Latest news with #JamesStirling
Tom's Guide
20-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I tried this 30-minute no-equipment core workout — here's what happened to my abs
I recently finished a marathon training block and, as much as I'm enjoying the extra time in my week, I feel a bit lost without the hours I got so used to spending training. So for now, I've decided to channel my energy (which I'm still building back) into smaller challenges before I sign up for my next challenge, and today that came in the form of a five-move core building workout. It mostly appealed to me because it only takes 30 minutes, which isn't long enough to come up with any excuses, and it doesn't require any equipment, so I didn't have to drag myself to the gym. Is it just me, or does working out inside a stuffy gym completely lose its appeal when the weather's good? Although it's free from weights or machines, I'd still recommend laying down one of the best yoga mats to cushion your back. I get an achy tailbone if I don't have any padding during ab workouts. And if you loathe floor-based core moves altogether, you might prefer a standing alternative like this 10-minute standing abs workout. If not, here's what this mat based routine involves from online trainer James Stirling, aka the London Fitness Guy. A post shared by James Stirling - HOME WORKOUTS 💪🏻 (@london_fitness_guy) A photo posted by on The aim of the game with this workout is to complete five (yes, five) rounds of five exercises. You work for up to 30 seconds on each move, rest for 30 seconds between exercises, and take a one-minute break between rounds. You'll definitely want to make the most of that minute to help you get through to the end. I have fairly average core strength and found some parts of Stirling's routine more challenging than others. I'd say it's suitable for most fitness levels, but total beginners may struggle to hold moves like the hollow hold and Copenhagen plank for the full duration in the later rounds. If you feel your core giving out early or around the halfway mark, it's completely fine to increase the rest periods or shorten the work intervals. After giving the workout a go, here are my main takeaways. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. If you don't look like Coach Stirling when you drop into that first hollow hold, don't let it dishearten you. I'm saying this now rather than further down because it's easy to compare yourself to the trainer right from the start and forget that he's been training for years. The video only shows a quick demo of each move, so you don't see the breaks, the effort, or any slip-ups that might happen off camera. As long as you're doing your best to follow proper form and pushing yourself to complete each exercise, you're on the right track to building strength and definition in your abs and core muscles. While Stirling has recorded himself demonstrating each exercise, there aren't any audio cues, so it's up to you to keep track of the timing. I set timers on my Garmin watch for each exercise and just checked the watch face during the rest periods. I plan on using this routine again, and when I do, I'll build my own activity of the workout on my Garmin Fenix 7S to make following the workout smoother. That way, I can add each step with its duration, and my watch will buzz when it's time to move on, saving me from setting timers as I go. If you're looking for a watch to track your workouts, we can recommend the best fitness trackers to you or the best Garmin watches. When your core starts to burn — which it certainly did for me around round three — it's tempting to rush through the moves just to get them over with. But all that does is sacrifice your form and reduce the potential benefits. This workout isn't rep based, it's time based, so speeding up doesn't get you out of the work. You still have to stick it out until the timer runs down. Take a cue from Stirling in his demonstrations. His movements are slow and controlled, not fast or erratic. That kind of control, paired with exercises that include extended holds, is what really challenges your muscles and helps build strength. You'll feel this routine working all around your core, not just in your abs. Some moves focus more on the front of your body, while others challenge your sides, back and even your hips. For example, I really felt the hollow hold deep in my core, while the Copenhagen plank lit up my inner thighs and midsection. The shoulder taps added some stability work too, especially through the obliques. It's only a handful of moves, but trust me, they pack a punch. Stick with this style of core training on a regular basis, and you'll notice your core feeling stronger and more switched on in no time.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
129-year-old steam locomotive to star at Cotswold Festival of Steam
A ONE hundred and 29-year-old steam locomotive will be the star attraction at the Cotswold Festival of Steam. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) has announced that the South Eastern Railway's O1 class 0-6-0 steam locomotive, number 65, will be making a rare appearance at the Cotswold Festival of Steam, which runs from May 24 to May 26. The locomotive, built in 1896, is on loan from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. It is believed to be the first time that the locomotive has worked on railways outside the South East. Number 65 was one of 122 'O' locomotives designed by James Stirling, built between 1878 and 1899. Of these, 58 were rebuilt by his successor Harry Wainwright, including number 65, to become the O1 class. They were designed primarily to handle goods traffic and many were very long-lived, in their later years eventually finding work handling both passenger and goods trains on the numerous branch lines of Kent. Most had been withdrawn by the outbreak of the Second World War but a few soldiered on into British Railways ownership and two, including number 65 (number 31065 in British Railways days), lasted until 1961. It was bought by a private individual from British Railways and was dismantled, eventually arriving in parts at the Bluebell Railway and returned to steam in 1999. Tom Willson, chairman of the Cotswold Festival of Steam organising team, said: "Number 65 truly is an elegant addition to the festival and will be the headline act for what is shaping up to be a spectacular show. "It is a remarkable survivor from the days when practical machines were built to look beautiful. "It really does reflect our theme - celebrating railway 200 - marking the bi-centenary of the birth of the modern railway network, highlighting the development of steam locomotives from the Victorian era to British Railways days." The festival will also feature a display of 100 O gauge models at Winchcombe, illustrating the development of railway locomotives over 200 years. There will also be several full-size and miniature traction engines in steam at Toddington. For more information and to book tickets, visit the GWSR website.
