Getting to the Core of Athlete Performance

Core strength and stability training is performed by most if not all competitive athletes these days. In fact it is one of the few training forms that is effective for all sport disciplines. The core is central to all athletic movement, whether it is generated from the area or passes through it. It is the central part of the body that transfers power. If your core is weak or inflexible then this...Read more

Lift like a Girl – Weightlifting for Women

With the ever increasing popularity of Crossfit, obstacle course racing (Spartan, Warrior Dash and mud runs) and a few great marketing campaigns - check out #liftlikeagirl and This Girl Can - women are heading to their local gym and hitting the weight room more than ever before. Weightlifting is one of the best ways to increase metabolism, build bone density, reduce weight and blood pressure, as...Read more

All About CrossFit – A Beginner’s Guide

In the last decade, CrossFit has become immensely popular across the world with over 12,000 locations and the introduction of the CrossFit Games in 2007. Originally created by American Greg Glassman, CrossFit is a training philosophy centred on functional fitness movements . Functional fitness are types of exercises that are designed to mimic activities or movements that one would encounter in...Read more

Plyometrics – Bridging the Gap between Speed and Strength

Plyometric training (often termed jump training or plyos) is a combination of sport-specific exercises that combine power, speed, and strength in order to enhance performance. While this type of training can work for any athlete, sports that have a lot of stopping, starting, frequent changes in direction, sprinting, and jumping will tend to see the most benefits; soccer, volleyball, basketball,...Read more

Kinesiology Taping – Is it worth the hype?

If you watch sports regularly, you've likely seen the brightly coloured tape that commonly adorns athletic bodies. Of course these colourful patterns aren't just for show, many athletes are using kinesiology tape (KT) primarily to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries or increase performance. First of all, what is it and what does it do? Kinesiology tape is made of a thin, light stretchy...Read more

Feeling the heat? Stay safe this summer with these cool tips!

The hot summer weather is finally settling in and people are heading outdoors for their workouts and enjoying recreational activities with their families. Everyone loves this time of year; there are so many opportunities for physical activity whether it's a relaxing nature walk or an intense game of soccer. When extreme heat hits though, it's a good idea to know the right steps to take in order...Read more

Strength Training Recommendations for Soccer Players

The kickoff for soccer’s FIFA Women's World Cup starts this week with Canada as a proud host. Six cities will be involved in the tournament: Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Soccer is a high intensity game and the athletes competing are in top physical condition, but they don't get that way just by accident. Intense preparation is involved and requires a training...Read more

Staying Fit while Pregnant: Tips for a Safe Workout

For the majority of pregnant women (those without an underlying medical condition), regular physical activity is good for the both mother and baby, physically, mentally and socially. Women should aim to participate in some form of moderate intensity aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you weren’t a very active person before you were pregnant,...Read more

10 Tips for Avoiding Winter Sports Injuries

There are many excellent winter activities for adults and youth to enjoy as a recreational pastime or competitively. Cold temperatures, icy surfaces and high speeds can be a risky business though, so we're sharing some tips for keeping you and your family safe outdoors this holiday season. Wear proper protective equipment such as helmets , goggles and wrist guards. Ensure your equipment has the...Read more

Winter Fitness: Preventing Frostnip, Frostbite and Hypothermia when Training in the Cold

Frostnip, frostbite , and hypothermia are the three primary cold weather injuries athletes are exposed to in winter. All three can affect athletes in different winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, ice skating and a few summer sports as well, such as football, field hockey and baseball. Fortunately, frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia are completely preventable with an...Read more