Surfing is a modern day competitive sport and recreational past-time, where a surfer will be driven by the crest of waves while riding a finely designed surfboard. Testimonies from 18th century travelling sailors describe natives of the Polynesian Triangle of Islands "Amusing" themselves by riding waves on boards. This area of islands would seem the logical place for the birth of such a sport, with trade (and maybe competition) between many islands being the norm. Accounts of surfing within the pre-Inca societies are common also and these possibly date back thousands of years.

Today, surfing is as much a part of sporting interest as it is a part of popular teen culture. It is an enjoyable and very effective way to improve and maintain core fitness levels. The muscle groups used are wide and varied, due to the need to maintain balance and momentum in equal measures. Many 20th Century design innovations resulted in surfboards of differing lengths and abilities. Developments in polyurethane and polystyrene allowed surfboards to become lighter and therefore easier to manoeuvre, giving rise to more free and open styles of competition.

There are many designs of surfboard with evocative names such as "Egg", "Fish", "Tri-Fin", "Mini Tanker" and "The Quad". All have differences in Length, Width, Shape and Fin Design, providing a more tailored ride for people of all shapes, sizes and wave conditions.

There are many ways that can help in developing those Abdominal Muscles. At Heroes, we aim to bring you effective idea's that will provide you with results, without braking the bank in the process.

With this in mind why not try our excellent Ab Training Slings which allow you to do leg raises, abdominal twists and other raised abdominal work.

Also, we stock a superb range of Specialist Ab Training Boards with adjustable heights to fully develop you Abdominal Muscles.

Your Aerobic Workout should be maintained throughout the year to prevent your condition dropping. Running and Cycling can weather determined and, even with the best will in the world, we all sometimes feel like we would rather stay indoors during a heavy rainstorm.

Heroes Fitness can provide you with sensible alternative aerobic workouts. They can range from the simple Skipping Rope to a great range of Crosstrainers, Rowing Machines and Exercise Bikes.

Heroes Fitness Stores is different from many sports retailers. We can be reached by telephone and we have staff that are trained in sports nutrition who can advise you on the best nutrition to allow you a speedy recovery. We have a huge range of Strappings, Wraps and Sport Supports to help you rehabilitate at a pace that suits your injury. We have 'Soft' exercise options to allow you to maintain your conditioning while waiting for muscles to heal.

We have stores in Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester which will welcome your visit and will be only too pleased to discuss your rehabilitation and advise you on the best supplements and stacks to help you recover.

Alternatively, you could call us on 01603 763870 or Email: heroesmuscle@btconnect.com for one to one advise on any sports training topic.

Your goals are our goals :-)

The key to maintaining your surfing conditioning is a marriage of Core Conditioning, Skill Maintenance and Good Nutrition. So many surfers forget that they need a good source of nutrition when heading out to the surf in the early hours of the morning.

Aside from your regular dietary intake your body needs a good source of energy and it also requires proteins to aid with muscular repair. Surfing is a rigorous activity, requiring energy from the off. You need to feed your body to get the best from it and the higher the quality of nutrition, the better you will perform. Energy is the key to Muscular Activity, Mental Alertness and also Positive Mental Attitude ...

... All Essential to a Successful Surfer.

Below is a list of professional quality nutritional supplements that our fully trained sports advisers recommend to help you build, maintain and repair your body when undertaking Surfing Training.

• Energy: Maxifuel Viper Boost, Maxifuel Viper Active Bar

• Creatine: Maxifuel Creatamax Capsules, Sci-MX Creatine CT-MX

• Protein: Maximuscle Promax, Sci-mx Whey Protein

• Vitamins: Maxifuel Immune Support, Sci-mx Immunex Sport

Heroes Fitness Stores is your one-stop-shop for all of your sports nutritional requirements. We have hand-picked our Supplement Stacks to provide you with the best possible complimentary nutritional supplements at fantastic prices !

If you have been a surfer for many years you probably are no stranger to the cuts and bruises that often occur when surfer and board meet heavy swells. Sometimes you may even experience a more serious injury, typically to your Back, Knee, Ankle, Shoulder and Neck ... Strains, Sprains and even the occasional break.

Note: All injuries should always be seen by a medical practitioner.

Once you have seen your GP and followed their advice, you will be looking forward to getting repaired and back on your boards.

• British Surfing Association