So you want to do a pull-up? Pull-ups have long been used as a measure of fitness and upper-body strength. From those gruelling middle-school gym tests (remember ParticipAction?) to military training, pull-ups are tough enough to humble even the most dedicated gym...
Go Play Outside! The Awesomeness of Outdoor Exercise
I love gyms. I love the variety of equipment, the communal workout atmosphere, the predictable and familiar environment. Gyms are also guaranteed to get you hot and sweaty when it's 4 degrees and raining on a dark January night. But lately, I've been taking my clients...
4 Ways Pilates Can Improve Your Sex Life
The benefits of Pilates are well-documented: a stronger and more stable core, improved flexibility, and reduced back pain to name a few. But here's a secret we Pilates instructors don't usually share in our classes: practicing Pilates can improve your sex life....
Second-Hand Sophisticated: How To Make Something From (Almost) Nothing
"I love new clothes. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore." Sophie Kinsella, 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' Finding activewear that's unique, stylish and flattering but doesn't break the bank can be tricky. Plenty...
Lifting Weights: What’s Right For Me?
When I was in my early 20s, my friend Jodi announced she was beginning a weight training program. At first I was skeptical. I'd never met any women who lifted weights and I assumed it would make you look bulgy and unfeminine, like the Incredible Hulk. But after a few...
Free Float Giveaway: And The Winner Is…
After a particularly tough workout, I love to go for a float. The combination of weightlessness and muscle-relaxing Magnesium Sulfate soothes my tired body and releases any emotional stress. In fact, the Australian Institute of Sport even considers flotation therapy...
Want To Lose Weight? Why It’s More Than Simply Eating Less
Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking nor outright purchase. -Joseph Pilates If you've ever tried to lose a few pounds, you'll know it can be a real challenge. Why is that? You'd think it would be simple: just eat less and exercise more, right?...
Healthy Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash & Date Pizza
My good friend and fellow foodie Frank brought me a box of fresh dates the other day. They were so delicious I've been inspired to seek out some new and interesting date recipes! Dates are an impressively nutritious fruit. They're rich in fiber, iron, calcium and...
Yoga or Pilates: Which is Better?
As a personal trainer who teaches and practices both Pilates and Yoga, I am often asked which is better. My answer: both disciplines can have amazing effects on your body and mind, although the benefits differ. Yoga Yoga is well-known for its relaxing, meditative...