Fitness & Exercise - APRILSuper-fit Mike Buss gives us the latest on staying fit in Swindon - advice, news, events, clubs, video & more - EVERY MONTH
This month we talk to The Mercure Hotel in South Marston, to find out how this recently rebranded hotel aims to give you the ultimate spa experience and get you fit.
We'll also be covering local health and fitness news, new ways to excercise - for all ages and abilities, sports injury prevention & the exercise of the month.
The Mercure Hotel & Spa
Mike Visits The Mercure Hotel & Spa in South Marston to check out how the £1million refit to the hotel and plans for a new state of the art gym will give even more to club members.
Previously known as the Nightingale Hotel, it is now rebranded as the Mercure Hotel & Spa, and the hotel refit has really given this hotel a modern contemporary look.
As a member of the Mercure Hotel & Spa you will experience a fully equipped gym including cardio, machine weights and free weights, along with some of the leading functional training equipment not seen in any gym locally, including the Milokit Suspension Training System, Jordan Powerbags & the Viper belt.
The gym is also fully kitted out with kettlebells and plyametric training equipment, and the studio has a comprehensive list of classes from the internationally popular Zumba and the new Zumba Aqua Fitness class through to Body Pump & many more.
The Mercure is also the only club in Swindon to offer BOOTCAMPfit - the only genuine Bootcamp fitness class in Swindon.
Extra benefits and discounts
If the gym is too much and you would rather unwind after a day at the office then why not jump in the 23m swimming pool, or relax in the sauna & steam rooms and the Jacuzzi.
Across from the hotel there is miles of countryside including the Nightingale Wood, with fantastic trail paths offering different length walks or runs up to 5km - including a trim trail for the more adventurous!
As a member you can take advantage of several benefits such as discounts on meals at the restaurant. The Mercure Hotel & Spa also offer a comprehensive personal training package for those of you needing that extra support in reaching your goals fast, with fully qualified industry personal trainers.
For more information, please visit The Mercure website via the link below.
New Ways To Keep Fit
BOKWA Fitness Each month, Mike will explain a new exercice or way to keep fit that's now available in Swindon.
BOKWA Fitness
In short, this is dance & fitness combined!
If you've ever been inspired by Strictly or fancy just losing a few inches after Easter, then this is a fun, easy way to enjoy yourself - and get fit at the same time.
BOKWA Fitness is the new up and coming dance fitness program comprised of cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.
It's tailored for every type of individual to guide and assist with weight loss, and also helps to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
BOKWA Fitness
video intro
Another interesting fact about BOKWA Fitness is that it's the only only fitness programme currently taught with hand sign language, enabling those that are hard-of-hearing to exercise to a routine.
Where can I find BOKWA?
BOKWA classes are currently available on:
Thursday evenings at Greendown school, 7.45 – 8.30pm Saturdays at New College Dance studio, 12.45 – 13.30pm BOKWA Fitness Swindon are also in talks with the council and other agencies to run classes through their facilities.
Fit & Healthy
Neck Pain
Mike catches up with REVOLU+ION Sports Injuries Clinic to talk about neck pain.
We all know it can be a real pain in the neck, and the two causes are normally postural or the result of a sudden twist of the head or wrench of the shoulder.
Normal shoulder posture (when viewed from the side) should have the shoulder aligned directly below the ear. Through prolonged computer work and driving the head will often slump forward into a protracted posture and the shoulders will often drop and slump forward, too.
This posture alone can be painful in itself and can create a dull ache in the region. When you suddenly twist or turn your neck, the already tight tissues are jolted and become swollen and painful.
Symptoms
Pain will normally be felt to one side of the neck, and you may find it difficult to rotate your head in one direction. There can be a grating or crunchy feeling on movement.
Pain can spread to the point of the shoulder and into the shoulder blade, and when very bad can spread to down the arm as far as the elbow and hand. Headaches may also occur.
How to treat
Initial treatments are used to reduce the pain, swelling and muscle spasm. To be totally successful, postural correction must be implemented to prevent re-occurrence. Warmth rather than ice is the treatment of choice to reduce pain.
For more information on neck pain and how to deal with it, visit REVOLU+ION Sports website via the link below.
Exercise of the Month
MILOKIT Suspension Training System
One of my favourite bits of kit! Throw it in your back pack, go for a run and on the way just loop it over a tree branch for more exercises than you can probably get from your local gym.
Best of all, it utilises functional training methods.
It's quite light weight & extremely strong, so it's good enough for use by heavyweight boxers and rugby players.
Check out the video below for examples of some of the exercises that can be performed using this equipment.
MILOKIT Suspension Training System
It's the perfect way to train while you're out and about!
Fitness Club of the Month
Highworth Running Club
It’s also where I started my love of running at the age of 10yrs when I joined the club, then
based at the Highworth Rec & the Highworth FC club house.
Training sessions are for all levels of fitness with a beginners group
session at 6pm and the main group session at 7pm every Wednesday, meeting at the
Vorda Play Group opposite the CO-OP in Highworth.
Forthcoming Club Runs/Events
Monday 16 Apr - there is no track session this week
Wednesday 18 Apr - meeting at Vorda pre-school in Highworth; 6pm for beginners, else
meeting at 7pm
Saturday 21 Apr - meeting 9.30am at the car park just past Esso petrol station on the A346 near Chiseldon;
various routes and distances available
Monday 23 Apr - meeting 6.30pm at the athletics track behind the County Ground (home
of Swindon Town FC); this week it is 484 reps.
For more information on Highworth Running Club, please visit their website via the link below.
Fitness Events this Month
What's on in and around Swindon
Neilson Promotions Fight Night VIII at MECA
Saturday 28 April
They'll be no love lost at MECA on 28 April when Dave 'Bam Bam' Gregory meets Dennis 'The Menace' Jones in the ring on a night of white collar boxing.
The two local fighters top the bill as part of an eight-bout evening organised by Neilson Promotions - and we've got two VIP tickets to give away for the event.
For more information and to enter, just follow the link below
Plus more health & fitness events in April
Sunday 15 April: Abbyfield Duathlon – Call: (01453) 750912
Sunday 22 April: 1Day BOOTCAMP
(Military Fitness session), Mercure Hotel, South Marston – Call 07791 356
482 for more details and to book (
Swindon Web Readers Offer Only £20,
normally £45)
Saturday 28 April: British Open
Octathalon Championships (at Next Generation, Swindon)
Sunday 29 April: Highworth 5mile Race
About Mike Buss
Mike started his fitness career as an Army Physical Training Instructor in the British Army after joining in 1990, since then he's gone on to earn a degree in Sports & Exercise Science and become a personal trainer.
The highlight of his career was working with the British Paralympics Team before international competitions such as the World Championships.
Since moving back to Swindon, Mike has set up his own Personal Training Business, an online Fitness Magazine and become a professional Endurance Athlete.
Each month he will help you get fit, stay trim and look great with the best advice coming out of the Fitness Industry at the moment.
For more information on Mike Buss, please visit his website via the link below.
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