Fitness Seekers Look for Function Over Fad

Fitness trends this year focus on a functional, holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Gym junkies are trying everything from Mixed Martial Arts training programs to ‘Battleropes’ to Russian military-style strength and conditioning tools. However, those looking for something new should beware of ineffective ‘fads’.

National Fitness Development Manager of Fitness First Australia, Martin Harasek, said: “Only fitness trends based on sound scientific foundations . . . that are fun, motivating and can be consistently incorporated into one’s every day routine . . . will survive in such a fast-paced and innovative industry.”

It is often difficult for first-timers to navigate through the plethora of information and services available to determine a suitable fitness regime.

Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney Medical School, Dr Hidde Van Der Ploeg, said: “Any physical activity with at least a moderate intensity is beneficial for your health . . . The best way for most people to engage long term in a physical activity is for it to be functional and enjoyable.”

A report by the World Health Organisation suggests that just 30 minutes per day improves overall health and reduces the chance of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

Founder of The Jungle Body, Tara Franzinelli developed the dance-based exercise in Western Australia because she saw a gap in the market.

The Jungle Body combines Latin and contemporary dance, hip-hop, boxing, pilates, 70s disco and football training to help participants burn around 600 calories per class.

“After working in America as a business consultant to a major gym, I realised Australian group fitness had become uninspiring, ineffective and well behind international standards,” Ms Franzinelli said.

Jungle Body first-timer Veronica Vella said while she wouldn’t abandon her gym membership but she could see the benefit in using the new workout to complement her routine.

“If you want to tone-up and have fun, [The Jungle Body] is really good,” she said. “I probably do enjoy this more because of the music and the moves.”

While The Jungle Body is sure to be a hit, Mr Harasek at Fitness First Australia said physical activity should be enjoyable and consistent.

“It is not critically important to follow trends in the fitness industry – the important part is to find activities [you] enjoy and can incorporate into a consistent routine,” he said.

(Source: City News, 18 January 2012)

Sydney Tourism News and Information: Sydney Hills Dirt Fest on This Weekend

ADVENTURE seekers and adrenalin junkies will be out in force on the Hawkesbury River on October 22 and 23 for the 2011 Sydney Hills Dirt Fest.

Three hardcore events, two days off-road action and a $1000 prize for both men and women await experienced and novice thrill-seekers, with nine off-road events for everyone from children, families and weekend warriors, right up to off-road athletes.

The NSW Dirt Master and Dirt Mistress Championships are the highlight of Dirt Fest.

Dirt Master champions will take part in three long course events over the two days in the area surrounding Riverside Oaks Golf Course, including:

The Tre-X off-road triathlon series (700m swim, 20km mountain bike, 8km trail run), an 8km off-road trail run and a 50km cross country mountain bike event

The male and female with the best cumulative time over the three events will be awarded the title of NSW Dirt Master or Dirt Mistress plus a $1000 cash prize.

If an 8km run is a bit much, you can join a range of short course events and free children’s events:

Saturday morning: Tre-X off-road triathlon short course (350m swim 10km mountain bike 4km trail run), Tre-X off-road triathlon teaser course (150m swim 5km mountain bike 1.2km trail run), or Mud Rats kids’ fun run.

Sydney Tourism News and Information: Sydney Hills Dirt Fest on This Weekend

The Sunday Age City2Sea 2011 - Melbourne Fun Run

The sister event to the world’s largest run is coming to Melbourne. The Sunday Age City2Sea presented by Westpac will take place for the very first time on Sunday, November 13, 2011. Get your entry in before midnight, Friday, October 21, 2011 to take advantage of our early bird rate.

The 14km course starts at the Arts Centre in the CBD, travels along St Kilda Road, around the Albert Park Grand Prix track and on to a spectacular finish by the sea in St Kilda.

Elite runners, joggers and walkers from around Australia will be joined by many dressed in novelty themed costumes with live music along the route.

The City2Sea is working closely with our official charity partner Movember; a global movement aimed at changing the face of men's health, amongst a range of other charities.

Australia’s original and premier running event, The Sun-Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac, celebrated its 40th run in 2010. With a sold-out field of 85,000 entrants raising over $3 million for charity in 2011, it is the world’s largest run. Fairfax Events has proudly organised this important event since 1971 and is excited to introduce a uniquely Victorian edition.

Find out more at the offical website: http://www.thecity2sea.com.au/

Easy as a Walk in the Park

What do you get when you combine a few thousand like-minded people with one of the world’s best harbours and a warm spring day?

Sydney’s Seven Bridges Walk offers all this plus the chance to feel good by donating to a worthy cause, Cancer Council NSW.

Registrations have opened for the walk, which is on Sunday, October 30. The event is proudly supported by The Sunday Telegraph and Channel 7 and is in its sixth year.

The Seven Bridges Walk is not a race. It is simply a community event that aims to engage Sydneysiders in the pleasure of walking.

And what better environment than to capture the stunning vista of Sydney Harbour, taking in its famous bridges such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gladesville Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove Bridge, Pyrmont Bridge, Tarban Creek Bridge and Fig Tree Bridge.

The 27km closed course will be open from 7.30am on event day and competitors can start the course at any point, going in a clockwise direction. There will be seven villages at key points around the course – each village providing refreshments to walkers.

For more information log on to www.7bridgeswalk.com.au

More Proof That Exercise Reduces Panic Attacks

Working up a sweat on a regular basis reduces the risk of panic attacks, says new research from the US.

The study tested a group of people’s reactions to inhaling carbon dioxide-rich air, which brings on nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness – symptons that are similar to anxiety and can lead to panic attacks.

Researchers found those who exercised regularly reported less agoogle.comnxiety after inhalation than those who did not.

Tens of Thousands Finish Sydney's City2Surf

POUNDING THE PAVEMENT: Thousands of runners entered this year's City to Surf. Picture: Getty Source: The Daily Telegraph

A LIMPING Batman, Stig impersonator and a man carrying a yoga mat cut into the shape of a BMX bike were among the tens of thousands who completed this year's City2Surf.

For the first time people can remember, the popular Sydney occasion went ahead beneath grey skies - but that didn't dampen the spirit of the event, which was this year won by Victorian Liam Adams in 41 minutes and 11 seconds.

Race favourite Michael Shelley from Queensland finished two seconds behind him, while Canberra's Martin Dent was third.

It was the first time Adams, a 24-year-old student from Moonee Ponds in Victoria, took part in the event.

"I never thought I was going to win it,'' the five times Australian world cross country champion told AAP.

"He's (Shelley) won it before and he knows how to win this race.

"I was hurting from about Heartbreak Hill.

"I thought he was going to drop me many times during that race.''

Adelaide physiotherapist Jessica Trengove, 23, was the first woman across the line in a time of 47 minutes and 29 seconds.

Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley took 38 minutes and three seconds to complete the course to become the first wheelchair athlete at Bondi.

His jubilant smile belied the fact he was suffering from a cold.

"I've lost my voice,'' he said.

"But good day, mate, good race.''

A record 85,000 competitors took part in this year's event, making it a bigger crowd drawer than the London marathon and New York marathon combined.

Many took it seriously - others embraced the carnival atmosphere.

Martin Doak, from Artarmon, finished the course in just under 60 minutes while carrying a yoga mat which had been cut into the shape of a BMX bike.

A limping Batman was also seen, as was a giant chicken, girls dressed as green fairies, girls in hot pink velour tracksuits with matching hair, and a young girl wearing pyjamas and carrying a teddy bear.

A man resembling the Stig from the British television motoring show Top Gear walked, rather than jogged, past the finish line.

Those wanting to do it all again sooner than in 12 months time have the option of going in Melbourne's City to Sea fun fun.

The 14km event is being held for the first time, on November 13.

The 2011 Sun Herald City2Surf Event

The 2011 event is shaping up to be the biggest in the race’s history, with more than 80,000 people expected to enter the 14km event, and the marathon man of wheelchair sports and two-time Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley on hand to kick start the event’s first ever elite wheelchair start.

Runners can make their participation even more rewarding by fundraising for their favourite charity. To incentivise participants, The Sun-Herald will donate $10,000 to the chosen charity of the both the highest fundraising individual and team.

The event aims to raise much needed funds for more than 500 charities. With $2.8 million raised in 2010 for charities across the country, participants are encouraged to help raise even more in 2011.
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EVENT DETAILS:
Name of event: The Sun Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac
Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
Location: Spectacular course from Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach
Distance: 14km
Description: Australia’s serious runners, joggers, walkers and pram pushers are invited to be part of Sydney’s favourite sporting event, The Sun Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac, on Sunday, August 14.

For Ideal Sydney Accommodation for the City2Surf - Metro Hotels