Taking the puff out of piping!

One of David Lloyd Club’s personal trainers has worked with some of Scotland’s top bagpipers to create the world’s first ever pipers workout programme.

With advice from the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, a specific programme has been devised to strengthen the body parts most exerted when piping - in particular the muscles in the neck, shoulder and under arm to enable a longer and less fatigued playing time.

The Diaphragm and abdomen are also receiving attention to improve breathing and the hands and fingers have their individual treatment to enhance speed and flexibility.

The bespoke piping plan was tested today at the Glasgow Renfrew Club’s state of the art gym by pipers from the award winning Johnstone Pipe Band, as they prepare for the arduous piping season.

The intensive training programme was devised by one of David Lloyd Renfrew’s personal trainers. “We are used to creating individual fitness programmes for all our members, and summer is definitely a time when people want to be beach body ready, but this has to be one of our more unusual challenges” Lloyd Stevenson, commented. He continued: “The programme we have devised will certainly take the puff out of piping and give The Johnstone Pipe Band a competitive edge never seen before in the Piping world, and, just like any professional athlete we will also be working on their mental approach to competition too.”

Johnstone Pipe Band Major, Keith Bowes said: “We are delighted to be offered this unique chance to improve our stamina and muscle control, which will undoubtedly improve our performance.” Adding: “Like Olympic athletes, we’ll be playing faster-higher-stronger!” This bespoke training programme comes at the start of the Piping season in Scotland with European and World championships, festivals and the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo all in the pipeline!

…ENDS.

*For further information please contact Claire Meal on 07808 126 418 or via email at [email protected]

About David Lloyd Leisure Group

The David Lloyd Leisure Group operates 81 clubs in the UK and a further 11 clubs across Europe, comprising David Lloyd Clubs , Harbour Clubs, plus 5 David Lloyd Studios. It has approximately 450,000 members and employs 6,000 people. This includes an expert health and fitness team of over 1,800, while it contracts the services of more than 400 tennis professionals. Across all clubs, David Lloyd Leisure has over 150 swimming pools (of which half are indoor) and offers over 10,000 exercise classes per week. Every week 20,000 children learn to swim at David Lloyd Leisure and 12,500 learn to play tennis. Its racquets facilities are unparalleled with 800 tennis courts as well as 180 badminton courts and 140 squash courts. Additional facilities include health and beauty spas, club lounges with free internet access, crèches, nurseries and specialist sports shops.

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