Meeting all cultural needs, the 'halal' way

​~ Body Conditioning

​

Incorporating body conditioning into your fitness plan provides all manner of benefits. A few these benefits are explained below:

​

​1. Body conditioning assists you in losing weight. It ​is able to do this

    by increasing your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), making you burn

    more calories twenty four hours per day, even when you are​

    resting or sleeping. You would agree that passive weight loss is a

    wonderful thing!

​

2. Participating in some form of body conditioning drastically

    reduces the risk of developing a number of chronic conditions

    later on in life by:
 

          - improving circulation and strengthening the muscles of the

            heart, lungs, and your overall cardiovascular system.
         - increasing the flow of blood to the brain, which is thought to

            improve concentration, memory, and mental acuity.
         - reducing the amount of plaque that has built up on artery

            walls, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and

            heart attack.
         - reducing your body's body fat percentage. This alone has a

            wide array of benefits, including: reducing the pressure on the

            body's joints, improving the body's blood chemistry, reducing

            hypertension, improving confidence, and making physical

            activity easier.
         - reducing the risk of constipation, among other digestive

            disorders. By including body conditioning into your fitness

            plan helps the digestive system perform better. It also helps

            waste move through your body more quickly and easily.
         - improving the body's cholesterol profile by increasing high

​            density lipoprotein (HDL), the good cholesterol, while at the

            same time decreasing low density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad

            cholesterol.
         - reducing your body's triglyceride level, which leads to heart

            disease. Studies have shown that individuals with elevated

            levels of triglycerides are indeed at increased risk of heart

            disease.
         - reducing the risk of various cancers including: colon, breast,

            prostate, uterus, ovarian, and cervical.

​

The above, is just a small description of the many, many benefits of adding body conditioning exercises to your overall fitness plan. By participating in some form of body conditioning, you will quickly see an overall improvement in not only how you feel and how easily you get around, but you will be improving the overall quality of your life.

​

RM Fitness's body conditioning class takes place every Wednesday at 6.30pm at Leverstock Green Hall. The instructor will always provide the participants with low and high impact versions of a particular exercise. This means that you will be able to start at a pace you feel comfortable with and progress at your own rate. See...you don't have an excuse not to come and give it a go.   ​

​​​​​​​​​​

​

​

~ Pilates

​

Pilates is fast becoming one of the most popular exercise systems in the United Kingdom.

Pilates is a series of very specific exercises executed on a mat. The exercises have a specific sequence, breath and flow. The goal is to develop deep, stabilising core strength in the abdominals and the lower back. The idea of deep awareness and focus is basic to all Pilates' exercises.

​

What is core strength?

​

Core strength is the foundation of Pilates exercise. The core muscles are the deep, internal muscles of the abdomen and back. When the core muscles are strong and doing their job, as they are trained to do in Pilates, they work in tandem with the more superficial muscles of the torso to support the spine and movement.

​

As you develop your core strength you develop stability throughout your entire torso. This is one of the ways Pilates helps people overcome back pain. As the torso is properly stabilised, pressure on the back is relieved and the body is able to move freely and efficiently.

 

Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates does not over-develop some parts of the body and neglect others. While Pilates training focuses on core strength, it trains the body as an integrated whole. Pilates workouts promote strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints. This is the reason why Pilates is so popular in rehab scenarios, as well as with athletes who find that Pilates is a great foundation for any kind of movement they do.

​

At first glance, Pilates exercises might seem similar to calisthenics or other fitness moves, such a push-ups, sit-ups, or lunges. But the main difference between Pilates and other exercise methods resides in the guiding principles of Pilates. There are six principles that create the foundation for every movement in Pilates, and every principle must be present in each exercise for the duration of the entire workout.

 

Pilates exercises do not require many repetitions to yield results when all six principles are present. Joseph Pilates (the creator of Pilates) emphasised quality over quantity when performing the moves. For example he says that you can mindlessly mimic a move, like the Hundreds or Single Leg Circles, but without putting the principles to work, you're simply going through the motions, not practicing Pilates. 

 

The Six Principles of Pilates

 

The six of principles Pilates are:

​

          - Breathing: controlling your breath with deep exhalations as

             you perform each exercise helps activate your muscles and

             keep you focused.

 

          - Centring: by paying attention to the muscles of the core, you

            will help all of your bodies' muscles function and develop

            more efficiently.

​

          - Control: slow and steady wins the race. Control, rather than

             intensity or repetition, is key to performing the exercises

             correctly. All movements should be performed with precision,

             to gain the maximum benefits.

​

          - Flow: each Pilates move should be smooth and graceful. Try

            to create the grace of a gymnast in your practice.

​

          - Precision: practice makes perfect. Proper form is essential to

            ensure you gain the most benefit and keep your body healthy.

            It is often said that it is better to do one precise and perfect 

            movement than several half-hearted ones.​
 

          - Concentration: by focusing on your mind-body awareness, 

             the better connection you establish with your body, and the

             more benefits you gain from your workouts. It is better to do

             each exercise slowly and precisely, than with incorrect form

             or posture.

​

That is why you should not expect to do more than 8-10 repetitions of a particular Pilates move. Instead, doing each exercise fully, with precision and by following these six principles will yield significant results in a shorter time than one would ever imagine.

​

Benefits include:

​

          - improved posture
         - improved balance
         - improved flexibility
         - greater joint mobility
         - increased joint stability
         - greater core strength/stability
         - flatter stomach (especially the lower abdomen)
         - reduced waistline
         - improved coordination
         - reduced stress levels
         - stronger pelvic floor
         - increased efficiency of respiratory and circulatory systems
         - improved lymphatic drainage (associated with deep

            breathing)
         - stronger immune system
         - reduced lower back pain
         - increased muscular strength
         - endurance and tone
         - reduced ricks of injury
         - better sleep
         - better quality of life.
         - ability to relax
         - a body that defies your age
         - a stronger, healthier you!

​

RM Fitness's Pilates classes are conducted in the Fitness instructors own  privately designed Pilates room, which is perfect to learn and put in place the six Pilates principles. Pilates is an adaptable exercise form, so the instructor will always modify the exercises that can make a workout safe and challenging for an individual at any level.

​

​

​

​

​

​

~ Total Body Attack (based on Aerobics)

​

Total Body Attack is known as cardiovascular exercise, which strengthens the muscles and promotes the cardiovascular endurance (by targeting a particular heart rate). This exercise form is aimed at improving the oxygen intake through your body’s cells, as your muscles require more oxygen-rich blood and give off more CO2 and other waste products. Consequently, your heart needs to beat faster maintain this burn.

​

Studies have shown that this form of exercise burns 67% more calories for participants and significantly reduced their abdominal fat compared to other forms of exercises.

​

By participating in RM Fitness’s Total Body Attack your body will be benefiting in a variety of ways. It will help in:

​

          - preventing health problems: it helps prevent cardiovascular

            disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and low back pain. Even if

            you already suffer from one of these ailments, RM Fitness’

            Total Body Attack can help alleviate the ailment. It also

            strengthens your immune system.
         - building and maintaining lean muscle mass: The loss of lean

            muscle mass can begin as early as your mid-20s, and it results

            in a loss of strength, a slower metabolism, and decreased

            functional fitness. The loss of lean muscle mass is not the

            normal result of aging; it is primarily the result of a sedentary

            lifestyle. If you do not use your muscles, they will waste away.

            RM Fitness’ Total Body Attack is the most effective way to

            build and maintain lean muscle mass and stay strong and

            functionally fit.
         - enhancing your bone health and density: Millions of people   

            worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. Consuming dairy

            products and taking calcium supplements to increase bone

            strength and density is not enough. Bones need to be

            challenged or they will become soft and brittle, so

            participating in RM Fitness’ Total Body Attack will definitely

            challenge your bones and make them healthier!

          - boosting metabolism: The slower your metabolism, the easier

            it is to gain body fat and the harder it is to lose it. By

            participating in RM Fitness’ Total Body Attack, you will boost

            your metabolism because it builds and maintains lean muscle

            mass. Lean muscle mass is metabolically active tissue, so the

            more lean muscle mass you have the faster your metabolism

            will be.

          - reshaping the body and improving appearance: RM Fitness’

            Total Body Attack will give you a strong, toned, athletic looking

             body.

​

Other benefits include:

​

          - raising your overall fitness and stamina
         - improving your coordination and agility
         - developing strength through core conditioning work
         - increasing your heart and lung capacity through a full-body

            cardio workout
         - burning lots of calories!

​

As you can see, the benefits of participating in RM Fitness’ Total Body Attack are impressive; so ensure that you make RM Fitness’ Total Body Attack a part of your fitness program.​

​

​

​