Balance health and fitness events

14/09/2021

12/10/2020

There’s no such thing as can’t...this wonderful gentleman clearly understands that very well. 💪

26/11/2016

25/11/2016

If you're a cyclist or a runner, this is a great exercise to add in to your workout routines. Even more so if you also do a job sat at a desk. Sitting in a chair or on a bike, and lots of running at steady miles can all contribute to weak glutes, and that brings with it a whole host of other problems, like poor posture, back pain, hip and knee injuries.

Do 1-2 sets of this exercise, 10-20 repetitions each time to the point where the muscles start to feel fatigued.

It'll help make your gluteus MAXIMUS again, decrease injury risk and boost performance.

17/11/2016

Here are a few interesting numbers from our Coast to Coast ride next year...

2 days of riding
10 hours and 23 minutes of predicted ride time (according to Strava)
251 kilometres, or 156 miles of riding
3,572 metres of climbing
30 people
5 support crew
Somewhere around 8,000 calories burned
That's about 30 Cornetto's...
10 portions of fish and chips...
200 Brussels sprouts...
Or 38 pints of beer
60 spare inner tubes
120 Snickers bars
0 headwinds (hopefully)
140ml of Chamois cream for those sensitive areas

1 unforgettable adventure

There are still spaces left so feel free to get in touch through here or via the contact form on the homepage of our website.

Balance - Discover your path to weight loss and well-being in Bristol

16/11/2016

Pretty steep! Anyone ever tried riding round one?

Did you know how steep the velodrome really is?

14/11/2016

Came across this story about a man who went for a little jog! Absolutely nuts, but isn't that what makes it so inspiring!!

A man from Gloucester completes a 5,000-mile (8,000km) run around the British coastline.

03/11/2016

The bookmark for the keen cyclist! I love these!!!

31/10/2016

Thanks for everything Sir Bradley!! Enjoy your retirement (for now at least).

Sir Bradley Wiggins' final race on British soil ends in disappointment as he and Mark Cavendish are edged out in the Six Day London event.

30/10/2016

So I'm sat using some spare time to make a list of ideas for future walking, running, cycling and fitness challenges and events and I thought, why not ask you guys and then I can make sure we create things you'd really love to do!

Any things on your bucket list? Let me know and I'll look at creating something to help you tick it off in the coming 12 months!! All ideas are welcome 🚴🏼‍♀️🏊🏾‍♀️🚴🚶🏻🚵🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏼🚵🏾‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚣🏽🏆🏅🎖

26/10/2016

Over half of the spaces on our Coast to Coast ride have now gone and I've just finished creating the first newsletter for all of you who have signed up. It's a little guide to winter training so look out for it this week.

I'll be creating them regularly and if there are any topics you'd like to know more about, just let me know and I'll pull some information together for you. If you haven't signed up yet and you want to join in the fun, just get in touch and we'll get the wheels in motion. ;-)

Here's a little mid-week motivation for you too.

23/10/2016

Something to try before your next run or ride if you don't do them already.

20/10/2016

How many of you are thinking the same today?

I'm not sure Baz really believes the statement on his morning cuppa!!

16/10/2016

So the ride you've all been waiting for is finally here!

The Coast to Coast 3 Parks Ride is ready to roll. Cycle 160 miles over two days from the Irish sea to the North Sea via the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Tackle some of the toughest hills in the UK, raise money for charity, conquer the challenge and boost your mental and physical fitness in the process, spend time with old friends and make great new ones and see some of the most beautiful countryside the UK has to offer. All with the balance team supporting you as you prepare for and take on the challenge.

The details...

The event takes place from the 8th - 11th June, 2017. We'll arrive on the evening of the 8th at Seascale on the west coast where there'll be a pre-event briefing and a chance to meet your fellow riders and relax whilst we make sure you're fully prepared. On the 9th June we'll take on two of the most challenging hills in the UK; Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass. We'll be there alongside you to encourage and support you though and the views from the top are well worth the sweat! The 10th sees us riding further but with more rolling hills and even more beautiful scenery until we reach the classic Victorian seaside resort of Scarborough.

The support provided includes:
- Breakfast every day and evening meals on the 9th and 10th June (meals are available for those who want them on the 8th too for an additional cost)
- A support team including a truly awesome mechanic, some fantastic support riders...and me in a support vehicle (sorry about the last one)
- Feed stops along the way to keep you energised
- Guidance and advice with your training to get you in shape for the event and organised training weekends for those who are keen
- An organised route that takes you through some of the most beautiful roads you could wish to ride

The cost for the event is £350. To secure your place on the ride you'll need to pay a deposit of £100 and complete the application forms. There are just 30 spaces available and they'll be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis so please do hurry, get the wheels in motion and gear up for what is going to be a truly amazing challenge!

If you want to reserve your space, private message me and I'll send over all the information you need. Obviously if you have any questions at all then feel free to ask and I'll be happy to answer them.

Yours in balance,

Paul

15/10/2016

Found this whilst on holiday this week. May be a good way to celebrate climbing this legendary pass after day 1 of our coast to coast ride!

10/10/2016

Bike throwing...a potential new Olympic event???

Jeremy Santucci vents anger at being caught up in a late crash at the Red Hook Criterium in Milan on Saturday - with devastating consequences for his bike

09/10/2016

This guy is a local Bristol legend!! I met his parents whilst he was out doing his second marathon last year and now he's completed the lot!

Anyone fancy trying 402???

Ben Smith has been running hundreds of marathons to raise money for anti-bullying charities.

06/10/2016

Anyone else love that feeling of pain during a really hard training session? Or is it just me????? This was my pain face on the way to my 10k PB a few years ago.

05/10/2016

The Coast to Coast Three Parks Ride organisation is nearing completion, just dotting a few i's and crossing the t's and then we'll be taking bookings for what is going to be an absolutely awesome event! Check out some of the views you'll get to see along the way!!! I'm including Simon Evans in lycra in that statement!!

03/10/2016

Anyone get very hungry after a long run or day on the bike??? Here's a little piece that might help you.

23/09/2016

Anyone fancy having a go at the Penny Farthing race next year???

Eastbourne Cycling Festival Penny Farthing Race on a closed road course along Eastbourne's magnificent seafront

22/09/2016

Route update...

So after last week's recce ride with Simon, I've been working hard on finalising next June's Coast to Coast route. In six words, I can sum it up as follows:

Day 1 - Hilly
Day 2 - Long

Day 1 will take in 60-65 miles of breathtaking scenery and two challenging climbs (Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass - see the image below for a profile of Hardknott) with some steep hairpins, but more than anything, an amazing sense of achievement when you reach the top. You'll need a big cassette on the back of at least 28, maybe even 30-32 (basically lots of gear options to allow you to spin the pedals). You'll also need to remember to not sit down; as I found out myself, this leads to a Peter Sagan-style wheelie up the hill! Finally, you'll need determination!!

Day 2 is much gentler with some rolling hills and stretches of flat, but we'll be challenging you with 100 miles in the saddle. A range of beautiful countryside from the Yorkshire Dales to valleys and quaint North Yorkshire Moorland villages await before arriving at the good old Victorian seaside town of Scarborough for fish and chips and an ice cream!

19/09/2016

Note that the study says 'a glass'. :-) Small amounts are also isotonic too.

There's room in a balanced lifestyle for a little beer after a hard day on the bike.

Researchers in Switzerland confirm what most people already know - drinking one glass of beer can make people more sociable.

14/09/2016

Recceing the route for next year's ride up in the Lake District today. Beautiful sunshine and trying out compulsory kit for the event...gel belts at the ready Dan!!

12/09/2016

It's funny how this weekend Steve Cummings won the Tour of Britain and Froome was second in the Vuelta and that was almost a little disappointing that we didn't come away with both. How far British cycling has come in recent years!!

Briton Steve Cummings becomes wins the Tour of Britain for the first time as he safely negotiates the final stage in London.

10/09/2016

Annoyingly I spent the whole day working less than 1 mile from where all this happened today! Now just catching up on it on the tele!!!

Stage 7 Information for the Tour of Britain, Bristol

09/09/2016

7 Paralympic Games.
12 gold medals.
More to come??
A true great of British cycling. Well done Sarah Storey.

Dame Sarah Storey becomes the most successful British female Paralympian as GB win 11 medals on day one in Rio.

01/09/2016

How can we fail to be motivated to get out on our bikes after the success of British cyclists and British cycling this summer?

After Froome win another stage, this time in the Vuelta yesterday, clawing back time on Quintana and keeping the race alive.

Then there's Thomas, Kennaugh, Rowe and Stannard at Sky too doimg incredible work in The Tour and the Vuelta. Cav winning multiple Tour stages and another cheeky one for Steve Cummings. Add in Olympic success with Trott, Kenny, Wiggo, Clancy, Doull, Burke, Hindes, Skinner, Rowsell-Shand, Archibald, Barker, James and Marchant and we have a veritable army of British pedal power.

Rule Britannia!

Britain's Chris Froome wins stage 11 of the Vuelta to move into second place, trailing Nairo Quintana by 54 seconds.

27/08/2016

Great idea by ITV to switch off all their channels today! Anyone motivated to get out on the bike for a little ride?

22/07/2016

Here's arguably the biggest challenge we're looking to include in the route. There will also be an easier alternative bypassing it for those not feeling it!! I'm off to ride it with Simon and Vicky in the near future to get a taster!

Ascent of Hardknott Pass during 2011 Fred Whitton Challenge. Ascent starts at 0:49, summit at 19:43. This was after nearly 100 miles of the course. Here's th...

21/07/2016

Here's a little picture update on the details of next year's Coast to Coast 3 Parks Challenge, and also a quick question to you all that will help me finish off the key preparations. As mentioned in the page description, I really do want these events to be made for you, by you, so I'll really value your feedback and suggestions.

The big question for you all is...

What type of accommodation would you prefer; hotels or YHA?

We can have group bookings for the YHA in the Dales and Scarborough in 4 and 6-person rooms; this will help to bring the price down. Or we can book hotels which will increase the price slightly but guarantee you a single or twin occupancy room. They YHA's look very nice but I'm keen to know thoughts.

Either way you'll get a very nice meal each evening. :-)

Post away below and feel free to ask any questions you wish.

21/07/2016

If you've just liked the page, thanks for joining in! This is where I'll be posting all the latest info on challenges and events organised by balance, beginning with the Coast to Coast 3 Parks Ride we'll be organising next June. Rather than just telling you about things though, I really want you to join in, tell me what you want more of, less of, suggest ideas, share training stories with each other, ask each other questions. It will be your page so use it in any way that works best for you.

This latest balance venture has come about for a whole host of reasons.

Partly because in recent years close friends in the fitness world have passed away too young and I'd like to make sure we regularly do something to remember them.

Partly because over the years me, Vicky, Simon,Tom, Kirsty, Stu and others have embarked on a number of daft fitness challenges to raise money for various great causes and, whilst hard work, it's been great fun organising these, it's been brilliant to challenge our bodies to extremes and see what they can do, we've learned loads along the way that can help others and we've raised a fair few quid for charity in the process.

Partly because in some of our recent events we've met some wonderful, like-minded people who love a challenge, and it would be great to catch up regularly for some exercise and maybe the odd beer.

Partly because my job as a PT over the years has been to help many people get through their first big challenge, be that a 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultra-marathon, multi-day bike ride, 100-mile bike ride, 24-hour bike ride, duathlon or triathlon. I get a huge buzz from helping people to achieve things that maybe they didn't think that they could and I just want to do it as often as possible.

All these things have come together to create balance health and fitness events. I hope to see you on one of our challenges in the future, and remember...

"Pain is temporary, memories last forever."