Nov 17, 2015 04:47pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, health, anniversary, exercise classes, Sarah Parker Fitness & thanks

2 min read

10 years!!

Just over 10 years ago I took my one year old daughter to a family event at Reddish Vale Technology College (RVTC). I hadn't really gone back to work at the gym since I'd had her - I'd covered one class and did too much too soon. From then on I didn't really feel like I belonged any more. Plus I wanted to carry on spending time with my girl.

I got chatting to people who worked for the extended schools programme at RVTC. They wanted to offer fitness classes at the school in the evenings. It was …

Nov 17, 2015 04:47pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, health, anniversary, exercise classes, Sarah Parker Fitness & thanks

2 min read

Nov 8, 2015 12:34pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, postnatal, caesarean, childbirth, healing, postnatal exercise, six week check & wound

2 min read

What's with the six week rule?

There's been a few people in my classes recovering from injuries and minor operations recently. Then of course there's the mums who are recovering from childbirth - considered a trauma whatever experience they have had! But despite the range of severity and site of injuries, there seems to be a six week rule - no returning to exercise until after six weeks . What's so special about six weeks?

Stages of Wound Healing

The answer lies in the four stages of wound healing. Tissue is the same no m…

Nov 8, 2015 12:34pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, postnatal, caesarean, childbirth, healing, postnatal exercise, six week check & wound

2 min read

Sep 13, 2015 10:37am

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, postnatal, abdominal exercises & crunches

3 min read

Crunches are a waste of time

I'm always being asked about exercises to flatten the abs so I should explain why I don't do crunches in my classes. One of the main things to bear in mind is the saying that abs are made in the kitchen - it's more about nutrition than anything else. You cannot choose an exercise to reduce fat in a certain area and according to Men's Health Magazine it would take over 22,000 crunches to burn 1lb of fat. And for us women, the stomach is where we mostly accumulate fat. So watching what you eat …

Sep 13, 2015 10:37am

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, postnatal, abdominal exercises & crunches

3 min read

Sep 6, 2015 03:46pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, Pelvic floor, Pilates, postnatal, prenatal, back pain, pelvic girdle pain, PGP & pregnancy

5 min read

A Pain in the Bum - Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP), sometimes known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or SI Joint Pain - can be felt in the back, bum, legs and front of pelvis.

It’s a common problem in pregnancy – 20% of pregnant women get it, although it can be as much as 50%. But remember common does not mean normal - so you don't have to just put up with it! The good news is that it does tend to clear up after pregnancy – only 7-8% women still have a problem postnatally. But how you deal with it in pregnancy wil…

Sep 6, 2015 03:46pm

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, Pelvic floor, Pilates, postnatal, prenatal, back pain, pelvic girdle pain, PGP & pregnancy

5 min read

Aug 30, 2015 11:58am

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, fitness, healthy living & old age

2 min read

Fit For Life? The Benefits of Exercise

It was my birthday last week and I think my subconscious must have been telling me something - the Facebook posts that had been catching my eye were all of elderly exercisers!

It is one of my fitness aims that I will be able to stay healthy and mobile as I age. So these older women have become my new inspiration! And the great thing is - many of them came to exercise in later life because of their health problems. So it's never too late to start!

I know a lot of people, myself included, first turn…

Aug 30, 2015 11:58am

By Sarah Parker

Under exercise, fitness, healthy living & old age

2 min read

Jun 7, 2013 12:47pm

By Sarah Parker

Under postnatal, diastasis, exercise, Pelvic floor & postnatal exercise

5 min read