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5min Warm-Up & Loosening Exercise Video Series part 4 of 8


Find my new websites for March & April 2023 here 
(1) www.PilateswithMartin.com and (2)  www.yourCoachMartin.com updated January 2023.



Contact Martin today to learn more about *Online One-to-One* or In-Person Personal Coaching Classes/Sessions in March & April 2023
to Get Fitter, Stronger, Increase your Flexibility, Mobility and Boost Your Energy!       >>to read more - click here !<<


All local In-Person *Group* Pilates Ćlasses continue as usual in the various local venues.

5min Series – Loosening / Warm-Up Exercise Videos with Martin – Video 4 of 8:

And another short 5min stretching and loosening exercise videos. I would appreciate if you let me know what you think about this video, so I can improve the video quality and the content over time. Please leave your feedback in the *comment box* below the videos.
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(1) What is good? (2) What do you like about them?
(3) What could be improved? (4) What do you not like?
(5) What other types of exercises would you like to be included in similar videos?
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Try another browser e.g. Firefox, Opera, Dolphin, Samsung Internet, Apple Safari, IE Internet Explorer, Edge in case the videos won’t display in Google Chrome.
( a few of my clients were not able to view the videos in a Chrome browser on their phones or tablets, but could watch the videos in other browsers).

You will find another three videos (these videos will only be available for another week (15th June 2019), before I take them down for further editing) of this 5min Series here
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5min Series – Loosening / Warm-Up with Martin – Video 4 of 8:
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(temp) 5min Warm-Up & Loosening Series part 1, 2, 3 of 8 Videos (focus on back, neck, spine and shoulder stretching)

Here three short 5min exercise videos with slightly different variations of Warm-Up and Loosening exercises, that I recorded a few weeks back. I will keep them up for one or two weeks, as I’m looking for feedback from you. I would really appreciate if you let me know what you think about these videos, so I can improve the video quality and the content over time. Please leave your feedback in the *comment box* below the videos.
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(1) What is good? (2) What do you like about them?
(3) What could be improved? (4) What do you not like?
(5) What other types of exercises would you like to be included in similar videos?
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Try another browser e.g. Firefox, Opera, Dolphin, Samsung Internet, Apple Safari, IE Internet Explorer, Edge in case the videos won’t display in Google Chrome.
( a few of my clients were not able to view the videos in a Chrome browser on their phones or tablets, but could watch the videos in other browsers).
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[1] 5min Series – Loosening / Warm-Up with Martin – Video 1 of 8:
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[2] 5min Series – Loosening / Warm-Up with Martin – Video 2 of 8:
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.[3] 5min Series – Loosening / Warm-Up with Martin – Video 3 of 8:
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2019 Class Seminar Workshop Venue Sought – in South Dublin, Dublin 18, Dublin 16 Foxrock Cabinteely Leopardstown Sandyford Kilternan Stepaside Belarime Aikens Village

Class Talk Seminar Workshop Venue sought in South Dublin v2I’m hoping to help more local people and local groups to get Healthier, Fitter and more Active via regular talks, seminars and workshops, therefore I’m wondering if you might know of one or two suitable class venues in the Dublin 18 and Dublin 16 area.

The class venue might be a community centre, parish hall, school (classroom or school hall), gym or fitness centre, sports club, GAA club, library or something similar.

For the Dublin 18 area I’m looking for a venue in or near Foxrock, Cabinteely, Leopardstown, Sandyford, Kilternana, Glencullen, Carrickmines, Belarmine, Aikens Village or Stepaside.

For the Dublin 14/16 area I’m looking for a venue in or near Churchtown, Goatstown, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Ballinteer, Rathfarnham, maybe near Marlay Park.

(1) call, (2) text, (3) Whatsapp or (4) send me/Martin an e-mail if you can think of a suitable venue in the above-mentioned areas.

Your help is much appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Martin

Video 26 – 2018 Online – Pilates Beginners Video Course – Preview Sample for Review, Feedback, Comments

>> View a list of all videos. <<

Some of you know that I’m currently working on my second “Online Video Pilates Course”, a Beginners Online Pilates Course.
The idea is to enable you to learn Level 1 or Beginners Pilates exercises and movements from scratch at home or on the go, without the need of having to go to an in-person Pilates class.
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This might be because you just live too far away from a class venue, you might work hours that clash with possible Pilates classes, you might have other family or social commitments that don’t allow you to attend a class, you might travel a lot for work, or you might just prefer to learn Pilates online for another reason.

Below a video where I explain how to do two different Beginners versions of a Pilates Single Leg Stretch, which is mainly a core/abdominal strength movement.

Everybody who sends valuable, real and honest feedback or comments in relation to audio/sound quality, video quality, lighting (is it too dark or bright etc.), understandability, possibly video structure (is there a logic to it) will go into a draw and the winner will get free access to the final version of the Online Video – Beginners Pilates course.

Anyway …. have a look at the video and let me know what you think.
Your constructive and honest feedback will enable me to improve the quality of these videos and online courses, so everybody benefits from it – it’s a win-win scenario.

Thank you – Martin

Video 25 – 5min Video with Home/Office Neck & Back Stretching and Loosening Exercises

>> View a list of all videos. <<

Check this  5-minute Trial Video with a few different neck and back stretching and loosening exercises below.

A few of my morning Pilates Class participants asked me to create a simple video that they can do at home, during the August 2018 class break.
The video will give you a few useful ideas and a routine that you can do in your own time.

Feel free to share this video with anybody who sits the whole day, or most of the day in an office, on a desk or computer needs some relaxing and stretching.
You could do those exercises also as an easy
(1) morning loosening sequence or routine,
(2) in between during the day as a work break or
(3) as mentioned above as a break from your desk or computer.

Please let me know what you think of the video, what is the sound quality like, can you see me clearly etc.?
Depending on feedback I hope to record a good few similar videos with more ideas for simple and easy to do stretches and other exercises.

And remember to share this video with someone who you think would benefit from those stretches etc..
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It just takes 5-minutes, and you will feel so much after doing them.
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Thanks
_ Martin
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Video – Sample Pilates Class (Mens Pilates & Core Strength) Program/Routine and the importance of balancing your exercise routine.

>> View a list of all videos. <<

In the video below you see me talking you through a sample “Men Only Pilates & Core Strength Class” Routine and Program. The exercise routine was taken from one of the Mens Pilates classes, that I’m teaching in South Dublin, Ireland in Sandyford/Leopardstown in the Sandyford Community Centre.

I firmly believe that keeping your exercise and fitness regimes and programs * balanced is essential to prevent overuse * of muscle groups and joints etc..
Here a few examples re how to pair exercises to maintain balance.
If you work x … then work y …
1. If you work your chest, work your back
2. If you work your thighs, work your hamstrings
3. If you work your abdominals/abs/stomach, work your mid/lower back
4. If you work your biceps, work your triceps
5. If you work your right, work your left (e.g. neck, shoulders, etc.)

I still see it in lots of exercise classes, some personal training programs etc. that fitness instructors and personal trainers prescribe routines that are out of balance and will lead to issues in the long term if one body part or muscle group is un-proportionally stronger/weaker than it’s opposite body part or muscle group.
You should keep this idea also in mind when creating your weekly or monthly exercise program – balance your exercise week or month similarly.
Here you ideally mix (1) Strength Exercises, (2) Cardio Exercises, (3) Mobility and Flexibility Exercises, (4) Core Strength and (5) Stability exercises (possibly also Balance depending on your age profile, sport or physical activities).

Contact me with any question you might have about this “Keeping the Balance Concept” or above video.

Stay Pro-Active, Stay Fit and mainly Stay Healthy!
Thank you – Martin


Video – Is your lower back stiff, sore and niggling? Stretch it out with the Shoulder Bridge (a simple Pilates exercise)

>> View a list of all videos. <<

Is your  lower back  stiff, sore and or tight??? … Do you need to loosen & stretch your back??
In this short video, I show you three different variations of an exercise called the shoulder bridge. It’s a simple exercise to

  1. mobilize,  stretch and loosen your back
  2. stretch tight chest muscles and
  3. loosen your shoulders as well.

Check it out and send me an e-mail or message, via Facebook or SMS with any questions or any   feedback or questions you might have!
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Stay Pro-Active, Stay Fit and Stay Healthy!
Thank you – Martin

#yourHealthHabitCoach #MartinLuschin #Sandyford #Leopardstown #Aikenvillage #Belarmine near#Stepaside #Kilternan #Glencullen #Dublin18 #D18

Get 50% off my next *Online-Video-Course* …. just fill out a short 3 Questionnaire / Survey


Find my new websites for March & April 2023 here 
(1) www.PilateswithMartin.com and (2)  www.yourCoachMartin.com updated January 2023.



Contact Martin today to learn more about *Online One-to-One* or In-Person Personal Coaching Classes/Sessions in March & April 2023
to Get Fitter, Stronger, Increase your Flexibility, Mobility and Boost Your Energy!       >>to read more - click here !<<


All local In-Person *Group* Pilates Ćlasses continue as usual in the various local venues.


Save 50% on my next Online Video Course. All you need to do, to avail of a 50% discount, is to fill out the short survey (3 Questions) below. I plan to co-create my next Online-Video-Course with the course participants over the coming weeks and months (June, July, August 2018), corso you “the course participant” get the best possible value out of doing the course. You might have a look at my initial Online-Pilates-Video Course, that I created in Summer 2017 (this is a Mixed Level Course).

Please take a few minutes to go through the questions. Thank you – Martin

Thank you
   Martin
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Video May 2018 – availability – Men Only Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Ireland

A new set of Mens Pilates, Core Strength and Flexibility Classes starts during the week of Monday 7th of May and Monday 14th of May 2018 in the greater South Dublin area, Dublin 14, Dublin 16 and Dublin 18.

The classes and courses run in eight-week blocks. There is generally a maximum of 8-10 participants per class, meaning the classes are rather small and this allows me to offer a good degree of individual attention. Benefit from 16 years teaching experience, I worked with hundreds of individuals of all ages mid/late teens to individuals in their 90s, busy mums, business owners, desk-bound office workers, retired people, various groups and individuals from sports like rugby, GAA, soccer, tennis, long-distance running and golf.

View the video below for class details, check my full exercise and fitness class timetable here or contact me if you have any further questions or to book a class.

Martin
(Personal Fitness & Health Coach / Trainer, Nutrition Coach read more here)

Will Smith Quote, What-If-ing and Self- Beliefs in the area of fitness, health, exercise and nutrition

“The first step is you have to say that you can.” Will Smith

Have you ever seen guys (or girls) doing freestanding handstands or handstands against a wall and wondered how do they do that? Or wondered about another skill someone has, and you thought “Will I be able to do that?”.

I did exactly that early last year, 2017 after a shoulder injury that dragged on for over three months and didn’t allow me to use any arm/shoulder/upper-body weights-exercises at all. That’s a real challenge for someone who is used to exercise five to six times a week. I wondered “will I be able to do that?”“How do I start a handstand practice routine and do progress over time?”. So off I went, using our beloved Google-Search engine, ending up in various odd corners of the internet from Vimeo, to youtube, other video websites and digging out different manuals from the “experts” around the globe.

There were different logical approaches; some were just ridiculous “you just do handstands” others made more sense, some guys split it into small steps and progression, e.g. building up strength, mobility and balance in the wrists first, then practising what is often called a Yoga Frog stand. Others demoed and explained various practise drills and options. E.g. a wall facing version and a version having your back to the wall, some suggested to start doing pike-push-ups (easier version with your feet on your couch or on the floor) etc. etc..

There were too numerous variations to list them all. So off I went and started my self-created little routine and programme, as every personal fitness trainer and coach would do. After two weeks (two to three practise sessions) I was able to kick reasonably comfortably up against a wall and get into a (what I would now call a “pseudo-handstand” or what others call a “Banana-handstand.”. The “Banana-handstand” is a position where your whole back is excessively arched during the handstand – a no-no (that’s what my Pilates & Core Strength Brain told me).

I decided then that I would demo my “Banana-handstand” in one of my exercises and fitness classes and offered participants to coach them in the various sub-skills. They just looked at me in disbelieve, I couldn’t believe that they wouldn’t even consider trying it. Some of the guys were, without doubt, strong and mobile enough, to give it a go. I tried to do a bit more convincing and showed different simple starter drills …. they just didn’t believe or wouldn’t contemplate that they could do it.

It meant they were not giving themselves permission to even try the easy starter hand-stand drills …. then it dawned on me … I have to enable them to change their mindset first, and that is were Will Smith with his quote comes in “The first step is you have to say that you can.”.

You might replace the word “say” with “believe” to “The first step is you have to believe that you can.”. If you believe you can, you are at least more likely to try something new or different, but without a convincing “Yes, I can” or “Yes, I will be able” or “Yes, I am going to” the individual reduced the chances of success dramatically.

That is one of the main reason’s why I meet new personal coaching and training clients initially for a relaxed chat and see what do they believe about themselves and where do they see themselves, where would it help them to alter or even change their thinking and beliefs.

“What if” questions are really good to challenge your beliefs and belief systems. “What if you could easily and in a fun way drop a few pound or stone?” “What if exercising would be fun and exciting?” – “What if eating healthy and nutritious would be easy and gave you lots and lots of energy so you could spend quality time with your partner, friend, spouse, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or other people that are close to you?”

So – which “What if ….. questions” could or should you ask yourself:
Here few that you might ponder about:

1. What if I would get up a bit earlier every morning to have a few minutes of me-time (even 5-10mins) before the rest of household gets up? (You might write in your diary, have a relaxed cup of tea, jot down three successes or positive things that happened the day before etc.).
2. What if I would plan my day the night before? (most people find this extremely useful, as it allows them to switch mentally off before going to bed and in a lot of cases enables them to get a better night sleep).
3. What if I would schedule two or three regular 20-30min activity or exercise session into my weekly diary? (Having fixed, regular activity sessions on the same day and time makes it easier for your mind to get into a healthy routine – consider these sessions as important as an appointment with a doctor, your boss or manager, someone you value lots.
4. What if you would do at least one activity or one action (even just for 5-10 minutes) every day that excites you? (Doing positively exciting things generally boosts your energy and makes you feel good).
5. What other “What if …. questions can you come up with?” and ask you and others from time to time … let’s go “What if-ing ….!”

20180511 What iffing Self Beliefs Personal Trainer Coach Martin Luschin South Dublin Ireland Sandyford LeopardstownAfter a detour to Will Smith’s quote, beliefs and “What if – Questions” back to my Handstand story. In the meantime I’m able to hold a “straight” wall-handstand or tree-handstand 🙂 for a good while, can do a few mini-handstand push-ups and occasionally can hold a full freestanding handstand for a few seconds, fair enough for someone in his late 40s, isn’t it?

Action Items for you:
[1] Let’s get a blank piece of paper out and answer at least three of above “What if – Questions”.

[2] Plus think about Will Smith’s quote again “The first step is you have to say that you can.” (or my variation “The first step is you have to believe that you can.”) and ask yourself “What belief about myself might it be worthwhile reconsidering or changing?”

Yours in Health, Fitness & Well Being
_ Martin (Personal Fitness & Health Trainer, Nutrition Coach)

Video Explained – Mens Pilates, Core Strength & Flexibility Classes in South Dublin, Ireland

>> View a list of all videos. <<

In the “Explained – Mens Pilates, Core Strength and Flexibility” Video below I talk you through:

1. What one of my “Men Only Pilates and Core Strength” class entails.
2. What the benefits of these Pilates Classes are.
3. What Pilates and other fitness and exercise equipment we use during those classes.
4. What I want you got get out of the classes.
Find a full fitness and exercise class timetable with all current classes I’m currently teaching here.
.Contact me with any question you might have or to book your course or trial class.

Martin
(Personal Training, Nutrition & Health Coaching, Fitness and Pilates Classes since 2003)

Park, Outdoor Toning & Fitness Classes in Leopardstown Dublin 18, South Dublin in May 2018

A quick reminder re the Monday Morning 10am-11am Toning and Fitness class in Leopardstown Heights, Dublin 18 in South Dublin.

Join AnytimeContact me – before you come along to make sure the class is and that it is suitable for you.  We do a mix of different types of exercises during these Park / Outdoor Conditioning classes in Leopardstown (close to Sandyford).

Find more general information about these exercise classes in South Dublin here.

Martin

Review, Testimonial of my *Online Video Pilates Course* by Karen in Dundrum, South Dublin, Ireland

Review Testimonial Online Video Pilates Course Dundrum South Dublin Ireland Pilates with MartinBelow an Online Video Pilates Course (click to view)  review, feedback or testimonial that I got earlier today from a Thursday morning “Senior / Over 60s Pilates class” participants, who used the *5 Day Free – Snow Video Pilates offer*. This offer is still available until midnight tonight (Monday 5th March 2018).
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Reading
or hearing feedback like this makes it all worthwhile. I really appreciate you letting me know what you think of the courses, no matter if that’s relating to my “Online Video Pilates Course” or my “Fitness and Exercise Classes” in South Dublin.
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Getting regular feedback allows me also to improve the quality of my Online and Offline Courses and classes, so all of you will ultimately benefit more from the courses.
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Please e-mail, text, message or call me with your feedback.
Thank you – Martin


“Hi Martin,
thanks for making this available, really appreciate it. Videos are at a good pace, very clear, good to have a visual check at home between classes. It is helping me anchor the exercises in my memory. Used my tablet so I could have it down on the floor beside me, easy to see as I was working. Thanks again.

Karen
South Dublin, Dundrum”


 

Monday morning 10am Outdoor Toning, Fitness & Weight-Loss Class *postponed* to 12th March due to snow – Leopardstown Heights Sandyford


A quick note to let you know that my Monday Morning – Park / Outdoor Fitness class in Leopardstown Heights (on the MUGA, Multi Usage Games Area – Basketball Court) is postponed by a week to Monday 12th March 2018 due to snow and ice in Dublin 18, D18.

I took the picture/video above earlier on this evening. You can see the basketball court, MUGA on the left, completely covered in snow – as most of the green in the Leopardstown Heights housing estate. It’s better to be on the safe side and continue with the outdoor and park fitness and exercise classes next week.

 

Join in anytime! We use various fitness and exercise equipment (e.g. kettlebells, skipping ropes, a drill ladder, exercise mats, a TRX, Gymnastic ring etc.) to Get you Fitter, Trimmer and Slimmer! – Martin

Leopardstown Heights Sandyford Park Outdoor Toning Fitness Weight-Loss Class postponed to 12th March 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Free – Online Pilates Video Course Access **until Monday 5th March 2018** South Dublin, Ireland

Snow Feb 2018 No Morning Pilates Classes in South Dublin Rathfarnham Willbrook near Nutgrove Marlay Park WhiteChurch Dublin 14 Dublin 16You can get free access (the coupon code is “snowpilates” ) to my short Online Pilates Video Course until Monday 5th March 2018 (normally €39.99) in exchange for some feedback after using the course for a few days. I do this due to the weather conditions today – lots of snow, a bit of ice and the weather predictions for tomorrow/Thursday 1st March 2018 and Friday 2nd March 2018 here in Ireland / South Dublin.
This will allow you to keep doing your Pilates, Stretching and Mobilizing exercises, especially as some of you were or are missing the classes that or normally no at this time of the week, due to the snow and ice.
No excuses lets get moving, to stay fit and healthy!
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In the video below you see how to apply the *coupon code* and get *free access* to these videos until Monday 5th March 2018.
My Fitness and Pilates course website is http://courses.yourhealthhabitcoach.comYou can do these Online Pilates Video Sessions at (1) home or (2) on the go when travelling for work or leisure, in your (3) local gym etc.. You can use your tablet, phone, laptop or desktop to access the course video lessons.
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I was in contact with Taney Parish Centre, Sandyford Community Centre and Glencullen Community Centre / GAA Start of Erin Hall … all venues are closed on Wednesday evening, Thursday and Friday (28th February, 1st March and 2nd March) according to the centre managers.
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Take care, stay safe during this hopefully short cold wintery weather spell and keep active … and
maybe see you during one of my indoor or outdoor classes.
Martin


 

Snow > *no* Pilates Classes Wednesday morning in South Dublin Rathfarnham, Willbook, Dublin 14

Snow Feb 2018 No Morning Pilates Classes in South Dublin Rathfarnham Willbrook near Nutgrove Marlay Park WhiteChurch Dublin 14 Dublin 16 A quick note to  let you know that there will be *no* Wednesday Morning Pilates class today, 28th February 2018, in Rathfarnham, Willbrook in the “old Court House”, near Nutgrove, Whitechurch, Dublin 14, Dublin 16 – due to snow, icy roads etc.. I will keep you posted on my website and facebook, re next weeks Fitness, Exercise and Pilates that I teach in South Dublin, Ireland.

 

 

 

 

Snow Feb 2018 No Morning Pilates Classes in South Dublin live Pilates Rathfarnham Willbrook near Nutgrove Marlay Park WhiteChurch Dublin 14I might run a 20-30min online live Pilates Class for those who are interested later this afternoon, early evening or tomorrow morning for those who are interested.

Send me a brief e-mail if you are interested.
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You might check my short onlineOnline Pilates Course at http://courses.yourhealthhabitcoach.com/, allowing to do some of the exercises easily at home.
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Take care, be safe and do some of our class exercises at home – Every Little Helps!
Martin

Video No. 21 – Quote Stephen Covey – Food for thought, Digital Diet “Anything less than a conscious commitment …”

>> View a list of all videos. <<

In this video I’m referring to “Digital Diets” :o) , quoting Stephen Covey, author of books like
7 Habit of Highly effective people.” or “First things first.”.

Feel free to like and share this video via my facebook page.

Send me a message on facebook or e-mail me and let me know what
your thoughts are relating to this quote and the video below.
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_ Thanks – Martin, Your Health Habit Coach

The “No Brain, No Gain” Approach vs. “No Pain, No Gain” Myth to exercising and getting fit in 2018

Yesterday I got talking to one of the corporate gym members in Ulster Bank’s gym in Central Park, Dublin 18 during my work-shift.

Maura (I changed her name in this article) a South Dublin based mom of two active teenagers asked me what classes I’m teaching at the moment in their corporate gym. She was also wondering if I think she will be able to do the exercise classes with the shoulder issue, that she is having for over a year by now. My initial reply was …. it depends on yourself and that I can show her various alternative exercises during the class for movements that she is not keen on doing.

The original reason for her shoulder issue was that she herself or/and a fitness instructor in a class pushed her too much, so she overdid various exercises leading to a longlasting injury.

The "No Brain, No Gain" Approach vs. "No Pain, No Gain" Myth to exercising and getting fit in 2018This was a year ago, and since then she wasn’t able to exercise regularly at all. She finds that very very frustrating, and as a side-effect, she put on a good bit of weight. That weight gain frustrated her even more, plus she just doesn’t feel mentally right if she can’t exercise on a regular basis. She described being physically active and exercising regularly very important to her mental health, as it allows her to switch off and recharge. Plus exercising regularly gives her the energy to face a lot of day to day challenges in work and with her teenage children with a clear and calm head.

I hear similar stories, like Maura’s, disappointingly often from various class participants, personal training clients, friends and neighbours.

A certain amount of exercise and fitness class instructors, as well as the general population, believe they have to push, challenge and exhaust themselves so much during exercise that they have to be in agony and pain the next day or after the class. Following the old and in my opinion outdated phrase “No Pain, No Gain”.

I recommend the following approach “No Brain, No Gain”. Followers of the “No Pain, No Gain” way of doing things – sometimes can’t walk down or up the stairs, can barely raise their arms or their stomach/abs hurt when laughing (due to overworked abs) after one of these extreme classes or training sessions.

To what does the “No Pain, No Gain” way often lead? To injury as in Maura’s case above, to more missed exercise sessions (as you just aren’t able to work-out due to agony and pain), to frustration, sometimes even weight-gain and “fitness loss”, because you just can’t be active after a “No Pain, No Gain Session”.

My approach in working with individuals is to challenge personal training clients and class participants so that they feel and recognize that they have done an exercise session or class. There might be a slight niggle or a small bit tension in certain body parts, but even that shouldn’t be there if you did a proper cool-down, a bit of stretching and loosening at the end of your training.

At the same time the personal training clients or class participants can
(1) work out again and improve their health and fitness the next day or two days afterwards and continue to do so,
(2) even more importantly they can do the things they have to do throughout the next one to two days in work or at home e.g. playing with your kids, going for a social walk with your parent or friend, bring your dog around the block and
(3) they have the energy and enthusiasm to do all those things.

Here – 5 ACTION STEPS – that you can take now, to apply my “No Brain, No Gain” approach:

1. Plan your exercise or physical activity week in advance e.g. on a Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. Write fixed appointments into your weekly diary e.g. Monday evening 6-7pm Jog / Run for 20mintues in the local park, Wednesday morning 7am do a 30min Body-Weight Training Session at home in the garden or the living room. Tick those activities off – once done and be proud of yourself once you have done your exercise.

2. Think about, choose intentionally with which intensity you do your activity, exercise or group class. Don’t get lured into pushing yourself over your current limits (to avoid unnecessary agony) and stick to your initial plan. Only you know what the right intensity is for you.

3. Pick an exercise environment that allows you to switch off, get mentally and physically away from work or things that are going on at home. This might be a local park, a nearby gym, a relaxing garden, a quiet room in the house.

4. (This is what work for my and various clients for over two years) Try exercising without a headset, music or other distractions and try to focus on your exercise, your intent for exercising e.g. getting fitter, healthier, boosting your energy levels – switching off. I even go so for to put my phone on silent (if I have it with me at all 🙂 ).

5. Always stretch, cooldown for at least five, ideally ten minutes after exercising. This reduced the likely-hood that you are sore and allows you to relax even that small bit more.

6. Pick an activity or type of exercise you enjoy, as you are most likely to stick with it and do it regularly if you enjoy it.

7. Keep a Success and Progress diary in which you keep a record of your exercise intensity, what you do e.g. reps, sets, duration (e.g. bike, jog, run, weight, swim, play tennis, do bodyweight exercises), when you do, maybe even how you feel pre or post exercising. This will allow you to recognize progress and that you are getting better, that you are improving – as you review what you have done and achieved, on a regular basis.

Let’s get going and get
(1) your Success diary and
(2) start planning your next week(s) to get healthier and fitter!
(3) even do a 5-10min exercise session or at least go for a walk, jog or run 🙂

I hope you found this article useful, please like my facebook page to stay up to date with other articles and posts, leave a comment below or send me feedback so I can improve the services and classes that I offer you and others.

Personal Trainer South Sublin Foxrock Deansgrange Cabinteely Leopardstown Sandyford The Gallops Stillorgan Dublin 18 D16 D14 Martin“Your Health Habit Coach”
Martin

Review Lidl CRIVIT® Exercise Bars Unpacking and Assembly in South Dublin (Calisthenics Bar, Parallel Bar)

Earlier in the week I bought a set of Lidl’s CRIVIT@ Exercise Bar in South Dublin, Stillorgan,
which I unpacked and assembled earlier today (video to follow).

Review of Lidls Exercise Bars Parallel Bars Parallelettes Calisthenics Bars South Dublin IrelandThe Exercise Bars come with
(1) a small manual (four pages in Englisch, the rest of it is written in various other European languages).
(2) The two main horizontal bars and two t-shaped feet for each horizontal bar.
(3) 12 screws, 12 washers.
(4) One Allen-key (wrench – the phrase used in the manual) to screw everything together,
meaning you don’t need any other tools to assemble the exercise bars.

Review Lidl CRIVIT Exercise Bars by Martin Luschin Unpacking Assembly in South Dublin Parallettes Gymnastic Bars 3The bars
(1) are very easy to put together, it only takes 5-10minutes maximum.
(2) are sturdy and easily hold my weight 80kg (around 12 stone, 8.3 pounds) 
(3) are designed for a maximum body-weight of 130kg (per manual)  
(4) the horizontal part of the bars are padded with soft, thick bands to make gripping the bar more comfortable.
(5) have rubber feet to prevent unwanted sliding or moving around.
(6) measurements, dimensions are: 78cm high, 65cm wide, 47cm deep

Review Lidl CRIVIT Exercise Bars by Martin Luschin Unpacking Assembly in South Dublin Parallettes Gymnastic Bars 4I used the bars at home for various exercises on a thick carpet and outdoors on a stone patio. The bars didn’t move or slide on neither surface, which makes them safe to use.
There might be some restrictions for certain exercises depending on your height (I’m 5 foot, 9.3 inches or 176 cm) and could just about do tricep dips, without my bent knees touching the ground. The same applied to a “pull-up, rowing motion”, where I was just two or three inches, a small bit more off the ground when holding on to the bars with extended, straight arms.   

The manual shows you seven basic exercises with two simple pictures for each exercise and a very very short description of each exercise (mentioning the starting position and the end position for each movement).
The exercise description doesn’t get into to much detail and if you haven’t done those type of exercises it won’t be of much value for you.

The exercises include (I changed the names of the exercises, as the exercise description are not very descriptive, they are rather confusing in my opinion. It read a bit like a non-fitness person wrote that manual, very odd).
.
(1) Tricep-Dips (strengthening & toning arms, triceps, a bit core)
(2) Straight Leg Raises (from a static holding position, core/abdominal strength, legs/quads toning and a bit arm strength)
(3) Raised Push-up (strengthening chest/pecs, a bit the arms)
(4) Knee Raises (from a static holding position, )
(5) Hip-Lift (glutes, buttocks strength/toning, a bit back/core strength)
(6) Rowing Movement (only one version, straight legs – back strength, arms/biceps strength and toning)
(7) Straight-Arm Side-Plank – Static Hold with lower leg lift ( shoulder stability and strength, oblique / core strength, adductors).

Conclusion:

Personal Trainer South Dublin Foxrock Deansgrange Cabinteely Leopardstown Sandyford-Stepaside Stillorgan Dublin 18 D16 D14Lidl’s Exercise Bars are solid and sturdy, easy to assemble and for €34.99 you can’t really go wrong (except if you are rather tall, as you might not be able to do some exercises without your knees or legs touching the ground).
I would definitely recommend these exercise bars, having used them a three four times in the meantime. 

I plan to post various short exercise videos in the next few weeks and months demoing different movements and exercises with these bars.

I looked up various other Exercise Bars, Parallel Bar and Calisthenics Bars on www.amazon.co.uk (make sure that the supplier delivers to Ireland, as not every Amazon.co.uk supplier delivers to Ireland, but you might try to use services www.parcelmotel.com ).
Most comparable bars were much more expensive on www.amazon.co.uk, prices ranging from £34.99 to £54.99 or more, plus you would have to pay postage and packaging as well.

I hope you found this review useful. Let me know what you think and if this review possibly made it easier for you to make a decision whether to buy or not buy these exercise bars.

Thanks Martin

Preview for Unpacking Video – Lidl CRIVIT® Exercise Bars, Calisthenics Bar, Parallel Bar €34.99 in South Dublin

Most of you know at this stage that the German retailers Lidl and Aldi regularly sell fitness, sport and exercise equipment here in Ireland. I plan to review, critique, recommend various equipment if appropriate in the future.

Yesterday I bought Lidl’s fitness brand “CRIVIT® Exercise Bars” for €34.99 in Stillorgan, South Dublin. Over the last year I got more and more into Body-Weight and Calisthenics, bought a set of Gymnastic Rings, Power/Resistance Bands, Arm-Straps for a horizontal bar to do leg/knee raises for Core-Strength etc.. Up to late November of 2017 I exercised only outside, enjoyed the fresh air, the occasional bit drizzle of rain (we are well used to that in Ireland 🙂 ), but mainly dry and sunny days.

The above-mentioned equipment is generally fairly low priced and allows you to exercise independent of a gym out in the fresh air, which I love. You just have to find a chin-up or pull-up bar (or a sturdy tree branch) in a local park (you will find them in Cabinteely Park, Marlay Park, even in the Gallops), maybe use the horizontal bar of football / soccer goal to get started (that’s what I do in the Leopardstown Heights).

I already searched for “Parallel Bar”, “Calisthenics Bar” or “Exercise Bars”  on www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.de, but the prices and high postage and packaging fees put me a bit off. Some of the Supplied also don’t post to Ireland. For that reason, I was really happy to see Lidl offering these “Exercise Bars”. I plan to record an unpacking and assembling video of the bars later in the week or over the weekend, if time and weather allow.

Preview video Lidl Exercise Bars Parallel Bars Calisthenics Bars Fitness Exercise South Dublin Ireland Martin LuschinHere the link to the Lidl “Exercise Bars” / https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=6641 that I bought – you might have look at them yourself. Maybe wait until I reviewed them and let you know what the verdict is.

Contact me if you have any questions or queries in relation to above or the fitness classes I offer in the Dublin 14, Dublin 16 and Dublin 18 area.

Yours ins Fitness & Health
_ Martin