Hardisty Health and Fitness

12/01/2026

The hip joint….

It’s a complex joint with many many muscles attached. The deepest hip muscles are most important for hip stability and rotating the thigh (think ballet) or helping to stop the thigh rotating when we don’t want to (think of running and jumping) when a twisted thigh would be an injury risk.

These muscles respond best to small targeted movements rather than ‘typical’ hip strength exercises like squats and box jumps. Keen to learn more? Contact us via message or email and we can book an appointment to start your hip health journey and avoid one of those pesky hip replacement thingys 🤪

07/01/2026

Exercise…..

We all know it is great for physical health, but fewer realise how important it is for our mental health. But what form of exercise should we choose? There is sooooooo much literature out there promoting all the benefits of that specific form of exercise, should that be running, swimming, dancing, weightlifting etc etc... and while it’s true that the physical results would vary, your mental health will improve no matter what you choose. My advice has always been to find something that you really like doing (for example I hate running 🤪) as then you will be much more motivated to do it regularly. Also going to a group session or training with a friend increases the social aspect which boosts our mental health through the roof 💥

Give us a call 021795422 or email hardistyhealthandfitness@gmail.com if you need some advice 😊

06/01/2026

Another ‘hot’ topic….. to ice or not to ice an injury ❄️

Most of you will have heard that it’s good to R.I.C.E an injury as soon as it happens. Actually icing injuries has been out of vogue in the physio world since 2019 yet many still reach for the frozen peas as soon as they feel a tissue pull or a sprain. Did you know that we NEED inflammation and some swelling to optimise recovery? So the best way to manage an acute injury is with P.E.A.C.E & L.O.V.E ✌️❤️ (see slides)

However, excessive long lasting swelling can cause severe pain and negatively affect muscle function so ice has its place in those circumstances. Give PEACE&LOVE a chance for 48 hours 1st then add ice into your rehab under the guidance of your health professional 🧑🏽‍⚕️

Thanks to for the pics and up to date info 😊

05/01/2026

Stretching….

It’s a hot topic in all sports but especially in performance sports like dance….should you do it before or after class, what kind of stretches are best, how long should a stretch be held for best results??? And the research is constantly evolving, who should we listen to? When I was a young dancer and gymnast we did lots of long hold static stretching often with over pressure and I feel lucky not to have sustained any joint injuries (I did suffer a significant back injury as a teen but that was from a fall and that convo is for a different post) The 1 constant in the research for many years now is that long static holds of over 30 seconds (especially with over pressure) increase risk of injury to the joints waaaaaaaaaaay more than they benefit flexibility, so in my opinion you should remove them from your routine asap. And please please stop doing splits with your foot on blocks or a chair 🤨 Check out these results from a recent clinical research article (Warneke et al 2025) for options on how and when it’s best to stretch 🙆🏽🤸

(Thank you Learn.physio for sharing)

04/01/2026

Hardisty health and fitness is open again 🎉 Want to start the year in the best possible way? Nothing beats feeling fit and well and injury free, health is true wealth! We cater to all ages and needs, with 30 years in the industry we offer expertise like no other.

Contact us at hardistyhealthandfitness@gmail.com or call Emma (physio/pilates/massage/acupundture) on 021795422 or Phil (personal training/pilates) on 021795079 to start 2026 on the right track 💪🏼

23/12/2025

27/02/2025

Staying consistent with your fitness and rehab appointments is key to making the progress needed to achieve your goals. We send appointment reminders and follow up messages to track how you are going. Message us today if u need a more personal approach ☺️

02/02/2025

Staying strong as we age is about the most important thing you can do for healthy joints (and hearts and bones) so talk to us about a resistance training programme that will keep your body young and capable of almost anything…. But maybe not this 🤣

04/01/2025

How you use your time at the gym matters a whole lot! Quality over quantity wins every time. Let us set you a programme, keep you motivated, and progress your programme so you can spend less of your precious time making more gains.

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30/12/2024

Making time for your fitness routine is arguably the hardest part of achieving your goals. We can keep you accountable so you don’t put off until tomorrow what you should prioritise today! Make 2025 your year to focus on your health, and let us help you 😍 message or call to get 2025 stared the right way, we are open from Jan 2nd 🏋️‍♂️

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12/12/2024

It’s 12 sleeps to Christmas ⭐️ so if you are feeling unprepared and want to help someone on their health journey next year then how about 1 of our gift certificates? Credit can be used for physio, Pilates, personal training, massage, acupuncture and specific sports conditioning!

Have a very merry Christmas and let’s make 2025 the healthiest year of your life so far 🤗