SportsDirect.com Take a Look at Planning for a Skiing Holiday

In a bid to banish the January blues and take advantage of the sale period, January is the opportune time when people start to look at booking a holiday and see what’s available. Skiing can be an expensive holiday but with travel agents and online travel companies slashing their prices, it is worth taking a look at their offers across ski resorts. SportsDirect.com take a look at how to plan for a skiing holiday.

The majority of European ski resorts are open between November and March, with Christmas, February Half Term and Easter being the prime times for people to head up to the slopes, therefore being the most expensive. According to skicusine.co.uk, January has the best deals for European ski resorts and it tends to be a lot more quiet and peaceful, opposed to any other time in the year.

There is a risk of poor skiing conditions in the run up to the end of the season, however the days will be longer, leaving more time on the slopes, plus there is more chance of catching some rays from the sun and it therefore not being as cold.

For first time skiers it is always best to book onto a few skiing lessons beforehand and improve on cardio-vascular fitness as well as core strength to ensure that the slopes won’t be too challenging, fitness wise. Running, cycling, squat reps and sit-ups are all great ways to prepare.

When it comes to skiing equipment, most of it, such as ski boots and skis, can be hired from the resort, and it means no cost for transporting bulky items on flights, however there are some essentials that every skier will need. SportsDirect.com have a great range of ski jackets, trousers, goggles, base layers, hats and gloves that have all been especially designed for skiing. Their Helly Hansen, Nevica and Campri ranges all have a fantastic selection of ski clothing and accessories, and their prices won’t break the bank.

Even after having a few ski lessons on dry slopes,  it is always best to have a professional ski lesson to ensure safe skiing, and they will be able to provide guides as to which slopes to try out first and which ones to avoid.

Visit SportsDirect for their full range of ski wear and equipment. Join in the conversation on www.facebook.com/sportsdirectuk and www.twitter.com/sportsdirectuk.

Sondico Football Boots – The Low Down

Over the past few months Sondico have added three new lines of football boots to their range, with each design offering advantages to each level of skill. SportsDirect.com take a look further at the new styles.

Each of the new designs are available in both SG and FG and are perfect for players who don’t want to fork out for the big brands, but equally don’t want to compromise on quality or performance.

The Sondico Flair football boots were the first boots to be released. At £29.99 the Flair’s are ideal for beginners or for training, they feature an all leather upper and triangular moulded studs for the FG boots, and moulded with circular metal studs for the SG boots, to provide maximum performance on the pitch. They also benefit from a textured forefoot for a superb grip which in turn will increase control of the ball and improve responsiveness, comfort and confidence.

For players who are slightly more advanced, then the Sondico Precision football boots, at £39.99 are ideal. Benefiting from Poron Performance Cushioning foam for shock absorption and increased resilience, these football boots also reduce the likeliness of injury. They have the same triangular moulded studs, and combination of moulded and circular metal studs for the SG, that the Flair boots have, but benefit from an all Napa leather for a soft, smooth and durable upper. They also feature a padded forefoot to provide the player with greater control over the ball.

Constructed from Kangaroo leather the Sondico Touch football boots at £59.99, have a softer, lighter feel and provide a stronger construction when compared to the other boots. They also feature a Micro Fibre lining to the heel to prevent excessive heel movement and provide the player with increased power and comfort. Finally, they offer stiffening channels through the shank to help reduce the risk of injury and increase support.

The new Socndico range offers a boot for every level of footballer, and all ensure comfort and a sleek, professional design.

Check out the full Sondico range at SportsDirect.com. Take a look at SportsDirect.com’s blog for their latest sporting ideas and news.

Transfer Deadline Day: Shocks of the Past

Transfer deadline day occurs twice a year; the 31st January and 31st August. Every year thousands of people take holidays from work and watch the final hours unfold as they pray their teams have pulled some wonder deal that will carry them through the season. Many football transfers have taken place already in the month of January but the Premiership big fliers have been quiet to date. History shows they like to make their mark and it is almost certain this year will be the same.  To get you in the spirit for this year’s D-Day, here are a few shocks of the past. Do you remember them?

First up who could forget Ashley Cole’s move to Chelsea, swapping places with William Gallas. Issues with the transfer fee meant this awaited transfer only just took place and fans were left biting their nails to the final seconds. Dimitar Berbatov’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester United is a worthy contender since his transfer fee cost United a hefty £30.75 million. Everyone was confused how West Ham pulled off the transfer of Argentinian duo, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez in 2006 but they both went on to make their name in the Premiership with Mascherano heading to Liverpool, and Tevez making his way to both Manchester United and Manchester City a few seasons later.

Transfer deadline day has seen some crazy last minute purchases and some unexpected shockers over the years. David Beckham and family were seen looking at schools in England in 2013 and it was assumed he’d be heading back home, yet transfer deadline saw him announce a move to Paris St-Germain where he would play for free and donate his wages to charity. This month is building up to yet another D-Day where there is sure to be more exciting surprises.  Keep tuned on the 31st January where footballing history will be made again.

What are your predictions for transfer deadline day?

Sports Nutrition – New Year Diets

The top New Years resolution in 2014 was to lose weight, unsurprisingly. But how many people actually manage to see their resolutions through? Studies show that only 8% of people are successful in keeping their resolutions, and many people give up in the first week, especially when it comes to weight management. On average Britons spend £37m per year on wasted gym and slimming classes.

The truth is, many people lie to themselves. Missing out sly snacks when calorie counting, rounding a 40 minute jog up to an hours exercise or justifying calorific treats because you’re having a salad for tea. If you really want to get fit, you have to be honest about how unfit you are to start with.
To conquer a new diet or fitness regime you need to be realistic. Don’t force yourself to work out like a body builder when you haven’t actually been to the gym since last years resolution.

The trick is to make small changes, gradually. Don’t expect to lose 10lbs in the first week, or even the second. 12 weeks should give you good, measurable results and you’re less likely to suddenly regain any weight because you’ve stuck to a routine for a significant period of time. When you see the results you will feel a lot more motivated to stick at it.

Be kind to yourself, banning your favourite foods will only make you crave them more. Instead, have smaller portions, less frequently as a treat. Once you start losing weight and feeling fitter you’re more likely to lose your appetite for these foods and opt for healthier choices to keep up your hard work.

To be successful on a new fitness regime you need to work changes into your daily life. Attend gym classes or swimming sessions once or twice a week to begin and don’t expect to be able to go to the gym seven days a week, because lets face it, that’s pretty unrealistic! Amend your diet to eat healthier foods more often and unhealthy foods in smaller and less frequent quantities. Be wary of your portions sizes as this is an easy way to cut down your calorie in take without even realising.

You should aim to do 150 hours of exercise per week. This could be a long stroll, a gym session or a swim. Mix it up and keep yourself interested and motivated. Set realistic monthly goals to work towards and don’t expect too much from yourself. Remember to praise yourself when you’ve had a good workout or have lost a few pounds as positive rewards will help keep you motivated.

For a range of sports nutrition supplements and  accessories visit http://www.sportsdirect.com/accessories/sports-nutrition. Keep up to date with SportsDirect’s competitions and get ideas on staying healthy and fit at http://www.facebook.com/sportsdirectuk or http://www.twitter.com/sportsdirectuk.

SportsDirect.com’s Guide to Getting the Whole Family In The Pool

Recent articles have expressed that children, all around the World, are physically less fit than what their parents were when they were the same age. Higher body mass index and increased weight has been made accountable for this, according to exercise physiologist, Grant Tomkinson, as well as lower levels of exercise. SportsDirect.com take a look at how family swims can tackle this issue.

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise when it comes to utilising the majority of muscles in the body and  helps improve aerobic fitness. Being a low-impact sport, it is not too strenuous on children, but it will make a difference to their overall level of fitness and keep them active.

Aerobic fitness levels have also decreased in adults, and lack of exercise could increase chances of a heart disease or stroke. Swimming for an hour burns approximately 500 calories and acts as a mini resistance workout, due to the fact that water is about 800 times denser than air, so it is a great way to shape up.


Going swimming as a family has numerous benefits. Parents will be motivated to go and do exercise and it will be more of a fun and sociable activity for children, instead of them sticking to just swimming lessons. By the whole family heading down to the local pool, it will also help children’s confidence in water as they will become more familiar with it, and it will help to develop their swimming skills.

Children won’t necessarily see swimming as a chore either as it can be made fun too. Parents can alternate between more ‘serious’ swimming, such as lane swimming and ‘fun swim’ which involves slides and inflatables. Therefore they will be increasing their aerobic fitness as well as having family fun.

For a range of  swimming and buoyancy aids, as well as swimsuits and accessories visit http://www.sportsdirect.com/pages/swimming. Keep up to date with SportsDirect’s competitions and get ideas on staying healthy and fit at www.facebook.com/sportsdirectuk or www.twitter.com/sportsdirectuk.

SportsDirect.com’s Guide To Fitness Classes for 2014

Fitness classes are a great way to lose weight and can be much more fun than enduring an hour at the gym. However, with so many different classes available it can be daunting when it comes to choosing one to try out. SportsDirect.com take a look at the latest exercise classes that are set to be huge in 2014.

Exercising can feel like a chore, but when thrown into classes with a group of people and everyone is learning together it can be much more motivating than an hour on the exercise bike or treadmill.

A class that is not dull in any sense is Aerial Fitness. It  is a fairly  new class to hit the UK and is very popular with celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Pink. Based on an idea discovered in Buenos Aires, Aerial Fitness combines a range of different workouts including yoga and pilates , all in the air, using hoops and slings to help improve fitness, burn off fat and strengthen core muscles.

For people who love dance, Virgin Active have launched Fierce, an African tribal dance class that aims to improve flexibility, strength, and acts as a cardio workout. The class involves jumping, stomping, twisting and kicking to create a high intensity and strength building dance class that will also build stamina. It is ideal for people who have previously tried out Zumba or Bokwa®.

Over the past year CrossFit gyms have been popping up around the UK and are set to get even bigger in 2014. A mix of cardiovascular activities, stretching and weightlifting, CrossFit training involves competing and submitting best times online. Typical exercises that are included in the program are squats, pull-ups, push-ups, running and rowing and is perfect for people who want really push themselves to the next level and have a competitive spirit.

Similar to CrossFit, Boot Camp acts as a full body workout and uses the same format as circuit and interval training.  Predominately performed outdoors, though some classes are taken inside,  the class takes inspiration from military boot camp and includes a lot of short sprints, push-ups and plyometric exercises to help build fitness and increase strength.

Finding a class that encourages and maintains motivation is key, as is trying out a range of different classes. Visit www.sportsdirect.com/fitness-and-exercise-equipment and get kitted out before trying out a new class. Keep up to date with the latest news too on their blog.