Enough of the Jokes… what is the Levity Health Centre actually about? Why has Coastal Bodies become aligned with it and how can it compliment your training and health?

Below we have the thoughts of one of Levity’s Personal Trainers, Benjamin Weale, after he was asked for a short explanation of Levity.

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  “A short article!? Where do I start?”

 In a nutshell, Levity is a one of a kind, truly holistic health centre that encompasses everything from Medicine to Fitness.  It’s a one-stop-shop for health.  I’ve had clients come and have a workout with me, then a massage with one of our therapists, then a consultation with our Medical Doctor / Osteopath.  Sometimes all before 10am.

 The centre is full of practitioners, trainers and therapists that share knowledge and experience and regularly meet to discuss client’s individual cases so that we can provide the most effective results possible in the shortest amount of time. 

 It combines the best of East and West – a tranquil, clean and simple setting that allows clients to feel relaxed and safe while at the same providing the same professionalism that you would expect from a medical centre or physical therapy clinic.

 I personally feel excited going to work knowing that if any of my clients have problems or questions about things that are out of my scope of experience:

 I have a Naturopath who knows more about food than the internet;

• I have a Medical Doctor that can help with any serious conditions;
• I have a Musculoskeletal Specialist that can help with any aches or pains;
• I have a Massage Therapist that has hands of magic;

 And they’re all under the same roof, they care for their clients before their pockets, they all share their knowledge freely and I know that the service they provide is second to none.

 It’s a different place, it’s a novel idea and it works.

Ben.

 So there you have it, Levity in a nutshell. Why not try it for yourself?  Either with a Coastal Bodies Personal Trainer or visit one of Levity’s practitioners and help your body function at its peak. Keep your eyes peeled for our Corporate Group Classes running from Levity enabling you to workout in your lunch hour.

Weights seem to be the man’s domain… not anymore! Women get just as much health benefit from strength training as men; without bulking up, in fact strength training as an essential component of everyone’s exercise routine?

Let’s consider why by busting some common misconceptions:

#1 Women doing weights get bulky muscles

Ever been afraid of bulking up? Or thought weights are only for men? Most women don’t have the genetic potential to build massive muscles because they have 10 – 13 times less of the muscle building hormone, testosterone that men have. Rather weight training gives you toned muscle and reduced fat mass – and isn’t that what we all want – Less fat more tone!

#2 You can’t burn fat in your sleep

Everyone uses energy every minute of the day; those with more muscle mass will burn more calories than those with less muscle mass because they have a higher metabolism. By doing weights you can increase your muscle mass and resting metabolism to burn more calories even while you’re sleeping.

Strength training improves many areas of health including:

-           Joint and muscles function and consequently balance, flexibility, stamina and reduced risk of injury.

-          Increase in bone density and strength; this slows down the detrimental processes that come with age such as muscle loss and osteoporosis.

-          Decreases your risk of developing diabetes

-          Increases your blood level of HDL (good cholesterol)

-          Improves posture

-          Decreases resting blood pressure

-          Energizes and improves your mood

Tips to make your workout effective

-          Increase the weight not the number. That is:  do fewer repetitions with higher weights, gradually overloading the muscle. This will increase strength.

Muscles strengthen when they are overloaded and have to work at a higher intensity; there are 3 ways you can overload:

1. Resistance

2. Repetition

3. Sets

These will vary depending on what type of muscle strength you want. If you want:

• Strength endurance: requires continued contractions over a longer period of time. Therefore use Lower weights and do higher repetitions
• Power: Aim is to achieve fast powerful movements. Doing medium repetitions (6-10) and medium resistance
• Maximum Strength: Aim is to lift maximum loads. Therefore low repetitions (1-5) and maximal weight is required
• Size and Strength: This requires medium to high repetitions with medium to high weights

So that you use the right energy stores rest for 48 hours between weight sessions.