WEARABLE FITNESS TECHNOLOGY

The Right Athletic Clothing Boosts Confidence

The clothing you wear is going to make a difference if you believe it’s going to help you perfom better.

Studies in the field of cognition have shown the positive impact of wearing the right clothes for your workplace. Termed ‘enclothed cognition,’ this phenomenon extends to sports and fitness too.

The boost could be an increase in confidence – if you know you look great – chances are you will act it out too. If you like what you are wearing at the gym, there is a greater chance you will want to exercise.

SOME REASONS WHY WOMEN SHOULD DO RESISTANCE TRAINING

YOU DECREASE YOUR RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Research has found that weight training can increase spinal bone mineral density (and enhance bone modeling) by 13 percent in six months. This, coupled with an adequate amount of dietary calcium, can be a women's best defense against osteoporosis.

YOU WILL GAIN STRENGTH WITHOUT BUILD
Researchers also found that unlike men, women typically don't gain size from strength training, because compared to men, women have 10 to 30 times less of the hormones that cause muscle hypertrophy. You will, however, develop muscle tone and definition. This is a bonus.


YOU WILL LOSE BODY FAT
Studies performed by Wayne Westcott, PhD, from the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Massachusetts, found that the average woman who strength trains two to three times a week for two months will gain nearly two pounds of muscle and will lose 3.5 pounds of fat.



REDUCE YOUR RISK OF INJURY, BACK PAIN & ARTHRITIS
Strength training not only builds stronger muscles, but also builds stronger connective tissues and increases joint stability. This acts as reinforcement for the joints and helps prevent injury.

A recent 12-year study showed that strengthening the low-back muscles had an 80 percent success rate in eliminating or alleviating low-back pain. Other studies have indicated that weight training can ease the pain of osteoarthritis and strengthen joints.

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MOBILITY & STRETCHING IS IMPORTANT TOO

What is mobility? Is it the same as flexibility?
Mobility refers to our ability to move freely without stress on the body. Our flexibility is dependent on the range of motion of our muscles. The two are not the same, but are not mutually exclusive. Good mobility can assist your flexibility and vice versa.

Is mobility more important as we get older?
It’s important to be mobile at any age. The ageing process can take its toll on the body, so it is important that we stay mobile and supple to combat this.

What are the main benefits of mobility training?
Mobility training can improve the range of motion of our joints and muscles. It can assist in improving our posture. Mobility training can alleviate 'everyday' aches and pains as well as improve our body awareness.

Is it ever too late to start mobility training? How soon could you begin to see results?
It is never too late to start mobility training. Your mobility is always something you can improve. In terms of results, this will initially be something you feel rather than see. You might feel a little less stiff after one or two sessions - but the key is to be consistent with your mobility training. Over time you should see an increase in your range of motion and perhaps improvement in your performance in other activities.

Can mobility training be incorporated alongside other forms of training or is it a discipline unto itself?
Mobility training can be used as part of your warm-up for your workout, or you can use it within your training in the form of active rest. The exercises can also be used to recover from other forms of training.