John Collins

27th March 2018.Gyms are a fixture in places all around the world. Wherever people live, there will be a space for them to gather together in one communal area to share equipment and work on their fitness. From businessmen to teachers and stay-at-home mums and dads, just about every kind of person can be found at a gym at some point during the day. Is this environment good for everyone, though? More specifically, what about teenagers? Do younger people belong in a gym? It can be a tricky question to navigate, especially since gyms aren't typically the kind of place you might consider when you think of teen hangouts. That being said, for those teens who play sports or take an interest in their physical fitness, visiting a gym might offer plenty of benefits, especially if their school lacks the resources for the same kind of workout. Like many things, this is a balancing act, and it could be a better choice for some than others. Let's look at some of the specific pros and cons to consider

15th March 2018.Take a quick look at the crowd that shows up on race day for a fun run or a marathon, and you'll be sure to notice lots of diversity. It's not only that the group of people who show up to race is diverse, but what they're wearing will showcase many differences, too. Perhaps even your own running wardrobe has begun to look more like a fashion showcase than a drawer full of plain workout clothing. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good while you run in fact, it can be important to your success but has all this effort to be fashionable begun to intrude on your ability to run well? Balancing function against fashion, alongside determining just how much you need to do that, can be tricky to figure out. The manufacturers of the most visually attractive workout clothes want you to believe that they're the best way to go; the technical brands all want to convince you of the same thing, only in their favour. Which is really the best option? Such as with many other

1st March 2018.The US is a big place ? and that means there's plenty of room for a wide variety of fun and exciting attractions. With much of the country experiencing warm to scorching summers, and mild temperatures for much of the rest of the year, the presence of water parks is a common sight in many of the states. Though some are only open seasonally, others invite visitors to enjoy the rides and cool off in the water all year round. Whether you're planning a trip or you're just interested in finding out more about the biggest recreational attractions, how can you find out where the best destinations are? Rather than meticulously scouring the Internet and going state by state to try and figure out where you might want to visit someday, we've done all the hard work for you. With so many potential destinations, we've narrowed it down to the cream of the crop: the parks that pull out all the stops for a fun experience. Don't forget, though ? this list is just a starting point. There

15th February 2018.A child's birthday is a special occasion worth a little extra effort, not just because it's an occasion for the parents to celebrate, but also because every birthday is an opportunity to create happy memories that will last for a lifetime. When you have a birthday coming up on the calendar, and it's time to start putting your mind to party planning, what ideas spring up first? If you have access to a pool, whether at home or in a local community space, throwing an aquatic party could be an excellent idea. For active kids, there are few things as fun as donning their swimsuits and spending an afternoon splashing about before enjoying fun treats and goodies. Pool parties require a bit more planning than your average get-together, though ? so it's a smart idea to think ahead well before your child's birthday arrives. From food and activities to special safety considerations, there's a lot to tackle, but it's easy when you break it up into more manageable chunks. What

8th February 2018. Mountain biking is more than just riding a bicycle over rough terrain ? it's a pursuit that engages your entire body. The sheer physicality of riding a mountain bike ties directly into the mental aspect as your eyes scan the path ahead for obstacles and your mind tries to work out the best place to ride. Sometimes you need to make decisions in a split-second, and other times you have the breathing room to re-adjust yourself in the saddle and figure out where to go next. That's just when the weather is good. What about when winter arrives and settles in with a snowy, icy blanket? Winter riding provides an opportunity to hone unique skills that you won't get a chance to practice at other times in the year. Rather than shying away from the added challenges of winter mountain biking, you should run towards embracing the potential for some big spills. From improving your track selection to bettering your balance and even seeing some fitness gains, there's a lot on the

22nd January 2018. Swimming outdoors is a unique activity because it provides so many more challenges for the athlete. Indoor pools are highly controlled environments, with the conditions created to be just right for competitive swimming. Outside, the weather doesn't always cooperate, the water can be smooth or choppy, and the water temperature fluctuates considerably as well. If you have plans to start practising your swimming in a lake or the ocean ? especially if you intend to train for a triathlon ? it's critical that you properly prepare before taking a plunge. In water that's below between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, donning a wetsuit can keep you warm while also providing you with important benefits. When you swim in cold water, it can feel difficult to go through the motions to move forward. The cold can make your muscles feel like they've already contracted as much as they can. With a wetsuit, a thin layer of water remains trapped between the garment and your body. Natural

11th January 2018.As an intensive cardio activity, running can burn tonnes of calories. For those trying to lose weight, that makes it an excellent exercise. For those who run for fun or as practice for competitions such as marathons, it sometimes means a struggle to stay on top of your daily energy needs. Running can take a lot out of you no matter your fitness level, though, and that's why eating correctly is so important. Without the right nutrition, you'll find yourself fatigued, weary all the time, and unable to perform at your peak ability when you run. No one enjoys that feeling of running out of steam far earlier into the day's run than you'd like. What's the solution? There is no one magic diet for runners to follow. Everyone's bodies are a little bit different, and nutritional needs can vary from person to person. However, we all feel the strain from burning off so much energy with every run. With that in mind, there are some strategies and certain types of foods that can

8th January 2018.When you first started to learn how to ride a bike, what was the most frustrating thing to deal with besides trying to balance? If you're like most people, the answer is something very basic: trying to sit comfortably! The bike saddle is not often a seat built strictly for comfort; its design incorporates a specific utility. That's not much of a problem when you only ride occasionally or strictly do so for fun. When you choose to start riding your bike for fitness or competition, though, the number of hours spent in the saddle climbs dramatically. That can often result in soreness, pain, and an unpleasant cycling experience. So how do you choose the right type of saddle, and how do you avoid problems once you've picked one? It's all about knowing what to look for and understanding how to match a saddle to the riding style you prefer. Mountain bikers will need a different saddle from road bikers, and those who compete heavily will need something else altogether. There

4th January 2017.Aside from its unique rules of play and the huge level of physicality involved, there is one thing that separates American football immediately from almost any other sport ? the visual element. It's hard to deny that the look of an American football player is an iconic one. From the smooth, rounded helmet and the imposing facemasks to the distinctive shape of their protective shoulder pads, the amount of protective gear makes every player look visually impressive. Whether you or a child you know is interested in playing this sport, pulling together the right kit is essential. Without the proper protection, you shouldn't even think about setting foot on the gridiron! What should you have on your shopping list when you head to the athletic store, though? At first glance, it's not always easy to tell just how many different components make up the American football kit. Once you start breaking it down, it quickly becomes apparent that there are many elements to every

30th December 2017.With the end of the year on the horizon and the beginning of a fresh calendar almost here, many people begin to make plans for their New Year celebrations. Others turn their minds to the typical "New Year's resolutions" ? solemn determinations to make changes or do things differently next year. We're all familiar with the stereotype of the person who makes fitness resolutions and can't keep them. Maybe we've even been that person before. It's discouraging to want to make a change while feeling like you haven't been able to live up to your promises in the past. It doesn't have to be that way. First, though, it's important to accept that sticking to a New Year's resolution will be difficult no matter what. The start of the new year is more symbolic than anything, you'll be just as busy on January 1st as you were on December 31st. There's no magic button to push; you'll need to come up with some willpower to help make any other strategies you use more effective. However,