July 4, 2018
Jumping higher is always a popular goal for a lot of people in the weight room. People go about it by different ways -- plyometrics, leg press, jumping programs like "Air Alert" -- but at the end of the day one of the best ways to increase your vertical leaping ability is with the squat. A back squat (or front squat, or split squat) is about as functional as it gets when it comes to mimicking the pattern of a jump. (Read full entry)
May 22, 2018
Western Staff & Faculty are invited to Get Fit and enjoy a complimentary One-Week Campus Recreation Membership at the Western Student Recreation Centre, available May 28-June 3, 2018. (Read full entry)
May 1, 2018
You waited all year for summer to arrive, dreaming of all the activities you could do if only the weather was nice. But now that warm weather has arrived, the extreme heat and humidity can make it difficult to spend any time outdoors—let alone exercise. While exercising in the heat is generally safe for most people, taking a few extra precautions will help you stay cool and prevent problems associated with the heat. (Read full entry)
April 25, 2018
April 12, 2018
A small disclaimer before we get into the bread and butter of this blog post. TECHNIQUE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Lifting with proper technique will allow you to safely lift the most amount of weight possible. If you need help with your squat, buy a book, search YouTube or ask one of our great trainers at Campus Rec. (Read full entry)
April 2, 2018
The hanging leg raise may be the holy grail of core training. You probably know it: As you hang from a bar, you curl your hips and knees up to your chest. Here's a more in depth look of how to complete this classic move. (Read full entry)
March 12, 2018
The barbell bench press is an upper body pressing drill that builds size and strength in the upper body, specifically in the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Lying flat on a bench allows for improved stability. The exercise allows for the greatest amount of weight to used, which makes it ideal for building strength, size, and power. (Read full entry)
March 5, 2018
We all reach that stage in our exercise lives at some point. It just seems that nothing much extra happens -- no more fat loss or muscle gain. For some it seems like endless progress because of a low fitness starting level; others reach this progress plateau quickly. Click here to find some practical tips to kick-start a stalled fitness engine! (Read full entry)
February 12, 2018
Clearly, setting specific goals is important, but how can you be sure you're on the right track? Setting goals is more than making vague statements like, "I will start working out at the gym". It means creating SMART goals with long-term and short-term objectives. S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Attainable/Achievable, R – Realistic, T – Time-Based. (Read full entry)
March 26, 2018
So you want to get into the gym but aren’t sure where to start. There are many resources out there such as magazines or the web; but you’re a student, the last thing you want to do after a day of reading and school work is more research. Why not let one of our certified personal trainers help you out. (Read full entry)
February 5, 2018
Ever bent over to pick something up? The deadlift trains and corrects all the common lifting mistakes: not lifting with legs, rounded back, poor core stabilization. Deadlifts are a great exercise, but be careful to tailor the weight to the rep range. As with any lift that requires precise technique and lots of stabilization, heavy weights should only be lifted if confidence in your form is at a maximum. (Read full entry)
April 19, 2018
Tis the season – of finals, that is. When you feel like your planner is about to explode with essays, assignments, and tests, you’re often faced with a decision: to exercise, or not to exercise? Academic commitments should be a priority, but students who neglect to exercise are putting more than their waistlines at risk! While exercise is no doubt important for general health and weight management, students often fail to consider the other benefits associated with being active. (Read full entry)
January 29, 2018
This article is for everyone out there who is going to the gym because they want to “lose weight”. While scales are the most mainstream and easiest way to monitor your gym sessions, using a scale is not the most effective way to measure your improvement and can even lead to negative self esteem. As you work out your body composition will start to change, through cardio and strength training, which are both detrimental to your success. (Read full entry)
Squats are a great functional exercise. People frequently bend down and stand back up in their everyday lives. Squats are a great way to increase your ability to climb stairs, jump, or fire up off the toilet. Strong legs are crucial for staying mobile as you get older, and squats are phenomenal for increasing leg strength. They also work out your core which will help you to maintain balance, while also improving the communication between your brain and your muscle groups, which helps prevent falls. (Read full entry)
January 15, 2018
It can be hard starting out a new exercise routine while juggling everything else that is happening in life. Often, exercise becomes a lower priority on our things-to-do list. Starting out is the most difficult part, however; if you stick to a regular exercise regimen, it is easy to see not only the effect on your physical health but also improvements in other areas of life. (Read full entry)
May 15, 2017
Christine Stapleton, a proven leader in athletics at both the university and national sport level, has been announced as Western University's new Director of Sport and Recreation Services. Stapleton comes to Western with more than 30 years of experience in university sports, serving as an administrator, coach, and competing as a student-athlete. (Read full entry)
April 26, 2017
Western Staff & Faculty are invited to 'Get Fit' and enjoy a COMPLIMENTARY one week Campus Recreation Membership at the Western Student Recreation Centre from May 8th to May 14th. (Read full entry)
April 25, 2017
Weekly news and updates about the Western Student Recreation Centre and its programs (Read full entry)
August 16, 2016
Weekly news and updates about the Western Student Recreation Centre and its programs (Read full entry)
August 8, 2016
Weekly news and updates about the Western Student Recreation Centre and its programs (Read full entry)
August 2, 2016
Weekly news and updates about the Western Student Recreation Centre and its programs (Read full entry)
