Bodybuilding barber David Steca to stage Mr Harrogate

Bodybuilding barber David Steca is to stage a Mr Harrogate competition this summer to showcase the area’s finest physiques.

Mr Steca, who owns Steca No6 in Harrogate and another salon in Leeds, is one of the most experienced and successful bodybuilders in the north of England, with a string of titles to his name.

He has won numerous British and international trophies and continues to compete at the age of 61 as well as train clients.

He plans to stage the event on August 1 in a marquee with seating for up to 200 people near his home in Menwith Hill. He said:

“The aim is to inspire and give local physique and fitness enthusiasts a goal coming out of covid.

“I want to give something back and provide a local platform to enthusiasts.”

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There will be a wide range of male and female categories catering for the toned beach body look through to hardcore bodybuilding.

Mr Steca added there will be British and world champion judges, along with food, nutrition and clothing stalls.

There will be HG postcode classes and open classes. Entry fee is £20 and spectator tickets are £20 and £10 for under-12s.

The event will also be a qualifying competition for the IBFA British Championships.

Mr Steca added:

“We already have prizes from local business for class winners. We look forward to an exciting day of muscle and fitness!”

 

 

Road testing Harrogate’s zoom workouts- the best way to keep your body and mind fit

Personally, I wasn’t sure on the idea of ‘virtual workouts’ to start with… the thought of my dog licking my face whilst trying to hold downward dog and only having myself for motivation with my comfy sofa in view made me uncertain.

There is also something really energising about going into an upbeat studio with loud music and someone yelling at me to drop my hips or hold that plank, whilst everyone around me is also going through the same pain!

However, what lockdown has created is a whole new generation of ‘virtual’ fitness classes that I think are absolutely here to stay.

Youtube workout videos are nothing new, and there is an element of convenience as you can just do them as in when you please. However, there is something more motivating about virtual classes being live. At a time when socialising is pretty limited, I find zoom classes are a safe way to stay connected with other people and are actually really productive. Also if you are self-isolating it’s a fab way to motivate yourself to get up off the sofa, get those positive endorphins moving and see some other humans!

Whether you’re looking for a full-body blast or seeking that zen feeling, there’s something for everyone… and they are all Harrogate based, so if you do want to do a mix between zoom and in person, you can- restrictions permitting of course..

Here’s a few of the classes that I have tried and tested and would definitely recommend.

The best for… variety: 

I say: If you’re looking to work up a sweat before the weekend, Georgia’s Friday morning HIT class is the way to go! She is so motivating and you really feel like she’s right there with you. The class focuses on your full body and is a real morning blast… She is also a nutritionist and offers amazing advice on her Instagram page!

She says: The classes are a perfect fit for busy homeworkers, anyone stuck inside or not wanting to venture out to gyms, someone needing a boost of something different! A breath of fresh air to the way you workout (time will never pass so quickly!). It is a great way to get your fitness fix from the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank!

How the classes work: All classes are streamed live online via Zoom. The most you need is a mat, pillow, x2 tins of beans and space to move. You can see the schedule for live classes on the website, which rolls 4-5weeks in advance. StrongStems offers a huge variety from sweaty HIIT sessions to Legs, Bums & Tums, BoxFit, Full Body Weights, Circuits, Core Control, Mobility and Strength & Tone… so you won’t get bored!

Prices:

The best for… Mood and flexibility:

I say: I love Zoe’s vinyasa flow zoom classes… You finish the hour smiling and her positive energy stays with you all day!  Zoe focuses on poses to strengthen your whole body and improve your flexibility on your way to a well-earned savasana. It’s open to all levels (you don’t have to touch your toes). Her love for yoga shines through in her teaching and she is really easy to follow… especially for me as I am no yoga expert.  She also posts a lot of clips on her Instagram page and youtube channel which are great if you’re looking for a quick session.

She says:  ‘A great benefit during this current time is the boost yoga has on your immune system. When you contract and stretch muscles, move organs around, and come in and out of yoga postures, you increase the drainage of lymphatic system, helping to fight infection! And finally, yoga helps to reduce stress and improve mental health by reducing our cortisol levels.’

How the classes work: You can browse and book the zoom classes through the website. All you need is a mat and positive vibes! If you can’t make the live times of the classes, recordings are available which can be done anytime up to 5 days after the class.

Prices: £5 per class 
 The best for… Self care:

What I thought: Anne Marie has over 30 years of experience and this definitely shines through in her classes. I have tried her ‘seven spiritual laws of yoga’ class which was so relaxing! Anne focuses on the holistic approach and gets you to really concentrate on yourself. I learnt so much about breath retention, dharma and even how to sleep better. I totally let go from the outside world during the classes.

She says: We find our older students or those who are needing to self-isolate particularly enjoy the zoom and the live option as it enables them to catch up and chat to their friends if they are not able to join us in the studio so it is the next best option to coming live as some of them live on their own so it’s really valuable for the social interaction.

How the classes work: Live classes are taught via Zoom and you can also access pre-recorded Youtube classes. You have 1-2 weeks to complete the class in your own time. They offer are a variety of yoga and pilates, Face yoga and meditation classes, as well as some clinical and restorative classes. They are recommended by medical specialists and are suitable for all ages and abilities. Each class is structured to meet individual needs with numbers limited to 10 people per class, which gives each individual the extra attention needed for a safe and effective workout.

Prices: One class is £9 or you can book a block of 10 for £75 which can be used on any zoom or catch up class.

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Ready Steady Mums to stop weekly walks due to ‘rule of six’

The Harrogate parent group Ready Steady Mums will hold its final walk today before the government’s new ‘rule of six’ forces it to stop. 

Ready Steady Mums, which was formed in 2016, provides parents with the opportunity to stay fit and socialise.

The group usually meets at St Mark’s Church at 10am on Fridays, does a group walk then enjoys refreshments.  

The Stray Ferret recently reported that the parents were able to meet up again following the easing of restrictions.  

However, the group’s meetings are set to be cancelled once again due to the new restrictions, which state that from Monday it will be illegal in most circumstances to gather socially in groups of more than six people.  

Laura Brett, group leader, said: 

“We just can’t justify it. We don’t want to do anything wrong. That being said, we are very disappointed. Particularly as Professor Chris Whitty is emphasising how coronavirus is more dangerous when you are unfit. Our group helps mothers to stay physically fit and it helps their mental health.” 

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The new rules take away other benefits of Ready Steady Mums – besides promoting mental and physical health, the group provides a network to help navigate parenthood. 

Ms Brett believes groups like hers should be exempt from the rules because of their health benefits and intends to seek clarification from the government on this matter. She said:

“Mums have lost the opportunity to make friends. Some of our members have just moved to the area and haven’t had the chance to meet anybody. The group also provides encouragement, as it is easy to lose confidence in any circumstance, never mind in the current situation. Many of the volunteers were previously midwives, which means that the group allows us to signpost concerns and guide the members to professional help if they need it.” 

The group attempted to stay in touch during lockdown to support each other. However, its activities now fall foul of the new rule.

After the final session on Friday the network will still encourage members to meet in smaller groups. 

Harrogate fitness centre responds to craze for new sport

A health and fitness centre in Harrogate has had plans approved to build more padel courts and changing facilities due to increased demand for the sport.

Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre on Hookstone Wood Road offers a range of different facilities including a gym, squash courts, studios and therapy rooms. However, its padel courts are seeing particularly high demand.

The only courts of their kind in the region, they see people travel from Hull, Liverpool and Manchester to play. Padel, a racket sport described as being a mix between squash and tennis, is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

Since reopening the courts on July 4, the Harrogate centre has seen an increased demand from people wanting to use the facilities. The courts are currently booked from 7am until 10pm, seven days a week, until the end of August.

grass which courts will be built on

Planning approval has been granted for a new glass-enclosed padel court.

Plans to build another glass-enclosed court along with changing rooms and toilets have recently been approved. The addition will be funded by the centre, the Lawn Tennis Association and Sport England.

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James Gaston, general manager at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, told the Stray Ferret that people of all ages come down to exercise:

“The whole point is to try and encourage people to play sports and make exercising cheap for communities. We try and make it so there’s something for everybody here from young people to older people. It’s like a big family.”

outside the sports centre

The sports centre also has a cafe which serves healthy food and drink.

Leo Campagna, a member at the club who is nearly 80 and plays squash most days of the week, told the Stray Ferret:

“I am nearly 80 and people my age have difficulty keeping fit. When you stop exercising you start to stiffen up and so you have to keep going. I am so glad to be able to play squash again. I come nearly every day of the week.”