What to do over the Olympics… Posted on 25th July 2012 by With the Olympics fast approaching many people want to get involved in the Games (without paying hundreds of pounds to watch an event). So we have come up with a list of cheap and free activities to do in London to help you feel a part of the Olympics. Torch Relay:The Olympic Flame is finally here and is making its way around the UK – gather up everyone you know and Line the Streets to show your support. It’s one of the most iconic symbols of the Olympics. Going and watching the Torch Relay is a must to all locals as they probably won’t ever get the chance to ever witness this event again in their hometown. Peninsula Festival: Head down to Peninsula Festival London event to watch the Olympics on the big screens and enjoy live music, sports and more during the Games. The Greenwich Peninsula will be hosting a mix of free and ticketed events, with the huge Area 12 site open to the public every day of the festival. If you’re worried about missing an event don’t be, because at the Peninsula Festival London event there’s free access to big screens which will be showing live BBC coverage of London 2012. During breaks in play you can hop on a funfair ride or enjoy the performances from street entertainers and a marching band. Victoria Park:Victoria Park is situated in the East of London not too far from the Olympic Park. During the Olympics this place will be buzzing with excitement and hopefully if it’s a nice day why not bring a couple of footballs and have a mini tournament in the park with your mates as you have lunch, have some beers and watch the Olympics on the big screens. Park Live:Park Live is an area featuring giant screens and picnic lawns for up to 10,000 fans at a time. Situated in the lawned area between the Riverbank Arena and Copper Box on one side of the River Lea, and the Velodrome and Basketball Arena on the other, these giant screens seem to ‘float’ on the river. It is open for the public to visit before and after sporting events on the Olympic Park, the venue will be set within the newly created Parklands, which provides new green space for people and wildlife. The best way to enjoy this facility would be to grab a snack or some lunch, relax on the grass and enjoy the best of the live sporting action happening inside London 2012 venues. Olympic Events:If you have missed out on tickets to an event, there’s still a chance of attending one for free! There are various events which take place on public roads (which will be blocked off) which members of the public are more than welcome to watch. Events include the marathons which are on the 5th and 12th of August, the Road Cycling on the 28th, 29th of July and 1st of August, the Race Walk on the 4th and 11th of August and the cycling element of the Triathlon on the 4th and 7th of August. The British Museum:For those interested in Olympic history the British Museum are displaying the Olympic medals that were handed out at the 1908 and 1948 games which were held in London, as well as the 1960 and 1984 Paralympics. The Olympic Site:For those prepared to fork out £9 you can take a tour around the Olympic site. Daily Olympic Walks start at Bromley-by-Bow underground station and finishe at Westfield shopping centre. The route taken is mainly off the road, much of it along a path in the former industrial Lower Lea Valley. Your guide will then lead you to a footpath which goes alongside the Olympic park perimeter fence. From here there are views of the Olympic stadium and other 2012 constructions such as the Aquatics Centre and The Orbit. You will hear the latest on the athletes and the venues, but crucial to London’s successful 2005 bid for the games was the legacy, so you will also learn about the plans for the future of the site and the venues after 2012. This has been a massive project, reclaiming 2.5 sq. kilometres of contaminated land and transforming it into a place where people will want to visit and live. It goes for 2 hours and is 1.5 -2 miles long. Hyde Park:The Olympic festival at Hyde Park is your opportunity to take part in the once in a lifetime celebration and experience the great atmosphere that’s accompanying the London 2012 Olympic Games. Huge outdoor screens showing action from inside the Olympic stadium and other sites will be displayed in Hyde Park so you can join the public in cheering on your country. The Olympic festival at Hyde Park also includes a number of live performances and on-site special events. The entertainment includes music concerts, cultural performances and exhibitions that showcase the best of London and UK talent. And best of all its free. Tickets may be bought to guarantee entry and some special events require fee paying tickets, which include the 2 Celebration concerts on the 27th of July and 12th of August featuring Duran and Duran on the 27th. During the Olympics there will be the Women’s and Men’s Olympic 10km swim in the Serpentine River which runs through Hyde Park. Sitting in the grandstand requires a ticket, but the majority will opt to have a free view from the south side of the river. The events are on the 9th and 10th of August respectively at 12pm, and will last for 2 hours as the athletes swim 6 laps of the chilly water of the Serpentine River. 25 of the best long distance swimmers will compete in this event. A free event to attend, so why not grab a couple of beers and come down on and watch this event. Olympic Park:What’s a better way to soak up the Olympic atmosphere than a visit to the Olympic Park. Hop on the jubilee line and get there in a few minutes from London Bridge. The Olympic Park is definitely a must for everyone to visit at least once. The innovative Coca‑Cola Beat Box, will enable people to ‘play’ the Pavilion through interacting with sounds embedded within the architecture of the building. Visitors will be able to create their own beat for London 2012 by remixing the sounds of Olympic sports, captured by Grammy award-winning music producer Mark Ronson as he travelled the globe to create “Anywhere In The World”, Coca‑Cola’s song for London 2012. Other activities around the Olympic site include the BP. Fuelling the Future (interactive experience), the Acer Journey (interactive experience), and the Samsung Mobile Live PIN (interactive experience). And what’s a trip to the Olympic site without visiting the London 2012 Megastore – everyone loves a megastore. The Orbit is an opportunity for many people to see the Olympic Park from a different view. Standing 115 metres high, the Orbit is the tallest art structure in Britain – offering stunning views over the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park and the whole of London. Tickets can be purchased for £15. The whole of the Park will be designed to make sure that visitors always feel part of the Games, whether they are watching the sport competitions, walking along the river bank or sitting in front of one of the big screens watching events.
Sport and Social apps Posted on 24th July 2012 by The integration of smartphones into our daily lives has lead to an increase of access to information, greater social networking opportunities, and constant communication between people. A phones ability has grown exponentially since the invention of “apps”. Now we can use our phones not only as sources of information, but also as our greatest training tools. Below are a few great sport and social apps for your phone. If there are any apps you use on a daily basis, and would advise others to download…..please comment below. Thuuz: Free Have you wondered whether the game you are rushing to the pub to see is worth your time? Want to find out what game your friends are watching and how excited they are about the game? Then Thuuz is the app for you, bringing you updated information on games. Coverage includes Basketball, Football, Cricket, Rugby and more. Not only do you get real time information, but you get excitement levels. Team Stream: Free If you want information about your favourite team brought directly to you, then the Team Stream app is the best app for you. If any breaking news arises concerning your team, then you will be instantly alerted by a message on your phone. By activating the alert you will instantly be directed to the article detailing the update. The moment Manchester United confirmed their interest in Lucas Moura I was alerted. KYCK: Free This app covers everything and anything football. It is a private information source dedicated only to football leagues, teams, and individuals. You have to register and be accepted in order to use KYCK’s resources, but it hand selects specific content for you, depending on your preferences. Once you are in you will be also be offered the opportunity to speak with certain professional footballers. It’s pretty much a football facebook. Ray Lewis Workout: £2.49 Ray Lewis is a NFL football star with a ridiculous training routine. This app allows you to do the same workouts as Lewis to get fit. Cut fat following this app, and if you are looking to build muscle mass, that is also possible. Using this app is equivalent to having your own personal trainer, except this trainer only costs a one off payment of £2.49 and not £249/hour. Map my Run: Free /£1.99 Have you ever been on a run and wondered how fast you are running? Maybe you wanted to know how far you had already gone on your run, and/or how much farther you have to go? The MapMyRun app would be perfect for you. Not only can you track and log your distances/times. You can also plan out your routes, keep track of your speed and pacing, track elevation changes, and get nutritional input. This is the all in one fitness guide that you have been looking for. There is both a free version, and one you have to pay for. In the paid version, there are no ads, and there is iPod music integration. There is also a very similar MapMyRide for those who prefer exercising on their bikes. My Fitness Pal: Free This is a great app to keep track of what you are eating/how much exercise you are actually doing. It also helps you notice that sometimes you do more exercise in your day to day life/job than you realise as it accounts for brisk walks to and from the train station/shops etc. You can also enter your weight every so often to track your progression. However, it is quite an intense way to measure your day as you have to enter every bit of exercise, and every bit of food you eat. It could be a too controlled way to live, rather than just eating healthily and keeping up a regular exercise routine.
London Netball: Skechers tone up | GO Mammoth Posted on 23rd July 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth You may well be toning your bum by playing Netball in your Zaggora leggings, but it’s now time to grab yourself a pair of Skechers Shape-Ups to get those upper and lower legs into shape. This shoe has been endorsed by many celebrities, one being Kim Kardashian who has indeed raved about them. The shoes look like normal trainers but with a slightly bulkier sole (which won’t bother the majority of you as this is where the ‘magic lies’). This design of the trainer allows the butt and leg muscles to work in new ways. It exercises your legs through a different walking motion, and also uses new muscles (that walking in standard shoes would not focus on), helping your legs and bum become firm and toned. Many users are surprised at how comfortable these shoes actually are while playing Netball. However, although these shoes are comfortable, they are fairly heavy. With every step you take, you can feel your quads working overtime to pick your feet up, but this does lead to further conditioning of your quads. I love them because I struggle hard enough to find comfortable trainers, let alone ones that also focus on keeping me in shape without having to do any extra work. They are slightly more expensive than the average trainer varying between £50-£90 depending on the style. For the hot humid days when you are not playing Netball or exercising, you might not fancy a sweaty enclosed shoe so a pair of flip flops might be the way to go. Flip flops are once again another must for active women looking to tone up and shed a few pounds. These short Tone Up Flip Flops are a cooler alternative to Tone Ups and are perfect in the summer months when a nice stroll in Hyde Park can give your legs an extra workout. Once again depending on what style/model you want, prices range from £30-£50.
“If sport be the food of love, play on” Posted on 20th July 2012 by Everywhere you go in London/the world at the moment you will see a dating advert, and after the release and mass popularity of the saucy ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ it seems that this is at the forefront of everyones mind as well as most ladies wanting to find their perfect Mr Grey. As well as playing your favourite sport with GO Mammoth, you are also meeting loads of new like minded people. With this in mind, we have jumped on the bandwagon. When the sweat and competition get going I am sure a few of you have a slight fancy for someone in your team/league, so we have come up with some cracking sport pickup lines which will hopefully get you that date you’ve always wanted, or at least make them laugh at your stupididty and initially break the ice. They are probably the cringiest lines I have ever heard, but everyone likes someone who makes the first move (even if it is one of the below)…right? So play has stopped during your match, your catching your breath and you look over to your target and say “If I told you, you have a gorgeous figure would you hold it against me” Your teammate just missed their shot in your basketball/mixed netball league and are clearly upset. To cheer them up and score yourself date you say to them, “You can drop your ball in my hoop anytime” Whether you’re on the volleyball court or in an archaeological mission in the African jungle you can say to your girl (or guy), “Hey girl, I really “dig” you” Another one for the volleyball players. After the match you can ask, “How about after the game I make you some dinner? I can “serve” you underhand if you like” Heres a great line to use during your warm up. Just ask them, “Do you want to play some one on one?’ ‘I don’t think you need to warm up, because you’re already hot” When you notice someone with their hands on their knees panting heavily you can walk up to them put your hand on their back and casually tell them, “You must be tired because you’ve been running through my head all evening.” This one is best used when you first join a league or meeting an opposing player for the first time, “Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk past again?” If someone is hurt and bruised it will be a fair call to ask them, “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Cause that’s how I’d explain the bruises” In celebration of our first ever kickball leagues you can help out a player who has never played kickball before by saying, “Dating me is like playing kickball — so dangerous you have to sign a waiver” Once again if they are unsure about kickball you can tell them, “I’m like kickball — there are a million better things you could do with your time, but you’ll end up playing me anyway” Great to use for the people you think would love a long term commitment in your dodgeball league, “I love commitment — I’ve played on the same dodgeball team for at least a month” Finally (if they haven’t slapped you and left) you tell them one more thing about kickball, “I’m like a kickball — so big you need two hands” So there you have it, potential pickup lines for next time you take the field or court. If you are brave (or desperate) enough to try it, we would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to hear some successful/less successful stories. We are proud to say we have introduced a few great couples through our leagues already…and are always wanting to hear more…
London Sport: Best Sports Bar’s | Go Mammoth Posted on 18th July 2012 by Whether you want to head out in London to support your country, watch your favourite Netball, Football or Rugby team anihalate their opposition, or have a casual pint in a great atmosphere with like minded people, a sports bar will be perfect. I have highlighted the below sports bars that I would recommend are definately worth a visit. If you have been to one I have not mentioned below, that you have absolutely loved, I would appreciate knowing. It gives me an excuse to have a drink while going to check them out. Waxy O’Connor (Soho) – A very friendly Irish bar situated in the heart of London. The interior of the place adds to the overall feel and atmosphere of the bar. They also have some great facilities to hire out, which each have their own theme. They have many screens showing big sporting matches, predominantly rugby, which attract a large amount of people, adding to the fantastic atmosphere. Waxy O’Connors’ welcoming hospitality and great traditional pub food makes it one of my first choice bars. Jetlag bar and restaurant (Cleveland Street) – Jetlag is a “local bar with a global vibe”, serving street food dishes from around the world along with premium beers and cocktails. It’s also one of London’s premier sports bars, where you can watch live games – from American college to major league football – on a 15ft HD cinema screen with surround sound. For me, the large TV, comfy chairs and excellent customer service makes this place. Service is great as waiters continually come to your table to take orders for another drink (may be dangerous on a Monday night having beer after beer and then having to show for work the next day). Bar Kick (Shoreditch) – Bar Kick serves Mediterranean food with an emphasis on organic ingredients and continental beers. They have eight foosball tables and various TVs, including a large screen downstairs for sporting events. The foosball tables are super popular and because it is something different are often being used. Often quiet during the day, but come knock off time from work, this place is usually buzzing with very social, sporty people. Sports Café (Haymarket) – Great place to watch a variety of sports (football, cricket, netball, rugby and many more). There are 2 large screens and over 70 plasmas creating awesome atmosphere amongst matches as well as pool tables and interactive games to keep you busy during half time. Great to host functions and parties as rooms can cater for up to 600 guests. Sports bar and grill (Marylebone station)– Great location, inbetween Lords and Wembley stadium, so an optimal place to have a drink before and after sporting matches. Delicious pub food is available, as well as a great atmosphere for watching matches and events. Areas can be reserved for leaving drinks, birthday parties or any other celebration. The private ‘Scarlet Bar’ holds up to 60 guests and basement bar with 5 pool tables ideal for corporate, and larger events hold up to 150 guests. Spectacular sports coverage is shown on 16 (52 inch) HD screens, great for eating, drinking and watching sport with friends and/or colleagues.
London Netball: Stay fit in the office | GO Mammoth Posted on 17th July 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth Stressball When stuck at your desk at work in London for long periods of time, even something as small as squeezing a stress ball for a minute or so can get the blood flowing and exercise your forearms. By using your hand muscles you even can help to prevent the onset of arthritis in the future and hey, when your reading emails all day squeezing a ball seems that extra bit more fun. Keeping your hands, and fingers nimble, while building and toning your lower arm muscles will help dramatically with grip while playing Netball. Treadmill Desk For those of you who are serious about Netball and are looking into getting fit at work, AND want the coolest desk in your office, then a treadmill desk will definitely satisfy your needs. It has a work station complete with a computer screen, keyboard and treadmill underneath. You can then walk as you work. Your mind will be so distracted by what you are doing that you will forget you are even exercising. Just make sure you’re not running at full speed and making too much noise that no one in your office can concentrate, ha. I even read a story about a lady who burnt 2400 calories a day at work, I swear that can’t be healthy? Balance Discs Balance discs, often referred to as air pillows, are circular shaped and filled with air. These are used to improve balance and they are small enough to slide under your desk. Whenever you use the phone, you can stand on the discs for the whole duration of the call. Once you get good enough, you can challenge yourself and try to stand on one foot. You might want to bring a pair of trainers, or just slip off your heels otherwise I feel it may be slightly more of a challenge. Resistance Bands Resistance bands are made out of durable rubber and they come with hard plastic handles. They can easily be rolled up and placed into a desk drawer. You can do exercises such as shoulder presses, back rows, lateral raises, triceps extensions, biceps curls and lunges throughout the course of the day. It’s a great way of stretching out your muscles and keeping them active for your evening’s exercise/netball match. Thigh Toner Using a chair, sit with your back straight and feet flat on floor, about shoulder-width apart. Place the thigh toner against your thighs just above the knees, holding the “S” curved ends in your hands and the hinge facing the floor. A variation of this exercise is to place the toner against your calves, just below your knees. I’m looking to get some for while I’m working…does anyone have anything different that they know from personal experience works well?
London Netball: An apple a day | GO Mammoth Posted on 16th July 2012 by Everyone has heard the phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Every time I hear this I always want to ask, why? Normally no one has an answer for me…so I thought…why not look into it, as it is often my choice of pre/post London Netball league snack (it makes me feel better about myself). Over the years, many sources have said apple’s make you smarter. Maybe if you are using the apple (iPhone), then you probably have access to a lot of random knowledge. However, most research shows that apples can positively affect the brain, but in a health related way, rather than intelligence. Studies have shown that the consumption of apples may help to fight Alzheimer’s. Apples can also give you a leg up on another brain related disease called Parkinson’s. In other words, apples may not represent knowledge as much as they symbolise good brain health. If you compare your body to a car, then an apple is your favorite mechanic. Apples help to take care of your entire body. The process of eating apples helps to lower levels of bacteria in your mouth. The consumption of vitamin c will also give your immune system a boost. Apples contain 10% of the daily-recommended value of vitamin c. The fibrous material in apples has a multitude of good payoffs. The soluble fibre contained in the fruit helps to lower cholesterol by latching onto fat in your intestines, and helps to fight off diabetes. The non-soluble fibre helps to keep your internal systems clear. I know that there are those out there that prefer to eat their apples with out the skin, but don’t! You need all the beneficial fibers in the peel. It is believed that apples can help you to avoid cancer, however, what we do know is that eating apples helps lead to a healthy heart and a healthier you, helping you perform your best on the Netball court. An apple is a fruit, so it can’t be bad! An apple contains between 60-100 calories which is a very low calorie content for a food that can make you feel so full. They are also high in carb content, which makes them a perfect pre Netball snack. Find out more nutritional information on apples here. So I guess an apple a day doesn’t just keep the doctor(s) away (including; dentist, cardiologist, oncologist, neurologist, and more), they also help to keep you the healthiest person you can be. Try eating an apple a day, whether for breakfast, a snack, or before/after exercise.
Easy Ab Workout Posted on 13th July 2012 by div id=”body”> Guest Blog: So it was my birthday yesterday (I wont disclose my age), I was walking back from my Netball league in London, wandering around Clapham and saw a group of men in their mid twenties and came to the realisation that I am not married, don’t have kids yet and don’t see myself in a serious relationship any time soon. There’s a moment in every womans life when they realise it must be time to get into shape. So I have decided, I am going to try and get some cracking abs. I don’t want to do hundreds of situps every night because a) I don’t have time, and b) they’re quite boring! So I’ve spoken to a few of my fit friends (slightly obsessed I feel), and I have created a list of different and more importantly fun exercises to help slim down those dreaded love handles. Here goes… The Front Plank – Lie flat on the floor, face down. Push up on your hands, and toes ensuring you keep your body in a straight line, belly button in and arms at 90 degrees. Keep breathing, and do 3 sets of 30 seconds. The Side Plank – Start off in a similar position to the front plank, but roll over onto one arm and one foot. Keep your hips in line, belly button in and maintain this position for as long as possible. This will increase as you train your muscles. Try doing 3 sets of these. Make sure you breathe deeply otherwise you may pass out…not a good start to a new you! The Bird Dog – Get into a dog position (hands and knees touching the floor). While keeping your back flat and belly button pulled in, lift your arm up and out at 45 degrees, while pointing the opposite leg straight back. Stretch, and hold. Overhead Sidebend with broomstick – Simply grab a broomstick hold it above your head and lean down to the side and come back up. Easy to do while watching television. Remember to keep control of this, the slower and more controlled, the better tone. Twist Crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent. Carefully lift your head up and place your hands behind your head without locking your fingers together. Twist to the right bringing your left elbow to your right knee. Extend your left leg out. Now twist back to the left bringing your right elbow to your left knee. Extend your right leg out. Leg Throw Exercise – Lie flat on your back, reach back and hold your partners ankles or calves securely with your hands. Bend your knees slightly and slowly raise your legs towards your partner’s body. Make sure your lower back is always sunk into the foor. Bring your legs all the way up so your partner is holding onto your ankles. Feel your partner throw your legs away and down. Your partner should not just push, but rather throw them so your legs have both momentum and gravity pulling them down to the floor.Resist the force of your legs as they are thrown and don’t let your feet touch the ground. Slowly bring your legs back up to your partner and allow him to grab your ankles again. Ask your partner to throw your legs in different directions. Throwing them to the side at least 45 degrees works the oblique muscles and random throws helps with strengthening the abs and your coordination within Netball while balancing from jump landings. If anyone else has any ideas I would really appreciate them. The easier and less time consuming the better?
The Birth of the Frisbee Posted on 13th July 2012 by Ultimate Frisbee is a new team sport that’s popularity has raipdly grown in London and the UK over the past few years. I had not really heard of it, and after travelling last year I realised how big it actually was in countries like New Zealand and America. I was then intrigued into where it actually originated… Inspiration for a new idea can come from anywhere. You can never tell quite when it will hit you. It always comes at the most random times, and stems from the most unexpected of things. We’ve all thrown around random household objects – howcome I haven’t managed to create a new sport and made a lot of money from throwing around a cake tin? It is because Walter Morrison beat me to it. This random act helped to develop the modern Frisbee. He and his future wife were on a beach one-day tossing around one of their cake tins, when someone approached them and offered to buy it 25¢, when it only cost them 5¢. Morrison then realised that people were willing to purchase a new toy that he could produce. But sadly his plans had to be put on hold for a little while. Morrison was called away to fight in WWII as a US Air Force pilot. Upon his return home he drafted the design for a new and aerodynamically improved disc. He called this disk a “Whirlo-Way.” New products are hardly ever ready on their first go. It took many prototypes and modifications before he and his new business partner, Warren Franscioni, got it right. This partnership was short lived; only lasting 2 years. The disc was further developed and a new one was released in 1955. Two years later Morrison sold the right to the new “Pluto Platter” to Wham-O. The word “Frisbee” did not come about until 1957 when Wham-O decided to give the product that brand name. Apparently college students in Connecticut were calling the disc a Frisbee, which came from their familiarity with the Frisbee Pie Company in Bridge Port Connecticut, which I am speculating were probably in circular cake tin. Talk about coming full circle! Have you tried out Ultimate Frisbee? It is actually suprisingly a lot more fun than you may initially imagine.
London Touch Rugby: Funny ads | GO Mammoth Posted on 6th July 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth Rugby, is a sport loved by many British, and touch rugby is played in many London leagues for fun in between season’s. Whenever I think of rugby, a few main images pop into my head, mainly of Johnny Wilkinson’s winning kick in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, as well as the New Zealand Hakka. Many of these are put in the public eye through a variety of advertisements, and go viral through humour, so I have composed a list of 3 of the funniest rugby adverts that I’ve seen in recent years. I would love to know if you have come across any funnier ones? 1. This ad was based and aired in the Czech Republic. The message that rugby is for ‘men’ may have caused a bit of a stir especially in the Czech Republic where football is the dominant sport. I’m sure many rugby players will agree with the ad and footballers will most certainly disagree. You can be the judge. 2. This ad (endorsing the Singapore Golf Open) is an example of another promotion of rugby by interrupting a game of golf. Two rugby teams wait for the golfer to tee off before catching the golf ball before turning the golfing fairway into a rugby match. 3. The New Zealand Haka is known all over the world, and happens at the beginning of every rugby match involving New Zealand. I actually enjoy watching that sometimes almost as much as the game. The ad shows the Scottish teams’ comical response to the New Zealand Haka. The Haka is used to intimidate opponents but the Scottish have fought back with wit and intimidated them with their own countries special talent.