On this weeks episode for Inside Fitness Worx, Jack discusses the differences of FWX and the “corporate” gym, and why you are not just another number here!

As much as exercise hits your body with a barrage of feel-good hormones, it also puts your body in a state of stress. From your gut to your heart, every cell is working hard to maintain all bodily functions while you work out. That’s why it’s so important to get proper nutrition and fuel your body with foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants

1. Water

You already know how important it is to drink enough H2O for replenishing fluids before, during and after a workout. But staying properly hydrated also aids digestion and nutrient absorption. “Hydration is more than just quenching thirst; it means water carries nutrients to the muscles for them to do their work,”.
Best sources: Straight from the tap, or vegetables and fruits

2. Protein

Protein is one of the most essential macronutrients for muscle growth and repair because it’s packed with amino acids that your body does and doesn’t produce. That’s why it’s important to have protein post-workout to restore these muscle-building macronutrients. “Proteins not only helps rebuild and build lean body mass, but they’re also a core part of enzymes and hormones that help communicate with the body to repair itself”.
Best sources: Dairy, lean meats, beans and other legumes, seafood, soy and eggs

3. Calcium

Calcium does more than help build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. The mineral is responsible for triggering muscle contraction. Muscles are comprised of two protein filaments: myosin and actin. When muscle contraction occurs, these filaments slide over each other to convert ATP (adenosine triphosphate), aka the way your body stores and uses energy. The more you exercise, the more ATP your body needs to keep your muscles moving.
Best sources: Yogurt, fortified milk and cereals, cheese, tofu and spinach

4. Magnesium

Feeling more tired than usual? A magnesium deficiency could be to blame. As one of the best de-stressing minerals, magnesium is essential for muscle relaxation and preventing cramps. Together with calcium, magnesium works to help reduce blood pressure and promote better sleep.
Best sources: Leafy greens, beans and other legumes, squash, nuts and seeds and whole grains

5. Glutamine

You might have heard of non-essential (meaning your body can produce it) and essential (meaning your body can’t produce it) amino acids, but there are also conditionally essential amino acids. Your body needs more conditionally essential amino acids, such as glutamine, during intense workouts. “Glutamine helps repair muscle tissue, including the lining of the digestive tract, especially when the body has experienced stress during high-intensity exercise, like weightlifting and HIIT”.. Glutamine is also important for maintaining gut function and boosting the immune system.
Best sources: Chicken, fish, beef, dairy, eggs and spinach, Brussel sprouts and fermented foods

6. Vitamin D

The sunshine vitamin is probably best known for ensuring strong bones, but it’s also critical for strong glutes, biceps and everything in between. “Vitamin D is linked to healthy hormones like testosterone, which helps with muscle maintenance and growth.” A daily dose of D can also improve your mental health and help reduce anxiety. Because not that many foods are rich in vitamin D, some doctors and nutritionists recommend taking a supplement.
Best sources: Fatty fish, like salmon and sardines, fortified yogurt, milk and orange juice, mushrooms and eggs

7. Potassium

Just like calcium and magnesium, potassium is a key electrolyte in muscle contraction. But it’s also essential for carrying other nutrients to your muscles. “Potassium brings water”, along with other nutrients, into muscle cells. They work in opposition to sodium. Potassium helps your kidneys flush out the excess sodium in your body. What’s more: New studies have shown that people who don’t get enough potassium are at higher risk for hypertension and heart disease.
Best sources: Bananas, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, chicken and salmon.

8. Carbohydrates

Contrary to what you might believe, carbs are one of the best building blocks of muscles. “They’re the key nutrient to support muscle growth and repair,”. As the best source of glycogen, carbs help fuel your workouts and rebuild muscles more effectively post-workout. Runners aren’t the only ones who can benefit from carb loading. Everyone from weightlifters to HIIT enthusiasts need to restore glycogen stores after an intense sweat session.
Best sources: Whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans and other legumes

9. B12

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) belongs to a set of eight B vitamins known as the vitamin B complex. But what sets B12 apart is it assists in creating red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin that binds to oxygen. “[Iron] builds red blood cells, which carry oxygen to muscle, and helps metabolize protein and fats for use in muscle building and repair”.
Best sources: Poultry, meat, fish and dairy

10. Iron

If you want to know why Popeye was slamming down cans of spinach, it’s because the leafy green is packed with iron, a mineral that “brings oxygen to muscle tissue”. It also helps regulate metabolism and promotes a healthy immune system. Without enough iron, your red blood cells can’t carry oxygen to your muscles and the tissues that need it.
Best sources: Leafy greens, lean beef, poultry, fish, eggs and fortified whole grains

11. Beta-Alanine

Muscle cramps are one of the most common sleep complaints. The good news: Beta-alanine, a non-essential amino acid, has been shown to help people stave off muscle cramps from doing intense workouts. “Beta-alanine helps produce carnosine, which balances the pH in muscles and fights against lactic acid buildup that leads to fatigue and cramping,” Vitamins C and E can help combat inflammation from excessive exercise. “Vitamin C helps with muscle repair as it supports collagen production, and vitamin E helps remove free radicals produced after a workout.
Best sources: Animal protein and plant-based foods, like asparagus, edamame, seaweed, turnip greens and watercress

Member Shoutout – Henry!! – He is currently on the Shredded in 6 package with FWX Coach Eliot. In 3 weeks he has lost 2 inches off his waist, gained muscle on his arms and has still maintained his weight, with the nutrition and training help Eliot has been giving him.

Full package details here 

Free HIIT Workout – Jack takes you through a range of exercises, to help improve your Fitness Levels and burn a ton of calories this March!

This week on Inside Fitness Worx, Jack moves onto part 2 of his discussion from last week. He chat’s about Unrealistic Expectations and Goal Setting when training or in a gym environment. Enjoy!

We are very pleased to tell you that James (FWX’s Sports Therapist) is now a qualified Rock Tape specialist!! Rock Tape is becoming more and more popular with gym goers and athletes with their training to reduce injury, help pain and delay fatigue. We have put a few points below of the benefits of Rock Tape.

For more information or to book in with James to have a chat please email enquiries@fitness-worx.com

RockTape turns down the volume on pain

More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin and rub it, and suddenly realize you feel better? RockTape on the skin can interfere with painful signals which are directed to the brain.

When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, many of our customers call it “magic” or think that it fixed their injury instantly. In fact, it helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain “volume” that your body hears.

Decompresses an area of swelling and inflammation

When RockTape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.

It delays fatigue

Research has shown that RockTape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue. In rehab, this is very important, not only for the parts of your body that are currently hurting, but also for the surrounding areas as they help to pick up the slack for muscles that are currently not working well.

It normalizes muscle tone

When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. RockTape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.

It distributes physical stress

Unlike conventional taping, which prevents movement – RockTape allows full movement of a taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, RockTape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.

More information about RockTape can be found by clicking here

Here at FWX, we love to see clients selfies and results – Sam’s client Mark has lost a total of 15lbs, down to 4.5% body fat and has lost a massive 3.5 inch off his waist, on the FWX Shredded in 6 programme.

We want to wish Mark well and say WELL DONE on such an awesome achievement!

Click here to view the package Mark was on, and to book a free consultation.

This week on inside Fitness Worx, Jack discusses why he believe’s that weight loss is easy and a lot of people out there, should stop moaning when it comes to dieting! Enjoy 🙂

Team FWX took on the SUPER LEAGUE LIVE WORLDWIDE Power 2 Team competition. They had to find their 3 rep max for Squat, bench & deadlift in 36 minutes. It was tough! Jack is currently 1st in the world, Eliot 2nd, Daniel is 3rd, Matt is 7th and Phoebe is 4th in women’s.

THIS IS THE LEAGUE OF SUPERHUMANS – MEN AND WOMEN WITH SUPERHUMAN FORM AND SUPERHUMAN FUNCTION.

• THIS IS NOT A PHYSIQUE PAGEANT.
• THERE ARE NO POSERS, AND THERE ARE NO JUDGES.
• THE OPINIONS, BIASES, AND PERSONAL INTERPRETATIONS OF OTHER HUMANS ARE NOT ALLOWED
• ONLY REAL ATHLETES AND REAL METRICS.