Where to Find a Personal Trainer in Birmingham

Where to Find a Personal Trainer in Birmingham Find a Personal Trainer in Birmingham ChaptersThe Best Gyms to Find a Physical Fitness ProfessionalLow-Cost Gyms in BirminghamFinding a Personal Trainer OnlineWhere to Find Outdoor WorkoutsThis second-largest city in the UK is known for, among other things, its high profile in sports.Considering we are discussing getting fit, that is an excellent quality to be renown for!However, just like the rest of the country, Brummies are feeling a bit sluggish of late. Could it be because of our city's fabulous food culture?Or is that simply that, in our push to get ahead, we're working too much, relaxing too little and generally neglecting our health in favour of going with the trends: on the computer or social media?Arguably the most important British innovation of the industrialised age, the steam engine, was invented in Birmingham.Have we lost our steam since then?Let Superprof tell you how you can find a personal trainer to rediscover your health and wellness, along with energy reserves you might never have known you have!stat e of the art facility.You might start by consulting with one of their staff who specialises in nutrition. Analysing and modifying your diet  should be the first step toward a fitter, healthier you!Afterwards, you may discuss your fitness goals with one of their physiology experts.This worthy would conduct a fitness assessment, determine where your strengths and weaknesses are, and help you establish your fitness goals.And then, you would have your choice of courses for getting fit:participate in any of their 150 classes, from cycling to Pilates, including yogaswim your way to a toned body in their poolplay a heated court game, such as squash or handball; even basketball!Engage in strength trainingAttend a workshop; fitness and nutrition being just one topic discussed.Each of these fitness activities is overseen, if not led by a fitness trainer. Still, you could go further: engage in resistance training under the watchful guidance of your personal fitness trainer.What is remarkable a bout this gym is that they embrace a pay and go system.While still perfectly entitled to buy a membership in any programme they currently have openings for, you may elect to avail yourself to all of their facilities, exercise programs and personal training sessions on a per-visit basis.Annual membership fees hover around £330, depending on the category you select â€" swim, court games, etc.Pay and go generally runs £240 for sixty classes, with a year expiry.What if you were hoping for a less costly, more one on one approach to your personal training?If you are based in Scotland you can find personal trainers here.Low-Cost Gyms in BirminghamIf you, like so many others seeking coaching, are reluctant to commit your wallet to fitness before your body is fully on board with the idea, you might want to find accredited facilities where contracts are not a prerequisite to working out.Enter PureGym: with 9 facilities scattered in and around Birmingham, you're sure to find one close to hom e or work!Even if you are a shift worker hoping for a workout at 3 AM, this gym may be just the ticket. They are open 24 hours per day!However, if you are looking for one to one assistance from a online personal trainer, or even if you want to Zumba your way to weight loss, you may have to tone up to a more traditional schedule.Their site lists a comprehensive calendar of classes that you may partake of, which includes the name of the fitness instructor who leads it.Among others, you could select from aerobics and toning, how to succeed at weight loss, firming up specific muscle groups such as abs and glutes; you could even join their fitness Bootcamp!Boxing, circuit training, high-intensity workouts: nothing is off the table here!And they even have ladies only classes!If testimonials are anything to go by, PureGym's kit gets the highest rating for the most equipment, followed closely by diversity in training.Personal trainers get high marks as well, for their friendliness, personal ized service and their knowledge of corrective exercise and group exercise.Their most popular membership package runs £10.99 per month, which gives you access to multiple facilities.You could just try them out first. A day pass is only £5.99You may find your perfect fitness specialist online! Source: Pixabay Credit: FirmbeeFinding a Personal Trainer OnlineYou may have no time to run to the gym every day; or perhaps no inclination to. After all, not everyone likes to sweat in public, but we still hold that most everyone has a yearning for fitness and wellness.Considering how much our Council invests in health and fitness initiatives, we can all agree that our body weight and quality of life is of prime concern to them!What alternatives does one have, should public facilities and buying memberships not figure in one's top-rated means of getting fit?Before you go on to say that one could simply start jogging or riding a bike, let us firmly dissuade you from engaging in this or any ty pe of high impact sport without at least one consultation with someone qualified to assess your current physical state.According to some reports, the UK tops the list for the sheer number of  sports injuries in western Europe.Hence it only makes sense to talk with a professional before you lace up your trainers or wriggle into your Sweaty Bettys.You might find your perfect personal trainer online in Glasgow, or an online group fitness instructor in Leeds!Body Transformation: Local and OnlineWhile technically a fitness centre, complete with free weights and kettlebells, rowing machines and medicine balls, this facility is fundamentally a playground for personal fitness trainers to work with their clients.They offer three distinct packages: basic, accelerated, and online. Guess which one is more cost-effective?Their online personal training programme is tailored to the body-conscious individual who has a fair idea of what shape s/he is in, and needs to know how to reach peak fitness w ithin a short time.If you are motivated â€" don't need anyone to drive you to your fitness goals; or even if you do need a bit of motivation, perhaps you could do with twice-weekly phone calls from your personal trainer.Included in their online course is a bespoke nutrition plan and a general outline for training.The best part of this type of workout programme is that it puts you squarely in the driver's seat, making every decision regarding your body sculpting, toning and shaping.It also invests you with the flexibility to set your own work out schedule, as well as your diet!You could have it this hands-off type of guidance for 12 weeks, at a rate of £20 per week.What if you want a more hands-on personal training program?Perhaps join a fitness class? Search online for 'fitness classes near me' now!Superprof Trainers Await YouIf you've been holding out for a certified personal trainer who would come to your home for functional training, or meet you at a public gym for group fitness sessions, any of Superprof's more than 2,000 tutors could do the job!Senior fitness: Check! Postnatal workouts: Check!Superprof fitness specialists can help you design fitness programs to build endurance, improve cardiovascular health, gain muscle mass and burn fat.It all comes down to what you are looking for in a fitness program; a topic your Superprof trainer would be sure to broach directly, upon meeting you for the first time.All of that talking and planning for improving your fitnessmightt cost a thing: most Superprof fitness experts offer their first hour free, exactly for that purpose!You may find a coach for as low as £20, and you can rest assured that each Superprof trainer has full credentials to work with you in-home, at your favourite gym, or even in the great outdoors!We Britons do love our out of doors activity! Doesn't it make good sense to get our fitness on outside, whenever possible?Find a personal trainer in Belfast or Cardiff with Superprof.Outdoor gyms are a fun and easy way to refresh your lifestyle! Source: Pixabay Credit: FramekingsWhere to Find Outdoor WorkoutsBirmingham boasts 571 parks within its green belt, more than any European city.Surely one could find somewhere to get athletic, or just practice fitness training within those green spaces!The answer to that exclamation would be Selly Park.Located just next to Mary's Hospice, this vast expanse of green fairly begs the outdoor fitness enthusiast to discover what it has to offer!Why not see if Manchester has such a one, or maybe you'd like to investigate outdoor exercising facilities in London?This outdoor gym features:leg press machineschest press machinespull down machinesCrossFit machinesrowerstreadmillsThese installations even have fitness trainers whose videos you can download and work out to!It costs nothing to join this outdoor gym or participate in group training â€" which, understandably only takes place when the weather is nice.As we are approaching summer, wouldn't it be a great idea to engage in an exercise program?Perhaps personal training outdoors? Search online for 'personal trainers near me' now!

Musicians Protect Your Most Valuable Asset

Musicians Protect Your Most Valuable Asset Suzy S. Great news music festival season is just around the corner! With SXSW kicking off today, and spring officially on its way (dont forget Daylight Saving Time on Sunday!), music lovers have a lot to look forward to in the next several months. Do you remember the first concert you ever attended?   Theres nothing quite like the thrill of being surrounded by hundreds of fans like yourself, and hearing your favorite band live on stage.   Now imagine that for three or four days straight. And with so many great festivals to choose from, fans all around the U.S. can join in on the fun. So take your pick will you be drinking in the music, art, fashion and films at SXSW? Fending off the April showers at Coachella, or breaking out your cowboy boots for Stagecoach? Throwing up your umbrella for Seattles Sasquatch in May? Whatever makes your toe tap, music festivals are the ultimate experience as a music fan. That being said, its also important to protect your most valuable asset: your ears. As a musician, your ears are important to your craft and your career, so it makes sense to take care of them.   Earplugs may not be the coolest, but you may be thanking yourself in forty years when you still can recognize perfect pitch!   And its important for everyone: not only as a fan in the audience, but when youre performing on stage whether youre in a heavy metal band or a classical orchestra.   Studies have shown that most musicians, after years of exposure, have at least one sign of hearing loss. Read on for a few ideas to consider when it comes to protecting your hearing, as originally published over at Livestrong.com: 1. Earplugs for Musicians Earplugs are a great way to reduce noise and protect against hearing damage. For the musician, though, it gets a bit complicated. If they just needed to block noise, a wad of toilet paper would do. But, the musician needs to reduce noise and still hear the quality of the music. Luckily, theres an earplug for that. Special musicians earplugs reduce the noise but retain the richness of the music. They do this by using unique filters that lower the overall sound level, but still capture the full range of musical notes. Musicians earplugs can be bought in standard, one-size-fits-all models or can be custom made by an audiologist. 2. Drummers Headphones Drummers are a special breed. With unstoppable rhythm, theyre constantly tapping on this or whacking on that. But a drummers ears are also taking a beating. Even in practice. So, a little prevention is in order. Practice headphones can reduce the noise level of drums by over 20 decibels. These headphones are made of a hard outer shell and a soft inner cushion, and they cover the entire ear. While no self-respecting drummer would be caught dead with these on stage, theyre the perfect answer for practice sessions. 3. Musical Mutes You dont have to be a rocker to ruin your hearing. Even classical musicians are at risk, with violins and violas being two of the worst offenders. Violin and viola players usually have hearing loss in their left ears, because they hold the instrument next to that side of their head while they play. But theres help. Devices known as mutes help deaden the vibrations and soften the sounds. These devices usually fit over the bridge of the instrument and are made of metal, rubber or wood. Thoughts, questions or comments?   What other topics would you like to see included in the future?   Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. Photo by Upshaw Imagery.

Why Do Kids with ADHD Struggle with Transitions

Why Do Kids with ADHD Struggle with Transitions For many kids with ADHD the most difficult times of the day are those that happen when they are transitioning from one activity to another. At school, it may be when they are ending an academic period and getting ready to head to art class or to lunch. Or it may be during more subtle transitions, like when they are moving from circle time on the rug to classwork at their desk. At home, challenging transitions come up when a child needs to settle down for homework time after playing video games, or when they need to transition into their bedtime routine. Transitions are so much a part of our daily lives that they arent something we spend much time thinking about. In general, we tend to assume that transitioning between activities is something that is easy for kids, and it should go smoothly most of the time. In reality, transitioning between activities is anything but simple, especially for kids with ADHD. Why? Transitions tap into several cognitive skills simultaneously and these happen to be the very cognitive skills (or executive functioning skills) that are areas of weakness for kids with ADHD. Lets look at the different steps required for successful transitions and the cognitive skills associated with each step. Stopping an activity. Before a child can transition to a new activity they first need to stop the activity theyre doing already. This may seem simple enough, especially if the activity isnt particularly enjoyable. However, for kids with ADHD stopping or inhibiting an ongoing behavior can be very challenging. This is because the same cognitive skills that are used to put on the breaks and stop an impulsive behavior like calling out in class or grabbing something they want out of their friends hands, are the very same skills that they need to use when abruptly stopping an activity. Putting on the breaks more difficult at certain times than at others. Its particularly challenging when a child with ADHD is hyper-focused on an activity, when the activity is something thats particularly rewarding (like screen time), or when the upcoming activity is something they would prefer to avoid (like a writing assignment or bedtime). Starting a new activity. After a child with ADHD has successfully stopped his or her previous activity, he or she is now faced with the task of initiating a new one. This can be something fairly simple, like lining up by the classroom door, or something more complicated, like starting homework. Either way, it requires the child to tap into his or her cognitive skills related to initiating a new activity. For many kids with ADHD particularly those with the inattentive subtype - initiating a new activity can be overwhelming and exhausting. Not surprisingly, the less rewarding the new activity, the harder it is for a kid with ADHD to muster up the mental resources needed to get started on the new task. Following multi-step instructions (quickly). Starting a new activity often involves following multiple steps in a specific order. If the transition isnt routine, these steps can be a lot for a child with ADHD to process - especially if the instructions are presented verbally and very quickly. Why? Most kids with ADHD have weaknesses in either working memory (the ability to hold information in your short- term memory, and then manipulate this information in your mind) or processing speed (the ability to process information quickly). Some kids with ADHD have weaknesses in both areas. As a result, they may not have fully processed the necessary instructions making it nearly impossible for them to transition successfully. Managing a chaotic environment. Transition points are often the most chaotic times of the day. Imagine 25 kids shuffling papers, chatting with their neighbors, racing to their cubbies, grabbing all their things and lining up at the door for lunch. Now imagine trying to block out this noise while you struggle to stop your activity and follow a sequence of steps that youve only half-processed. When you look at from this perspective its easier to see why kids with ADHD literally get lost in the shuffle and struggle to follow through. Coping flexibly with changes in a routine. Not all transitions are planned. Things come up at school and at home that require kids to be flexible and adjust to a new routine on the fly. For kids with ADHD who struggle with cognitive flexibility, quickly wrapping their head around even small changes can be a big challenge. Managing frustration and emotions. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, dealing with transitions requires managing emotions and dealing frustration. Kids may feel upset because they dont want to stop the fun activity that theyve been doing. Or they may feel frustrated because they didnt have enough time to finish everything theyd hoped to accomplish. They may feel overwhelmed by all of the noise and activity in the room or feel a sense of dread about the upcoming activity. Regulating emotions and tolerating frustration are areas of weakness for most kids with ADHD. Compared to other kids their same age, its not uncommon for kids with ADHD to have emotion regulation skills that are about 2 years behind. This means that at times of transition, the expectations placed on a childs emotional capacity may exceed their actual ability level. Understanding the underlying challenges that make it difficult for kids with ADHD to navigate transitions throughout the day is the first step in ultimately making transitions easier for the child (as well as their parents and teachers). In my next post Ill provide concrete steps you can take to provide the support a child with ADHD needs to transition between activities successfully. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Ten Awesome Memory Techniques for Standardized Test Taking

Ten Awesome Memory Techniques for Standardized Test Taking Improving Academic Performance Sometimes test preparation requires memorization. For example, the SAT and GRE require building your vocabulary. Here are some tried and true memory techniques. The Roman Technique This technique involves setting what you want to remember to the layout of something you’re very familiar with, like your childhood home or route to school. So imagine, for example, that you want to remember your to-do list. Say your first item was to telephone the GRE board to set your test appointment. You might visualize your front door opening but having tons of phones blocking the passage way. Say your second thing on your to-do list is to buy paper. You could imagine your hallway with paper in the picture frames instead of the portraits that normally went there. The idea is to walk through your home putting what you want to remember along the route. Because our spatial memory is more long term memory versus short term memory, this helps us organize and remember the data. Study in the Same Place Studies have shown that studying in the same place where you take the test helps memory. We know this isn’t possible for the tests like the GRE and SAT. Luckily, just imagining the place you usually study while taking the test can help you remember the material you were studying. Take Frequent Breaks Researcher has shown that you remember the beginning and end of studying the most, so by taking a break every 20 minutes or so there can be multiple beginnings and ends. Chunking Chunking involves lumping things together when you can. For example, is it easier to remember 3-1-7-2-1-4 or think 3/17 and 2/14- St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day? Practice Retrieving the Memory Recent research has shown people remember things best when they practice retrieving the memory. The retrieval of memory leads to better memorization than focusing on storing the memory. Make the Memory Bizarre It is easier to remember something if you think of something strange. For example, if you want to remember the left anterior descending artery on the heart, you could picture a bunch of young boys (“LAD”s) crawling all around the heart. Use All of Your Senses If you are trying to learn something, bring as many senses into it as you can. How does it look, feel, smell, sound etc.? Focus On What You’re Trying to Learn It takes eight seconds of extreme concentration on average to imprint a memory. Make sure you study somewhere with very little distractions so that you can focus completely on what you are trying to learn. Rhyme Rhyming the information makes it easier to memorize. For example, if you were trying to memorize the definition of alacrity (which is cheerful readiness) you might think: “Someone with alacrity has the capacity to do tasks happily and succeed academically and financially.” Know the Key Points Research has shown that outlining can help a lot with memorization because it boils down the information to key points. It can also be helpful to have an image with the most important points exaggerated or use a different color for the most important points. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

5 Reasons to Not Buy the New iPhone 5

5 Reasons to Not Buy the New iPhone 5 Photo by medithIT via Flickr.com 2)  It’s not an innovative technological upgrade After the presentation for the iPhone 5 was over, many technology journalists scratched their heads, asking, “Is that it?” While the new iPhone is an improvement over past iterations, there is no significant jump in technology. The presentation showed nothing new, groundbreaking, or innovative. There was no Siri or vastly improved camera features. iOS6 isn’t a major upgrade over iOS5. Quadcore processors? Welcome to 2011, Apple. It’s a new phone, but technically, at this point, it’s just playing catch up with Android. 3)  Samsung may be suing Apple While Apple has been busy collecting the billion dollars won in a patent-infringement case against Samsung, it looks like Samsung might be looking to retaliate. Samsung seems to be making the claim that Apple has infringed on their patents concerning 4G LTE technology. What does this mean for the consumer? While we don’t know the full extent of what could happen, it’s certainly possible that the iPhone 5 could be pulled from stores just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. 4)  The design is outdated While the new iPhone is thinner and lighter than its predecessors, it’s still the same old iPhone design. For a company that prides itself so much on ingenuity and balance in design, this is really becoming stale. It’s not a companywide movement; however, just take a look at the constantly evolving iPod Nano line. While the screen size has finally been enlarged, at 4”, it’s still a tiny screen compared to most competitors’ phones. 5)  The iPhone 4S is still a great phone With the release of the iPhone 5, the 4S will likely see a price drop. If you really want an iPhone that bad, it’s probably worth it to just get the 2011 model. It doesn’t have 4G LTE, but it’s got Siri, a great camera, and a rock-solid operating system. The iPhone 5 simply is not a good enough improvement to justify its price.

Reviewing Your Childs Standardised Test Scores

Reviewing Your Child’s Standardised Test Scores Standardised testing occurs at predictable intervals during your child's school journey. These tests provide a snapshot of how much knowledge a student has acquired by a certain point and also how this level of skill and knowledge compares to other students of the same age. This comparison is often further broken down into how your child fares in relation to similarly situated students in his or her own school, school district, and throughout the nation. When reviewing this information you may have many questions about what your child's scores mean in practical terms for your response in the short-term and for your planning in the future. Understanding how the test scores relate to the teaching available to your son or daughter and how your child is responding to the learning environment is crucial for you to best support your child. Purpose of the testing Understanding the reasons for the testing can help you assess your student's performance. The test scores within a school can give you valuable information about the challenges schools face locally and how well they are meeting those challenges. Once you have a grasp of the performance of your student's peers at several different levels, then you have a better feel for how your child's scores compare. You can next look more closely at his or her scores for information about competence and growth. Communicate with teacher and school Schedule a time to discuss your child's test performance with someone who can explain both what the test reveals about your child and what other measures are in place to measure his or her growth. Spend some of that time reviewing your child's score and exploring what it means to school officials. Find out how the teacher and school intends to use the score and whether they are concerned about your child's showing. If your child did well, ask for suggestions to challenge your child to continue the growth. If the score is lower, talk about whether the performance was to be expected given what the school knows about your student and what they have planned to accelerate academic growth. Look at the big picture Ask to see other indicators of your child's progress, which may be hard to translate into a test score. Does your child show growth in the arts or social skills that gives you a more complete idea of how learning is progressing? Is there a gap between the knowledge and skills your child can demonstrate in the classroom and the test results? Problem solve with school officials if the test results are lower than what had been expected given classroom performance. Discuss the school's approach for test preparation and ask if there are things you can be doing at home to improve the score during the next round. Use the scores for good Whether your student scored below, at, or above expectations, use the test and result to improve your child's overall learning experience. Once you have a baseline for your student, keep in mind one of the best indicators going forward is how he or she performs in the future compared to that snapshot. If your child needs help on the next test or in general, seek resources from the school or ELSEWHERE. If your child is already soaring far beyond his or her peers, use this knowledge to enrich both home and school life for continued growth and success.

Why bother with a TEFL certificate

Why bother with a TEFL certificate We get a lot of questions from individuals hoping to head overseas to teach ESL. Some are certified teachers and some are just individuals looking for a new adventure. Some have classroom experience teaching subject-specific material and some have never stepped foot in a classroom. Across this spectrum of potential ESL teachers, we always say the same thing: a TEFL certificate can make a huge difference. Why should this certificate make such a difference, especially for certified teachers who have plenty of in-class experience? Let us explain: Most reputable TEFL certificates are comprised of at least 100 hours of ESL-specific information and teaching tactics to help build a teacher’s confidence while teaching English-language learners overseas. ESL teachers face a set of challenges entirely unique to teaching ESL - you will have to stand in front of a classroom of learners with a completely different L1 (native language). The 100-hour course provides you with some essential tools to handle these challenges accordingly. Look for a TEFL certificate that covers the following information: A brief English grammar refresh Principles of second language acquisition Teaching methods for classrooms with a different L1 Which English language elements are most difficult for learners and appropriate teaching tactics Dos and Don’ts in ESL teaching Correcting student errors appropriately to encourage free-flowing conversation Pronunciation and Phonetics Integrating external content in classroom activities Teaching English isn't as easy as speaking English Speaking English doesn’t automatically make you qualified to teach English to a classroom of eager adult learners with many, many questions. This is a common misconception in the ESL world. You have to be prepared to explain the nuances of the language and the grammatical rules as well. Teaching ESL is still a job, and it can be a very rewarding one. But as with all jobs, it’s important to be qualified and skilled at what you do. Over time, the classroom experience comes, but giving yourself the knowledge to answer your students and provide them with the best English education that you can is some of the legwork you can do before you leave. It will also take the edge off your lesson planning and your question and answer sessions with your students. Certified teachers can benefit from a TEFL certificate too And for certified teachers looking to head overseas to teach at a private international school or in a public school system like ADEC, a TEFL certificate can be just as useful. Most reputable certificates will cover teaching techniques when teaching a classroom of learners with a different L1 - an important difference from in-class teaching experience that you may already have. Teaching students Chemistry in English for the first time will bring about a whole new set of challenges to prepare for. Teach Away has a unique partnership with the University of Toronto, where together we have developed a reputable TEFL certificate. Visit the website to learn more and read about each individual unit and the material covered, as well as supplementary learning material. Go overseas set to prepare your students for a global approach to English. Get TEFL certified!