Vicki Galloway-Place

We’re overflowing with fitness facts to share with you as we are approaching the end of November's 30x30 fitness challenge, here’s some more to add to your growing bag of facts! 

1. Did you know you use 200 muscles to take a single step? Every time you take a step, you use around 1/3 of the muscles in your body, not all of them are in your legs?

2. Did you know that when you break a sweat, your blood pressure lowers for 16 hours afterwards?

3. Did you know standing alone (or with a friend!) burns an average of 100-200 calories, versus sitting?

4. Did you know if you don’t regularly exercise you could lose up to 80% of your muscle stren

20 quick fire facts to put you in the fast lane when it comes to your Grand Prix knowledge

1. The first Grand Prix post covid attracted a record breaking 365,000 fans

2. As of 2021 Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are tied in the first spot of drivers with the most wins

3. The fastest lap in history belongs to Michael Schumacher, out of 77 races.

4. Sadly, 18 drivers have died since the first decade of the F1.  Since 1960 more rigorous regulations were put in place which drastically reduced the number of deaths.

5. As of 2021 Ferrari is the team with the most world championship wins, totaling 16, most Grand Prix wins amounting to 238, most pole positions with 230 and most race entries with 1030

Climb your way to the top of the knowledge tree with these awesome climbing facts

Rock climbing is fast becoming one of the most popular extreme sports.  Between 2007 and 2014, nearly 19,000 people took part in the sport, this rose to over 148,000 in 2015. 

Climbing was officially included in the Olympic Games in 2020, with awards given in: climbing, bouldering and speed.

The mountain Annapurna in Nepal, is known as the most dangerous mountain in the world.  The 10^th highest mountain, first climbed by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal.  Annapurna has sadly claimed 69 lives and has only been attempted 261 times.  This means that for every 3 climbers that successfully make it up and down, one will die. 

The tallest ice climbing wall is in Seoul,

Luckily for us in the UAE, we are safer than in many other countries. In fact, in 2021 the Gallup Global Law and Order report ranked the UAE as the number one country for walking safely at night, scoring an amazing 95%.  In addition Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the sixth consecutive year, with Sharjah placing fourth and Dubai eighth, by the Numbeo Safety Index 2022, out of 459 cities worldwide.  But if you tend to have an over active imagination, or like to be prepared in any situation, which may include defending yourself…then this how to guide is for you!

It is worth noting that in January 2018 a survey of 1,000 women nationwide (in the US) found that 81% had experienced some form of harassment, assault or both in their lifetime.  With many women (and men) travelling through or around the UAE, it is wise to keep your wits about you, particularly if you are in a country that you are unfamiliar with. Always listen to your g

Or at least know the basics to be able to hold your own...

With the World Cup imminently approaching our desert sands, we thought we would put together a handy guide covering the basics of this beloved sport. For those of you that have watched from the sidelines pretending you know the score, this guide is for you.

Male, female, old or young; football is a sport that has always been hugely popular with a wide variety of people; and now, the sport is open to a diverse range of people.  More than ever, everyone is invited to play the game.  But where do you begin? With the basics of course.

The Players

The easiest fact to remember is that there are 11 players on each team.  In addition, both sides have substitutes waiting on the sidelines for a change at a kick of the ball. There isn’t one set formation for a game of football; however, it is common to s