sports
conditioning
embedded-screen treadmills. With more than one million workout possibilities, this programme offers a personalised workout tailored to the needs of each user, with an on-screen coach – US running coach Kimberley Shah – taking the exerciser through their whole workout. Shah designed and recorded 100
fi ve-minute clips, which cover all levels, abilities and types of workouts. “I give pointers for people to think about while they’re running,” she says. “For example, if they’re on a hill, I tell them to think about where their weight is and suggest some adjustments they could make.” The programmes are designed to help
people progress with their running: users can pick the intensity and Shah appears on the screen, running with them and offering further motivation. “I absolutely believe you can make a
runner out of anyone,” says Shah. “Our bodies were designed to run. I do tell
beginners that the fi rst six weeks aren’t fun, but that if they stick with it, even though it might not feel good at fi rst, they will soon see a huge difference in how they feel and look. “If you look at kids, the way they run
is so beautiful. In comparison, adults can be a mechanical mess. The combination of stress and sedentary jobs limits our ability to move freely, so I try to get them to re-live how it feels to move like they once did. A common problem is weak glutes, which means people don’t follow through on the stride fully. Hill workouts are fantastic for helping with this.”
Feldenkrais: The practice of
assessing how a human skeleton functions in the field of gravity can help with running training
BESPOKE PROGRAMMES AudioFuel, which creates running programmes for use on an MP3 player – with the beat of the music dictating the running pace and a voiceover from a specialist coach offering motivation throughout – has some suggestions on how its product could be customised to provide further help with running training and technique in clubs. The company is currently in talks
with a number of suppliers about incorporating the programmes into
EXPERIENCING THE RUNNING SCHOOL
Emma Matthews, associate publisher, Spa Opportunities
H 62
aving enrolled for the Paris marathon in April, I started to get the jitters about getting an
injury, so was keen to get my running technique checked out. I went to the original Running School in west London.
To start with I was observed, and videoed, running on a treadmill. Watching it back was truly cringeworthy! My assessor, Michael Nicholls, the operations director, paused the video at several points to make comments on my style.
MP3 programmes: Audiofuel can create bespoke audio running
training programmes, as it did for the Triumph campaign
their equipment, but is also open to the opportunity of working with clubs to create bespoke product ranges. For example, AudioFuel worked with personal trainers at No 1 Boot Camp to create ‘Boobcamp’, a 40-minute upper body workout to support the launch of a new range of Triumph sports underwear. “We could collaborate with a club’s
best personal trainers to design programmes and script the coaching,” says AudioFuel CEO Clare Crean.
“The health club could either provide this as a member benefi t, or could charge its members and so create a revenue stream. We suggest giving the programmes to members as a club benefi t and then retailing them to the general public via iTunes, as this has several benefi ts: it reinforces the value to the members, puts the club brand into a new environment and creates a new revenue stream.” As the programmes are delivered
via the internet, they are simple to make and distribute: they could be downloaded via the club website, or
There was a wallchart with about 15 different running
styles on it and I recognised myself as a shuffl er: I don’t lift my feet up far enough, or push off from my toes to power myself forward. On a long distance run this would result in my legs getting fatigued, as I’m relying on the front muscles. Also, I moved my arms from side to side, rather than forward to help power the body. My core isn’t strong either, which resulted in my left hip dropping, so I’ve been doing some work on my abs in the gym to strengthen this area. I felt inspired after the session. I have been experiencing
moments of doubt about the marathon, but this has given me confi dence. I now know that, if I’m going to complete the challenge, I have to take this new way of running on board, I now concentrate on my technique during my practice runs rather than just trying to get from A to B.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital march 2011 © cybertrek 2011
PHOTO:© JACKIE ADKINS 2005 FIRST PERSON
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