Page 5 - Tracey Brooks

For those who don't want a gym membership, need a way to lose some weight, or just don't want to purchase too much fancy equipment, running is the sport that many people turn to for meeting their exercise needs. From the new year's resolution planner to the diligent marathon runner, this fundamental yet challenging activity is an excellent way to work out for individuals across many age groups. While not everyone has the genetic luck and focused ability of a runner like Usain Bolt, it’s rewarding, all the same, to set personal records, go the distance in a race, and meet all kinds of other goals.

Everyone must begin somewhere, though, and when you first start out as a runner, it’s easy to make mistakes. At first, you might simply think it's just about putting one foot in front of the other; before too long, you'll realise there is far more to it than that. To stay on the right track, it's helpful to know how to avoid some of the problems that beginners frequently encounter. No one

For many people, learning to ride a bike is an integral part of their childhood. Others first hop in the saddle as teenagers, and still more individuals don't come to find the joy in cycling until they're adults. Have you recently begun to consider taking up cycling as one of your primary forms of exercise? It's a good choice: it boosts your heart health, increases your lung capacity, and can be an excellent way to burn calories while working towards a weight loss goal. No one starts out at the level of a Tour de France winner, though, and it can take some serious time and effort to feel completely comfortable when cycling long distances.

As a beginner, there are a few important things to keep in mind, beginning with a simple fact: you don't know everything necessary for success right off the bat. Instead, it's important to take your time, learn the "ins and outs" of cycling, and find the type of routine that suits you best. Likewise, you'll also want to be careful to avoid making

Just a decade ago, "virtual reality" was still something that existed more in the realm of science. Sure, there had been attempts at VR video games in the past, and there were always some cutting-edge scientific efforts exploring this technology. However, over the past few years, virtual reality headsets have gone from being prototypes on paper to real devices that have ended up in the hands of countless consumers. These include models such as the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, with more VR companies springing up since. At first, the primary focus for these technologies was on video games. However, as these products mature, more people have turned their attention to other areas.

Fitness and exercise are two of those areas now receiving more attention in the context of virtual reality. Could VR be the wave of the future that will transform the way we relate to our exercise? What are the potential benefits of using VR for fitness, and are there any drawbacks? Though the answers to these

Running is an incredibly accessible activity for individuals of all ages, from the young to the old. That being said, there is a point in time at which your body has everything it needs to propel you to some serious heights regarding running ability. As a teenager, your body is more resilient, better adapted to the changes brought on by exercise, and still in the process of growing. These facts combine to mean that it is far easier to develop good running habits and physical fitness without some of the risks of injury — and the lack of time — that come from running when you're older.

You know it's not just as simple as picking up a pair of running shoes and automatically being good at things, though. It takes arduous work and a lot of practice. So, what should you keep in mind while you try to improve your abilities as a teenager? From knowing your limits to taking advantage of your body's plasticity, there's plenty you can do to set the stage for success. Let's look at seven tips

Sports provide a way for us to do far more than merely train our bodies to be healthier and more physically fit. They also offer a way for us to challenge ourselves mentally, and to strive to achieve incredible things with our bodies. In some pursuits, these challenges are easy to see and quite well-known. For runners, there are all kinds of races, with the marathon (and the super marathon) holding one of the top titles for prestige. If you can run a marathon, people know that you've mastered your running ability. For cyclists, riding in a stage race or travelling 100 kilometres without stopping offer the same kind of challenge.

What about for the swimmers of the world? What types of challenges are out there to test the most determined hardcore swimmers? While there isn't anything as easy to point to as a marathon, there are still plenty of competitive ventures that take place in the water. From indoor pool races such as those held at the Olympics to gruelling open water swims in

We all know that consistency is essential in maintaining fitness, especially when it comes to highly developed fitness attributes such as those you focus on as a cyclist. At the same time, everyone needs a break now and then — and the arrival of winter weather often seems like a good opportunity for that. When the temperatures are too chilly for you to even think about getting out of bed, how can you motivate yourself to get in the saddle? Not everyone can do it — so maybe you had a lazy winter where you didn't pack in as many maintenance rides as perhaps you should have.

Now the spring is on the horizon, and it's time to start thinking seriously about getting back into the swing of things. There's just one problem: you can feel like you're starting all over again from scratch! "Detraining" is a real thing, and when you've had a long break, you'll have to put in the work necessary to rebuild your skills from the ground up. It only takes about four days to start losing the edge on

29th March 2018.While badminton may not be the game that most people think about when they consider sports that have fast-paced action, that's precisely what a professional badminton match includes. Not only do the two players move with serious quickness around the court, but a smashed shuttlecock can reach speeds of almost 500 kilometres per hour! The mixture of gentle, lofting lobs and driving smashes means the pace of a badminton game can turn on a moment's notice. Because it is the central part of the game, good shuttlecocks are a vital element of a successful game. For the amateur or recreational player, though, knowing how to choose the right shuttlecock doesn't always come easily. Not only are there a wide variety of types out there on the market, but they come with all kinds of numerical ratings and different attributes. Some of them can even turn out to be quite expensive. As a result, it?s essential to understand what to look for when shopping for shuttlecocks. The birdie