I’ll be at BodyPower expo 2013

Just a quick one to say that I will be at the BodyPower Expo this Friday and Saturday and would love to meet as many existing and future clients, fitness and nutrition businesses, entrepreneurs, editors, commissioning editors, athletes, PRs… and blog readers as possible!

The best way to get in touch is probably via Twitter – I am @thefitwriter. My mobile number is not hard to find, either —>

Hope to see you there!

(Why not read my round-up of
my 2012 BodyPower visit whilst you’re here!)

I’ll be at BodyPower expo 2013 is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: TevaSphere Speed shoes

In this installment of Fitness kit I’ve reviewed this week I’m pleased to tell you about some brand-new shoes from outdoor adventure brand Teva. I’ve had them for a while but was asked to hold back with a review until launch date – which is today. Hot off the press!

A lot of people understand the benefits of more minimalist footwear these days. Barefoot running has had a huge effect on the kit we’ve seen on offer from major brands, and gone are the days when huge big cushioned soles were the order of the day.

The TevaSphere range bridges the gap between minimalist and structured footwear and has been designed specifically for outdoors. The team feel that minimalist footwear and more traditional over-supportive training shoes have shortcomings, and wanted to develop a range which gives outdoor athletes like adventure runners a higher-performing shoe.

The brand collaborated with leading sports science and human performance institute P3 (Peak Performance Project) and the result was the first outdoor cross-trainer offering a spherical heel and pod-based arch support system. The idea is that the spherical heel lowers your point of contact with the ground, for a more natural point of impact and more efficient transition, and the pod-arch system gives you specific support only where it’s needed, to make the shoe supportive but really light.

I don’t do a whole lot of fell running or adventure racing (!) but I do a lot of power walking on varied terrains and I was happy to test the Speed shoe. In fact, I’ve been wearing them for a month or so now. The verdict? They’re very light and feel supportive but definitely allow me to feel more in contact with the ground. Enough support, without too much cushioning. And I did feel that I was able to roll through my foot whilst walking, which often isn’t the case when wearing walking shoes or regular trainers. The shoes dry really quickly and seem to have withstood the worst of the late-Winter weather.

There are three models in the line: the Speed (quick dry materials and lightweight design), Trail eVent® (a breathable waterproof membrane, sturdy design and toe bumper), and Trail Mid eVent® (with extra protection of a mid-cut height).

They are exclusively available from Cotswold Outdoor.

Thanks Teva for letting me try the shoes!

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: TevaSphere Speed shoes is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Where you’ll find my byline this month (Feb 2013)

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a “where you’ll find my byline this month” post – I tend to mention things as and when they’re published, either on my Facebook or by snapping photos of the pages and Instagramming them (<— latest addiction).

But it's good to round things up once in a while, so here – with my journalist hat on – is the Feb/March 2013 edition of "where you'll find my byline". (It's a lot trickier to do the same for my copywriting work, since some clients don’t want the world to know that it’s me, not them, writing their stuff.)

You’ll find my words in the current issue of:

Bodyfit (page 40-41) – an article on the benefits of swimming, including an interview with ex-GB swimmer Karen Pickering

Careers in Sport (page 23-25) – advice from leading Personal Trainers for those looking for a career in the industry

Muscle and Fitness (page 100-108) – an in-depth profile of Figure Pro athlete Nina Simone Ross

Careers in Sport (page 4-5) – an article on why 2013 is the year to get involved in the sport and leisure industries

And – if they’re still available where you are:
- Women’s Walking issue 1 – a real-life profile of walking and weight-loss
- Alpha Fit issue 6 – a run-down of the essential sports supplements you need in your gym bag.

Coming soon (for my Stateside friends)
A book review in The Washington Post (I’ve no idea what page number as it’s not out til Sunday)

Then there’s also the new Muscle and Fitness books – my words are in the sports supplements one, and my photos are in the HIIT one.

Where you’ll find my byline this month is a post from the Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Nicola Joyce writes for Muscle & Fitness books

A nice end to the week (to match the nice beginning!) My work is going to be featured in a book.

With my journalism hat on, I often write for Muscle & Fitness magazine. In fact, if you get the issue which is out at the moment, you’ll see my interview with Bronwyn Taylor – “Britain’s Strongest Schoolgirl”.

So I’m delighted to be able to tell you that my work is going to be featured in one of three books produced by the Muscle & Fitness team: Muscle and Fitness guide to Sports Nutrition.

I’ll actually be in another of the three, but not my words. Remember when I did that photoshoot with Shaun Stafford, to illustrate a strength and conditioning feature I wrote for the magazine? Well, some of the photos from the shoot have been selected for the Muscle and Fitness guide to HIIT!

The three books – “High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)”, “Sports Nutrition”, and “Weight Training Success” are all part of the “Muscle & Fitness Guide to…” series.

I’d love you to pick up a copy of the books, and there are various ways to do so

The first two will be on sale in print in the UK on 10 January 2013 and the third will follow on, going on sale on 14 March 2013. You’ll be able to get all three printed books at WH Smith and Sainsburys, or via Muscle & Fitness’s website.

The app for the digital editions is available in iTunes and Google Play – just type “Muscle and Fitness Books” into the search screen and you’ll see the blue M&F Books App logo (or you can go to it via the link on Muscle & Fitness books). The app is free to download. Once you’ve downloaded it, you’ll see six more icons: a free sample of each book and the full version for sale.

You can even get the three books as e-books, readable on any Windows or Apple desktop/laptop computer and iPad. You can get that version here. They’re encrypted, and you’ll need to download Javelin Reader but it’s all very simple and straightforward (I managed it, so it must be!)

Enjoy!

Nicola Joyce writes for Muscle & Fitness books is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

A few thanks yous: Moving Comfort, Brooks, Adidas, Boobydoo

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I went and did a training session/photoshoot combo for a Muscle & Fitness article I’m writing? Well, I need to do a follow-up post, for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the fitness model who was in the shoot with me (lending an air of glamour, professionalism and… y’know… actually knowing how to model in front of the camera) was a jolly nice chap by the name of Shaun Stafford. Shaun was dieting and training hard at the time of our shoot. He competes as Pro fitness model with the WBFF, and this weekend was the WBFF Worlds – a huge deal for Shaun, the pinnacle of his competitive career. He only went and won! Yes, Shaun is now the World 2012 WBFF Male Fitness Model World Champion and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer (and harder-working) guy. So, first of all I have to say massive congratulations to Shaun at reaching your goal!

Secondly, and the main point of this post, is a series of over-due thank yous. You see, when Muscle & Fitness asked me not only to write the article but be in the photos, too, I panicked. Not least on the topic of outfits. Was I really going to be in a magazine wearing my ratty old mis-matched gym kit, some of which I have honestly had since University (circa 1842)? No. Help! So, I put a few shouts out: to clients (I do copywriting for sport and fitness brands), PRs and anyone who felt moved to help me!

Four generous companies sent me kit, and I owe them a great deal of thanks – and a few reviews!

Moving Comfort
Adidas
Boobdydoo Sports Bras
Brooks running shoes
… thank you. Very much!

Moving Comfort is the the number one bra brand in the USA and I can see why. They sent me a load of stuff, including bras, and they’re all such amazing quality, very soft (but supportive) and great designs. Really top-end stuff. I’ve worn their kit for intervals, for steady state cardio, in the gym, walking the dog and just out and about, it really is that nice.

I think one of my favourite items is this Urban Gym sweatshirt (which has been admired by several of my gym-going girlfriends – and my friend’s 5-week old baby, who snuggled into the open-neck fleecy bit). It’s just lovely, so so soft and perfect for after the gym or just wearing at home. And it’s ever so slightly glittery if you look carefully…

Of the bras Moving Comfort sent, I really like the Rebound racer. That’s if I had to choose, because seriously every single bit of kit they sent me is amazing quality, design and comfort! I love a racerback (for the look and for the freedom of movement) and what I particularly liked about this bra (and a few of the others) was the clever way they adjust: at the front, the shoulder strap passes through the main bra and doubles back on itself, fastening with velcro. So clever and so easy to adjust, and not something I’ve come across before.

Another thing I’ve been wearing a lot is this Urban Gym tee – it’s a bit heavy for hot training sessions but perfect for yoga (if I did yoga that is…), pilates (ditto) or just for wearing out and about. It’s a lovely design.

Brooks running shoes are the sister company to Moving Comfort. They kindly sent me the PureFlow shoes which are a neutral shoe, really comfy and suited for running or gym work. I love these shoes! So very comfortable! I wore them straight out of the box for the shoot and did all sorts of plyos, jumps, hurdle work etc in them and the shoes felt supportive and springy but really lightweight. They also gave me great advice over the phone and got my size spot on (despite me initially insisting I was a size 6). I’d wear them more often but… my two-year old nephew removed one of the insoles without me noticing, so the insole is now in Kent and I am in Berkshire. When I am reunited with the insole, you can bet I’ll be wearing my PureFlows again!

Adidas sent me their Supernova racerbra and Response shorts. I like both but I really love the bra! It’s so flattering, can just about be worn as a crop top and is a lovely design and – being slightly padded – gives a really great shape.

Thanks also to Boobydoo Sports Bras – a great online source for sportsbras (they always give such fantastic advice and service) who sent me a few of the bras they stock to try, including the Sportjock action sportbra which is a simple design but extremely comfortable and plenty supportive enough for anything other than high-impact. I’ve been wearing them a lot in the gym and for cycling/spinning and they’re perfect – lightweight, comfy (and they come in lots of bright colours too!)

A massive heartfelt thank you to Moving Comfort, Adidas, Boobdydoo Sports Bras, Brooks running shoes. Join them on Facebook why don’t you?
Boobydoo on Facebook
Moving Comfort on Facebook
Adidas on Facebook

A few thanks yous: Moving Comfort, Brooks, Adidas, Boobydoo is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: Monkey Nutrition whey isolate Primal26

Hello on this lovely sunny day! Although I am now in the stages of my prep-diet where I’ve taken out protein powders (personal preference and just the way Kat & I do things), today’s Fitness kit I’ve reviewed this week is for a whey isolate.

Bold new brand on the block, Monkey Nutrition, sent me a packet of their vanilla whey isolate (and a shaker) a few weeks ago and I’ve since used it in smoothies, as straight-up shakes and as a blend with other protein powders. I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up! Here’s the review.

Monkey Nutrition’s whey isolate, Primal26 contains only whey protein isolate which has gone through various micro- and ultra-filtration processes. It contains no fat, no sugar and only 1g carbs per serving but will give you 26g protein. It’s the ideal choice of protein powder for directly after training, which is mostly how I used it. I appreciated its macros – as I was between six and four weeks out from comp when I was testing it, so the fact that it is so low carb was very handy and meant I could easily fit it in to my diet plans. You can read about whey isolate vs whey concentrate here on the Monkey Nutrition blog.

Primal26 whey protein isolate comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry – I was sent the vanilla which I was glad of as it’s so versatile. It was very tasty, not too sweet but a nice pleasant vanilla taste which was good by itself and also worked well if I blended it in with another protein powder. I had it a couple of times on really hot days blended up with a load of icecubes and it made a great “bodybuilder icecream” – it’s got xanthan gum in it, which helps it thicken up a little. It’s sweetened with Stevia, which gets a big hoorah from me, as I really prefer not to have Sucralose these days. (Stevia is a zero-cal sweetener derived from a plant, so it’s natural and gentle on the digestion).

Monkey have put a host of useful extras in their whey isolate, including BCAAs and EAAs isoluecine, leucine, valine, arginine, lysine and also glutamine, so it really is a good choice for a post-gym refuel before you can get your next solid meal down you.

Finally, the folk at Monkey Nutrition seem jolly nice and genuinely interested in helping out gym-goers and athletes of all calibres (I sent an email to one of the company’s founders, asking – in a somewhat over-paranoid manner! – to double-check that anything they were intending on sending me was OK for tested athletes. Not only did the big boss email me back very quickly but he contacted the scientist people behind the formulas, in order to double-triple check and put my mind at rest.)

I know it doesn’t really matter who’s behind the brand when you’re chugging back your protein shake as you walk out of the gym, but I do feel it makes a difference if a company is genuinely interested in its customers, show an understanding of the rules and regulations of various sports and seem to care.

Monkey Nutrition whey isolate protein Primal26

Per 30g serving
110 kcals
0g fat
1g carbs (0g sugar)
26g protein
150 mg sodium

They also sent me a shaker bottle and, I’ll admit, my first thought was “oh another bottle, just what I need…” but actually this one is great and it’s my new go-to bottle! There’s just something about the design – it’s slimmer than a lot of other shakers and it’s slightly tapered, too, so it fits really nicely into the side pocket of my kitbag and into the coffee-cup holder in my car. (It’s also got a nifty spiral thing inside to help blend up whatever powders you’ve got in there). And I’ve just gone online to grab the URL and seen it’s only £3.99, which quite honestly is a steal.

I know. I’m easily pleased. ;D

Thanks, Monkey Nutrition people!

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: Monkey Nutrition whey isolate Primal26 is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Joining the Fitness Writers’ Association

Last night, I was at the launch of the Fitness Writers’ Association, a new industry membership group here in the UK which aims to unify the communications arm of the fitness industry, bringing together those of us who write about it and those of them who supply it, lobby for it, train people in it and otherwise contribute to the products, services, ideas, campaigns and trends which make up the sport and fitness industry.

What a great idea! I don’t quite know why nobody’s thought to put something like this together for us before now (similar things exist for the health industry, for example). Three cheers for the lovely Cheryl at Action PR and Fiona at The Running Bug (and a few other hard-working ladies) for coming up with the idea and driving it forward. The result of their efforts was unveiled last night, at the rather swish Dolphin Club in London.

We were treated to canapes and champagne (of which I had none being 7 weeks out from my comp ) before the first of the speakers took to the floor. Fiona and Cheryl introduced the Fitness Writers’ Association, explaining why it had come about, why it’s needed and what it will develop into (events, education, training, contacts, a network of experts us writers can go to for information/ideas/leads/comment, as well as fantastic links with the FIA).

Then we heard from the Dolphin Square Fitness Club, who gave a thought-provoking talk about the legacy the 2012 Games will leave behind… and why it might not have the impact we’d like to think it will. Is the Olympics actually inspiring us to become fitter? Do the Games significantly encourage uptake in sport? What social/cultural shifts do we need to see in Britain to turn us from a nation of spectators (bums on seats) to participators (bums off seats!) The emphasis was on how we, as the writers serving the sport and fitness sector, can help make the legacy of the Games a lasting and positive one.

Then David Stalker, CEO of the Fitness Industry Association, talked about how we absolutely must link this fantastic opportunity – our Olympic Games – with much wider health and fitness goals and programmes in this country. The time is now, he said. We have to get it right. Dave is a passionate speaker and advocate of getting the entire population healthier through activity, exercise and fitness. He and the FIA have strong, respected links with Government, Public Affairs and Policy, huge corporates, the medical industry and the education sector. I have heard him speak in small settings like this many times now and, each time, I feel very honoured: this is a man who has direct links into, and is helping to drive, some of the most important health/wellness/fitness campaigns in Britain and here he is sharing it with us. Thank you David.

Lastly Dr Jess Leitch of Run3D in Oxford talked to us about the latest in high tech gait analysis and how this is helping our Olympic athletes – and those of the future – train, compete and continue on with their sport with as little injury as possible.

Then it was time to chat with the other writers, Editors, freelancers and inhouse people who’d been invited to this inaugural FWA event. I decided I definitely wanted to join – I get asked to join quite a lot of networking things, memberships groups and industry bodies, but the FWA is the only one of its kind and I think it will be very important to our industry.

Thank you to Cheryl and Fiona for organising, to Ruth, Dawn and all the others who helped make the night a success, and to Richard, Mark, David and Jessica for speaking.

You can follow the Fitness Writers’ Association on Facebook and contact join@fitnesswritersassociation.com if you’d like to ask about joining.

Joining the Fitness Writers’ Association is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: USN Protein Delite bar

Fitness kit I’ve reviewed this week - USN’s Protein Delite bar in cookies & cream flavour.

Yesterday was a very big, very heavy (and “extra”) leg workout. (In fact, my coach was moved to blog about it!) So, after back squats and hack squats and split squats and whatnots, I was somewhat hungry. To put it mildly.

How handy, then, that USN had that very day sent me a Protein Delite bar! I’d intended to save it for my next scheduled leg day but this unofficial extra one was every bit as demanding at the normal ones, so I came home and bust out the bar and chowed down.

These bars are whoppers! 76g in weight, big and knobbly, they are – as my friend Heidi might say – “a good handful”. Tasty, too, but then you’d expect that: they are covered in a chocolatey coating. Not the healthiest choice, but if your diet/nutrition approach can accomodate it, a very tasty one! I tried the Cookies & Cream flavour but there’s also a Toffee Almond one (which tips the scales at a super-heavyweight 96g). Here are the stats per 76g bar of the C&C:

315 kcals
30g protein
24g carbs (9g sugars)
11g fat (8g saturated)

The protein content comes mainly from whey isolate, milk isolate, whey concentrate and soy isolate, and sweeteners include maltitol. Potential allergens listed are peanuts, soy, wheat, egg and milk.

Like I said, not the healthiest choice but better than a traditional choccie bar and handy to have in your kit bag for those real “feed me now” moments when you’ve absolutely caned yourself and know your muscles will just suck up anything you eat. Some protein bars can be a bit chalky, dry, chewy or tasteless. Not this one, it really was lovely and very “melt in the mouth”. Happily for my diet coach, USN only sent me one!

Thanks, USN people! You and your big delicious protein bars are very nice!

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: USN Protein Delite bar is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

20 minute cardio

This morning’s cardio session was just 20 minutes long (well, 30 if you count five minutes warm up and five minutes walking on the treadmill after). Want to try it? Here’s how it went down:

What you need
One staircase (sturdy) with area at the top
One kettlebell, two dumbbells (or two kettlebells of the same weight)
A bleepy stop watch (or a friend with a watch)

What you do
60-seconds: running up and down the stairs (careful – mind you if I can do this and not fall on my face then I’m sure you can too)
60-seconds: exercise (see below)

Do this pairing five times (all the exercises), then have a 60-second rest. Then go again.

a) kettlebell swings
b) squats (I did goblet squats)
c) press ups
d) walking lunges (with the two DBs or two KBs)
e) burpees (HATE)

Total work time: 20 minutes.

Done, and done.

Needless to say, because you’re not working for very long, you need to work very hard. Max effort on the runs up the stairs, gently does it (active recovery) on the way down, max effort on all the exercises. Yes, even the burpees, sorry. You can, of course, change the exercises to suit your ability, your needs and your sport. Enjoy!

20 minute cardio is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrobuilder protein powder

This week, I’ve been tasting testing some yummy new protein powder from Optimum Nutrition (ON), and it’s high time I told you about it. So, here’s my latest “fitness kit I’ve tested this week” post.

Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrobuilder (post-training protein powder)

The folk at ON sent me a very generous sample tub of their new Platinum Hydrobuilder protein powder and invited me to trial it. This protein powder is a complex formula, with the protein coming from several sources (fast and slow release) and with extra goodies like creatine and EAAs – everything you need for your post-workout shake. Here’s the blurb:

Platinum Hydrobuilder is an all in one muscle constructor containing 34.5g of protein from multiple protein sources including Hydrolysed Whey Protein, Micellar Casein and Hydrolysed Egg Albumen. It’s enhanced with CreaPep nutrient delivery peptides and 5g of micronised creatine monohydrate. There’s over 13.5 grams of Essential Amino Acids, but only 180 calories per serving. Ideal as a complete post-exercise shake which will help to improve recovery and construct lean muscle.

I have to say, it is truly delicious (I tried the “vanilla bean” flavour, which tastes like custard and smells good enough to elicit a curious remark from The Husband). It also comes in a chocolate flavour. I can’t honestly say whether it’s helped my recovery or muscle-building efforts in just one week but the theory is sound, and it’s certainly good to have a PWO shake with fast and slow release protein, creatine mono and EAAs. This product makes it very quick, easy and convenient to get everything you need into your system as soon as you’ve finished training.

It’s not cheap, but it’s a quality product and does contain added value in the shape of those EAAs and the creatine. And, at the moment, you get free Amino Energy (which I reviewed here) when you order via the ON site.

Oh and I also tried it made into a sort of pudding, just by mixing it with a little hot water and letting it thicken. One word. MORE-ISH!

The ON people also sent me a frankly enormous Platinum Hydrobuilder t-shirt (XXL) – tee hee – along with a very sweet note apologising for the shirt’s voluminous proportions. You know what, it’s actually come in very handy. The Husband is still in a (massive) sling after his shoulder surgery, and has an ongoing need for over-sized t-shirts which can stretch over him, his sling and his bent arm. The Platinum Hydrobuilder tee is being put to great use, so – thank you!

Thanks for the sample, Optimum Nutrition people! You rock.

Fitness kit I’ve tested this week: Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrobuilder protein powder is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.