Results matching “Australia”

Whether climbing's your thing or you just enjoy throwing a bit of iron around, the ProTips series contains some great information. The DVD's available from a number of stores (if you're in Australia, try Rock Hardware); but for a taster, take a look at Jared Roth discussing the benefit of hangs [streaming, 10.3mb .flv download].

On holds, rocks, bars or doorframes - it's a great exercise (personal favourite - the slippery flat surfaces of a power rack).

NB : for more information on the progression of hangs - as well as the exercises themselves - head over to Metolius Climbing. Excellent article.

Whether climbing's your thing or you just enjoy throwing a bit of iron around, the ProTips series contains some great information. The DVD's available from a number of stores (if you're in Australia, try Rock Hardware); but for a taster, take a look at Jared Roth discussing the benefit of hangs [streaming, 10.3mb .flv download].

On holds, rocks, bars or doorframes - it's a great exercise (personal favourite - the slippery flat surfaces of a power rack).

NB : for more information on the progression of hangs - as well as the exercises themselves - head over to Metolius Climbing. Excellent article.

In the face of a growing obesity problem, the Australian government has asked fast-food retailers across the country to greatly reduce the quantity of trans-fats in their cooking. So far, many retailers seem to be agreeable to the idea - particularly with the unfavourable response anticipated by a negative reaction.

A hamburger from the local take-away is fast becoming a reasonable idea.

In the face of a growing obesity problem, the Australian government has asked fast-food retailers across the country to greatly reduce the quantity of trans-fats in their cooking. So far, many retailers seem to be agreeable to the idea - particularly with the unfavourable response anticipated by a negative reaction.

A hamburger from the local take-away is fast becoming a reasonable idea.

Monkeying Around.

'Hey hey, we're the Monkeys, and people say we monkey around' - Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Whilst walking along this same street I noticed something that I haven't seen for a number of years - monkey bars. There they were, in a childrens' playground neatly slotted between a pub and a toilet block (perhaps not the best location, but it was relatively well protected from the sun). It was a very unusual sight.

If you're not quite sure what monkey bars are, picture a smooth-runged steel ladder placed on its side. The whole thing is supported on poles, keeping it 7' or 8' off the ground. A chinning bar on steroids, if you will.

A few decades ago - when I would have first played around on monkey bars - they seemed to be everywhere. In their original, simple form or as part of more elaborate constructions such as rockets and aeroplanes. To a young boy with a big imagination, they were magical.

'Hey hey, we're the Monkeys, and people say we monkey around'
- Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

A few weeks ago I visited Sofala, an old mining town near Bathurst, NSW. Russell Drysdale depicted the main street in his 1947 painting Sofala, and it hasn't changed much in the 60 years since. It's a dry, desolate, dusty place - and quite beautiful. I love it.

Whilst walking along this same street I noticed something that I haven't seen for a number of years - monkey bars. There they were, in a childrens' playground neatly slotted between a pub and a toilet block (perhaps not the best location, but it was relatively well protected from the sun). It was a very unusual sight.

If you're not quite sure what monkey bars are, picture a smooth-runged steel ladder placed on its side. The whole thing is supported on poles, keeping it 7' or 8' off the ground. A chinning bar on steroids, if you will.

A few decades ago - when I would have first played around on monkey bars - they seemed to be everywhere. In their original, simple form or as part of more elaborate constructions such as rockets and aeroplanes. To a young boy with a big imagination, they were magical.

Fast forward 20 years or so, to the mid '90s. Due to their popularity - they were being used almost 8 times [1] as much as other playground equipment - there were an alarming number of accidents. Many of these were minor (as anyone who's ever fallen awkwardly from a chinning bar will attest), but politicians the world over began to grow worried that something more sinister was possible. Fearful of lawsuits, many of the monkey bars were removed.

The result? A major source of entertaining upper-back work was largely taken away from an entire generation. Sure, there are still any number of ways children can perform chin-ups. But none is so much fun as a climb across the monkey bars.

References

1. Injury and frequency of use of playground equipment in
public schools and parks in Brisbane, Australia
J W Nixon, C H C Acton, B Wallis, M F Ballesteros, D Battistutta
Injury Prevention, 2003

Meet Australian strongman Derek Boyer. At the 18th Winton Outback Festival he set a new world record for truck pulling, by shifting a 70 tonne road train 5 metres (video [.mov, 6.2mb]).

Meet Australian strongman Derek Boyer. At the 18th Winton Outback Festival he set a new world record for truck pulling, by shifting a 70 tonne road train 5 metres (video [.mov, 6.2mb]).

Pyramid from 'Remembering Muscle Beach' by Harold Zinkin.

Much of what you will choose to - and be able to - do at the beach will depend upon the hardness of the surface. Throwing a medicine ball about is something which can be done almost anywhere; running generally requires a long, flat, stable surface (think about the beach scene in Chariots of Fire).

Generally speaking, the firmer sand is nearer the water's edge. Naturally, there are a number of exceptions to this; it really is a case of going down there and walking around in bare feet to get a feel for the surface.

If you're in any doubt about bare-footed workouts (on the beach, anyway), take a listen to Martin Rooney's April '06 interview [.mp3, 5.7mb] on EliteFTS. In this, Rooney discusses the advantages and disadvantages of bare foot training. Whether you wear shoes or not really depends on what you're going to be doing.

Opening scene from 'Chariots of Fire'.

If you've ever been to St Andrews' West Sands (location for the abovementioned beach scene in Chariots of Fire), you'll appreciate that whilst the beach itself may be ideal for training; the number of visitors may suggest otherwise. Privacy is not the issue - instead it's simply one of not having to move out of the way every five minutes.

This month's article series with Run to Win's Blaine Moore looks at workout locations. Whether you're training in a commercial gym, your parents' basement, a garage or the local park; there are a few things to keep in mind - as well as some benefits associated with each location. This article looks at a training location more than a few people have employed over the years - for sports, yoga, weight lifting, running and general fitness - the beach.

Hardness of the surface

Much of what you will choose to - and be able to - do at the beach will depend upon the hardness of the surface. Throwing a medicine ball about is something which can be done almost anywhere; running generally requires a long, flat, stable surface (think about the beach scene in Chariots of Fire).

Generally speaking, the firmer sand is nearer the water's edge. Naturally, there are a number of exceptions to this; it really is a case of going down there and walking around in bare feet to get a feel for the surface.

If you're in any doubt about bare-footed workouts (on the beach, anyway), take a listen to Martin Rooney's April '06 interview [.mp3, 5.7mb] on EliteFTS. In this, Rooney discusses the advantages and disadvantages of bare foot training. Whether you wear shoes or not really depends on what you're going to be doing.

Popularity of the location

If you've ever been to St Andrews' West Sands (location for the abovementioned beach scene in Chariots of Fire), you'll appreciate that whilst the beach itself may be ideal for training; the number of visitors may suggest otherwise. Privacy is not the issue - instead it's simply one of not having to move out of the way every five minutes.

Suitable types of workouts

Obviously some types of training are more suited to the beach environment than others, and this will depend partially on the layout of the beach and your preparedness to carry a few things. To get you started, here are a few ideas.

Hill sprints on dunes. Without getting into the intricacies of hill sprinting itself, let me just assure you that running at any speed up a sandy surface is a challenge. Running coach Percy Cerutty (pictured at left) used this training technique with great success on legendary runners John Landy and Herb Elliott. Hill sprints on sand are also enjoyed regularly by several major Rugby League teams.

Kettlebell training. Whilst kettlebells can be swung almost anywhere, the exercises which involve letting it go (either intentionally or accidentally) lend themselves well to the beach. As well as the snatch/C+J/press training, try out a spot of kettlebell juggling or putting. They're effective exercises, and fun.

Team sports and activites. Beach volleyball is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind, but think also of activities such as a Tug-of-War or short sprint races along the harder sand. Bring a couple of empty hessian sacks and make quick sandbags - passing them around is always interesting.

Medicine ball workout. As mentioned earlier, a great way to train at the beach is with a medicine ball or two. Think conditioning rather than strength, and try all those exercises that'd usually have you thrown out of a commercial gym. Hurl the medicine balls around and have some fun.

Yoga. If you're looking for something a little different to your regular weight lifting, try a bit of yoga at the beach. A great way to start the day.