
Britain's Got Tasteless: Have Talent Shows Gone Too Far?
24/08/10
What were you doing last Saturday night? Out on the town partying hard to ... Read More
What were you doing last Saturday night? Out on the town partying hard to dance the working week away? Enjoying a relaxing meal with good food, good wine, and great friends? Or maybe you were one of the 11 million people who couched themselves in front of the telly for the opening episode of this year’s X Factor.
I’m not blaming you. I’ve done it myself. Last year’s series had me glued to the TV almost every week with my friends, gazing in horrified fascination at those little twerps Jedward jumping about the television screen. My friends and I are musicians; we should know better. But somehow the hypnotic charm of Cowell’s big top spectacle is kind of irresistible, even to those who work on the inside of his dirty industry.
Last week’s launch scooped nearly a 50% share of the night’s television, and only three days after the start of the series headlines are already bursting with news about the show. The huge buzz right now centres around the controversial use of auto-tune on auditioning contestants; internet forums exploded less than 20 minutes into the show as viewers picked up on the odd live auto-tune effect and rushed to the blogs to confirm their suspicions. Has somebody blown a whistle? Pulled the rug out from under the Ringmaster’s feet? Not likely. The effect was so obvious that viewers with no music production experience whatsoever noticed it. Why would Simon Cowell suddenly make the effect (which one ‘whistleblower’ told the Evening Standard had always been used) so obvious when it had never previously been heard? Well one thing’s certain: anyone who might have missed theX Factor launch certainly knows about it now. It’s so ubiquitous it’s even being written about here.
I’m not blaming Cowell, exactly. Everybody knows that X Factor is not about singing. All you need to do is listen to Britney Spears singing minus all the post-production effects usually slathered over her vocal cords to realise that pop is a package relying very little on actual musical talent. But what is so distasteful about X Factor is not that it’s a massive PR stunt, or that it feeds the corporate green-machine more than eating at MacDonalds or shopping at Tesco; it’s that the success of the whole shebacle lies not with talent, competition or audience-participation (Strictly Come Dancing anyone?) but in mockery.
X Factor is 2010′s answer to the Colosseum. Spectators line up in their thousands to watch with eager thirst the humiliation and degradation of auditionees. We sit through the good, the half-decent and the interesting, with occasional pauses to applaud the great, waiting avidly for the next squirmingly awful oddball, high on delusions fed to them by the pre-panel auditioners. We sit on the edge of our seats, eyes lighting up when we see some deluded hopeful walk on with a weird face and charity shop MJ clothes, awaiting with baited breath the look on their face that precise moment their dreams shatter to dust.
I attended one of the London auditions earlier this year in the huge docklands arena. The effect of the judges on the crowd was stunning. Simon strolled out, a stream of make-up artists in his wake, emanating sex appeal like a swaggering Mick Jagger, closely followed by an ice cool Cheryl and chirpy Louie. And then they proceeded to play the game of ‘judging’ the contestants; playing dumb to ham up the confused auditionees, playing strict to damn the mistake-makers, playing lenient and humane to the ‘unexpected’ young talents – as if there were any humanity in parading people’s raw and real emotions in front of millions of watchers. There was one man, an African, who had immigrated recently and communicated with difficulty. He had left his backing CD at home, so proposed to sing unaccompanied a song of his own making. His voice was strong, his song a combination (he explained) of African traditional music and modern Western pop. Cowell, playing confused at the man’s accent, meaning, and music, reduced the poor guy to a silent, humiliated laughing stock. It reminded me irresistibly of a playground bully. But the worst bit was the audience. I expected, and hated, Cowell’s deliberate mocking of the unfortunate; it was the audience’s ready, ruthless, cruel response that took me by surprise. It felt like standing around the gladiator ring shouting for blood.
For myself, I’d like to see Simon get up there and prance about in front of millions. Then maybe when he’s tasted a little humiliation himself he’d be less inclined to dish it out so easily.
Am I being too harsh? Or has X Factor really gone far enough? Let us know in the comments at our blog.

Surf's Up
21/08/10
Did you miss out on hitting the waves this summer? Spent July and August ... Read More
Did you miss out on hitting the waves this summer? Spent July and August sitting crouched behind your desk instead of stretched out on the sand where you’d rather be? Catch up on your Malibu fantasies with this brand new workout designed by the surf kings and queens at Roxy.
It’s called The Roxy Beach Body Workout and it’s designed to get your body surf-tastic and springy. Ever caught yourself checking out those abs on theHome and Away girls? Yeah, me too. Those smoothly toned muscles come from wave-riding, and are exactly what the Roxy workout aim to give you. The workout’s built around the ‘pop-up’ (that’s the bit where you go from lying flat on your board to standing up). Sounds easy right? Not so! It takes a strong core, stable legs, strength, stamina and a LOT of balance. The exercises involved in the Beach Body Workout are designed to create a body fit enough to go from twenty minutes of lying perfectly still to a whirlwind of fast-paced, unpredictable activity at a couple of seconds’ notice. It’s all about reactions, and having a body that can handle all the force Mother Nature and her oceans can throw at it.
Sound like your glass of tipple? Then get yourself to a Virgin Active gym (that’s right, the ones where Beautiful People exercise in ball gowns and tuxedos) and sign up for your taster session.
Or, if you’d rather, buy yourself a VW campervan and head for the Cornish coast. After all, why walk when you can swim?

Pay-as-you-Go Biking: Commuting The Green Way
17/08/10
It’s noon, first day of your new, dream job. You’ve just popped out to ... Read More
It’s noon, first day of your new, dream job. You’ve just popped out to buy your lunchtime panini (humous and watercress) when suddenly your blackberry buzzes in your pocked. It’s your new boss, beeping you for some vital documents from an office ten tube stops away. “What?” you gasp. “But I’ll never make it in time!”
What to do? How can you save your job, your career, your pride? Three weeks ago, nothing. But now, fear not, my friend! Your salvation sits just around the corner, docked in a little row of metal racks with his brothers. Thank goodness for the Barclays Cycle Hire Bicycles!
Yes, the time has come. July 30th the initiative finally launched, amidst a circus of attention and buzz. For those of you who haven’t been party to the news (where have you been? Living under a log?), they’re all part of a brand spanking new initiative launched here in London town by ‘our Boris’. The Barclays Cycle Hire bikes – sponsored, rather unsurprisingly, by Barclays bank – are mayor-owned bicycles docked in about a million spots around central London which anyone can use. It works, currently, via membership: you sign up and get given a key, which you can then use to unlock a bike from its rack, ride to your destination, and dock in the nearest rack (which will be pretty near – take another look at that link of locations). The first thirty minutes of every ride is free, and after that the prices rise – quite steeply – from £1 (for an hour’s use) to £50 (for 24 hours). There is, on top of this, an annual membership fee of £45, plus £3 per key (you can have up to four for family rides).
So how well does this grand scheme of green work? Well, it’s all a bit of an enigma still, really. No one knows quite how it’s going to go down. Most reviewers (such as that nice chap James Cridland) think it works pretty well, with the most frequent complaint being that the basket is too small (but at least it has one) and that it’s pretty heavy (but that’s because it contains a dynamo to work the lights, and everything is packed inside to limit vandalism). There’s no lock to chain it up, but you don’t need one – before you pop into the shops, leave your bike at the nearest dock (they don’t have to go back to the same one) and get another one out for the ride home if you fancy it.
The biggest problem is still that you need to be a member to get one out, but all that will change very shortly when casual hire is made possible. Then all you’ll need is a credit card and off you whizz.
What do you think? An all round success or an accident waiting to happen? Great for the green future or a waste of green dosh? Let us know in the comments over at the Total Fitness Music wordpress blog!

Green Exercise
06/07/10
There’s a lot to be said for the city – like for example buses ... Read More
There’s a lot to be said for the city – like for example buses more frequent than once an hour; cafés that stay open past five o’clock; venues bigger than the village hall showing slightly more professional shows than the annual church pantomime. Yes, there are pluses you will find in the big smoke that I’m sorry to say most hamlets don’t offer. But, in the favour of Mother Nature, a team in the University of Essex is leading the way in discovering the significant benefits of what has become known as ‘green exercise’ – physical activity carried out in the presence of nature.
Physical activity held in green locations across the UK showed participants to be significantly less angry, depressed, confused and tense, and with higher self-esteem. These improvements were not affected by the duration, intensity or type of green exercise activity, which ranged from walking, gardening, fishing and boating to horse-riding, cycling and farming. Researchers also tested 100 subjects exercising on a treadmill whilst viewing a series of rural or urban pleasant or unpleasant pictures, with a blank screen as the control pictures. Those viewing rural pleasant scenes experienced a significant decrease of 8.7% in blood pressure and 10% increase in self-esteem, but all pleasant green scenes – urban and rural – enhanced mood and self-esteem. Unpleasant urban pictures, on the other hand, showed an increase of 3.3% in blood pressure.
A paper published last month shows that as little as 5 minutes will benefit mental health and sense of well-being. Jo Barton, one of the researchers, said, “We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise.”
It can even be used as therapy; a type of social farming known as ‘care farming’ can be used to help those suffering from mild to moderate depression, people with a history of drug abuse, disaffected youth, elderly people and psychiatric patients, as well as those suffering from work-related stress or ill-health arising from obesity.
So, if you’re looking for a way to unwind after a hard stressed day at work in the big smoke, the best way would be a short dose of exercise outside in the green. Any park, garden, backyard will do, just so long as Mother Nature’s snuck herself in there someway. And after a very little stretch of time, the sight of all that green vibrancy will melt away your grey mood and leave a happy, relaxed, merry you instead, ready for the weekend.

New Albums? It Must Be Summer!
22/06/10
Yes! Now is a good time to be British. England are tearing up the ... Read More
Yes! Now is a good time to be British. England are tearing up the South African pitch with their passion and zeal, Rooney is on his third hat trick already, and our boys are dancing into history with the thunderous chants of victory, glory and vuvuzelas in their ears...well, no, all right then. We can't bring everything to rights, but we can bring a little joy into your life this summer. We at Total Fitness Music have been working slavishly behind the scenes (or something) in order to bring you lovely people not one but TWO brand new album releases!
Total Workout Running Vol. 3: Power Run 5k & 10k is a cool 90 minutes of pumping club hits from the likes of Deadmau5, Chris Lake, Robert Gaez and Michael Woods. These tunes are so fresh from the scene they're still spinning, and they are guaranteed to get you running with new energy and motivation. The album splits into two mixes (so really we're giving you three new releases!) geared to either a 5k or a 10k power run. The first, with tunes from Gary Caos, South West Beats, Michael Woods and more, lasts 40 minutes and aims to get you breezing through those 5k. The second features Deadmau5, Nic Fanciulli, Robert Gaez and Mikel Carino, and lasts 50 minutes.
Download your copy in minutes from iTunes or have a look at the full track listing and more info on our here, and be sure to check out the other mixes in our Total Workout Running series here:
As if that weren't enough to get you squealing in your running shoes and shaking those World Cup blues, we've collaborated again with Men's Health magazine to bring you yet another in our hugely popular Playlist series. Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 6: 10k Stamina Mixed By Chicane is a 19-track frenzy of rhythm, melody and motivation, with massive tunes from the likes of Groove Armada, Calvin Harris, William Orbit, Deadmau5 and of course Chicane. Use this album to inject a little pod-given assistance into your workout. Dr Costas Karageorghis, the man behind the research into heartbeat-synced bpm workout mixes, has calculated the exact bpms to get your legs race-ready for a 10k conditioning workout; Gareth Cole, much sought after strength and conditioning coach at the Third Space gym in London, has put together an accompanying non-stop interval workout session that's perfect for summer toning; and trance hero Chicane takes charge of your iPod to ensure you get the right beats.
Take a look at the 'what's new' section on our website for the full track listing, and click below to find the other mixes in the Men's Health series:
Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 1: Aerobic Base mixed by Judge Jules
Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 2: Vo2 Max mixed by Tom Middleton
Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 3: Metabolism Kick mixed by Seamus Haji
Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 4: Endurance Booster mixed by Richard Durand
Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 5: Fat Burning mixed by Erick Morillo
The new mix by Chicane is out July 5th.
So! Whatever the weather this Wimbledon (and doesn't it look like sunshine? Look! Flying pigs!), give your long suffering ear drums a break from those vuvuzelas and freshen them up with a brisk 5 or 10 kilometre run, to the sound of Chicane, Deadmau5 and the rest of all those final fellas above. And don't say we never give you nothing!

TFM Ferdinand Football Playlist
08/06/10
All eyes up until very recently were on England captain Rio Ferdinand - all ... Read More
All eyes up until very recently were on England captain Rio Ferdinand - all hopes pinned on him leading England to World Cup victory. We're just as devastated as he is at his knee injury and him missing out on the tournament, especially as the defender's a well-known music junkie. Fellow Manchester United team mate Michael Carrick admitted to NME magazine recently that Ferdinand often takes control of the changing room stereo before matches. So, in commiseration with all the other England fans out there, Capello and the boys, and Ferdinand himself, we've put together a suggested playlist based on the football star's known favourite artists - Drake, Tinchy Stryder, Wiley, Kano, Duran Duran, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and old reggae. Cheer yourself up with these tunes as the TFM Ferdinand Playlist:
Duran Duran - 'Rio'
Tinchy Stryder - 'Number One'
Bob Marley & The Wailers - 'Three Little Birds'
Soulja Boy feat. Drake - 'Play Ball'
Chase & Status feat. Kano - 'Against All Odds'
Wiley - 'Wearing My Rolex'
Snoop Dogg - 'Signs'
Eminem & Dr Dre - 'My Name Is'
Bob Marley & The Wailers - 'Punky Reggae Party'

New Men's Health Playlist Mixed by Chicane!
03/06/10
Summer – time for hot tunes and even hotter bodies. We’re helping you get ... Read More
Summer – time for hot tunes and even hotter bodies. We’re helping you get both with our latest release, Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 6: 10k Conditioning, mixed by the indomitable Chicane. The songwriter/producer has worked with the likes of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Adam Young (of the smash hit ‘Fireflies’), and William Orbit and BT in this year alone, and his previous list of collaborators reads like a celebrity A list: Bryan Adams, Tom Jones and Cher are among them.
In 2006 he had a massive hit collaborating with that infamous Welshman, Mr Tom Jones, with ‘Stoned In Love’. This year sees him release a new studio album entitled ‘Giants’, so you’ll be able to squeeze plenty of his tunes on your iPod what with that and the Men’s Health-Total Fitness Music release. Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 6: 10k Conditioning is released on July 5th 2010, and is available with the August issue of Men’s Health. Check out our existing Men’s Health Playlists, available for download from iTunes:
Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 1 – Mixed by Judge Jules
Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 2: VO2 Max – Mixed by Tom Middleton
Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 3: Metabolism Kick – Mixed by Seamus Haji
Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 4: Endurance Booster – Mixed by Richard Durand
Men’s Health Playlist Vol. 5: Fat Burning – Mixed by Erick Morillo

Aiming High: Altitude Training
27/05/10
Ahh, the dizzy heights of fame and victory – that’s what most of us ... Read More
Ahh, the dizzy heights of fame and victory – that’s what most of us in Britain are hoping for our World Cup Squad this summer. For Fabio Capello and his boys however, their preoccupation right now will be lying more with the dizzy heights of the South African football stadiums.
6 out of the 10 World Cup stadiums are situated over 1100 m above sea level, with the highest, in Johannesburg, reaching 5749 ft. This makes a striking difference from the soaring heights of West Brom’s 551 ft stadium, the highest in Britain. Higher altitudes make a vast deal of difference in performance, both mental and physical, so it’s no surprise that Capello jetted his provisional squad out to the Austrian mountains last Monday for some high altitude training. So just what are the effects of exercising in higher altitudes, and how can they be met by athletes?
To put it simply, aerobic exercise becomes harder the higher you climb because the air is getting thinner. A common belief is that air at altitude contains less oxygen, but this is not actually the case; the difference is actually a lack of atmospheric pressure. Air contains an oxygen percentage of 20.9% at every height, but due to a lack of pressure at heights, it takes more effort to take in that percentage. This results in an increase in speed of respiratory and heart rates to compensate, which expends more energy. In other words, when you exercise at altitude, you’re using more energy to get the same result.
Another effect of altitude results in lack of focus and slower reaction times, which can also affect performance. The British and Irish Lions recently completed a tour of South Africa; Ronan O’Gara explained the effects of altitude as follows: “The mind was telling me one thing, but the body wouldn’t get into position to do it."
Altitude training can help athletes of all levels gain an extra edge. Check out our altitude advice over in Training Tips!

All Time Low Storm The UK
11/05/10
Flaming hot pop-punk band All Time Low, already a big hit in their native ... Read More
Flaming hot pop-punk band All Time Low, already a big hit in their native stateside, seem to have lit a spark across the pond in the UK this past month. Their debut UK single, 'Lost In Stereo' reached no. 3 in the UK Rock Chart, and is still sitting there in the top ten after 10 weeks in the chart. Everyone's talking about the Baltimore band, from their dark, guitar-heavy tunes to their cheeky American grins to their sweat-drenched, frenzied live shows.
This June they're hitting the road with a 29 date tour of the US before crash landing at the UK festival scene, so you can catch them live on your home turf if you're quick with the tickets. This summer they play Reading and Leeds with classic punk-pop gods Blink 182, Cypress Hill and Paramore - or if you're hungry for some more All Time Low tunes, check out our latest album, Runner's World: Rock 'N' Run, which has their massive track, 'Let It Roll', not featured on their most recent album 'Nothing Personal'.

The World's Fastest Leprechaun & Team Caterpillar
27/04/10
If you happened to be perched on a London Underground tube last Sunday at ... Read More
If you happened to be perched on a London Underground tube last Sunday at around four o'clock, you might have noticed the train was a little cramped; perhaps also (dare we say it?) a little smelly. And you might have noted that most of the seats and aisles were occupied by an unusual number of sweaty, exhausted looking bodies, wearing bright red Virgin t-shirts and clutching bright red Virgin bags. Yes, as you all know, Sunday was the 30th London marathon, the third hottest marathon since records began in 1981, and a gruelling victory for 29,999 competitors (Gordon Ramsey dropped out on mile 20). For those who missed it, here is the Total Fitness Music Marathon Round Up:
The Highs: Liliya Shobukhova became the first Russian woman to win, with a time of 2 hours and 22 minutes exactly. Princess Beatrice became the first royal ever to run the London Marathon.
The Lows: British hope Mara Yamauchi pulled up a miserable tenth, with a time of 2:26:16, four minutes behind first place. Infamous British chef Gordon Ramsey dropped out altogether, complaining of cramp; his wife, however, finished.
The Weird: Team Caterpillar, a 34-strong team of celebrities nutters who roped themselves together with bungee rope in attempt to break the world record for the number of people to finish a marathon tied together (yes, of course there's a record for that), finished the race in 5 hrs 13 mins. The team included Princess Beatrice, her boyfriend Dave Clarke, and Richard Branson's children Holly and Sam. Branson himself finished 11 minutes before his kids, a more than impressive feat considering he is 60 years old and this was his first marathon. He twinkled past the 20 mile mark wearing a pair of fairy wings, waving and smiling. Other official press office stats: The fastest leprechaun was Ben Afforselles from Kent and the fastest runner dressed as a baby was Tony Audenshaw from Emmerdale.
Are you the marathon type? Get in training for your next long race with our stamina-building new release with Runner's World: Rock N Run. With guitar-driven tunes from the likes of Kasabian, All Time Low and Funeral For A Friend, the album is sequenced to guide you through your run from the first two warm-up tracks to three high peaks. Check it out now at our store.

Kenyans Airlifted To London Marathon
20/04/10
There's not a lot by now that the Icelandic volcano which erupted last Wednesday ... Read More
There's not a lot by now that the Icelandic volcano which erupted last Wednesday hasn't interfered with. Airports across twenty countries have shut down for the past six days solid, leaving an estimated 100,000 Britons stranded across the world, and thousands more from other European states. Now the volcano - which began spurting out another cloud of ash across Britain yesterday - is interfering with the London Marathon.
Travellers from across the world are searching for ways to cross the channel which don't involve flights. Not all of them have been successful. Last year's winner, Kenyan Olympic gold medallist Sammy Wanjiru, is travelling to Nairobi to be airlifted to Spain, before trying to catch a flight to London. He is concerned a longer journey involving trains and cars would negatively affect his countrymen and his performance.
"I think travelling by road or train from Spain to London may be too long for us," said Wanjiru. "Fatigue may affect us during the race and my agent has indicated to me that another jet will pick us in Spain."
Last year's second place, Mara Yamauchi, has even further to travel as she is based in Japan. She has driven a hire car from Madrid and will cross the channel via the channel tunnel from Paris. Defending women's champion Irina Mikitenko will travel via rail from her home in central Germany.
Experts who have analysed the volcanic ash have said the fine layer which coats London should not negatively affect runners' breathing.

26 Miles of Madness
13/04/10
With less than two weeks to go until the 2010 London Marathon, which this ... Read More
With less than two weeks to go until the 2010 London Marathon, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, we thought we'd take a look back at the highs, the lows, the fast, the fun and the downright bizarre...
1978: It all began here, born, as all great British ideas are, in a pub. Relaxing over pints of bitter, runners from the Raneleigh Harriers club in Richmond chatted about their experiences running the New York marathon, with all the intensity and joy of running in a buzz of energy and anticipation, surrounded by thousands of spectators. Listening to the tales were olympic medallists John Disley and Chris Brasher. They started dreaming of a race like the one they heard of in Great Britain, set in and around their historic capital. Their idea quickly caught favour and so began preparations for what is now one of the most famous races in the world...
1981: The first race was held on 29th March, 1981. An unprecedented 20,000 people applied to take part, and of them, 6747 runners were chosen. They were joined by thousands of spectators along the course, with thousands more watching eagerly via their television sets. It was such an instant success that the following year, the number of entrant applications more than quadrupled!
1982: Hugh Jones claims the first British male win. We managed to hold first place for three more years, but lost it in 1986 to Japan and have only won twice since. Women, on the other hand, have done slightly better, with Joyce Smith taking the first two golds in '81 and '82 (this was a good year for us!), and of course, Paula Radcliffe taking 2002 and 2003, breaking the World Marathon Record in 2003.
1995: A group of 42 men self-dubbed 'The Ever Presents' were awarded a commemorative medal and sweatshirts acknowledging their achievement in taking part in every single London Marathon ever held. The 42, now whittled down to 12, are still competing, this year marking their 30th consecutive marathon.
2002: Englishman (or madman, no one's quite sure) Lloyd Scott clunked his way into the history books in 2002 by completing the London Marathon in a 110 lb deep sea diving suit, in a record-breaking slowest ever time of 6 days.
2003: Former boxer Michael Watson finished the race on 19th April, six days after it began, having been told he would never walk again following a fight with Chris Eubank. He became a national hero.
2010: The 30th London Marathon is held, on 25th April! Who knows what crazies, what heros, what heartbreaks are in store this year? We will wait and see...

Jade Goody Commemorative Race
03/04/10
Race For Life have announced the launch of a new event to be held ... Read More
Race For Life have announced the launch of a new event to be held in June in memory of reality TV star Jade Goody. The event has been organised by Goody's four bridesmaids to coincide with what would have been her 29th birthday. Goody died in March last year after battling cervical cancer. In her final months she used her celebrity to raise awareness.
Jennifer Smith, one of Jade's best friends and bridesmaids, said: "It's been a year since Jade died and we all miss her every day. We know that Jade's cancer battle raised awareness of cervical cancer, especially among younger women, and we're eager to ensure that more people are educated on the signs, symptoms and risks of cancer.
"Cancer Research UK's Race for Life series raises around £60m a year for vital research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. We are honoured to launch this Race for Life Basildon event in memory of Jade."
The race will take place in Basildon on Sunday June 6th at 17.30. The official Race For Life albums with Lucy Wyndham-Read are available from the links below, and 10% of net profit goes to cancer research.
RACE FOR LIFE BEGINNER'S WALKING ALBUM

Ellie Goulding Teams Up With Nike
31/03/10
UK chart topper Ellie Goulding has teamed up with international sports mega-brand Nike for ... Read More
UK chart topper Ellie Goulding has teamed up with international sports mega-brand Nike for a series of promotional videos. Goulding, herself a keen runner, will take part in seven runs across the country, where she will be joined by a small series of fans chosen from the Nike online community.
Goulding’s debut album, ‘Lights’, hit number one in the UK charts this month, and her single ‘Starry Eyed’, which peaked at #4, will be released again later in the year as part of the campaign. The second release will be a remix, specially designed to run to.
The fact that major labels are starting to take an interest in making music to run to just goes to show that the industry is starting to take notice that there is a hardcore of people who are both runners and music fans, who like to listen to a wide range of good music while working out.
All seven runs are taking place in cities and towns across the United Kingdom, where Goulding is currently touring, and the footage will be posted on the singer’s facebook page and website.

Sport Relief Goes With A Bang
23/03/10
Are you a fan of Sport Relief? Even if you’re not big on charity ... Read More
Are you a fan of Sport Relief? Even if you’re not big on charity fests, you’d have been hard pushed not to enjoy the BBC’s annual Sport Relief extravaganza last week. Guest spots from David Walliams, Gavin & Stacey’s Smithy, and marathon-running Eddie Izzard brought on the belly laughs, and celebrity spots from Alan Shearer, Robbie Williams (who sang the official Sport Relief single, ‘Morning Sun’) and Kelly Holmes brought smiles to faces.
But the best part of the evening, as ever, was the inspirational stories told by dozens of ordinary Sport Relief participants. This year The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley raised a staggering £1,321,623 with her challenge, in which she water skied across the channel. Former England rugby union captain Lawrence Dallaglio raised a further £926,127 with his impressive Cycle Slam, and infamous Eddie Izzard, £1,152,510.
The overall total for Sport Relief so far is £31,622,091. Were you one of the thousands taking part? Did you enjoy the night on BBC?

West Ham vs The World: The Future Of The Olympic Stadium
18/03/10
What do you do with a 80,000 capacity Olympic stadium in East London which ... Read More
What do you do with a 80,000 capacity Olympic stadium in East London which features 55,000 demountable seats? Sell it to a football club, of course.
But despite West Ham’s growing interest in buying the stadium, there is a good deal of resistance from athletes, sport addicts and not least from Olympic officials themselves. London 2012 Chairman and ex-track world record breaker Sebastian Coe has insisted more than once that West Ham will have to look elsewhere: “It’s non-negotiable that this is a track and field facility and the president of the IAAF knows that,” insisted Coe.
Now Kelly Sotherton has also waded into the fray, calling West Ham’s bid ‘out of order’.
“We don’t have a national athletics stadium and we need one,” said the Olympic and world heptathlon bronze medalist. “We lost our last big stadium to Manchester City in 2002 after a great Commonwealth Games and the fear is now that we’ll lose another one to football. I’m a massive fan of football and a big Arsenal fan, but at the end of the day it’s our stadium and I think the legacy is to enable us to stage future world and commonwealth championships – who knows, maybe another Olympics. To have an Olympic stadium turned into a football stadium by a club struggling near the foot of the Premier League, it’s out of order. The legacy should be athletics. It’s out of order that football think they can just come and have it.”
Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold remain confident, however, that the stadium will end up in their hands. Gold believes the deterioration of the specialist athletics track at Crystal Palace provides an example that an athletics stadium in itself is unsustainable.
Many other high profile figures have come out against the move, however, including ex-Mayer of London Ken Livingstone, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and UK Athletics Chairman Ed Warner.

Jackson Estate Agrees Biggest Record Deal In History
16/03/10
He was one of the most influential musicians of all time in popular music, ... Read More
He was one of the most influential musicians of all time in popular music, and one of the few legendary artists awarded the title ‘king’, up there with Elvis. Following his death nine months ago (can it really be that long?), Michael Jackson has sold 31 million albums – an unprecedented and frankly amazing feat in today’s music industry where album sales continue to plummet by drastic degrees. Now, his estate have agreed a deal with Sony Music (who have made a significant amount those 31 million copies already) which blows every other massive music deal out of the water. Remember the fuss everybody made back in 2002 when EMI signed a contract with Robbie Williams for £80 million? Yeah. Not even in the same stratosphere.
For over a whopping $200 million (that’s £133 million), Sony have secured the rights to release a further ten albums over seven years. Sources say one of these albums will be the soundtrack to the hit film ‘This Is It’ which contained footage from rehearsals for Jackson’s sell-out UK comeback tour. Other albums will feature the dozens of new tracks Jackson left behind him when he died, as well as revamped old ones.
“During his life Michael’s contracts set the standard for the industry,” said John Branca, co-administrator of the Jackson estate. “This agreement with Sony demonstrates the lasting power of Michael’s music by exceeding all previous industry benchmarks.”
Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music’s Columbia/Epic Label Group, added, “We’re dedicated to protecting this icon’s legacy and thrilled that we can continue to bring his music to the world for the foreseeable future.”
The record deal should go a long way to paying off Jackson’s debts, which are estimated at $400 million (£264 million).

Gold For Britain At The World Indoor Championships
15/03/10
The British delegation left the World Indoor Championships at Doha yesterday with smiles on ... Read More
The British delegation left the World Indoor Championships at Doha yesterday with smiles on their faces and a satisfying collection of medals in their combined pocket. It was most definitely a good weekend for Britain, as Jessica Ennis and Dwain Chambers took gold in their respective disciplines, and Jenny Meadows took a respectable silver in the 800 m. She was pipped to the post by Russian Mariya Savinova, but set a new British record of 1 minute, 58.43 seconds. A further unexpected medal was gained by the British Men’s 4×400 m relay team, who won bronze.
Ennis was 86 points clear of Nataliya Dobrynska, the Olympic champion, and broke the legendary Carolina Klüft’s championship record. She missed the 800 m world record, set by Irina Belova in 1982, by a mere four seconds, impressive considering the Russian world record holder failed a drug test a year later. Ennis is now the World Indoor Pentathlon Champion and World Heptathlon Champion.
For Chambers, it was an important gold to win; the 60 m indoor gold marks his first world title since his return from drug suspension in 2003. “I’m very happy with the win as it was one of my main goals ahead of the European championships in Barcelona, which is my main objective this year,” Chambers said. “I still have to concentrate on my 100m performance to become the fastest man in Europe. Now I will enjoy this moment for a while and continue to work hard.”

Race For Life Walking Workout Album Launched Today!
09/03/10
Thinking of joining the 730,000 women taking part in Race For Life this year? ... Read More
Thinking of joining the 730,000 women taking part in Race For Life this year? Then get yourself in peak physical condition with the official 5k Race For Life Walking Workout album. Race For Life have teamed up with Total Fitness Music and top fitness consultant Lucy Wyndham-Read to create a digital music fitness package to inspire and help train participants, downloaded straight to your iPod for ease of access.
The album contains thirteen top tracks handpicked for their motivational value, inspiring energy and feel-good factor. The album also contains a 6-week specially designed training plan, carefully crafted by Lucy Wyndham-Read, author of ‘The No-Gym Workout’ and ‘The Unfit Mother’. Lucy has put together an easy-to-follow workout plan to take you from out-of-breath to fit and free, making your Race For Life pleasure instead of pain. The plan gently works up from 12 minute walking sessions to longer 25 minute workouts, helping you to your physical peak for the day itself.
The album contains classic tracks ‘I’m Every Woman’, ‘Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves’ and modern hits Scouting For Girls’ ‘She’s So Lovely’ and Calvin Harris’s ‘I’m Not Alone’.
“I have carefully selected 13 tracks that are all motivational and inspiring to help to keep listeners energised throughout each of their workouts,” explains Lucy. “The benefit of working out to music is that it emulates the pattern of physical performance, which means music can improve your walking technique and make your workout more efficient.”
10% of net profit goes to Cancer Research. Preview and buy the album here.

Idowu Withdraws From World Indoor Championships
07/03/10
World Triple Jump Champion Phillips Idowu has withdrawn from the IAAF World Indoor Championships ... Read More
World Triple Jump Champion Phillips Idowu has withdrawn from the IAAF World Indoor Championships held in Doha this weekend. Idowu, 31, is Britain’s only reigning world indoor champion and his withdrawal comes as a disappointment to the many British fans who had hoped for podium success. The announcement came following the birth of his second child last week, which Idowu cites as his main reason for not competing: “I am gutted not to be representing the Aviva GB Team in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my title. However, the late arrival of my baby boy has meant my training has been severely disrupted and I decided after talking with my coach that I’d not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud.”
Idowu took gold in the 2008 World Indoor Championships with a record-breaking jump of 17.75 m, breaking the British and Commonwealth Indoor record previously set by Jonathan Edwards. At Berlin last August he set a personal outdoor best of 17.73 m. This season, however, he has so far failed to perform at his best: February’s UK Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham saw him set a season’s best of only 17.25 m, enough to gain him fourth place but no medal.
UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said he was disappointed at Idowu’s decision to withdraw: “I am disappointed Phillips is not competing as he was a clear medal prospect, but I need to respect his decision and I look forward to him resuming winning ways in Barcelona in the summer.”

Women's Marathons Affected By Air Pollution
06/03/10
According to new research undertaken in Virginia, air pollution levels frequently negatively affect the ... Read More
According to new research undertaken in Virginia, air pollution levels frequently negatively affect the running times of women in marathons. Linsey Marr, a civil and environmental engineer, conducted the studies in association with the US army on the sites of major US marathons in New York, Boston and Los Angeles, where pollution tends to be highest. The finishing times of female athletes were compared with male athletes, taking into account several factors including weather and air pollutant concentrations in seven races over 28 years. Marr found the higher pollutant levels affected women's race times negatively while men were unaffected.
"Previous research has shown that during a race, marathon runners inhale and exhale about the same volume of air as a sedentary person would over the course of two full days," said Marr. "Therefore, runners are exposed to much greater amounts of pollutants than under typical breathing conditions. Although pollution levels in these marathons rarely exceeded national standards for air quality, performance was still affected."
It is thought that women's smaller tracheas may be the reason they pick up more pollutant particles than men.

Man, I Feel Like A Woman: Gender Ambiguity In Sport
02/03/10
It’s been over six months now since Caster Semenya of South Africa was told ... Read More
It’s been over six months now since Caster Semenya of South Africa was told following her 800m gold debut at the World Championships to take a gender test. The jury is still out as to whether she will be allowed to compete again; and in the wake of this the most recent of athletic gender ambiguity, a politically in/correct catastrophe stands quivering on the brink of eruption.
Two months ago, a symposium of experts met in Miami to discuss the future of gender ambiguity in sports. Last week, head of the Olympic Medical Commission, Professor Arne Ljungqvist, advised the Committee’s General Assembly to establish “strategically located centres of excellence … to which athletes with a DSD (disorder of sex development) could be referred and, if necessary, further investigated and treated.” When pushed on what ‘treatment’ would involve exactly, Ljungqvist admitted, “Perhaps surgery. Perhaps the removal of gonadal or testicular tissue.”
This conclusion has incited a volley of complaints from various quarters. Professor Myron Genel, a paediatrician and specialist in Disorders of Sex Development at Yale University, said if this proposal went ahead, we would be “opening Pandora’s Box.” Michele Veroken, a sports integrity and ethics specialist, added, “We are heading into uncharted waters here. The legality of such a plan would no doubt be contested by human rights groups,” and Kristen Worley of the Coalition of Athletes for Inclusion in Sport called the proposal “a violation of the Olympic charter”.
The difficulty lies, of course, in the changing perception of what it means to be ‘female’ or ‘male’. Gone are the days when it was as simple as what you kept beneath your trousers (or skirts). Nowadays we know that some people are born male but feel female, or have female genitalia, or female chromosomes, or a mixture of male and female chromosomes, or simply extraordinarily high levels of oestrogen. Gender is simply not as straightforward as ‘boy’ versus ‘girl’.
So it is with all this buzzing around in the backs of our heads that we approach what may be the most important Olympic decision of the decade. The actions of these few scientists and sports experts will resonate around the world and set the tone for social and cultural treatment of gender ambiguous persons not only in 2010, but for the foreseeable future. Let’s hope the decision, whatever it is, is not made lightly.

The Benefits Of Briefer Workouts
23/02/10
Modern life can feel like one long, late chaotic rush. So much has to ... Read More
Modern life can feel like one long, late chaotic rush. So much has to be done, and most of it by yesterday, that we end up dashing about like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, tapping out mad replies one-handed on our blackberries at the same time as boarding a train, talking on the phone and scalding our tongues with our too-hot caffeine 'breakfast'. Where in all that rush is there time for exercise? And before you say it, no, fast typing does not count. Being in good shape helps you focus better, stay less stressed and get more out of your day. It's in everybody's interests to exercise - but finding even thirty minutes to set aside each day can be a big challenge.
Here's the answer: short workouts. Not convinced? Read on to find out the top benefits of shorter sweaty slots...
1. Ease of Practice. You don't need a treadmill or a big machine to work out for ten minutes; jumps can be done just about anywhere, dumbbells don't require a great amount of space and all you need for med ball tosses is a brick wall.
2. Interest. Ever find yourself lagging mentally during a long workout? Not through lack of motivation (our morale-boosting mix albums will put an end to that!) but through - well - boredom. Spending sixty minutes performing exactly the same routine - or worse, exactly the same movement in the same place, treadmillers - can be a drag unless you're in the zone. Short workouts keep your interest piqued and stop you giving up halfway through from sheer dull desperation.
3. More Effective. Experts are finding more and more evidence that short, intense workouts actually benefit your health and fitness levels more than long sustained workouts. Rather than working out solidly for thirty minutes, work out for fifteen first thing in the morning, and another fifteen at lunch or after work; you'll burn more fat. The secret is that brief, intense workouts with long rest periods in between raises your metabolism and keeps it elevated for longer, so you end up burning more calories. Studies have shown that as little as ten minutes of intense exercise benefits the body.
So now you have no excuse: spread out your exercise routine across the day and keep yourself entertained by mixing up the workouts you do. Not only will you stay interested, you'll be working on different muscle groups. So that's your exercise sorted - now there's just that overflowing inbox to see to...

Sports Stars vs Tabloid Heroes
20/02/10
It's been an odd month for sports, has February. On the one hand the ... Read More
It's been an odd month for sports, has February. On the one hand the seemingly endless list of sports stars crashing down to earth, knocked, dragged and heaved off their pedestals by ex-mistresses and tabloid journalists, just keeps on growing. We slid into 2010 with the Tiger Woods controversy bubbling all around us, fresh revelations breaking out almost every week, and furthered our obsession with the John Terry scandal: a mess involving the mother of team-mate Wayne Bridge's son, and solidified by the stripping of Terry's England captaincy in January. Now, even dapper young Ashley Cole has been found to be dabbling in excursions on the wrong side of the marriage bed, much to the anger and chagrin of his extremely high-profile popstar wife, Cheryl Cole.
On the other hand, the pool of well-respected, high- achieving sportsmen and women is also growing. The most recent to be added to this list is Amy Williams, the fresh faced young British athlete who took gold for skeleton today in her Olympic debut. The twenty eight year old broke the track record twice during her three runs and is the first British athlete to take gold in an individual Winter Olympic sport for thirty years, and the first woman in over 50. Not bad for someone who eight years ago had never set foot - or belly - on a Skeleton sled.
Let's hope more athletes will be dominating the headlines in 2010 for victories like this and fewer for what's going on between their bed sheets.
Shaun White Wows Fans, Breaks Record
18/02/10
Shaun White, the superstar Californian snowboarder, wowed judges, audiences and the Guinness Book of ... Read More
Shaun White, the superstar Californian snowboarder, wowed judges, audiences and the Guinness Book of World Records today with his most impressive gold run yet. White took the medal in the Men's Halfpipe with his first run, in which he scored an impressive 46.8, the score with which he bested Ross Powers' record for highest score in halfpipe in 2006. His nearest competitor, Finland's Peetu Piiroinen, could only manage 45.0 - a sound score for anyone who isn't White.
But not content with keeping his record and taking gold, White proceeded to smash his own record in his final run with a jaw-dropping 48.4, in a showstopping self-proclaimed 'victory lap' containing his signature move, the Double McTwist 1260. Fans - of which he has a multitude - went wild, and critics are already decribing the run as 'epic'.
"I wanted a victory lap that would be remembered," said the 23 year old. "I achieved that. I know I have it in me, but the Olympics is pretty heavy. I was sweating it a little."
The only question now is what new tricks he can pull out of his seemingly bottomless bag to wow fans next.

Coe vs Ovett Film In The Works
16/02/10
Those of us who remember the release of that first classic running rivalry film ... Read More
Those of us who remember the release of that first classic running rivalry film Chariots of Fire in 1981 will undoubtedly also remember the fascinating relationship between world class British runners Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett. The two athletes dominated middle distance running for half a decade and captivated audiences across the globe during the Moscow Olympics in 1980, where they traded world records and captured headlines as they battled for gold in 800 and 1500m.
For ten memorable days in 1981, Coe and Ovett swapped the world record for the fastest mile between them three times. At one point, Coe was simultaneously the 800m, 1500m and mile world record holder, until Ovett took the 1500m and mile world records from him. Ovett still holds the record for two miles, which he set in 1978.
Now their legendary rivalry and one-upmanship is to be made into a feature film, produced by the BBC. Here's hoping it's set to be as classic and inspiring as their record-breaking races were thirty years ago.

Mexican-Americans Most Fit
15/02/10
Historically, Mexican-Americans have been classified as one of the least active socio-racial groups in ... Read More
Historically, Mexican-Americans have been classified as one of the least active socio-racial groups in America, but a report published last week has shown that contrary to popular belief, Mexican-Americans are fitter, more physically active and more likely to meet the national goal of at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week.
Researcher Sandra Ham explained why previously the group has been underestimated in their activity levels. "Mexican-Americans and other Latinos may not report all of their activity on surveys because they often have jobs that require manual labor and most national surveys do not ask about physical activity at work. They also may walk and use public transit more often than other groups because their rates of car ownership are relatively low."
The 27% of Mexicans who meet the national goal compares to 20% of non-Hispanic whites and 15% of blacks.

Luge Death At Olympics
14/02/10
Nodar Kumaritashvili, a member of the Georgian luge team competing at this year's Winter ... Read More
Nodar Kumaritashvili, a member of the Georgian luge team competing at this year's Winter Olympics in Canada, has been killed in a crash on his final training run. The twenty one year old was rounding the final corner when his sled flipped. Kumaritashvili was thrown from the sled over a concrete wall, where he hit a concrete pole at 145 mph.
"This tragedy casts a shadow over the games," said International Olympics Committee president Jaques Rogge yesterday. Georgian delegation head Irakly Japaridze added, "We are in deep shock. We don't know what to do."
There was some question as to whether the luge events would go ahead but IOC officials inspected the track and ruled that the event could go ahead provided the men's event was moved to the lower women's start, which cut speeds by around 6 mph. The Whistler Sliding track in Vancouver was already considered one of the fastest and most dangerous, and British luge competitor Adam Rosen dislocated a hip last October on the track.
One of Kumaritashvili's team mates pulled out of the event, and other competitors put a black stripe on their helmets in respect of the Georgian competitor.

Michelle Obama Tackles Obesity In Kids
11/02/10
Every first lady has a cause - and for Michelle Obama, the latest in ... Read More
Every first lady has a cause - and for Michelle Obama, the latest in that long and prestigious line, that cause is childhood obesity.
One in three American children are obese or overweight, and there are over 3 times as many obese children in the US today than there were thirty years ago. For the first time in American history, doctors are warning that this generation might have shorter life spans than their parents: a chilling reminder of the health risks obesity can lead to.
Michelle Obama and the doctors, athletes, schools, farmers and the food industry professionals she has rallied have pledged to solve this problem within a generation, to cut dead the so-called 'epidemic' and make America a healthier nation. "I would move heaven and earth to give my kids all the chance in the world for them to be at the top of their game in every way, shape and form," said the First Lady. "We're determined to finally take on one of the most serious threats to their future, and that's the epidemic of childhood obesity in America today."
Part of her 'Let's Move' campaign is aimed at fighting the sedentary culture most children live in today. By funding schools, communities and sports centres, as well as educating and helping parents and teachers, Obama wants to encourage kids off the sofa and on to the sports field.

Britain's Winter Olympic Embarrassment
09/02/10
The never ending snow may be beginning to frazzle everybody else's nerves but for ... Read More
The never ending snow may be beginning to frazzle everybody else's nerves but for the 52 British entries into this year's Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, the white stuff is probably all they've been looking at for the past few months anyway. The 2010 Winter Olympics kick off on Friday and Britain's hopes are pinned on 24 year old snowboarding champion Zoe Gilling, who took gold at the German National Championships last year.
But Britain is already labouring under global embarrassment, three days before the Games have begun. Snowsport GB, Britain's official alpine sport body, announced today that the organisation has gone into administration. This comes as 100 Olympic Committee members flew in today for the annual discussion of British sports - including the £9 billion Britain has put aside for the 2012 London Olympics. A scornful Canadian-based article in the Telegraph today asked, 'How is it that a national sporting body in the country of the next host of the Olympics is allowed to go under?' The article continued to report that pleas from Snowsport GB to the Government for £200,000 of emergency funding were denied.

The World Of Indoor Competition
09/02/10
The world of competitive athletics is complex, addictive and - well - competitive. Men ... Read More
The world of competitive athletics is complex, addictive and - well - competitive. Men and women spend their entire lives crafting and cultivating their bodies into perfect submission in order to become the best at one particular discipline: say, jumping with a pole, or running very quickly for precisely four hundred metres. With the World Indoor Championships kicking off today, we thought we'd take a look at the exacting disciplines that mark out indoor competitions from the rest.
To begin with, there's the obvious difference of size. Crowds are much closer to competitors and events are held simultaneously right next to each other, which means distraction can be a real issue. In the minutes before your critical gold medal make-or-break moment, your all important mental warm-up routine is impeded by deafening crowd noise and the fuss of the high jump going on ten metres away. During Jessica Ennis' biggest height attempts for the high jump at January's events in Glasgow, a lot was happening at the long jump right next to her. Her mental discipline, the ability to shut out the world around her and focus on nothing but her body and its aim, really came into play in that moment.
For track, an entirely different set of skills is needed. Rather than long-legged sprinters like Linford Christie or Carl Lewis, indoor 60m favours compact, muscular runners with a shorter, more explosive stride. Jamie Baulch, 1997/9 World Indoor 400m champion comments of the 60m, "It's all about raw power and the first 20 metres. If you have a short stride length and quick leg turnover, you can get out of the blocks faster. Over 100m the taller, leggier guys would come through from 60m onwards as their longer stride length kicks in. But indoors, that's too late.
"To win the 400m, you have to get to the bell first or second, even if it means blasting the first 200m. Beyond that, you're going to struggle. I used to run 21.1 seconds for the first 200m of a 400m indoors, and my 200m personal best outdoors was only 20.8 seconds. In other words, I went as hard as I could."
A lot of the same principles hold true over 800m, where Meadows will start as one of the favourites to make the podium after breaking the British indoor record last month."You have to be much more tactically aware running 800m indoors than out," says Baulch, "because it's that much harder to overtake. If you watch Kelly Holmes when she won Olympic 800m gold in Athens, she did it all from lane three. That wouldn't have worked indoors."
The events in Doha will be held from 12th - 14th March. British favourites include Jessica Ennis, Dwain Chambers, and Jenny Meadows.

International Fitness Week Ends
06/02/10
Today marks the end of the world's first International Fitness Week, presented by fitness ... Read More
Today marks the end of the world's first International Fitness Week, presented by fitness club Fitness First. The week, launched by ex-Spice Girl Sporty Spice Mel B, aimed to broaden interest and increase involvement in sports and fitness. Mel B, who is a hosting a new US TV show, 'Dance Your Ass Off', had this to say: 'I want to encourage everyone to find what works for them and make being active part of their lifestyle. It's easier than you think to get totally fit and we will show you how.''
Over 400 gyms across 15 countries opened their doors for free trials since the week began on February 1st. The week was sponsored by several companies including the British Olympic Association, the Fitness Industry Association, Fit For Sport and Fitter Families.
Scientists Discover Skinny Genes
04/02/10
If you've been pounding the treadmill for months with little or no result, you ... Read More
If you've been pounding the treadmill for months with little or no result, you could be one of the 20% of people carrying what fitness researcher James Timmons has dubbed the 'unfitness genes'. According to a report published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, up to one in five of us have DNA containing the eleven genes which limit oxygen uptake, however hard and fast we have been working out.
Researchers tracked the aerobic fitness levels of 600 people, and found that 120 of them had a combination of genes negatively affecting their oxygen uptake, which indicates the heart's ability to pump blood and is a key componant of a long and healthy life. Scientists predict these findings will lead to blood tests able to tell us whether or not we carry these genes, and consequently informing trainers and instructors on the best way to exercise. For those carrying the genes, aerobic workouts will make little or no difference, and other exercise methods will need to be explored.
In 10% of testees, on the other hand, the researchers discovered the opposite: these lucky exercisers saw a massive improvement in aerobic fitness over the same time period. It's alright for some, eh?

Jogging Au Natural: The New Craze
03/02/10
Yes, you did read the title correctly; and yes, 'craze' may be the best ... Read More
Yes, you did read the title correctly; and yes, 'craze' may be the best word for it. But get your head out of the gutter - we're not talking about bobbing about nude here. We're talking about toes, and the widening interest in setting them free, odour and all. Most runners choose, understandably, to take to the trail with high quality trainers to protect their delicate parts from the horrors of stones, thorns and dog mess. But a growing number of runners are choosing to shed the shoes and opt for a lighter, freer, more natural method. Galahad Clark, a shoemaker from the infamous Clark shoe dynasty, describes the running shoe as 'a little coffin' and opted instead to run last year's New York Marathon in homegrown designer 'skinwear', the Vivo Barefoot. Barefoot shoe models, now being produced by Nike and Vibram, have been described as 'foot gloves', purporting to give users the sensation of barefoot running with useful protection and grip. Vibram, inventors of the first foot glove, get a little carried away describing their product, FiveFingers: "Customers told us they felt more connected to the earth and more in tune with their bodies," they proclaim on their website, adding, "It [is] the beginning of a revolution." I'm not sure it's quite the 'revolution' Vibram describe it as, but it definitely has its supporters. Jackson Williams, former professional boxer who last year had the dubious honour of being thoroughly trounced by Amir Khan, will run 2500 miles across from Perth to Sydney wearing nothing but his birthday shoes. Ben Fogle has also been known to join the ranks of the footloose, and 50 years ago Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist Adebe Bikila won his first record-breaking marathon barefoot. So what do you think? Will you be shedding the leather and embracing the feel of earth beneath your soles? Or are you more of a fig-leaf runner? As for myself, I think I'll be leaving the bravery of bare-nakedness to those who live in slightly warmer and decidedly less concrete climates.

Ennis To Miss Commonwealth Games
02/02/10
The British World Champion has announced her decision to pass up the Commonwealth Games ... Read More
The British World Champion has announced her decision to pass up the Commonwealth Games this year in order to focus on her winter training for the European Championships, which will be held in Delhi next July.
The last Games in Melboune four years ago saw her take bronze and her absence will be a knock to British hopes. "October is a difficult time to peak," Ennis explained in an interview to the BBC yesterday. "In July for the Europeans and then again in October. It's when I begin my winter training so we sat down and decided the main focus is the Europeans this year."
Ennis kick started her 2010 with an impressive victory over American champion Lola Jones in the 60m hurdles in Glasgow on Saturday. The 24 year old British team captain set personal bests in all five pentathalon disciplines at the Aviva International Match. She took the victory in a speedy 7.95 seconds, which is not only a British record but the fastest time in the world this year.

Female Runners More Prone To Injury
26/01/10
Aching knees? Painful shins? Women, you are not alone. According to exercise psysiologist Vicki ... Read More
Aching knees? Painful shins? Women, you are not alone. According to exercise psysiologist Vicki Harber, female athletes are 2-6 times more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the knee and shoulder. Most of these injuries are preventable, and caused by training programmes developed for female athletes but built on research using young adult males. This comes after a study published in 2008 revealed that young female athletes are more likely to suffer from eating disorders. In response Harber, who is from the Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation at the University of Alberta, has written a comprehensive guide entitled The Female Athlete Perspective, which addresses these and other medical issues.
So what are the best and easiest ways to prevent injury? Here are our top tips:
* Stretch yourself. It seems obvious, but it really does make the world of difference. A regular stretching programme goes a long way when it comes to injury prevention, so don't get slack post-run: your body will thank you for the effort later.
* Get the gear. The wrong pair of shoes can aggravate existing problems and create new ones. Experts recommend replacing them every 350-500 miles. It can really make a difference so it's worth investing in that new pair - go on girls, finally a really good reason for why you simply had to go shoe shopping.
* Know your limits. Overtraining is hailed as the single biggest cause of injury: too far, too hard, too soon. Know your body and treat it right! Don't increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% each week; that doesn't mean not pushing yourself, it just means giving your body the chance to build up to your goals gradually and safely.
* Pick your place. The right surface will absorb shock and avoid passing it on to your legs. Avoid concrete; choose grass or dirt trails wherever possible. Consistency matters too: look for straight paths with a surface that doesn't change too often.
Sport Relief Launches Today!
20/01/10
Remember that time David Walliams, the nation's favourite if slightly odd comic, surprised us ... Read More
Remember that time David Walliams, the nation's favourite if slightly odd comic, surprised us all and swam the 22 miles of the English Channel? Or when Eddie Izzard (another faintly bizarre comedian) suddenly decided to run around the entirety of Great Britain, a total of 1100 miles, completing the equivalent of a marathon a day, six days a week, for seven weeks? Of all British celebrities, those two were the last (probably also in their own minds) we would have chosen to complete such feats. And why did they do it? One reason: Sport Relief.
Yes, it's that time of year again when ordinary people all around the country start preparing themselves to do slightly less ordinary things. From 19th - 21st March, Britain will go slightly mad for activity, as thousands of people join in to raise money for disadvantaged people living in the UK and across the world's poorest countries. This year, the Beckham family have got together (kids included) to design the official Sport Relief t-shirt range, and Sainsbury's are sponsoring the infamous Sport Relief Mile. It's easy to get involved: hundreds of events are taking place around the country and you can find support from a number of charities as well as the official Sports Relief website.
FitMix have got a whole range of albums to get you in the running mood. So pull on your running socks, whip out the sponsorship form, and get running!

iTunes Launches New Fitness & Workout Section
12/01/10
We're pleased to announce that Apple have finally launched a Fitness & Workout section ... Read More
We're pleased to announce that Apple have finally launched a Fitness & Workout section in the iTunes store. From here you can access all of the FitMix catalogue, downloading great compilations like Work It! Club Anthems Workout, Ultimate 80's Workout and our Men's Health exclusive mixes by top DJs Judge Jules, Tom Middleton, Richard Durand, Erick Morillo and Seamus Haji. Check it out here.
Top 10 Charity Runs of 2010
12/01/10
Seeing as we've just entered the 10th year of the new millenium, and as ... Read More
Seeing as we've just entered the 10th year of the new millenium, and as we're still feeling that hang over of good will from Christmas, we've decided to give you a list of the top ten charity runs of 2010. Some of them are classic causes you'll have heard of; others are smaller but worthy of greater attention. These charities have guaranteed places at almost all major runs this year, so if you're considering running them, why not join a team and raise some cash for them while you're at it?
1. Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Join them at the Brighton Marathon, the Great North Run, Flora London Marathon and more.
2. BUPA (BUPA London 10k). Join them on the Great Manchester Run on 23rd May, or (more aptly) at the BUPA London 10k on 31st May.
3. Athsma UK. Every seven hours somebody dies from athsma, but 90% of those deaths are preventable. Join Athsma UK this year at the Great North Run, Flora London Maratahon or London Triathalon to help prevent those deaths.
4. Cancer Research UK (Race For Life). Join the Race For Life this year and help beat cancer. There are hundreds of 5k and 10k runs across the country between May and July so it's easy to get involved.
5. Diabetes UK. Guaranteed places at British 10k, Great Manchester Run, Great North Run and more.
6. Macmillan Cancer Support. Support this amazing cause at Run To The Beat, Leeds 10k Run For All, York 10k Run For All.
7. Help The Hospices. Running at the Edinburgh Marathon, Adidas Womens UK, Great North Run, Great South Run, Flora London Marathon and more.
8. Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC). Know an arthritis sufferer? Then you'll know how painful this condition can be. Arthritis is the single biggest cause of disibility in the UK. Join them at Great Manchester Run, Great North Run, Great South Run, Flora London Marathon and London Triathalon.
9. Scope. Scope works nationally with sufferers of Cerebral Palsy. Join them at the Great North Run, Great South Run, Great Manchester Run, Flora London Marathon and British 10k.
10. RSPCA. Raise money for the protection and treatment of animals across Britain by joining the RSPCA in the British 10k, Hydro Women's Active 5k, Great Manchester Run, London Marathon and more.
Enjoy the runs even more with our specialist running mixes - check out our Run To The Beat and Runner's World playlist Volume 1: Running Classics compilations now.

Winter Running Tips
07/01/10
New year dawns and our best intentions are to get back into our regular ... Read More
New year dawns and our best intentions are to get back into our regular running routine after the Christmas excesses.
But with freezing temperatures and snow and ice on the ground it's a bigger psychological battle than ever to actually get out there and start chasing down the miles. Having a great music mix in your iPod is one simple way of making a winter workout more enjoyable but you should also be well prepared when facing these more hazardous cold conditions. We recommend these winter running tips provided by The Great Run.
And our new Runner's World Classics soundtrack with provide the perfect music motivator!

FitMix and Men's Health Team Up With Erick Morillo
11/12/09
Feeling stuffed? Once Boxing Day has been and gone, you can practically feel the ... Read More
Feeling stuffed? Once Boxing Day has been and gone, you can practically feel the Christmas calories clinging to you. Luckily, we've teamed up with Mens Health magazine once more to bring you the fifth in our Workout Playlist series. This time, house legend Erick Morillo has taken to the decks exclusively for you, to bring you a burning soundtrack that will push you to your limits with its hot, pumping tunes, including the infamous 'I Like To Move It' and featuring classic vocals from the likes of Barbara Tucker, Duane Harden and more.
Morillo has packed out dancefloors the world over, and he has previously taken up residencies at Pacha in New York and Ibiza. Though he admits he is often asked by friends to put together workout mixes, this is his first official workout mix. "I really enjoyed doing it," he said. "[A good workout CD has] something that you can warm up to, work out to and cool down to, and I think this CD does the job perfectly."
Catch Erick Morillo at Pacha in NYC on Dec 18th, or Ministry of Sound in London on Dec 19th. Check out the album here, or download it from iTunes. PLUS, download the free training guide here.
Christmas Excesses
10/12/09
Christmas is finally upon us! 'Tis the season to be jolly, and with it ... Read More
Christmas is finally upon us! 'Tis the season to be jolly, and with it all the trimmings: mince pies, turkey, and that extra glass of wine or two you somehow found in your hand. Everybody overeats at Christmas; it's almost impossible not to, what with Nigella Lawson tempting us at every corner with promises of rich, dark, chocolatey delight, and M&S' luxurious Christmas adverts. And why not? It's no sin to let go once in a while and indulge yourself.
Here at FitMix, we have put together the perfect album to get you back on your feet in the post-Christmas slump.
The Lucy Wyndham Read Weight Loss Workout is a 45 minute one to one, personal trainer packed with 11 hit songs to power you though Lucy's low intensity aerobic walk technique that simultaneously works the arms, chest and shoulders. Simply walk and listen to Lucy’s instructions whilst being motivated by a continuous mix of specially selected workout tunes such as Pixie Lott’s ‘Mama Do’, The Saturdays 'Work' and Womack & Womack’s ‘Teardrops’. Lucy’s aerobic walk technique specifically targets fat burning and body toning making it an easy way to get back on track after the indulgences of Christmas and New Year. This album includes a warm up and warm down period to ensure users correctly prepare and stretch for each session.
Available from iTunes on December 21st, 2009.
View the album here.

Winter Training
09/12/09
Running in winter, essential for those preparing for spring marathons, can be a definite ... Read More
Running in winter, essential for those preparing for spring marathons, can be a definite trial at times. For one thing, the narrow window of daylight makes it more difficult to find a good time to train, particularly for those of us who have day jobs that start early in the morning. What's more, the change in temperature can affect not only our athletic ability but also our motivation; who wants to get up shivering for an early morning run in the cold and dark?
But winter workouts can also be a blessing in disguise. The change in daylight hours and weather forces us to change our training patterns, and shake ourselves out of those complacent habits we've got into. Don't hibernate over winter: use the opportunity to raise your fitness, ready for the new year.
Hal Higdon, author of Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, has put together a specialist winter training schedule that doesn't simply maintain your fitness level, but aims to improve it. So grab your warmest workout gear, stick on your favourite FitMix running mix to get your heart pumping, and get out there!
Look out for our first release with Runner's World magazine - out soon.

Sports Personality Of The Year
09/12/09
It's that time of year again when athletes, and with them the nation's press, ... Read More
It's that time of year again when athletes, and with them the nation's press, begin looking back on how their year has been. It's less than a week to go until the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year 2009 is awarded, and heptathlete Jessica Ennis, who took gold at this year's World Athletic Championships in Berlin, is tipped for the title.
"[Winning gold in Berlin] has brought a massive change," Ennis told the Daily Record on Friday, "There's a lot more media attention and opportunities and at the same time I'm back in training and trying to work hard...I'm so excited about the awards on Sunday night. It's just really weird to be honest, seeing my name up there with all those amazing performers. I can't wait."
Last year, cyclist Chris Hoy took the title. The last athletics champion to win was Kelly Holmes in 2004.
We really enjoyed producing our Tri Trance Workout with top triathlete Jonathan Hotchkiss who tells us that he's really looking forward to competing in 2010 and tri events across the world.
You can download Jonathan's free 6 week triathlon training guide here.

Running At Night
09/12/09
Winter, as we all know, is the season of long nights, shivery mornings and ... Read More
Winter, as we all know, is the season of long nights, shivery mornings and dark, drawn out evenings. Perfect for stretching out in front of the fire with your loved ones in front of a film; not so perfect for getting out your front door with your running kit on! Running over winter is essential for those in training for spring marathons, and the season of mince pies and chocolate is not the one to choose to take training leave from. But the diminishing daylight hours can put many runners off. Darker evenings can mean that we are less visible to cars and other hazards, and lone female runners can feel more at risk.
But rather than give up your training entirely, take instead these few simple precautions:
1) Choose well-lit, populated areas. For the sake of ease, as well as your own peace of mind, run where you can see where you're going and plenty of people can see you. It's worth the five extra minutes you take avoiding the dark common, for safety's sake.
2) Get yourself some high visibility gear. Research show a 168% increase in pedestrian fatalities in November, just after the implementation of Daylight Saving Time. Make yourself visible by choosing bright or white clothing, and invest in some reflective gear. Night-Gear.com offer a range of reflective clothing from gloves to jackets, and check out the Doberman Power Button Personal Alarm, designed to wrap around a runner's upper arm to ward off attackers or attract attention.
Don't let the dark keep you trapped inside your house: put on your high visibility gear and get out there!
Check out our wide selection on running soundtracks here.

England Football Team Consider Viagra For World Cup Victory
09/12/09
Manager Fabio Capello is considering dishing out Viagra along with his pre-match pep talk ... Read More
Manager Fabio Capello is considering dishing out Viagra along with his pre-match pep talk to the England squad at the World Cup in South Africa next summer. The blue pills are reckoned to effective in improving performance...on the pitch. According to sports scientist Richard Pullen, commissioned by the FA to find ways to help the team combat the effect of playing at a higher altitude, Viagra enlarges the blood vessels (among other things), which can improve performance in some athletes.
"It's been used by football teams in South America and some cyclists because it's not a banned substance. I'm sure several countries at the World Cup will consider using Viagra," he said. "There can be some side effects which might adversely effect performance," admitted Pullen. "Blurred vision, headaches or flushed faces."
Maybe we should hope these are the only side effects, or England may be looking at a very embarrassing victory.
We at Fitmix think the guys should try Work It ! Ripped & Toned Workout to get themselves in top shape for South Africa!
RUNNER'S WORLD PLAYLIST VOL. 1 : RUNNING CLASSICS
Our first workout soundtrack with Runner's World. Out now on iTunes.
Chicane steps up the stamina !
Chicane main man Nick Bracegirdle mixes up Men's Health Workout Playlist Vol. 6
...Read More
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