds’ (2-3 minutes of intense hitting) often referred to as a HIIT workout (High Intensity Interval Training). When doing an interval workout, your heart is trained to be more efficient. This act helps to greatly improve your VO2 max, thus improving your fitness. For example, you won’t feel as tired after climbing a hill or even a long flight of stairs –something we’re all in need of!

A Boost in Confidence

You may not know that when you are taking it out on the bag, endorphins are being released into your body, this helps lift any negative mood you may have been in and helps you feel confident and energised. An increase in confidence is a huge benefit of kickboxing. Learning a form of self defence proves that you can hold your own, resulting in a confidence boost that will benefit you in your everyday life.

Tones Your Entire Body

Looking for a full body workout? Kickboxing is the sport for you. There’s no area of the body that kickboxing won’t tone. The Muscle, Ligaments, and Tendons Journal conducted a study  titled ‘The Effects of Five Weeks of Kickboxing Training of Physical Fitness’. The study showed that after only five weeks of training, the participants involved showed great improvements in speed, agility, upper-body muscle power, and flexibility. Kickboxing is a full-body workout, and if you’ve taken a training session before, you know that everything gets worked!

Builds Endurance

Kickboxing is a perfect workout to improve your endurance. By taking part in regular cardio exercise, your endurance is strengthened, as proved by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

We hope these 4 benefits inspire you to start incorporating kickboxing into your daily workout routine. Need help or have any questions? Our kickboxing trainers are here for you anytime, and anywhere. Book your next kickboxing session with us here!

Fun fact about endurance: By building up your endurance with kickboxing, you can transfer it to any other workout whether that be swimming or running.

Keep those kicks coming!

Your TruBe Team

Can a Sports Massage Make You A Better Runner?

Alex CoombesLeave a comment

If you’re a runner, whether that be a beginner or a pro, and you’re thinking about getting a Sports Massage but not sure if it will be beneficial towards you, think no further! A Sports massage may just help you beat your best time.

Feel as if you have tense muscles whilst running? A Sports Massage will help get rid of that unneeded tension and improve your movement, and even improve your range of motion, resulting in a run that feels good on your body. Sports Massage does not only benefit you before a run, but helps after your sprint as well, as it helps greatly with recovery and stretching sore muscles.

A major overlooked benefit of Sports Massage for runners is pain relief. Greg Lehman, an award-winning physiotherapist and chiropractor, says the following:

“Pain changes how we function and can even inhibit healing. Massage may also help with recovery after a workout and may help get us out of a stress dominated state of our nervous system.”

This brings forward a commonly overlooked part of training: relaxation. Stress can greatly affect your running performance. According to the Health and Safety Executive, up to half a million people in the UK have work related stress, and up to 5 million people in the UK are ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed through work. By receiving a Sports Massage, your body is bound to be relaxed and improved, ridding your body of unwanted stress and making for a healthy and enjoyable running experience.

When is the best time to schedule a Sports Massage?

A day or two before a big race or a scenic run with friends is a great time to get a Sports Massage. Your therapist will leave you feeling light and energetic, and ready to take on any running challenge that comes your way. If you prefer receiving a Sports Massage after your big run, that’s fine too! However, it’s important to wait a couple days, as your body has just undergone a major workout. Your Massage will be on the lighter side, as to not strain any muscles further and help speed up your recovery time.

Want to get the absolute most out of your Sports Massage? Warming up your muscles right before receiving a Massage is ideal for your body and helps your therapist begin therapeutic work quickly, making for less shock and strain to the muscles. Kim Davis, CEO of RunLab, says the following:

“Think of your muscles like gum; the warmer they are, the more pliable they are, and easier to work with and you’ll get more bang for your buck out of your Massage session.”

The best way to warm up your muscles before a session is either a short jog or walk.

Every runner has different Sports Massage needs, and it’s always important to keep in mind that maintenance is a must. Whether you’re training for the London marathon next year or simply going on a quick run around your block, Sports Massage can help with your running needs, prevent future injuries, and help make you a faster runner with no extra stress weighing you down.

Our therapists are here for your running needs, and here to meet you, anytime and anywhere, to improve your running experience.

We want to treat you to 20% off your first single session*

Promo Code: WELCOME19

Your TruBe Team