Recently in Exercise Category

You can do practically anything on the Internet: plan a diet, meet people, get a personalised exercise plan. Not to mention the millions of more, ahem, adult sites featured on the web. However, some genius has decided to create a social networking site based on jogging.

According to the press release, "JoggingBuddy.co.uk the UK's fastest growing Activity Social Networking website for joggers and runners is experiencing a rapid surge in members throughout the UK."
It is a free website which helps joggers find someone in their area to train with, and was launched in October 2008

Tony Piedade, Founder & CEO said " over the last week we have seen an average of 50 new members sign up every day. It's still early days, but the free social network in gathering momentum and rapidly making us one of the leading websites for joggers & Runners in the UK"

Mr Piedade continues " Gym membership is often looked at as a luxury, especially when you consider those that simply like to run on a treadmill, JoggingBuddy offers a great social alternative, meet people, go for a run, motivate each other.. And what's more, its FREE to join."

For more information go to www.joggingbuddy.co.uk

Additional Information:

Website membership 54% Male 46% Female

Age Distribution: 18-25 16%
26-35 38%
36-45 29%
46-55 11%
56+ 5%

· Average member runs 1-3 Miles per training session
· Average 3 times per week

Recently, the nice people at Perth and Kinross Leisure invited me up to Perth Leisure Pool to try out their new, and highly popular exercise machine, the PowerPlates.

From what little I had read about them, all I knew was that you stood on them and it jiggled the fat away. This was how Madonna got her figure (her figure is good, it's her face that's the problem) and Claudia Schiffer, who still looks amazing!!

It turned out to be more involved with that.

All of the instructors at Perth Leisure pool have to be trained to teach people how to use the machine. There are even classes for those too timid to go it alone. For an exercise newbie like myself, it is reassuring to know you are in safe hands.

I was told by my instructor that the point of Powerplates was send vibrations through my muscles, so that they expanded and contracted much more quickly than during normal exercise. This means that half an hour of Powerplates can have more of an effect than half an hour of toning exercises.

And that point was soon hammered home, as the instructor got me onto the machine and squatting (like I was sitting on an invisible chair). Then the machine started, and I had to hold that stance for 30 seconds. This was much more difficult that I'd thought it was going to be, and it showed how unfit I actually am!

Then I had to do a tricep dip, hold my position mid-dip and keep it like that for 30 seconds. I'll admit I fell a couple of times.

The strangest sensation during my Powerplates session was the feeling in different parts of my body. Initially I would get the vibration feeling in one part, then after about 10 or 15 seconds, I would get a secondary feeling in the muscle being targeted by the exercise. And the great thing about Powerplates is that it was so intense, the feeling that it was actually working came soon.

Twenty minutes later and I was onto the cool down, which involved me lying down with my legs on the plate and relaxing which was the best bit. I was weary and slightly sore from the work out. Ten minutes after that I was done, and it felt as though I'd been using weights for hours.

And the deciding factor that Powerplates was a success? The backs of my legs were aching the next morning!

For me, Powerplates were gentle, but it still worked, and I think it will become an important part of my exercise routine.

For more information, go to http://www.liveactive.co.uk