Wave magazine

Fitness guru Adam Kann says looking good at the gym is not just for show-offs

Back when I used to be an engineer by profession, we had an old saying that I was particularly fond of: “Always use the right tool for the job.” Life has proven this to me over and over again, whether I am getting ready to fly down a piste in Switzerland, stripping down an engine or training for a triathlon. We had another saying too: “A dodgy workman always blames his tools.” In today’s world, these sayings have never been more true!

“I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people struggling to perform a stretch because their non-stretchy combat trousers are on the brink of a major rupture in the groin area”

(more…)

Fitness guru Adam Kann has some valuable advice on how to avoid painful, creaking joints

Joints – what are they and why do they play such an important part in our everyday lives? Well, the simple answer is that without them movement of any kind would be impossible!

Much has been said about joints over the years and there is some controversy over the best ways to maintain good, healthy joints. Today, I hope to make things a whole lot clearer without opening another can of controversial worms.

“We tend to replicate certain movements… This inevitably leads to some joints being used far more frequently than others”

(more…)

Fitness guru Adam Kann on why pushing yourself that little bit further will reap big rewards

Picture this… It’s a Saturday afternoon, the sun is out in full force and you have decided to sacrifice a lovely afternoon on the beach for a workout. You put on your joggers, your iPod is charged and ready for some serious abuse and you hit the road. Ten minutes into your run, you bump into a friend who is out for a stroll…

Photo by Martin Alvarez Espinar

Do you stop and say hi? Most people would. It’s only polite after all, isn’t it? How many times have you been in the gym or on the road and actually accomplished your goal without stopping for a chat or to fumble about with your iPod because you want to hear a different tune?

(more…)

Fitness guru Adam Kann offers some tips on how to keep focused on the big picture

In previous columns we have talked about some of the things one must consider during those crucial first steps towards having a healthy mind, body and soul. By now, we should be actively engaging in some sort of physical activity, with a view to becoming leaner, fitter and building some all- important confidence. Our core training will be giving us the strong foundations required for everyday living, and our flexibility training will allow us to proceed without fear of injury or pain.

“If we were to keep doing the same exercises over and over again, our bodies would very quickly adapt, and stop responding”

So now, I think it’s a good time to stop, take a step back and look at the whole picture. In my experience, this is where we tend to fall into the trap of losing focus. If this happens, we are in danger of ‘going through the motions’, week in week out, and ultimately this leads to a negative outcome. Confused? Well I’ll explain: the human body is designed to adapt to its environment and the physical demands placed upon it. So, if we were to keep going, doing the same exercises over and over again, our bodies would very quickly adapt, and stop responding.

(more…)

Fitness guru Adam Kann gives us some ideas for increasing our energy levels – at all ages

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I picked up a dumbbell and performed my first bicep curl. I remember feeling elated, like a lost child that had finally found a friend. Back in those early days training was very simple. I would keep going until it hurt, and then give it some more. Energy was never an issue. I would beat myself for a couple of hours and within ten minutes of leaving the gym, I was dying for my next workout!

These days, things are very different. Although I am in far better shape now, both physically and mentally, I am no longer a spring chicken and I am sure I do not have the recovery rate that I had when I was 14. It seems old age is chasing me down with ever increasing determination.

“Give your body plenty of TLC and it will respond by performing in ways that defy the laws of the ageing process!”

But, as the old saying goes… ‘the game’s not over till the fat lady sings’, and I am not about to let a little thing like age get in my way! So, what can one do to stay ahead in the energy stakes? Well, many things affect energy levels. Diet, lifestyle and the time of day are possibly the three most significant factors. It is important to know your body. You must be intimately in tune with yourself and look out for those little signs that your body gives you.

Do you feel better working out first thing in the morning or are you still waking up around lunchtime? Maybe your energy levels peak in the evening? Is your occupation a particularly draining one or do you sit at a desk all day storing energy in your cells? If this is the case then maybe evening training is for you.

Does your diet have the right balance of complex carbohydrates, essential fats and protein for your body type? Are you experiencing misleading feelings of tiredness due to a blood sugar crash, because a couple of hours ago you had four jam doughnuts covered in sugar? One will always feel drained following a blood sugar high.

Lifestyle is an important one too. If you abuse your body it will respond by abusing you. Manifestations include feelings of weakness and fragility, also known as a ‘hangover’! Give your body plenty of nutrients, adequate rest and a bit of TLC and it will respond by performing in ways that defy the laws of the ageing process!

Adam Kann is a personal trainer at David Lloyd Health Club, Brighton Marina.
Email him at adamkann@hotmail.com