outdoor training Archives

Introducing Shaolin Kung Fu Fighter and Martial Artist Dom D

August 18, 2017November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Dom is a 5 x British National Sanda Kickboxing Champion who has a 3rd Dan black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu as well as being a 35th generation Shaolin fighting disciple. As well as this, he is also a qualified personal trainer specialising in strength and mobility, martial arts and gymnastics and full body workouts.

How long have you been training in martial arts and what do you love about it?

I started Western style kickboxing and then switched to Taekwondo which felt like a more holistic style of exercise with emphasis on breathing, forms and tradition. I then went along to a Shaolin Monk’s class in London and although it was impossibly hard, I decided to keep going until I could finish a session without dying. Over the years I began to train there more and more which lead me to fighting at the World Games. Now I’ve been studying martial arts for 22 years and I’ve met my best friends at training. I’ve faced some big fears and challenged myself, pushed myself and found out what sort of person I could be.

What is your biggest client success story?

My most rewarding client story is when I trained an 87 year old man who had suffered serious falls and therefore found it difficult to walk. I taught him to get up off the floor unassisted and he can now move with more confidence which has given him back some of his independence.

What is your top tip for someone just starting out in martial arts?

Find a good teacher. You can learn a technique from anyone but real martial arts training should be inspiring! Find a bad teacher and they might put you off training for life!

How do you keep a balanced diet?

Generally I follow the rule that if my great grandparents wouldn’t know what it was I’ve got no business eating it, i.e. processed foods. I dip in and out of a keto diet to keep myself healthy but I’ve found it doesn’t support my level of activity enough to sustain it for extended periods… having said that, ‘Everything in moderation… including moderation!’

Where is your favourite place to travel?

South East Asia always works. Good food, friendly people, culture and amazing landscapes.

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!

To book a session with Dom, download the app and find him as one of our featured trainers.

5 Ways That Yoga Can Help Runners

March 30, 2017November 1, 2018 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Runners have a tremendous amount to gain from adding yoga to their fitness regimes. Due to its repetitive nature, running may lead to injuries and musculoskeletal imbalances which can be uncomfortable and disrupt your day to day life. Yoga can complement the discipline of running as it can restore balance and symmetry to the body.

In particular, through Yoga, runners can improve:

FLEXIBILITY

Yoga stretches the muscles that are tight, which in turn increases the range of motion in related joints. Increased flexibility decreases stiffness, results in greater ease of movement and the reduction of aches and pains.

2. STRENGTH

Running mostly strengthens the lower body, therefore certain muscles become strong while others are underused and remain weak. A balanced yoga practice involves the entire body which allows the unused muscles to be strengthened—specifically in the arms, upper torso, abdominals, and back. Strengthening the upper body and core helps improve posture during daily activities and also while running. A strong core allows the arms and legs to move more efficiently and results in less fatigue. Additionally it allows for less weight impact on the legs which reduces the risk of injury. It is also essential for runners to strengthen the muscles in their lower body for a healthy range of motion.

3. BALANCE

Overusing some muscles while underusing others creates muscular imbalances, which affect the entire musculoskeletal balance and impairs biomechanical efficiency. For runners, biomechanical imbalances eventually lead to pain and injury. Through Yoga, runners can become stronger by improving their balance through the focus of their energy and mind thus reducing the chance of injury.

4. BREATHING

Lung capacity is of prime importance for runners, because it creates the ability to maintain an even breathing pattern through all phases of running. The better the lung capacity is, the more oxygen is circulated through the system, which is most helpful for general running. However, the breathing pattern used in running and other forms of aerobic exercise involves quick and shallow inhalations and exhalations. This uses only the top portion of the lungs, leaving the middle and lower portions untouched. Yogic breathing involves slow, deep inhalations and long exhalations, making use of the upper, middle, and lower portions of the lungs. Yogic breathing has been shown to increase lung capacity, and greater lung capacity increases endurance and improves overall athletic performance.

5. AN ENERGISED BODY

Many forms of exercise deplete the body of its energy stores. Yet a yoga practice oxygenates the blood and creates more energy, leaving the body and mind feeling restored and energized. Yoga provides a vehicle through which the body can actively recover from the physical demands of running.

By Gandha Savio

If running is included in your regular exercise routine, why not unwind and try a TruBe yoga session to replenish your energy. You can search Gandha’s Profile in the TruBe trainers page.

You can also view our wide range of expert trainers who specialise in various other workout disciplines.

Click here to book a session

TruBe are proud to announce that we are an official partner of the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon taking place on the 8th October 2017! We will be running the half marathon workshops which are held in July and September and will host the complimentary assisted cool down area on race day for all runners! Click here to find out more

Get the Rugby body without the gym

September 21, 2015July 22, 2017 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Strength, speed, agility and power are just some of the key attributes possessed by those elite athletes playing in the London Rugby World Cup.

You’d be hard pressed to find a player with a physique that most men wouldn’t dream of having. It is true that off the field, rugby players go through some of the most gruelling strength and conditioning training but fear not you too could be well on your way to looking like Sonny-Bill Williams and it doesn’t necessarily require a gym! All you need is a suspension trainer, a GripR/Dumbbell, a speed ladder and most importantly your own bodyweight.

Follow the workout below for your on demand rugby body;

1A – Deep squat hold pulse – 3x45seconds
1B – GripR overhead walking lunge – 3×8/side

Rest: 1 min

2A – Suspension trainer split row – 4×12
2B – Ladder press up crawling – 4×4/side 9 (Crawl forwards and side to side, do 1 push up with every step)

Rest: 1 min

3A – Wide squat jumps – 3×10
3B – Suspension trainer press – 3×10

Rest: 1 min

Follow this routine 2-3 times per week and combine with good nutrition and HIIT cardio to get the rugby physique that you seek.

To book a strength session with me, download the TruBe app.

For more information on fitness and nutrition follow me on Instagram @benhowardPT

Ben – TruBe Strength and Conditioning specialist

TruBe Outdoor Training Timetable – 31st Aug

September 1, 2015July 22, 2017 Alex CoombesLeave a comment

Choose a session from the timetable below. Each session costs £10 per person but if you are a registered member of TruBe, your first outdoor session will be free!

If you haven’t registered with us, simply download our app and go through our super quick sign-up process.

Date	Location
Mon 31st Aug 12.30pm (Bank Holiday)	Holland Park
Mon 31st Aug 7pm (Bank Holiday)	Highbury
Tues 1st Sept 7pm	Clapham Common
Tues 1st Sept 7pm	Fulham
Weds 2nd Sept 12.30pm	Green Park
Fri 4th Sept 6.30am	Hampstead Heath
Sat 5th Sept 10.30am	Clapham Common

Ten Reasons to Have a Personal Trainer On Demand

July 10, 2015July 22, 2017 Alex Coombes1 Comment

Exercising at home or in your local park is something we have all considered and even attempted, however it’s not as easy as it sounds. We believe that with a little bit of help you can achieve any fitness outside of the gym. There are many reasons why you may need someone to help you with your training outside of a gym; here are our top ten reasons.

You’re Time Poor
In London, long working hours are the norm and in a city where there is always something to do, usually involving drinking and eating, it is hard to squeeze in a workout. A mobile trainer will come to you, at your convenience.

You’re Expecting a Baby
Pregnancy is a tiring time and the last thing you want to do is leave your house and enter a busy gym. By ordering a trainer to come to your home you don’t need to worry about anything else except making the healthiest body for your baby.

You’re Injured
Being injured is a difficult time but it is still extremely important to keep exercising to maintain good circulation to deliver nutrients to the injured area. Some injuries will make it difficult to travel as you may have crutches, need a wheelchair or you’re just worried about being knocked over.

You’re A Work-At-Home Mum
Looking after children is a lot more than a full-time job and unless your gym has a creche it can be difficult to find the time to exercise. If your order a personal trainer to your home you can workout and keep an eye on the little ones at the same time.

Gyms Aren’t For You
The gym can be an intimidating place. An on-demand personal trainer can help you exercise just as well, if not better, from the privacy of your own home.

You Want to Make the Most of the Nice Weather
The sun can make rare appearances in London, but when it does London has some of the best parks to work out in. However, it is definitely easier to lie on the grass than to do push ups or sit ups, so a personal trainer that will meet you at the park will stop your workout turning into a picnic.

You’re an Exercise Newbie
If you are new to exercise the last place you want to go is somewhere full of judging eyes and so called “experts.” A personal trainer outside of the gym will help improve your fitness levels from the privacy of your own home.

You can Exercise with Friends
Healthy socialising is hard to come by in London. Ordering a personal trainer to meet you and your friends at a location convenient to all means that you focus on catching up and let the trainer worry about what set you’re going to do next.

You Get Distracted Easily
Home or park environments are littered with distractions that can prevent you from performing to your maximum. A good personal trainer will transform a dull, uninspired area into a focused, training arena.

You Need Fresh Inspiration
Training with your bodyweight requires a lot of creativity. Having an expert to train with can bring new ideas to your training to help you to push through plateaus and reach your goals.

TruBe trainers will travel anywhere in London bringing your workout to you. Its easy to book a session with our iPhone app. Download and book a session today.