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Archive for the ‘Review’ Category

Underground Wellness Review

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Having stumbled across Sean Croxton’s Internet offering about tweleve months ago, I found that I had come across one of the best alternative nutritional resources on the net! The Underground Wellness revolution now encompasses websites, YouTube content, Blogs, Forums, A on-line radio station, and who knows what will be next!

Sean is a Personal Trainer, lifestyle and nutritional coach based in San Diego, USA. Having an academic background in Kinesiology and studying at California State University, and having worked as a certified personal trainer for a number of years (NSCA, ACE and NASM). He has worked with a wide range of clients helping them to improve their levels of health and wellbeing. For a number of years he has also been educating the masses via his YouTube.com channel, which mainly focuses on alternative nutrition.

He has grown to offer a wide range of Internet based wellbeing related services, this man has really exploded onto the Internet wellbeing, fitness and nutrition scene with a wide range of internet based content. So lets have a bit of a run down of what he has on offer:-

Forum – A great forum has been added to the Underground Wellbeing website, it has some great members, many of whom are very knowledgeable in their fields be it fitness, personal training, nutrition, etc… There are a number of sections on the site that allow topics to be split down into different interest groups. This forum is a rarity on the net, with no cussing or put downs and true, learning taking place.

Blog – Sean’s blog has covered a number of subjects since it’s initiation at the start of the year, including the vitally important factor of body image, and new years resolutions. I look forward to the development of this section of the Underground Wellbeing website.

You Tube – The original of all the web based Underground Wellness content. All Sean’s videos tend to be short, but very concise and most importantly very user friendly. You can come onto the page and click on any of the videos and find an interesting and informative talk on a very wide range of nutritional topics. Sean’s style is of vital importance in getting his message across and ultimately his popularity, he is very laid back and conveys his message in a positive and never patronising manner.

Internet Radio – This is the latest of his web offerings and has already gained a great following. The radio shows tend to be between one and two hours long, and have been on a variety of different subjects, one of my personal favourites has been a show with William Wolcott of The Metabolic Typing Diet fame! The great things about these shows is that you have the opportunity to ring in and ask questions real time of Sean and his guests. As it is broadcast via the wonderful technology of the internet you have the choice of listening in live or downloading the show at a later date.

Website – The web site is the pace that brings together all these great factors under one roof, with a little more information on Sean and also his range of Personal Training services, Nutritional Services, Metabolic Typing, etc…

All in all Sean’s Underground wellness site is well worth a visit and I am sure that within minutes you will be hooked on his chilled out and laid back style of presenting a very important message, of health, wellbeing and improving your nutritional intake. These group of on-line services are a must see for all!

Thanks for all the hard work Sean!

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Underground Welness Radio Review

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

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Just when I thought that Sean Croxton and his range of information services could not get any better, he just did it! Recently Sean has added a radio station to his wide range of free on-line information services, this has made Underground Wellness the one stop shop for all things wellbeing, and especially nutrition related.

For those of you who have been living in a cave for the past few years Sean is a Personal Trainer, lifestyle and nutritional coach based in San Diego, USA. Having an academic background in Kinesiology and studying at California State University, and having worked as a certified personal trainer for a number of years (NSCA, ACE and NASM). He has worked with a wide range of clients helping them to improve their levels of health and wellbeing. For a number of years he has also been educating the masses via his YouTube.com channel, which mainly focuses on alternative nutrition.
The radio station has had some great program so far featuring leaders of the wellbeing industry such as

The programs have has a wide diversity of topics covering general wellbeing, personal training, nutrition. Lifestyle and health. Previous shows have feature such greats as Bill Wolcott, Todd Durkin, Marti Oakley, Antonio Valladares, and many more.

One of my personal favourite shows was with the great Bill Wolcott, of metabolic typing fame. This interview is a true master piece from Bill and Sean. The show gives the listener a load of information on what is metabolic typing, the theory and practice of this very effective and common sense diet.

The channel itself allows you to listen to the shows live (sign up to the Underground Wellness newsletter for schedule) the great thing about this is you not only get the information is always hot off the press but you can call in using a land line or Skype and ask any questions you may have, or for clarification of any points. The shows are really well scheduled and put together by Sean, giving them a fun but informative feel.

If you miss the show you can always download it and listen to it at your leisure, makes great gym or in car listening! So you have no excuses for missing the opportunity to listen to the highly entertaining and informative Sean and gain a rare insight into what some very inspirational and educational guests may have to say!

Why not tune into the next show and see what you think for yourself, or go back over the fast expanding archive of old shows! Believe me you will not regret using your time in this way. From beginner to wellbeing to pro athlete to personal trainer, everyone will learn from every show!

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Natural Food Finder Review

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

We all have those rare moments when we come across a site that really changes your life, it does not happen oftern but last week I had that pleaseure.  The site I am talking about is Natural Food Finder, this is a UK based listings site that helps shoppers look for the very best orgainc products out there on the market.

The man behind this site is no stranger to me, he is called Ben Pratt and has a long history working to improve the levels of nutrition with in the UK.  HE has had a long association with and is a Chaper Leader for the Western A.Price Foundation.  To find out more look out for an interview with Ben in a couple of weeks.

Lets get down to the site itself, it is split into four main sections.  Each of which we have detailed below:-

Food Finder- This is a great service that lists various brands of organic and wholefood produce.  This can be a great shopping tool, each category has products split into Avoid, AVerage, Good and Best, to allow the user to make informed choices about the nutritional value of what they are buying.  I have found that this site works well on any web enabled mobile phone, making it a great shopping companion.

The Food Finder is much more that just a list, it is packe full of information on all the different types of food that it covers.  The only way that we are going to make better nutritional choices in our lives is through education, the more we know about what we eat and how it acts within our bodies the better choices we can make.  This site provides just the right amount of knowedge, nt too deep to overface the average consumer, but detailed enough so you understand the facts.

Blog – The site also has a very well read blog, the blog covers all areas of food, nutrition and wellbeing.

Shop -The Natural Food FInder shop is the place to buy som eof the best suppliments in the UK.  IF you would like suppliments that work to improve you health and happiness then this is the place to start your search.

Help Centre – The help centre is an awsome idea, it is a place where site visitors can get loads of information on health, nutrition and wellbeing.  This section has articles, an avoid list, and a very useful foroum.  If you have a question this is the place to head first!

Overall the site is very well organised, packed full of great information, and most importantly updated on a regular information.  This site has definately made it into my most used bookmarks list!

If you are into your health, wellbeing and overall happiness then this is a site to look at, and not onlythat bookmark and use!

Well done Ben and the team at Natural Food Finder!

TOM

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Review: Underground Wellness TV

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

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Hi All,

As most of you are aware I am a massive fan of Sean Croxton, of Underground Wellness. If you have not seen, heard or read any of his stuff, where have you been? Sean is a man with a massive amount of passion for the truth behind nutrition and physical activity. What really works, what are the lies we are being told by the large food companies.  He is all about getting the truth across to the people, and best of all he makes it highly entertaining.

So Sean has already got the massive You Tube Channel, his Blog Talk Radio Show, a fantastic site, and now he has his own on-line TV Channel!  Where do you find the time to fit it all in?

The TV Channel like all Seans other media outputs has a fantastic look and feel to it.  Best of all it is so easy to navigate it is untrue!  The site has so much potential, within a day of being launched there are already three videos up.  Over the coming weeks this will swell to make a massive on-line resource for anyone who is interested in thier health and wellbeing. On-line video is such a popular media, the idea is a simple one it will take the form of a daily video blog covering areas such as cooking, nutrition, workouts, and all things wellbeing, under the banner of ‘Where TV is Good for You’.  As usual I am sure that there will be no taboo subjects and Sean will talk about anything and evrything wellbeing related.

Sean has the massive goal of the shows being viewed by 1,000,000 by 2012.  If anyone is going to do it Sean will!

Great content, great personality and massive passion.  A recipe for success in my book!

Don’t just take my word for it pop over and have a look at underground Wellness TV.

Good luck Sean!

TOM

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PTontheNet Review

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

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At last the new and improved PTontheNet.com website has been launched, having been a user of the site for the past three years or so I have been very happy with the high standard of content that the site has always carried. However I have been long awaiting some more interactive features, and these are finally here!!

In this short review I am going to look at some of the new features and also some of the old, and detail what makes PTontheNet.com the number one resource for personal trainers, therapists or anyone who is involved in the fitness industry across the world.

The new site has a slick new look, that is much more user friendly. The site is easy to navigate with different sections clearly labelled and information is easy to find. With three core section headings being used, Prepare, Learn, and Research. The site also has a much more planned feel than the old one, that seemed to have grown beyond it’s original structure.

The site still has a strong ethos of learning, and self improvement and the research section shows this. With the articles that it carries always being of high quality and packed full of applicable information, that can be of daily use to a personal trainer. PTontheNet have many of the industry leaders on their list of active authors, with greats such as Paul Chek, JC Santana, Gray Cook, Alwyn Cosgrove, Gary Gray, to name just a few. Regular updates of new articles each month keep the site fresh and alive, to add to the existing thousands already on line. The authors also make available short Q+A style articles on current hot topics, audio clinics and symposiums. All in all making depth and quality of content offered by PTontheNet second to none.

The learn section of the site allows users to complete free CEC’s or CPD’s (for all those here in the UK note that these attract REP’s points), that are challenging but allow you to develop a range of useful and most importantly applicable skills. The section also has links to high quality learning opportunities with some of the worlds leading trainers and training providers, and best of all you get a PTontheNet discount with most of them.

The Prepare section can be very useful to the novice right through to the advanced trainer. This part of the site hosts the PTontheNet’s very detailed and vast exercise and flexibility library. Each exercise is described, with safety issues and personal trainer ques, and is accompanied by a video of it’s performance. This section also includes some very useful pre-designed programs for a number of sports and client goals, this is great if you are looking for something quick to hand out to a client. The site also has the ability for you to select the exercises on-line and create a program for yourself or your clients.

The new community section has a blog and a forum which is one of the additions that I have been long awaiting. It is a great feature that allows personal trainers from across the world to interact and discuss current issues within our industry. As the forum is quiet new we will have to wait and see how effectively it is used as a resource, but I am sure with the ethos of PTontheNet, it will be inundated within a matter of weeks.

Overall, the site has done that rare thing and made the best, better. The re-structure of the site has taken PTontheNet into the future, and from an appreciative personal trainer I hope it goes from strength to strength!

Tom Godwin is a Personal Trainer working in Manchester, he has been working in the fitness industry for the last 10+ years. He is also the Managing Director of Foresight Fitness Services and Foresight Personal Training. Tom has been a member of PTontheNet for the past 4 years.

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Top 10 Twitter Personal Trainers

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Hi All,

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I have been on Twitter a number of months now since a client recommended it to me! Mark has given me some great heads up on internet stuff over the months so check out Mark Attwood, a true internet marketing expert! His internet marketing DVD is a must have (you might even spot me in the crowd)!
So my top ten twitter’s are (in random order):-
1. Me!!

If you Know any other great twitters please do post them up in the comments section!

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Padbox Review

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Some of the personal training team here at Foresight have recently done the Padbox Course.  Boxing classes designed for fitness are now becoming very popular, with a wide range fo people.  If you use it as a stress reliver, a good bit of exercise or even to learn how to look after yourself a bit.  STytems like PAdbox, Boxercise and OutBox are on the rise, all are great but by far the best oen i have seen so far has been Pad Box!

The course was designed by Ian Burbedge, an ex armature boxer and Andrew Scott, a sports scientist. The course offers personal trainers the chance to learn actual boxing skills and apply them to a fitness setting. The course covered areas of footwork, technique, combinations, pad work, show boxing and much more.

My experience in martial arts set me up with what I thought was the basics of how to use focus mitts, but the pad box course gave me a great deal more skills. The trainer were great, very supportive and encouraging. Above all they seemed to understand that we were not looking to become pro boxers and was looking at the skills from a fitness perspective, but gave us a great deal of information in a very short period of time. Well done!

The course as a whole was one of the best practical based courses i have done, and many of my clients should enjoy the new combos, and skills that the course has enabled me to pass on to them. Myself and the rest of the Foresight team who have done the course really rate it and can’t wait for further modules to be added to this initial offering.

Cheers for some great training!

TOM

PS.  Look out for our interview next week with Pad Box creator Ian Burbedge!

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Anatomy for Beginners Review – Dr Gunther Von Hagens

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

I have always been a fan of the work of Dr Gunther Von Hagens, ever since I went to see his controversial body world exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Despite the various arguments for and against the body worlds exhibition and his work in general, I do feel that the when bodies have been donated for a given task, that of dissection and the individuals knew what their bodies would be used for. This kind of work has popularised the field of anatomy and physiology and brought it to the public in an entertaining, but most importantly educational manner.

At the exhibition I purchased the DVD of Anatomy for Beginners, as a personal trainer I have more than a passing interest in how the body works and how the various components (organs, muscles, bones) work together to make the fascinating human body. The Anatomy for Beginners DVD itself is very well put together and mirrors the series that was first aired in early 2005. Which at the time was ground breaking and caused much debate as to weather it should be aired on public TV or not.

The series follows a general theme where a dissection takes place to outline the various theories behind a given topic, in this series topics include movement, circulation, digestion and reproduction. Live models are also used to illustrate the points that Dr Hagnes is trying to get across.

If you have an interest in the working of your body, and you have a strong stomach, this is a must see. The program is educational and takes a very complex subject matter and gets it across to a lay audience in a very comprehensive way.

The video is well worth a watch weather you are a budding anatomist, doctor or just have an interest in the human body.

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