Monthly Archives: June 2012

Skimama was invited to visit The Mama Club this week, a beautiful  club in the heart of Bondi Junction especially for mums!  This is the haven many mama’s have been looking for!  Nannies on hand to look after your children, a barista, beauty therapist, hairdresser, midwife and more.

The club is a beautiful serene space, open plan, airy with plush sofas to curl up and read a magazine in ( in peace!!!) and dedicated zones for children. I loved that I could watch the Ski Bunny play happily while I chilled for half an hour (seriously that is all I needed to recharge!!). The Ski Bunny sat happily for storytime with Grandma Marion, who was sweet and engaging with the children. She then set about exploring the toddler zone- full of toys which seem carefully chosen for imaginitive play.

There is a covered courtyard with a terrific barista- as someone who is serious about their coffee, I was VERY pleased with the coffee which is specially roasted for The Mama Club- not too bitter, not too weak- I love a coffee strong enough to stand your spoon up in and this was perfect for me- however I know that ALL tastes are catered for – I did ask for mine strong.  I never drink tea but I  was almost converted by Rabbit Hole Teas which are served in individual cups with plungers- so you get proper tea made with tea leaves.. I like!

Lots of yummy food- Brasserie Bread which you can order ahead and collect from The Mama Club.  My absolute favorite, fig and walnut loaf is available and their granola is the business- served with a dollop of creamy yogurt- it is delicious. There are lots of food options for those who suffer from food allergies too- nut free, egg free dairy free… you will have plenty to choose from.

This is a spot for ALL mums too- working mama’s have a special time on Saturdays to make the most of the services which include a photographer to capture family portraits- genius idea.

Oh and if you are looking for somewhere special for your next birthday, baby shower or special event- you can hire the space too and have your party beautifully styled by Mon Tresor! You may in fact, never want to leave this little sanctuary!

Sara, who is the founder of the club has thought of so many details to make life a little easier for busy mums. Having so many practical services and treats in the one spot really is a time and sanity saver. I am looking forward to having a blow dry on my next visit and will be booking in for the next CPR course that they are running.

Check out The Mama Club for more details!

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Audrey, Grace and Jackie…these women epitomised chic on and off the slopes…. here is a little inspiration for those of you considering your apres ski wardrobe.

Audrey in the gorgeous film Charade- oversized sunglasses, and a cozy roll neck sweater… plus red wine and cheese.. cannot go wrong!

Grace Kelly- I think these are Persol sunglasses- she often wore them and this style would still look amazing on the slopes this season

Jackie Kennedy with Caroline Kennedy, can make a pair of googles on her head look like a fashion statement.. sweet fair isle sweater on Caroline.

AND this one whilst non ski related… is one of my favorite images ever. Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn backstage at the Oscars in 1956.

More apres ski fashion to come in the next post!

Posted by theskimama in Uncategorized

Our awesome friend, Rob, from www.atleta.com.au , one of Australia’s top fitness professionals, has put together some training tip on getting fit to ski and board this season. Getting in good shape helps you make the most of your ski holiday and means less sore muscles at the end of the day! And with the season almost upon us,  now is the time to be working on your get fit to ski program.

Whether you are an experienced skier or snowboarder, or this season is your first time heading to the slopes, it’s important to understand the value and benefit of your health, strength and fitness to ensure you stay injury free and have an enjoyable time at the snow.

As fitness professionals, we work with skiers and snowboarders on a regular basis, ensuring that their cardiovascular fitness and strength levels are developed in order to improve performance.  Building strength particularly in the lower body with the large muscle groups such as the thighs, hamstrings and glutes, whilst also developing a strong core and abdominal region will help the first time skier learn the skill without running an increased risk of injury. The stronger our muscles, the less stress we place on our bones and joints.

Read on for 4 exercises that will help you stay fit and strong for the slopes!

1.      Squats:

Squats are a key exercise to develop strength in the lower body, whilst also mimicking the action of a skiers’ and snowboarders stance. The stronger you are in the squat exercise, the safer and longer you will last!

Start with basic bodyweight squats, ensuring that your feet are hip width apart and your toes do not go past your knees as you descend into the movement. To increase the difficulty, add a light weight such as a medicine ball or weight plate on your chest. Once you can complete 15 repetitions comfortably, it’s time to increase the weight!

2.      Lunges

Lunges work the lower body in a more functional movement, and will also engage the core muscles to aid in balance. You will work on developing strong glutes, hips and hamstrings with this exercise.

Once you have mastered stationary lunges, you can progress into a walking variation, where you take “steps” and lunge. Again, you can also add a light weight or include a rotational aspect with the upper body to increase intensity. Make sure your toes do not go past your knees on the front leg, as this will place an increased stress on the knee joint.

3.      The Plank/Bridge

One of the best core exercises around, the plank is an exercise that engages the abdominal muscles, which act as stabilizers within our body. This will help us to maintain our correct positioning and technique whilst on the snow. The plank works both our outer layer of the abdominal region (commonly referred to as the six-pack), as well as our deeper core muscles (called the transverse abdominis) which provide support for the lower back and spine.

Beginners can start on their knees and elbows, aiming to hold the position for 30 seconds. Once this can be performed easily, you can progress to your toes. Make sure the lower back does not sag and the core muscles remain tight and contracted.

4.      Cardiovascular exercises

Without a base of cardiovascular fitness on the snow, we will fatigue much faster and put ourselves at an increased chance of injury.  Any type of cardiovascular exercise that you enjoy is beneficial, from walking, jogging, dancing, riding a bike or some form of social class. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity of cardiovascular fitness on most (if not all) days of the week.

ABOUT ATLETA

ATLETA provides fitness training services across most of the Sydney metropolitan area. We cater our training packages specifically to your individual needs. In addition, we endeavor to provide services that incorporate new innovative approaches to goal setting, fitness and lifestyle change. See below for information on our packages and pricing.

ABOUT ROB LYON BA HMS, MAAESS, ASCA cert.
With 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, Rob blends a wealth of knowledge, passion, motivation and determination to his role. After Graduating from UTS with a human movement degree in 2004, he has thrived in various roles in the industry ranging from University gymnasiums to corporate health centers.

Rob is a regular contributur to Askmen.com. The past 3 years has seen Rob live in Phoenix, Arizona working in the field of Cardiology. As a qualified cardiovascular technician, coupled with formal training in Advanced Cardiac Lifesaving Skills, Rob developed a keen interest and talent in the field of heart disease, from diagnostic testing and interpretation to lifestyle modification and improvements.

Please note, consult your healthcare professional before you embark on any fitness program, if you have not exercised in some time.

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