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Shivraj Bassi

A few years ago, Shiv had an idea to create a wellness brand using principles from science and nature, as well as best practices from Ayurvedic and Asian medicine. Fast forward to today and Innermost is an award-winning brand that's available globally. When he's not writing articles for our Insight blog, you'll find him bouncing around ideas with the team, listening to obscure podcasts, sweating in the gym, or pretending to be a dinosaur for his niece and nephew.

Mushrooms: Overhyped or Undervalued?

Mushrooms: Overhyped or Undervalued?

You’ve probably seen mushrooms plastered all over Instagram by now, thrown into coffee, smoothies, and just about anything else. But let’s be real, are they actually worth the hype, or just another passing fad in the wellness world? Fair question. With terms like “superfood” thrown around like confetti, it’s hard to know what’s legit and what’s just marketing fluff. But here’s the thing: mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and now modern science is backing up a lot of what ancient cultures have been saying all along. Mushrooms in Popular Culture Mushrooms have become more than just a wellness ingredient — they’ve become a cultural phenomenon. From being plastered all over Instagram to making cameos in documentaries and even fine dining, these fungi are having a serious moment The rise of “functional mushrooms” in wellness circles can be attributed to their ability to support immunity, stress relief, and physical performance. And while they’re trending now, it’s important to remember that mushrooms have been a cornerstone in holistic health for centuries. With more people turning to natural, science-backed alternatives, mushrooms are making their mark as more than just a passing wellness trend. This new wave of mushroom interest shows no signs of slowing down. From health supplements to skincare, mushrooms have officially crossed over into the mainstream. A Glimpse Into the Past Mushrooms aren’t new. Long before they were the star of your favourite influencer’s morning brew, they were a cornerstone in ancient remedies. For example, in China, reishi was hailed as the “Mushroom of Immortality” for its ability to supposedly promote longevity and calm the mind. Meanwhile, chaga, used in Siberia, was brewed as a tea to boost immunity. Mushrooms have been doing the rounds in different cultures for millennia, which begs the question—why are we only now starting to appreciate them in the West? The Science-y Bit Mushrooms might have some fancy history behind them, but what does modern science say? Let’s hit some quick facts: Physical Performance: Ever heard of Cordyceps? These mushrooms were traditionally used by Tibetan herders to combat altitude sickness. Fast forward to today, and studies are showing cordyceps can help improve oxygen uptake during exercise, meaning you can push harder and go longer in your workouts. Immunity Boosting: Mushrooms like chaga and shiitake are loaded with beta-glucans. These are complex sugars that give your immune system a kick in the right direction by activating immune cells. Some pretty solid research backs this up, including a study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Stress Relief: Feeling a bit frazzled? Reishi is classed as an adaptogen, which means it helps your body manage stress. A study in 2012 found that reishi helped reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people dealing with chronic stress. Bottom line: reishi is your go-to for a bit of Zen in this chaotic world. Recovery & Hydration: Heard of tremella? It’s also called the “beauty mushroom,” but it does a lot more than just help with skin. Tremella supports hydration and recovery by boosting your body’s production of hyaluronic acid, which helps with inflammation and overall recovery after a tough workout. Mushrooms in the Here and Now Look, some wellness trends come and go (remember the lemon water detoxes?), but mushrooms? They’re here to stay. Their benefits stretch across so many areas—immunity, stress relief, performance—that it’s no wonder science is getting behind them now. But let’s be clear: we didn’t jump on the mushroom hype just because it’s trendy. Back in 2017, we were the first in the UK to put mushrooms across a range of our products because we knew these fungi weren’t just a fad. The Wellness Blend Fast forward to now, and we’ve gone all-in with The Wellness Blend, our mushroom coffee. Yeah, regular coffee is great, but when you mix it with tremella, chaga, cordyceps, reishi, maitake, and shiitake mushrooms, you’re looking at a drink that’ll not only wake you up but help your mind and body perform at their peak. What makes The Wellness Blend unique. The fact that it contains ALL six functional mushrooms in one great product. It’s that simple. Overhyped or Still Undervalued? It’s easy to be skeptical of anything that gets too much hype, and you’d be right to question the wellness industry’s latest trends. But with mushrooms, I really think what we’re seeing now is the result of centuries of use being validated by science, not just another fleeting craze. These are ingredients that have been trusted for generations and are finally being recognized for their full potential. Are they undervalued? We think so. It’s great that they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. Now it’s over to you to decide.
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Mindful Movement: Incorporating Meditation into Your Training

Mindful Movement: Incorporating Meditation into Your Training

Meditation isn't just for yogis and monks—it's a practice that anyone can benefit from, especially those leading busy, high-pressure lives. In today's fast-paced world, stress levels can skyrocket, leading to negative effects on both mental clarity and physical performance. Find out how meditation can help reduce that stress and benefit your training.
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The Power of Positive Reinforcement: How Encouragement Can Benefit Your Fitness Journey

The Power of Positive Reinforcement: How Encouragement Can Benefit Your Fitness Journey

Positive reinforcement is an often overlooked yet powerful tool at your disposal to provide motivation and help you crush your workouts. The benefits are both mental ad physical, and it's easy to enjoy them! We explore in more depth here.
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Fun Workout Activities for Couples: Strengthen Your Bond While Getting Fit Together!

Fun Workout Activities for Couples: Strengthen Your Bond While Getting Fit Together!

It's official: couples that train together really do stay together. So why not check out our top fitness activities to try together with your other half today?
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From the Bedroom to the Gym: Is Your Sex Life Affecting Your Workout Performance?

From the Bedroom to the Gym: Is Your Sex Life Affecting Your Workout Performance?

The relationship between sex and workout performance is one that’s long been debated by scientists and fitness fanatics alike. It’s complicated and multifaceted, so answering the question of whether your sex life is affecting your training is difficult. That said, today we’re going to take a look at a variety of evidence, both academic and anecdotal, as well as several different scenarios and at least try to reduce some of the mystery around the subject. First, it helps to understand what’s actually happening to the body, both physically and psychologically, during both activities.   The Effects of Sex on the Body Sexual activity causes several changes to occur in the body:   Physical Changes That Occur During Sex During sexual activity and the lead up to it, the human body undergoes a process known as the sexual response cycle. This is the case for both males and females, though the cycle can be highly individual and may not be the same each time for each person. Describing the full sexual response cycle is beyond the scope of this article, however it consists of 4 phases: Desire Arousal Orgasm Resolution Factors such as elevated heart rate, increased blood flow and pressure and heightened muscle tension all come into play. If you’d like to read about the sexual response cycle in more detail, check out this great article from Cleveland Clinic.   Psychological Changes That Occur During Sex Several psychological changes occur both during and after sex. Most notable are the release of endorphins and oxytocin, which are associated with improved mood and a better sense of wellbeing. These are also responsible for reduced stress levels, which brings a multitude of additional benefits that are of particular interest to those of us participating in regular training and exercise. Cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, is catabolic in high levels, meaning it can cause the breakdown of lean tissue. So, whilst it is unclear whether sex itself affects workout performance, the reduction in stress levels it may bring is definitely beneficial for preserving our results!   The Effects of Exercise and Training on the Body Exercise and training also cause the body to undergo a number of changes. These occur both during and after the physical activity. There are in fact a number of similarities in changes that happen during exercise and sex:   Physical Changes That Occur During Exercise The physical changes that happen in the body vary based on the type of exercise being undertaken, however, there are some that are common to exercise in general: Increased heart rate Increased blood flow, especially to the muscles Faster, deeper breathing due to additional oxygen needs Heightened activity within the circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems A full summary of the changes that occur within these systems can be found here. More aerobically demanding exercise will, of course, place greater emphasis on the circulatory and respiratory systems as well as causing fat to be metabolised as an energy source. Resistance training, which often relies more heavily on the lactate and creatine phosphate energy systems, instead promotes greater muscular and endocrine (hormone) activity. Note the common physical changes between sex and exercise here, as they do crossover!   Psychological Changes That Occur During Exercise The psychological changes that occur during exercise are similar to those experienced during sexual activity and are mostly related to the release of endorphins and other ‘feelgood’ hormones. These help to regulate mood, and it is common knowledge that frequent exercise and leading an active, healthy lifestyle promotes a feeling of wellbeing.   Does Sex Affect Our Workouts? This is where things become complicated. Though extensive studies have been done on the subject, the results of these have varied massively. We must also take into account the experience of individuals, and this anecdotal evidence again has huge variance. Let’s look at both:   Sex and Training: What the Science Says Scientific studies on the relationship between sex and training are contradictory at best. There’s no denying the positive benefits of both activities, particularly from a psychological perspective, but as for the effect of sex on actual performance in the gym the results are inconclusive. A study, published in April 2021, by Kirecci, Albayrak and co. examined the effects of sexual activity of 50 men in the 24 hours prior to training on lower body strength. The study measured effects by having the men perform 3 separate squat sessions, each at the same time of day. Each of these sessions occurred after participating in or abstaining from sexual activity the night before. The men performed 5 sets of 5 repetitions of their maximum squat weight during these sessions and the difference in weight lifted was observed. The study concluded that ‘sexual intercourse within 24 hours before exercise [has a] detrimental effect on lower extremity muscle force, which suggests that restricting sexual activity before a short-term activity may be necessary.’ Aside from this study, most others found either no notable relationship between sex and athletic performance. A meta-analysis of 9 crossover studies, conducted by Zavorsky and Brooks and published on 16 September 2022, confirms this. The analysis concluded that ‘The results demonstrate that sexual activity within 30 min to 24 h before exercise does not appear to affect aerobic fitness, musculoskeletal endurance, or strength/power.’ This is perhaps more notable, because these studies incorporated different types of exercise and were not restricted purely to a strength/power based activity like squats.   Anecdotal Evidence: What About the Experiences of Real Gym Goers? The anecdotal evidence is, as expected, highly individualised. However, there tends to be a bias against the results of most studies, particularly in those participating in sports involving strength and aggression. For example, many fighters claim that they perform better when they abstain from sex in the days leading up to a contest. Similarly, bodybuilding forums are full of debate on this topic and many claim they note a significant decrease in motivation to train at maximum intensity after sexual activity. It has been hypothesised that this may be due to a downregulation in testosterone production after sex; during orgasm the mineral zinc is released in the body and this is also a precursor for natural testosterone production in the body and may, therefore, provide some reasoning as to the experience of many trainees.   Key Takeaways The relationship between sex and workout performance will always be a complicated one. The effects of one on the other in terms of physical fitness and, in particular, mental wellbeing, are clear, but when it comes to actual performance this appears to be highly individual. We’d advise doing what feels best for you but not worrying too much about it. Instead, prioritise your nutrition and make sure you’re fuelling your workouts properly. While you’re here, why not take a look at the Innermost range? We’re proud to be completely transparent about the ingredients in our products and we always ensure they’re of the highest quality. Check us out, and be sure to get in touch if you have any questions!
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The Science of Post Workout Recovery: How to Maximise Muscle Growth and Repair

The Science of Post Workout Recovery: How to Maximise Muscle Growth and Repair

Training hard and challenging yourself during your workouts is key to progressing and building muscle, but did you know the true growth happens outside of the gym? To build new muscle effectively, it’s vital to optimise your recovery process, restoring energy and providing your body with the nutrients it needs to grow. Today, we’ll look into what happens to your body post workout and what you can do to maximise your results, leading to faster recovery and better gains.
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Top 5 Benefits of Mushroom Coffee | Meet The Wellness Blend

Top 5 Benefits of Mushroom Coffee | Meet The Wellness Blend

Introducing The Wellness Blend, a revolutionary mushroom-infused coffee blend designed to elevate your daily coffee ritual. This unique concoction combines premium Arabica coffee with a carefully curated selection of adaptogenic mushrooms, creating a powerful blend that not only boosts energy but also enhances overall wellbeing. Why do you need mushroom coffee?  In today's fast-paced world, prioritising optimal health can be challenging. But don’t worry, mushroom coffee is here to help with this. With its unique blend of six adaptogenic mushrooms, chaga, reishi, maitake, shiitake, cordyceps and tremella, The Wellness Blend offers a huge range of health benefits. From immune support and stress reduction to improved cognitive function and athletic performance, mushroom coffee provides a holistic approach to wellness. What makes The Wellness Blend different is its unique ability to provide sustained sustained energy without the typical coffee crash. Thanks to the adaptogenic properties of mushrooms, The Wellness Blend not only provides an energy boost but also helps the body adapt to stress, promoting a more balanced and sustained energy throughout the day. So, whether you need a morning coffee boost or an afternoon pick-me-up, The Wellness Blend can make for a healthier, more practical alternative to your daily coffee. The benefits of using mushroom coffee blends: 1. Immune Support: Chaga and reishi, two mushrooms in our blend, are the dynamic duo behind fortifying your immune system. Chaga mushrooms boost the immune system by activating immune cells. They stimulate antibody production and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, enhancing the body's ability to defend against invaders. Reishi enhances the immune system. Its bioactive compounds, such as beta-glucans and triterpenes, modulate immune responses, promoting defense against pathogens.  2. Stress Reduction: Reishi takes the spotlight when it comes to promoting relaxation and stress reduction. Packed with bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans and triterpenes, reishi has been prized for centuries for its adaptogenic properties. By integrating reishi into your routine, The Wellness Blend provides a natural remedy to navigate the demands of modern life, helping you find your balance and calm amidst the chaos. 3. Skin Care Tremella works to support cognitive function. Known for its natural moisture-retaining properties, Tremella contributes to skin health and hydration. It also contains bioactive compounds believed to support the immune system and beneficially impact cognitive health. By including tremella in The Wellness Blend, we've crafted a unique elixir that not only supports better skin but also nurtures brain health. 4. Heart Health: Cordyceps, a mushroom known for its incredible health benefits, takes centre stage in promoting cardiovascular health. This mushroom has been renowned for centuries in Eastern medicine for its ability to enhance stamina, endurance, and energy levels. By incorporating Cordyceps into The Wellness Blend, we've harnessed its power to not only improve athletic performance but also to support your cardiovascular system, ensuring your heart stays strong and resilient.  5. Gut Health: Certain mushroom varieties, like lion's mane, have been linked to improved gut health, potentially aiding digestion and promoting a healthy microbiome. Benefits of The Wellness Blend: The Wellness Blend offers a myriad of benefits. Chaga and Reishi bolster immune function, Cordyceps enhances athletic performance, while Lion's Mane supports cognitive function. Additionally, the adaptogenic properties of these mushrooms help the body adapt to stress, promoting overall resilience and well-being.Chaga mushrooms are renowned for their immune-boosting properties. Rich in antioxidants, Chaga helps strengthen the body's defense mechanisms, protecting against infections and illnesses. Reishi, often referred to as the "Mushroom of Immortality," is prized for its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Its adaptogenic properties help the body cope with physical and mental stressors, supporting overall well-being.Cordyceps is another key ingredient in the Wellness Blend, known for its performance-enhancing benefits. This mushroom has long been used in traditional medicine to improve stamina and endurance, making it a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. By increasing oxygen utilization and energy production, Cordyceps helps boost athletic performance and recovery. How much mushroom blend do you need? The optimal amount of mushroom blend in your coffee depends on personal preference and the specific blend you choose. Mushroom coffee products often come with recommended serving sizes, ensuring you get the right balance of coffee and mushroom goodness. Experimenting with different ratios can help you find the perfect mix that suits your taste buds and health goals. How can you get started with mushroom coffee? Ready to experience the benefits of mushroom coffee for yourself? Head to our product page and discover the Wellness Blend today. With its convenient powder form, it's never been easier to incorporate mushroom coffee into your daily routine. Elevate your coffee experience and embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle with The Wellness Blend.
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High-protein nuts falling out the bowl

20 Of The Best High Protein Foods For Building Muscle

Protein = muscle. But what are the best sources of protein, and how much do they contain? We've assembled our favourite (and best) foods to eat to make sure your protein intake is where it needs to be.
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Innermost best proteins for muscle

How Much Protein Per Day for Building Muscle?

Protein and building muscle mass don't just go hand in hand - they go together like Innermost protein powder and water in a bottle. Here, we break down for you exactly how much protein you should be eating to start seeing results.
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Woman kickboxing with coach

The Best Sports For Getting Lean: Here's Our Favourite Sports That Get You Ripped

Looking for the best sports to get ripped? Top sportsmen/women are lean, toned and muscular. Although they hit the gym for strength, they didn’t get their physiques by spending all their time there. Here are 3 of the top sports for getting lean.
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9 Easy Stretching Exercises That Will Increase Flexibility

9 Easy Stretching Exercises That Will Increase Flexibility

Stretching might not be the most exciting part of your workout, but it's the most important in preventing injury. These simple flexibility exercises will help with posture, pain and tightness.
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Claire Fountain posing on the beach for Innermost

Our Top 5 Tips For A Sustainable Summer

Small changes everyday are one of the few things we can do as individuals to make a difference to the environment and our planet. It can be a bit overwhelming when you first decide to make the change. We rounded up our top five tips to get you on your way.
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Close-up of man meditating

The Innermost Series: Meditation Unlocked with Lululemon Day 2

Partnering with Lululemon Marylebone High Street, this event aims to dispel common myths around meditation followed by a guided session led by Meditation: Unlocked. 
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PLAYLISTS

Adam Husler Workout Playlist

Adam Husler Workout Playlist

 Adam is one of the leading yoga teachers in London. When we asked him to create a workout playlist, he came up with a deeply soulful mix of tracks that won't fail to get a smile...
Claire Fountain Workout Playlist

Claire Fountain Workout Playlist

 Claire knows yoga. Claire also knows music. Here's her selection of workout songs compiled just for Innermost.
Bethany Duckworth Workout Playlist

Bethany Duckworth Workout Playlist

 Bethany knows a good track when she hears one. Buckle up and get this workout playlist into your ears pronto.
Dan Morgan Workout Playlist

Dan Morgan Workout Playlist

 Dan getting zen on the decks. Here's his playlist for your next yoga session or if you need to kick back and drift away.
Elisa Rossi Workout Playlist

Elisa Rossi Workout Playlist

 Elisa's most comfortable creating works of art in the kitchen. Here are the songs that help her do just that.