BBC Science Reporter Victoria Gill’s article is linked to below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

It describes research that came to the obvious conclusion that if you give a human the chance to take the path of least resistance they will take it, even if the consequences are a down turn in long term efficiency. Well thats my interpretation, but to be true to the article here is the opening paragraph:

Wearing cushioned running shoes may have changed the way in which many of us run, new research suggests.

Using slow-motion footage, scientists have discovered that experienced barefoot runners land very differently from runners who wear shoes.

The researchers showed that runners who have trained barefoot tend to strike the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, rather than their heel.

At Balance we often talk about taking a long term perspective and discourage our clients from looking for the short term quick fix  (whether to be pain free without concern for recurrence, getting fit, getting strong, losing weight, making money etc) but as with all aspects of life its a lot more complicated when you think it through. So once you have read this article dont throw your trainers in the bin and hit Battersea Park for a barefoot 10k using the pose running technique – at least not straight away. There are several more possibilities avaialable to you.

Have a read and if you’d like to share your opinion or ask ours  get in contact with one of the team Paula (author of Running Repairs ), Mick Habgood (podiatrist and running orthotic specialist), Raph (an experienced physio in international athletics and many a “minimal shoe” runner), Frances (triathlon specialist and G-trainer expert) or Sian (currently researching MBT footwear at clinics across London). You can also contact Jonathan (the blog writer) who will happily discuss evolution, sociology, the weakening of human kind and how to prevent it! Send an email by clicking this highlighted link: Contact Page

Mick and Paula will be adding their comments here soon.

Just read a well balanced article from the New York Times on self-massage products. The journalist has consulted a number of sources including sports massage consumers, foam roller users, a triathlon coach, an Ironman triathlete and chiropractor, author of “Self-Massage for Athletes” Rich Poley, and the founder and creator of Trigger Point Performance Therapy products Cassidy Phillips.

The article is based around the following: “Devices for self-massage have become more common as more people compete in endurance sports and, more recently, as the recession has made professional rubdowns look prohibitively expensive. Trainers usually recommend a massage every week or every other week for people who are training for a marathon or triathlon, but the costs do add up: according to the American Massage Therapy Association, the average price of a massage is $63 an hour.”

The article’s quote from TPT founder Cassidy Phillips puts self massage and going to see a professional masseur in the context of oral hygiene. “You brush away some plaque yourself,” he said, “but you still go to the dentist for a thorough cleaning.”

Here’s the article:  http://bit.ly/8lUYu2
click for the Self-massage and Trigger Point range from Balance.

Ultimate 6 package - part of Balance's range of self-massage products

Just found a website called Urban Path looking at which London gyms and fitness centres had managed to get themselves in to their listing.

Some of the “top” gyms in Notting Hill, Fitzrovia, Knightsbridge, Covent Garden, Marylebone, Battersea, Fulham and Soho are listed with reviews invited. The comments  are insightful and should give us, the Strength and Conditioning team at Balance, things to think about as we expand further into the world of Personal Training! The negative comments reassure us that we are not making the common errors seen at membership gyms, and the positive comments are similar to the ones we have received consistently for over 8 years.

Some of the other comments tell us we should be sure to manage peoples expectations.

What we are and what we are not!

As we tempt new clients by highlighting the results of our clients and the extent of our  experience and expertise we should be just as clear about what we dont offer. So to avoid some of the comments and criticisms given to the gyms at Urban Path here are some facts to head them off:

• no joing fees to complain about
• no Molton Brown shower gel or body lotions
• we are open 7.30am -9pm Mon- Thurs (close 5pm Fri), 9am-4pm Saturday and shut on Sunday (at moment mostof our clients are happy with that – things may change of course).
• we have no jacuzzi or sauna
• we dont have any resistance machines – not even a lat pull down! Consequently you dont have to get annoyed waiting for someone to get off one. We teach our clients who lack confidence in their abilities to gain body awareness and practice movement control so the vast majority of our equipment is free and dynamic (kettlebells and bands) or we simply use our bodyweight. We do have 3 treadmills, a bike or two, a cross trainer, and a concept 2 rower however.
• we have no direct debit run or contracts. You like it you stay, you want to train outside in the fresh air or at your sports club no problem.
• there is no juice bar…or nail bar.
• we sold our bench pressing bench – there are enough in the world and we wanted a bit more space to be creative in.
• we do have classes:  Kettlebells (5 of them), pilates (3 run by the Pilates Sanctuary), athletic movement, full throttle conditioning – maybe some boxing in the near future, and always looking for a yoga class. We promote Eischens Yoga for home yoga training (especially for those recovering from injury) but have struggled to find a class that resonates with what our clients want.
• we dont have gym instructors “walking the floor”, although for about 75% of the week we have at least one of the strength and conditioning coaches around to assist physiotherapists with treatment and rehabilitation needs of  clients. The majority of the time those using the Balance facility independently are expected to be independent.

Gym use and personal training.

Its true that we have been doing one to one training with clients since 2001, we have guided individuals to success after success, achieving their unique personal goals. We have seen the widest range of men and women, old and adolescent, with varying goals and aspirations:

• elite and professional sporting and performance goals;
• peak conditioning for military operations;
• recovery from long term illnesses such as chronic fatigue;
• rehabilitation following major surgery such as heart and lung transplantation;
• a return to healthier lifestyles and a sense of well being following episodes of mental illness, addictions,  and periods of counselling.
• and of course a speedy return to work and recreational sports, athletics, dance and martial arts following minor and major inuries or orthopaedic reconstructive operations.

however most of the people who have trained with us have by and large come to us based on Balances reputation as being one of the uk and europes top centres for sports injury treatment and back pain rehabilitation. Now we are opening up a little and inviting those seeking more traditional “personal training” results to come to Balance and see why its more about the training and less about the Molton Brown, sauna or eyebrow technician.

RESULTS

By traditional results I mean:

• trimming of legs and bums
• abdominal toning
• fat and weight loss
• chiselling chests
• sculpting shoulders and buttocks

Our approach to health and fitness clients is no different than that taken with sports and performance, injury and illness – train like an athlete, use dynamic movement not machines, train frequently, with discipline and quality, enjoyment and satisfaction.

We also have the most important professional required for weight loss – a dietician, Rees Colling, who will guide you to the inevitable truth, that a sustainable bodyweight can only be achieved with a sustained approach to eating. To find out which way is going to suit you speak with Rees.

For more information on Personal Training at Balance, using the gym independently (pay as you go), strength and conditioning for sports, dance or martial arts, a consultation with Dietician Rees, or coming to us for treatment and rehabilitation go to our contact page – click here.

This Sunday (12th July 2009) Frances (multisports injury specialist) has organised 3 teams from Balance to compete in the “Bananaman” triathlon at Dorney Lake, Eton. Best of luck to them.

Balance has entered 3 teams to compete in the triathlon

I can’t speak for everyone’s level of commitment but I have seen a fair few of the team members giving it some at various times over the last 6 weeks. Either heading out the door for long runs. Using the G-trainer for quality running sessions of overspeed training and speed/strength intervals.

TEAMS:
1. Counter-BALANCE: Sian (physio) – Warwick (Cyclefit Ringer)- Mick (podiatrist)
2. Im-BALANCE: Rene (sports masseur) – Jacqui (physiotherapist) – Graham (physio and director)
3. Perfect-BALANCE: Fran (physio) -Paula (physio) -Kellie (sports masseur)

Good luck to them all.

Despite the tube strike the planned lecture as part of Balance’s CPD Evening Lecture series organised by Raph Rinaldi will continue:

Pat testing a client at his London facility

Dr Simon Shepard, Team Physiotherapist of CCC Middlesex and CEO of Optima Life will present his research and clinical experience on different methods of monitoring recovery patterns according to various level of activity. This could turn particularly helpful to physiotherapists, for example, when it’s time to increase rehabilitation workload and /or add specific sessions to pre-existing training programmes.

Pat Leahy, Owner, founder and high performance coach of ProVo2 will also present his own toughts on how to design an effective training programme aimed at maintaining aerobic fitness in injured athletes, or to improve aerobic capacity in most sport disciplines or to optimise own metabolism by adopting clever forms of exercise. This will break many myths related to aerobic exercise and provide a practical guidance when it comes to advise our clients in a practical and effective manner. A practical demonstration of metabolic testing will follow by carrying out a VO2max analysis on site. Any volunteers obviously welcome.

Raph says: “As all of you are aware of the tube strike kicking of tonight I would like to confirm that our Lecture will take place regularly. I remind you that you can use your oyster card to travel by train to Clapham Junction or Clapham High Street; there is also a taxi share options so you can organise yourself. I’ve got few places in my car as am driving Simon Shepard home in North London after the lecture. Hope it helps. Raph”

The Daily Mail ran a piece the week before last by Ulrika Jonsson on the subject of Stress Incontinence which affects so many people in the uk, particularly as a result of pregnancy, but it remains a taboo subject.  To read the article click on Ulrika!

ULRIKA JONSSON: The very intimate health secret that embarrassed me more than being dumped by Sven

Sally Murray, Balance’s womens health specialist feels that “stress incontinence is suffered for far longer than necessary by many women. This condition responds and is easily rectified by simple exercises and following straightforward advice.”

However Sally warns that these exercises become “ineffective when performed incorrectly and as women often teach themselves a good result doesn’t always follow.”

To discover the right way book in with Sally and she will guide you back to stress free days.

Sally also works with the aid of our recently acquired “Real Time Ultrasound” machine which gives instant visual feedback to ensure you are using the correct muscles in the appropriate way for even greater and more easily gained effectiveness. Paula Coates one of our back pain specialists and the person who has worked to make this technology available to our clients will be saying more about Real Time Ultrasound in the near future.

FOR THE FULL DAILY MAIL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Jerym Brunton completed the Yukon Arctic Ultramarathon race in 4th position. This ultradistance event, as well as being exceptionally long, is said to be the coldest in the world.

The organisers of the Yukon Arctic Challenge describe it as the “The world’s coldest and toughest ultra!”.

From Feb. 15th – 26th, 2009, Jerym Brunton covered the 430 miles on foot (some chose mountain bike others cross country ski). Of the 16 competitors in this event (there are also marathon, 100 mile and 300 mile races) 7 did not finish.

But only 4 days before this phenomenal challenge Jerym wasn’t sure he would even get to the start line.

After 6 months of intense training Jerym developed severe shin pain and was unable to run. Fortunately he came to Balance and saw Raphael Rinaldi. After an intense course of treatment and a referral to Dr Charlotte Cowie at the BUPA Wellness Clinic for additional therapy Jerym was able to board the plane to Canada armed with  strategies to self manage his pain and discomfort and optimise his performance. He really did exceed expectations and went way beyond what many would have allowed themselves to achieve.

Thanks to Jerym for allowing us to share his story to demonstrate how impossible situations can be surmounted with discipline and determination. I’ve asked Jerym to give us a few words about the race so come back for a first hand account.

Rees Colling our sports dietcian asks a question that we know from many marathoners doesnt always get the answer we hope for…

The London Marathon is less than two months away!

For those of you running your first marathon have you given any thought to your Nutrition Plan leading up to the big day and on race day?

Or will you eat a big bowl of pasta on the night before and hope for the best!

What about Hydration?

The old saying of ‘Take on as much fluid as you can handle’ has gone out of the window since some recent deaths in marathons around the world due to Water Toxicity/‘Hyponatraemia’.

Don’t leave it to chance. You’ve put in all the training, don’t be let down by your eating and drinking plan.

See Rees our Sports Dietitian to set you straight before you race.

marathon needs preparation on many different fronts - including diet and hydration

Happy New Year from the team at Balance.

We are very excited about the year ahead even if a lot of people are talking about 2009 being a gloomy year for business.

For the past 8 years we have actively encouraged clients to take a long term perspective when it comes to dealing with their injuries, episodes of back pain, their health and fitness training.

We are in a constant state of development here to improve our effectiveness in conveying the message that “quick fix” is neither effective or economical: why keep paying to have a recurrent problem treated when you can learn to deal with it yourself for free!!).

We are seeing more clients than ever before who take their health, fitness and physical lifestyle seriously and place a greater priority on maintaining it. When an injury set back comes their way they realise a quick fix is not the right approach. Better to go for the long term solution.

People expect a lot more from the professionals looking after their sports injuries or back pain and rightly so. They want pain relieved, full function to return, to be provided with a strategy to keep improving beyond the initial stages and to be guided back to their highest possible level of performance, and they want it all from one team at one facility.

To achieve this a team must not only have an understanding of injury, healing and recovery processes but also have the space, appropriately trained professionals and inclination to develop their clients movement skills. This development follows a path from the low point that follows injury, pain or surgery all the way to the full range, maximally loaded, full speed, smooth and fluid movement by someone working at their full potential.

With the raised consciousness and awareness that people now have it is easier to identify which facilities  can genuinely provide what they need.

The range of one to one services and the health and fitness programme that Balance offers to support them is now at the most comprehensive level in our 8 year history: we have designed it to suit the schedules, aspirations and financial situation of as many different people as possible.

Balance is able to support all of our clients all of the way to full health. We have classes and workshops suitable for those who prefer to be more independent with monthly sessions to progress their fitness, movement abilities, prevent further injury and heighten performance. Our leading professionals are able to see more people at a lower cost and provide better results.

If you have any quesions about finding the right facility for the particular problem you are facing, no matter where in the world you are let us know and we will try and guide you to find the right team for the job. Even if you have to assemble them yourself we can tell you what you should be looking for in the physiotherapist, osteopath, sports injury or back pain specialist, and the movement, strength and conditioning coach that has to be involved for you to make a full recovery and show you how to build on the misfortune of injury and make it an opportunity to become better than you ever were before the injury.

All the best for 2009 from the Balance team.