Strength training at home

Although I manage quite a bit of yoga and go for the occasional run (when I "run" out of excuses), I've been thinking about attempting some weight training at home.

This is because I'm aware my body feels weaker than it could be, and having just turned 40, it seems like an opportune time to begin a new resolution.

The website NHS Choices says "To reduce the rate of natural bone loss that occurs from age 35 onwards, aim to do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week". This includes "moderate-resistance weightlifting", or "exercising with resistance bands".

Gym reluctance among women

Large numbers of women are avoiding the gym due to fears of being judged, and hence missing out on its health benefits, according to a new survey.

This feeling is reflected in conversations I've heard among many of my female friends. But the British Heart Foundation, who commissioned the survey, believe this problem can be challenged with positive action, such as their new initiative, the "MyMarathon challenge".



In a sample of 2,000 UK adults, surveyed earlier this year (2016), a third of the women feel intimidated by other fitter or more competitive people. Nearly as many (29%) feel "embarrassed or worried of what people think of me when I exercise".

Health risks at the gym

Having been inspired to run next year's 10k in my home town, my thoughts are turning to my cardiovascular fitness. It's not great. And my opportunities for running are limited to the late evening due to my family. So I've found a late-opening gym nearby, with treadmills. I can manage indoor running as long as I'm listening to music at the same time (fast music, of course).

But what risks may I face at the gym?

Gym fees set to fall - experts

I was really pleased to read this week that gym prices are set to fall over the coming year. Now I've got a few limits to my gym-visiting potential (aka babies), I'm reluctant to pay high monthly fees.

But a new report highlights the reasons why many established gym chains, and new contenders, may be offering their facilities at a reduced cost.

Industry expert Ray Algar, who works for Oxygen Consulting, predicts a sharp rise in "low-cost, high technology self-service gyms" over the course of this year. These new brands will put pressure on existing gyms to alter their service, cut fees, or both.