massage

"There's no secret in our training programme", says Deena "...what really makes the athlete stand out from the next -- at an elite level -- is the amount of time you put into the exemplary things, the ancillary work, the stretching, massage therapy, the work in the gym, all the other things to make us a more well-rounded athlete."

Since starting training with Pilates teacher Richard Rossiter last year to fix my back and get some ab muscles, I've learnt a lot of new stuff about my body. For instance, I never knew I couldn't fully straighten my right knee. Richard's classical Pilates, which often reminds me of circuit training and includes resistance work such as Sumo squats with a barbell, is gradually "calling my body to order". In the process, I get to experience a variety of transient aches and pains as muscles, tendons and ligaments strengthen, stretch and relaign. Lately, it's been this pain in my butt.