A large part of our focus at On the Bench is the treatment of aches, pains and injuries brought on, often, by a particular activity or event.  It's quite common for our clients to come in with a painful back, for example, and cite a step class or a weekend spent gardening as the source of the problem.

I have never run a marathon. The Great South Run and Half Marathon distance has (so far at least) been enough of a challenge for me. But I am in awe of everyone that takes on this massive challenge. Every year, I see people pre- and post-marathon events and have learned a lot from each of them. So here are my top tips for a speedy recovery from your marathon.

Saturday 31st March, 2012 will be a day I remember for the rest of my life because it's the day that I ran across the finish line in the new Olympic Stadium in Stratford, London ahead of the 2012 Games.

The journey began last Autumn when an e-mail arrived from The National Lottery inviting me to enter a ballot to win one of 5,000 places in a 5 mile run around the Olympic Park, finishing on the track. It said the event would be the first to officially cross the Olympic Finish Line. I clicked the link, filled out the entry and promptly forgot all about it.

In less than a week, I will join 4999 other people for the most exciting running event I may ever have the privilege to take part in - the Olympic Park Run! The 5-mile course takes in the sites of the Olympic Park and culminates in the Athletics Stadium, on the running track, in front of 12,000 spectators. To say I'm excited is the understatement of the year.

Armed with their completed homework sheets and tallied scores our band of health revolutionaries arrived at our second meeting eager to find out what all the questionnaires and food diaries had been leading up to.  After a quick totting up of scores each person had a starting point for their journey to better health, they had their metabolic type established for them.  This was just the beginning though (it would have been a really quick meeting otherwise!) as knowing your metabolic type is just the start of discovering the right mix of macronutrients  that fuel you best.

I was planning to write today's blog with a focus on the combined effects of Remedial Massage and Corrective exercise, how they complement each other and why they are such a powerful combination.  But then the sun came out, it's turned into a beautiful warm spring afternoon down here at the wharf, I was reminded of a talk I had with a client last night and plans changed.

We were talking about how things change, plans don't work out as you intended when you first set out along their path.  About how sometimes you arrive at an entirely unforeseen but entirely welcome destination and about changing perceptions of what we want and what we value.  It got me thinking about how lessons and learning will come to you from lots of different sources.  I'm positive that I learn as much from my clients as they do from me and that I am a better teacher for it.  We are I believe the sum total of our experiences.  This chat we had whilst taking a breather from wood chopping meandered a little (what a shocker, for a quiet fella I can talk when I get going!) but essentially the take home message was that enjoying the view as you travel toward your goals can provide life lessons as important as the goal itself so don't be in too great a hurry.

Original huh!?  I know, it's been said a thousand times in a thousand different ways but on a lovely sunny day forgive me this one little indulgence.  I'm off to enjoy a cup of minty tea on the balcony (fire escape steps) looking out over the Solent before circuit training. 

Do something that makes you stop and appreciate the moment today. 

Love and life.

Neil.

I woke up early this morning. I wasn't sure why until I tried to turn over to look at the clock. Back ache. Stomach cramps. And a hayfever fug. Not a good start to my day off.

Last Thursday we launched our Healthy Lifestyle Club at On the Bench HQ in Portchester.  Half a dozen determined souls arrived, not really knowing what to expect from our self proclaimed "Health Revolution", but dead set on ditching the diets and fads in favour of a more sustainable solution to their health concerns.

As part of my New Year's Resolutions, I wanted to replace as many 'toxic' products with organic alternatives. With the press reporting in the past few weeks the link between parabens (used extensively in beauty and skincare products) and breast cancer, and revelations about leading cosmetic companies using lead in their lipsticks it seems a good time to elaborate on my own personal crusade!

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, are currently pregnant or have just had a baby, there are bound to be a whole host of questions that you are looking to answer. Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to do just that!

The big thing in the fitness industry over the last couple of years has been to jump on the “functional fitness” bandwagon. Bootcamp, P90X and Crossfit style workouts have soared in popularity emphasising as they do “big-bang” exercises like Olympic lifts, tyre flips, kettle bells etc, etc. These are all great things, compound lifting, training movements rather than muscles and the integration of core strength are all laudable goals and things I can get behind with just one little caveat: It must be suitable for the intended recipient of the exercise program.

Christmas is just one month away and no doubt your shopping is in full swing. Traipsing around crowded shopping centres and high streets, overloaded with heavy shopping bags can really take its toll on your body and your stress levels! So why not reward yourself with a relaxing back, neck and shoulders massage? It will ease muscle tension, aches and pains and soothe frazzled nerves, the perfect preparation for all the gift wrapping, cooking and entertaining still to come!

On Sunday 30th October, I joined 24,000 other runners for the Great South Run - the World's premier 10 mile road race. This year was my fourth attempt at the course but having had 6 months off through injury, I knew a personal best was unlikely.

Sam and I strive to have a positive impact upon the lives of all our clients.  This is why we teamed up in the first place; to use our complimentary skills to get better long term results for our mutual clients.  It works and we want to do more of it!

To this end we will from now on be offering our fantastic assessment sessions with Neil for half of their usual price to everyone who comes in to see Sam for massage treatments.

An assessment comprises of:  Postural analysis, muscle tension tests and core strength and coordination tests.  We use all of this information to come up with a bespoke flexibility program and provide guidance about what sorts of exercises will help correct the imbalances that are so often at the heart of long term pain.  It forms the foundations of all our training programs and is a uniquely powerful step in your health and fitness goals.

To ask for more information or to arrange an appointment please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us on 12393 233140.