Sam Rider

2 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Sam Rider

Set down those dumbbells. Step away from that abs wheel. Save the Bosu ball for later. And, instead, reach for your toothbrush and stand on one leg. According to certified coach Jude Palmer, introducing instability to your day-to-day is one of the best ways to improve your running because it strengthens your trunk muscles. “One thing I always ask people is, ‘Can you brush your teeth on one leg?’ Can they do that morning and night?” the founder of Run Surrey Hills tells Fit&Well.

2 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Sam Rider

Any running coach worth their electrolytes will say that you need to support your running sessions with strength training to prevent injury and boost performance. I've been easing back into running after an extended absence, but with all the long runs, speedwork and intervals—not to mention a busy job and family commitments—I've found it increasingly difficult to squeeze strength workouts into my week.

2 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Sam Rider

Nobody likes to think about aging, but it’s a fact of life. With every passing year from your mid-40s, muscle mass tends to become harder to maintain, bones weaken, joints stiffen and cardiovascular fitness declines. But, according to David Lloyd master trainer Jack Claxton, everybody has two trump cards we can play to offset this natural ageing process—and the earlier we start, the better.

3 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Sam Rider

Spend any time in a yoga or Pilates class and your body will thank you. Both are mindful movement practices that connect breath with body, but each offers something unique. Yoga draws on thousands of years of wisdom to improve body and mind, while Pilates is a more modern system targeting deep stabilizing muscles, often overlooked in traditional strength training. But what if you could unite the best of both worlds? Former professional dancer Tina Traina has done exactly that.

3 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Sam Rider

Jack Claxton has been at the sharp end of personal training for over a decade, yet even someone as well-versed in its benefits can occasionally lack the drive to exercise. “Motivation is huge,” says David Lloyd's master trainer, who admits that his own motivation started to dip last year “even though I've been in this industry for 10-11 years.”Despite committing his career to helping people fall in love with exercise, Claxton was falling out of love with it—hard.