Category: HEALTH & FITNESS

How to get better results in the gym by working half as hard

Canterbury mens gym bike

Athletes are in on it, bodybuilders are in on it, now we will let you in on the secret. See, when it comes to achieving your desired physique and fitness results, that does not mean that you slog yourself in the gym day in and day out. There is another way, and the reason athletes and body builders swear by it, is because they need results, but they can’t be fatigued, sore and exhausted come game day. Enter Blood Flow Restriction training, a method of training that has been used for over 40 years in elite circles, and and thanks to companies like SAGA Fitness, they are now becoming mainstream and more accessible for everyone else. SAGA Fitness’s parent company are the leaders in the field and they work with the likes of New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Cubs, Melbourne Demons,  Brisbane Lions,  AC Sparta, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, Aston Villa, and Duke University – to name a few. What is blood flow restriction training Blood flow restriction (BFR or also known as occlusion training) helps you increase the results of your strength training which means you can train half as hard and half as often but get some serious results. It is a highly researched training method that involves placing a band or torniquet around your arm or leg while performing low intensity exercise. This results in reduced blood flow from the working muscles, creating an oxygen mismatch which in turn accelerates type II muscle fibres and releases growth hormone. Meaning bigger muscle gains, less exhaustion from a hard heavy workout and less recovery time. Where does it come from? BFR was discovered in Japan in the 1960’s and… Read More

Kiss stressed-out and blemished skin goodbye with hemp-infused skincare by Hey Bud

HeyBud skincare

Say goodbye to blackheads, acne, oily and dry skin with Hey Bud’s hemp-infused skincare range which is packed with all the good stuff, including gamma-linolenic acid, the most effective natural ingredient to regulate your skin’s moisture. Hey Bud was born out of frustration from skincare products that didn’t deliver, prompting the three business partners and founders – Ollie, Fedele and Alex – to come up with a product that delivered positive results after countless experiments and research.  They found the magical properties of hemp was key to reducing inflammation and common problems which affect many of us such as blackheads and acne. Hemp, which is a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant, has specific natural oils that are not produced by the body, but are fundamental in skin health, helping with aging skin and moderating oil production.  Hey Bud’s popular Australian Hemp Clay Mask helps to detoxify the skin while drawing out impurities and oils. The mask also helps tighten skin, which is helpful for those with enlarged pores. The mask is packed with essential nutrients from the hemp seed oil, as well as other ingredients such as almond oil, matcha, avocado oil, goji, aloe vera and kaolin clay.  How to use the Australian Hemp Clay Mask: STEP 1: Clean Start with clean dry skin & apply with clean fingers. Avoid eyes (duh) & apply an even layer across your face. STEP 2: Let it soak – Let the natural high soak for 10-15 minutes & the mask will harden & dry. STEP 3: Share… Read More

Kiehl’s has the answer to dull-looking skin with their new supercharged skincare program

kiehls small

Do you suffer from dark spots or skin hyperpigmentation? Are you looking for a skincare product that helps visibly brighten your skin? Then apothecary-based New York skincare brand, Kiehl’s has just launched a supercharged program that targets exactly that! Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules is a two-week brightening ampoule program that reveals a new level of clarity.  The treatment is formulated to target signs of clarity loss, including dullness and uneven skin tone, through accelerated skin renewal. Designed to be used consecutively for 14 days, the program — formulated with Activated C and a blend of Glycolic, Lactic and Phytic Acids — rejuvenates and renews for brighter skin with noticeably enhanced clarity. How do you use it? One box of Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules contains 28 vials, which you use over 14 days (one ampoule in the morning and one in the evening). The ampoules can be used as a step in your current skincare routine, after cleansing and toning and before applying a serum and moisturiser. Shake each vial of the brightening ampoule formula before use To open, twist vial top and pour entire contents into the palm of your hand and discard the vial Gently apply the water-light ampoule formula to clean, dry face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas In case of contact with eyes and lips, rinse thoroughly with water Follow with a facial serum, such as our dark spot corrector, or continue with the next steps of your skincare routine Repeat morning and night consecutively… Read More

The Amazon wearable fitness tracker you never knew you wanted

Amazfit fitness watch

Summer in Australia means one thing: time spent outdoors. And with all that outdoor time, you want to know one thing – other than working on your tan, was it worth it? This is where, as it turns out, Amazon comes in handy with the relese of their latest wearable fitness tech, the Amazfit GTS Smartwatch. Complete with a retina-grade amoled display, the Amazfit GTS comes with a large 1.65” retina-grade amoled display for outstanding and more comfortable viewing experience that adapts to various lighting environments automatically, to give you the best viewing experience from day to night. With five-metres water resistance, and 14 days’ battery life, it uses a next-generation PPG sensor for accurate heart rate monitoring that allows you to see your heart rate changes throughout the day for all your fitness goals. For more information and to get your own from Amazon, head to the site!

How to achieve work-life balance through mindfulness while working from home

Work from home laptop

Humans are designed to be in rhythm. We feel ‘off’ when our rhythms are disrupted. The reality is that Covid disrupted, and continues to disrupt, the rhythms that not only keep us well, but create the foundations for us to BE and FEEL successful. With the disruption came lots of new rhythms that you’ve probably experienced. Two additional meetings in the place of your previous commute. Back-to-back Zoom calls. Virtual catch-ups that meant we spent more time formally engaging with colleagues and clients, making a key point to ensure they knew we were online working hard and available, losing the boundaries between home and work. Many of these new rhythms were created mindlessly and, left unchecked, opened the door to unhealthy habits, chronic stress, overwhelm, burnout and worse. It’s no wonder that LEGO research found 7 in 10 adults regularly search for stress reducing habits. So where should you start? It’s time to reflect and reset. After all, we can only achieve what we have energy for. Make a list of the rhythms you have in your life. The behaviours that are recurring – whether that’s hourly, daily or weekly. If those rhythms energise you in a healthy sustainable way, keep them. If they deplete you, lose them and mindfully replace them with energising rhythms. So here’s seven energising performance rhythms to try in the next seven days: Sleep. Every day you wake up tired, you start the day behind. And we know that sleep is a mental health superpower. The sleep science tells us… Read More

Our top picks of at-home wellness and why it will continue to grow

Men wellness

A few fit facts as we head into 2021. Between 2015 and 2017 the wellness industry grew by 6.4 per cent to become a $4.2 trillion market. That’s nearly twice as fast as global economic growth (3.6 per cent annually, based on IMF data). The wellness industry now represents 5.3 percent of global economic output. Despite 2020’s massive disruption to face-to-face wellness operations, the growth rates have not dropped. Rather, engagement with online and at-home solutions have increased – and by all accounts, and common sense, does not look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. The accessibility and variety of online options has made it easier to not only reap workout and wellness benefits, but has also provided the social connection that humans naturally crave, especially after isolating for much of the year. Today we speak to a bunch of business owners in the wellness space to hear their thoughts. Mindfulness online Luke Mcleod is the founder of meditation and mindfulness app Soul Alive, a service that encourages people to take a moment and reset. He launched it right before the pandemic in August 2019 but it turns out that his mode for delivery could not have been more perfect. “My point of difference is that I host the sessions live, not only for social connection but to make people accountable to turn up” says McLeod.  “While a lot of our clients are mums, so they do tend to catch up on the sessions after the live class from time to time, people try their best to get to the live sessions so they can chat before class.” “As… Read More

New year, new diet – But is going vegan bad for your teeth?

A child at the dentist

Veganism is one of the fastest-growing food trends in the world with A-list celebrities including Zac Efron and David Attenborough promoting the benefits of a meat-free diet.  In the space of a few years, Australia has quickly become the second most popular country in the world for vegans.  But, because nothings ever as it seems, before embarking on a dietary change you should do your research and consider the potential impacts on your oral health. We grilled with Doctor Rick Iskandar, who’s a Philips Sonicare ambassador and principal dentist at Tailored Teeth, who had some important things to say. Why do dentists go on about toothbrushes and oral health? Many of the complaints people have about their mouth and teeth are caused by plaque, a sticky layer containing colonies of bacteria and their by-products that forms on our teeth over time. Bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and staining can all be caused by plaque being left on your teeth and gums for longer than it should be. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily limits the amount of time plaque and bacteria sit on your teeth and helps to prevent many of the smelly, unsightly or painful consequences of neglected teeth. The right toothbrush is key to good oral health. I started recommending electric toothbrushes over manual brushes a few years ago. My patients and I are interested in effectiveness, safety, and efficiency when we brush our teeth. For that reason, I recommend the Philips Sonicare range. The Philips DiamondClean 9000 model is especially… Read More

Overcoming weight loss plateau: What should you do?

Canterbury mens gym fitness running

The frustrating reality of a weight loss routine is that you’re likely to hit a plateau. Anybody who has embarked on a weight-watching plan faces this sooner or later. Even with the best diets and strict gyming, most people get surprised when the numbers begin to stall on the scale. According to The Insider, this may be why about 80% of weight losers regain their initial weight within a few years. Can you relate to this? It’s understandable why you’ll get upset after working so hard to hit a target only to get stuck. Find out below what you can do. Cut more calories Active females are required to consume 2200 calories daily, while active men need 2500. However, for those targeting weight loss, your cut back should not go below 1200 calories (for all genders). This rule stems from medical studies that state that less than 1200 calories a day increases the chances of overeating. In relation to weight plateaus, the math works quite differently, and you’re about to find out why. Dieticians recommend cutting back from 2200 to 2000 calories in the first few weeks of your weight loss routine. After that, you should continue to adopt a gradual decline until you finally hit 1200 calories. At each stage of the decline, your body gets used to your daily consumption rate until it plateaus. It therefore makes sense that cutting back more will force your body to shed off more muscle along with fat as you get in shape. Remember that as you lose weight, your… Read More

Help support the mental health of Australia’s youth this Fairy Bread Day

Fairy Bread Day

24 November is Fairy Bread Day – a day of colourful sprinkles and sugary goodness to help support the mental health of Australia’s youth with ReachOut.com Adam Schell, founder of Fairy Bread Day handed over the reins to long-time supporter and family-owned Australian company, Dollar Sweets, to take Fairy Bread Day national and make a bigger impact for our kids. The plan is to get as many people to break out the 100s & 1000s from the pantry and sprinkle some love for our youth this Fairy Bread Day.  All you have to do is when the clock strikes 3.15 pm on 24 November, stop what you’re doing and share a plate of Fairy Bread at the office or at home, in person or virtually. If you’re planning to participate with workmates or friends, donations can be made via www.fairybreadday.com, which all go to ReachOut.com. Donors can pledge their donations via the site until 1 December. “Our mission is to create a brighter future for Australia’s youth, ensuring all young people have access to the tools they need to support their mental health”, said Miranda Higgins, Managing Director of Dollar Sweets.  “ReachOut.com is the perfect partner we can grow with year on year and in one of the most challenging times in history, there are a lot of kids doing it tough right now.” Funds raised from Fairy Bread Day will assist in delivering programs that improve the mental health and wellbeing of all young people. In Australia, one in four young people experiences mental… Read More