Fitness | Westminster World

Dec62020 by Words: Lubna bin Zayyad Interviews/Inforgraphics: Emily Latimer Production/Video: Mercy Ajisafe Researcher: Tianning Gao. Sub-editor: Emily FerrierNo Comments

‘All my clients wanted to carry on’ -Why this personal trainer refused to shut her business

Breaking News, Business, Covid-19, economy, Explainers, Fitness, Hunger Strike

Image by Jonathan Borba All non-essential businesses and storefronts were ordered to shut down on November 5 ahead of another month-long lockdown. While most shops obliged – (although reluctantly), a few small business owners continued to operate during restrictions. Lauren Sundre*, 27, is a personal trainer in Liverpool who continued to hold gym sessions despite the regional lockdown. “The main thing that made me continue was the fact that all my clients wanted to carry on. I felt this sense of responsibility to ensure they were able to do so. I felt very strongly of the fact that what I did posed no threat - but actually improved people’s health,” she told Westminster World. As a newly qualified personal trainer Lauren will not receive any financial support from the go

Covid-19: Cyclists boom London as Christmas approaches

Christmas, Covid-19, Fitness, Health, Sport, Transport

Photo Credit: Anjali / Riders crossing road The number of cyclists has doubled in the past few months, according to the data provided by Strava Metro - a fitness app that works with Transport for London. This surge is witnessed after the initial investment of £250m by the UK government during the first wave of Coronavirus to promote recreational activities. Weekends provide a different view on roads in central London as cyclists step out for work, exercise and group activities. Different cycling communities work in several parts of the city including Hyde Park and schemes have surfaced as an aid to these eco-friendly riders. Photo credits: Anjali / Riders at Trafalgar Square London Cycling Campaign (LCC) launched a scheme called Cycle Buddies which aims

Gyms closing open new ways of training

Covid-19, Environment, Explainers, Fitness, Health, Sports

Have you always been a gym addict? Have you started to work out and all of a sudden you felt thrown out of the door? If yes, then you are amongst those whom coronavirus has shifted all of their plans. And sometimes, the most valuable ones. In this quiet room where the Prime Minister and his scientific advisers unfold the new objectives to fight the coronavirus, gyms have been closed since the 5th of November as announced. New ways of staying healthy during this four-week lockdown have immediately been released on social media. Do these training sessions really work ? Are staying at home and being healthy mutually exclusive? Would you need some tips? Keep on reading, Westminster World have got exclusive interviews and…. a fitness expert is here to advise you! Ummar is a gym

How running can help you beat anxiety during lockdown 2.0

Covid-19, Fitness, Health, LifeStyle, London, NHS, Sport, Sports

Photo: Rahul Bamane Looking after mental health and well-being seems more challenging than ever, as the country transit lockdown 2.0 and what seems to be an uncertain winter. Athletes and new scientific research advocate for performing outdoor exercises to ease anxiety and depression. Clive Castillo, Basketball Team Coach of the University of Westminster Dragons Team, referred to sports as a major escape during lockdown. “Mental health is directly proportional to physical health and being outdoors can help one get better. It imbibes positivity and keeps you happy. It is really important that we find ways to be active even in these difficult times and make a difference to your well-being”, he said. https://youtu.be/ndX60oHbv2A Clive Castillo talked to our reporter Rahul

Apr142020 by Juliane SonntagNo Comments

Obesity in childhood

children, Data Journalism, Education, Explainer, Explainers, Fitness, Food, Health, Medical, NHS, Obesity, Sport, youth

The numbers for people who are obese in the UK again saw a record high in 2019; it is the fourth consecutive year that a new national record was set. Around 20 percent of UK's school children aged 8 to 11 are obese, according to the NHS’s National Child Measurement Programme. In other words, every fifth child is severely overweight. This puts the UK on rank 33 out of 191 surveyed countries (Global Obesity Levels). Obesity in childhood increases the risk of obesity in adulthood and can cause serious illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Often, it also triggers mental health issues such as depression or fatigue. Especially now that schools, playgrounds and gyms are closed due to the coronavirus, it is vital to provide a healthy diet and as much

Dec102018 by Surbhi LalNo Comments

Youth participation in #PacketInWalkers Campaign: Promotion or not?

Environment, Explainers, Fitness, Food, London, ReportingWeek2

Crisps company Walkers is under the radar by the youth of UK as their #PacketInWalkers recycling campaign was earlier criticized as a publicity stunt. In defence of the company, Executive Director, David Babbs told The Guardian: “The public will be watching to make sure the new recycling scheme isn’t just a PR stunt.” However, some youngsters criticized the movement for limiting it to just the Walkers brand, while some others also showed scepticism about the effectiveness of the campaign. Why are we only targeting Walkers and not all the other crisp companies who use plastic?! #PacketInWalkers — Leah Benthin (@leahbenthin) September 26, 2018 Don’t really get this protest. Surely not buying their product would make far more sense? — Jon Liversedge (@JLiversedge) September 25, 2018

Dec32017 by Asena DegirmenciNo Comments

Confidence is key: Preparing yourself against terror threats and assault

Fitness, Politics, Terror

Recent terror scares in London and high level of assaults on the streets have resulted in self-defence classes booming with applications. The UK has seen a surge of terrorist attacks in the past year, which has resulted in the British government ranking the threat level as ‘SEVERE,’ according to the government website. There was also an approximation of 12 sex offenders caught in 2017 alone and recent report of a man suspected of 25 counts of attacks on woman and girls in London this past year. In circumstances like this and with threats coming from all angles—politically and personally—the people of London must be confident and know what to do during any act of violence that may come their way. One of the best ways to prepare in any threatening situation is to have knowledge and ski

Zumba: the workout that can help you defy stereotypes

Fitness, Gender, Health, Sport

Alice* is a senior lecturer in a very traditional career. She has been in the academia for ten years now, but since 2015 she is also performing as Zumba instructor. According to several researches and the campaign #ThisGirlCan, Zumba is an excellent exercise for people’s body and mind. Still, Alice does not want to disclose her hobby as she fears being taken less seriously in her work environment. It's Tuesday evening and Alice arrives in London wearing a formal office outfit. She just got off from the train that brings her to the city after a long commute. Alice has to change clothes quickly, she has a Zumba class to teach in half an hour. “It’s always nice to come when you have a Zumba class in the evening”. Alice did her PhD in London, got a full time job and then a position as