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The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Is it true that … there's no gain without pain?
The words may have been printed on gym vests for decades, but is 'no pain, no gain' actually true when it comes to the benefits of exercise, such as improved cardiovascular health or increased muscle mass? 'Not strictly,' says Dr Oly Perkin from the University of Bath's Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism (CNEM). 'A better way of putting it is that you may make more gains if you experience a bit of pain.' The kind of 'pain' we're talking about isn't necessarily harmful. It's your body's way of signalling effort – 'and more effort tends to signal more reward'. This may include a feeling of discomfort and a desire to stop if you have a racing heart or burning muscles: a stress response that evolved to regulate exertion. Perkin adds: 'If exercise didn't induce some discomfort, we'd all just do it constantly, and be fatigued.' Then there's delayed onset muscle soreness (Doms), the ache you can feel a day or two after a workout. 'It's thought it may be a protective mechanism – your body's way of telling you that muscle needs time to recover,' says Perkin. But your starting point matters. When you begin exercising, movement may feel more uncomfortable, but as your body adapts, you may move more efficiently or develop stronger mental resilience. Then it will feel easier, but you'll probably still be making gains. Doms is also more likely to be caused by some exercises than others, no matter your level of exertion. Workouts that are new to you are more likely to trigger it, so can those, like running downhill, that cause muscles to stretch while under tension. 'You don't need to experience a lot of pain to make improvements,' says Perkin, especially if you're starting from a low baseline. Low-impact exercise such as walking and cycling can be really effective – particularly when done for extended periods of time. 'Any movement – even if it doesn't feel tough – is far better than doing nothing,' he says.
New York Times
13-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
How to Survive a Crisis
Lucy Easthope describes herself as 'the last responder.' When disaster strikes, emergency workers rush in to deliver aid. But Dr. Easthope, a visiting professor of mass fatalities and pandemics at the University of Bath in England, tells me that her specialty is what comes after. She has spent 24 years helping people recover from catastrophes like the Sept. 11 attacks, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the London subway bombings in 2005. Her many tasks include working in the rubble retrieving remains and personal effects, advising on cleanup and reconstruction, and helping stricken communities mend. In her upcoming book, 'Come What May: Life-Changing Lessons for Coping With Crisis,' Dr. Easthope writes about what a life in emergency management has taught her about weathering difficult times. She shared her insights on how to deal with everyday loss and calamities like death, a bad diagnosis, divorce or being fired. When she arrives on the scene of a disaster, the first thing Dr. Easthope does is write down every single thing that has happened, no matter how small: the collapsed bridge, but also the destroyed community garden. This is called an impact assessment. When something bad happens, she said, we can all benefit from making our own impact assessment. Write down everything that's affected by the event, whether it's physical, psychological or logistical, she said. This can help you understand what you have been through, how it is affecting you in all realms of your life and what is or isn't fixable. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New update on historic Carriage Works project
New roofing has been installed as part of the new Carriage Works regeneration project. The council hopes to "bring new life to these historic buildings" as part of a regeneration phase that began in April. They said: "The latest phase of regeneration at the historic site began in April with new roof slating being installed before glazing and windows are added." Work is continuing to progress with Nationwide Engineering contractor coming in to "convert the four units inside into useable space for future uses". The council's statement continued: "The units have been designed as 'shell and core' spaces, meaning they are flexible for an incoming organisation to configure as they see fit. "This could include high quality office space, research and development, educational spaces or digital and creative work areas. "The historic site has already been part refurbished and is home to the Cultural Heritage Institute, iCAST (run by the University of Bath and University of Oxford), Create Studios and The Workshed." The town centre building was constructed in 1876 and became part of the largest locomotive carriage works in the country. But the site sat empty for nearly 30 years following its closure in 1986. Recommended reading Swindon welcomes ban on Thames Water bosses receiving bonuses Problem roundabout with 'confusing lane markings' set to FINALLY be fixed Changes made to food waste recycling in Swindon Swindon Town Women complete raft of contract extensions Swindon school opens first library space for more than 10 years The development will also include refurbished spaces on the Bristol Street car park side of the building and on London Street which has been derelict and empty for decades. Plans are being formed to decide how this land can be repurposed to provide a new commercial, educational, and residential quarter. Councillor Kevin Small, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for finance, said: "Not only will this bring new life to these historic buildings, but it will also enhance the surrounding area, bringing in more footfall to the town centre." On May 5, the Advertiser reported that the new Carriage Works had been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award. The project is up for the regeneration and conservation category at the Construction Excellence South West Awards. Residents are still able to vote for the Carriage Works project via the Construction Excellence South West Awards website. The ceremony will take place at the Aerospace Bristol on July 17. Ross Simmonds, regional director for Historic England in the South West, said: 'We're delighted that the Carriage Works in Swindon has been shortlisted for the 2025 Constructing Excellence South West regeneration and conservation award, highlighting the power of heritage-led partnerships to breathe new life into communities."
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bath Uni 'sorry' for not giving students enough time for exam
A university has apologised after students sitting a three-hour physics exam were only given two hours to complete University of Bath said an "administrative error" meant first-year students sitting the Foundations of Physics exam on Tuesday had an hour added the issue was identified shortly before the start of the exam, but said subsequent room bookings meant it was not possible to extend the of the university's physics department, Professor Ventsislav Valev, said: "We are deeply sorry for the confusion and concern this has caused." She continued: "Our priority is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged. We are reviewing our processes to ensure such an error does not occur again."A University of Bath spokesperson added results of all assessments are "considered and finalised" by Boards of Examiners but students would be continued to be supported.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
University of Bath student says powerlifting gives her 'purpose'
A university banking and IT student says competing as a powerlifter has "given her purpose".Amrita Panda, 20, said she took on competing after a friend who was determined to qualify for a powerlifting competition died after a cancer diagnosis in Panda, who is on a placement at Lloyds Banking Group while studying at the University of Bath, has taken part in three competitions since her friend's death."That was the push factor. This incredible person had this dream, this unfulfilled thing. It was such a shame he couldn't do it, so I should try," she said. Powerlifting athletes compete in the squat, bench press and deadlift categories, to see who can lift as much weight as possible for a single rep in their personal weight Panda was born in New Delhi, India, before moving to Mumbai and then Hong Kong. She has lived in Bath for three years to study management marketing. She told BBC Radio Bristol she joined the gym as a "why not" after coronavirus restrictions began to lift in Mumbai where she was living in now competes in the under 57kg (125lbs) category, and holds personal bests of 65kg (143lbs) bench press, 140kg (308lbs) deadlift and 105kg (231lbs) February she won her first powerlifter medal in a regional competition and has her sight set on more competitions next year."It really changed my life, I felt healthier, stronger and I would really say competing has given me a purpose," she said."There's always something to work towards and to get better at it." She said her friend "really wanted to compete" at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Powerlifting Championships before he was Panda, who is also a black belt in karate, qualified for the same competition this year after failing to do it in 2024."That friend of mine, I didn't know him for very long. "He was a very good person and obviously wanted to do something with lifting. It felt like I have the chance, this opportunity, and so many resources at my feet. "I have the sessions at the university, I have a gym membership, a coach. "There's so much I can do, and I have the time to do it so why shouldn't I?" 'Women can be strong' Miss Panda also said more women are powerlifters and is encouraging more to pick up the sport. "A lot of women go into the gym with the sole goal of 'I want to look a certain way'. You can be just fit, not extremely skinny. "Be a healthy, good version of yourself where you're strong. I think that's really cool."She is working towards more national competitions in 2026.
