The Mid-Season First Aid Kit Audit

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Physical Sports First Aid — Leave a comment

A 5-minute check before your next session

Your sports first aid kit may have started out fit for purpose but, as it’s used over the course of a season, it can drift quietly out of shape.

A few dressings here. A pair of gloves there. Tape borrowed, cold packs used, things moved around and not put back properly… If you’re not on top of it, you soon find yourself with a first aid kit that isn’t quite what you thought it was.

Fortunately, a quick audit now and again during the season is easy to do and gives you confidence that your kit will perform when you need it.

What follows isn’t a checklist of first aid items. It’s just a simple 5-minute audit process you can apply to any sports first aid kit, large or small.

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Stretchy vs Rigid Sports Tape: When Should You Use Each?

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Physical Sports First Aid — Leave a comment

Ever taped a thumb, ankle, or knee before training and thought “this sports tape feels completely wrong”?

Maybe the tape was so stiff you could barely move the joint. Or maybe the tape felt like it was doing nothing at all.

In many cases, the problem isn’t how you applied the tape – it’s simply that you used the wrong type of sports tape. Because there are two very different types of sports tape, and they’re designed to do different jobs.

Once you understand the difference, choosing the right tape becomes much easier.

A roll of stretchy, light elastic adhesive bandage alongside a roll of rigid zinc oxide tape.
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What tape should I get for my rugby team?

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Physical Sports First Aid — Leave a comment

For most rugby teams, the answer is simple:

  • Light EAB (elastic adhesive bandage)
  • Zinc oxide tape

Keep a good stock of both and most of your training and matchday taping needs are covered by default.

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What Actually Belongs in a Gym Bag

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Physical Sports First Aid — Leave a comment

Most gym bags end up containing far more than they need to. Over time, they fill up with things that feel sensible in theory but rarely get used in practice.

An open gym bag on a bench, showing contents including sweat towel and tape. A pair of trainers are next to the bag.

When you train regularly – and you expect to sweat – you quickly learn which items get used every session and which ones just rattle around taking up space. This isn’t a list for aspirational gym-goers or aesthetic routines. It assumes a simple flow: arrive, change, train, shower, leave.

If something doesn’t serve that process, it probably doesn’t belong in the bag.

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Posted in Training and Recovery

3 Ways to Improve Wrist Stability (So Your Lifts Feel Better and Stronger)

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Physical Sports First Aid — Leave a comment

Wrist discomfort is a common barrier to progress when training. Whether you’re benching, pressing overhead, doing press-ups or barbell complexes, the wrist is a small joint asked to handle a lot of load. And if your wrists feel wobbly or overworked, everything upstream – elbows, shoulders, and even confidence – takes a hit.

Hands and forearms stretching the wrist to demonstrate wrist mobility before training

The good news? Wrist stability is something you can improve quickly with a few simple drills. You don’t need special equipment, and you don’t need to overhaul your entire programme. Just a few minutes of targeted work can make your wrists feel stronger, more supported, and more predictable under load.

Here are three reliable, practical ways to build wrist stability so your lifts feel better – starting today.

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Posted in Physio & Sports Therapy, Training and Recovery, Uncategorized