Women's Fitness

One of the many things we’ve learnt during lockdown is just how much we love the great outdoors. Yes, we’ve discovered fun, new home workouts during our confinement (who knew just how many ways there are to get fit without the gym?). But nothing beat

WF writer Lucy Goodbun bounces into health with a juice fast, p68 Radio DJ Jenni Falconer reveals her top running fuel, p29 Celeb Pilates instructor Hollie Grant talks work-life balance, p66

I’m so grateful for your article ‘Keep Fit with Karen’ (issue 6). I’ve always worried about stretching properly after exercise, so was glad to discover what moves I should be doing. Everyone should have good flexibility, but due to our sedentary life

Your article on mindful running (issue 6) was so useful, and served as a great reminder that sometimes it’s best to leave all the gadgets behind. It’s easy to become so absorbed in the detail and the data that we don’t fully immerse ourselves in the

With 34 million of us discussing running on social media in the first month of lockdown, it seems the activity has become something of a quarantine hero. But wearing the right footwear is essential if you want to avoid any running-related injuries. F

With its relaxed fit and soft Merino wool blend, this cardi will get you from workouts to the weekend in style. ■

We all know that exercise is good for the mind as well as the body, but which activities are best for boosting your brain? Some types of exercise are more effective than others, according to a new review of 80 studies, published in the journal Nature

Walking ticks every box when it comes to your health, fitness and wellbeing. Not only is it the most natural, affordable and convenient exercise you can do, a growing body of scientific evidence confirms it offers a wealth of benefits for your body a

Reps: 12 each leg Works: Thighs, hamstrings, glutes, abs, and boosts balance and flexibility. • Start with your feet together and arms by your sides (A). • Take a big step to the right and lower into a side lunge, keeping your left leg straight wit

‘I get up for work at 4.15am and start my day with a glass of water and sachet of Kollo (kollohealth. com) which gives me a dose of collagen and a boost of vitamins. I might grab a banana and have a cup of tea at 5am at work. At 8am, I may have avoca

Last year, the US women’s football team won the World Cup. Their secret weapon? Period tracking. According to performance coach Dawn Scott, tracking each player’s menstrual cycle was one of the strategies the team ‘deployed that helped us win’. Since

Have you given up meat and fish to help improve your health? Then watch your food choices – not all plant-based foods are equal, warns new research. A new 10-year study of more than 2,000 people, presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual

• When prepping, keep moist and dry ingredients away from each other to preserve crunch and texture. For instance, keep portions of salad dressings or seed sprinkles separate and add at the last minute. • Use properly sealed (and, if relevant, microw

Until recently, food prep and batch cooking were things that most of us only encountered on Instagram. Those perfectly prepped Tupperware containers proudly lined up on worksurfaces tagged with #foodprepgoals. Then, along came lockdown and, suddenly,

Has your home become a place for work, workouts and childcare? Whether you’re craving some pampering, missing your beauty treats or just need a bit of me time, it’s amazing the wellbeing magic you can create without having to go to a retreat or healt

• First cut your nails straight across with professional nail clippers. Never cut the nail too short. If the nail is thick, apply pressure over the top of the blade. Then file each nail straight across using a crystal nail file, in any direction. Thi

The UK’s picturesque countryside is unique, and there’s beauty to be found regardless of the season. The Scottish Highlands, Lake District and Dartmoor offer up flowing rivers, deep valleys and rural village outposts, while the Cornish coastline has

• Warm a few drops of aromatherapy oil between your palms. Deeply inhale and, on a slow exhale, bring your hands into your hair, stroking your scalp. Do this five to 10 times, slowing your breath. • Massage your scalp with slow shampooing movements,

Rolling green hills, sparse moorland, craggy, rock-strewn vistas and waves crashing against the coastline – the British countryside has it all, and more and more of us are seeking it out. Migration to cities has been ongoing since the industrial revo

£320, outdoorgear.co.uk Perfect for staving off summer drizzle, this light shell is wind and waterproof yet breathable. The 100 per cent seam taping stops rain creeping in while core vents stop you steaming up during speedy ascents. Articulated el

Never has there been a better time to start cycling. As the UK adjusts to ‘the new normal’, travelling by bike is both the perfect, healthy mode of transport and an ideal, socially-distanced sport. According to research by Vivacity Labs, cycling has

“Decide what type of cycling you want to do and buy the correct bike,” says Chamanian. “Don’t try to do a 20-mile road ride on a mountain bike, or take a city bike for a spin in the woods.” “Riding during the summer gives you a few months of better w

“Physically challenging, mountain biking increases your lung capacity, strengthens all your muscles, lowers your resting heart rate and reduces your cholesterol levels, making you fitter all round,” says Chamanian.“You can burn up to 750 calories an

The uncertainty wreaked on the overseas travel industry by coronavirus means domestic holidays or ‘staycations’ are set to become the new norm. And months of self-isolation during lockdown have left Brits craving the escapism of a getaway, with recen

£850, halfords.com Whether you’re blasting along a trail or doing a long cross-country ride, this Boardman bike has you covered. The lightweight frame comes with all the components needed for easy handling and comfort on tricky downhills, without

“Finding a remote wild-camping spot often involves a gruelling journey across wild, rugged terrain, as you carry everything you need to survive on your back,” says Forrest. “And whether you’re cycling, hiking or paddleboarding, it’s a physical challe

“You don’t have to buy a campervan or motorhome to experience the joys of the open road,” advises Forrest. “Hire companies offer short-term leases, giving you a cost-effective opportunity to try out ‘van life’ for yourself.” Glamping doesn’t mean you

£69.99, ellis-brigham.com Cook up a storm with this ultra-light stove equipped with simmer control, robust pot supports and a pressure regulator to maintain fast boil times. Quick and easy to set up, it’s ideal for go-light campers looking for mea

Whether you’re gliding calmly along a tree-lined river, tackling the open waves or hugging the coast on a SUP safari, stand-up paddle boarding gives you opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while getting a whole-body workout at the same time. If

Want to boost your body confidence? Get outside in the garden this summer. New research shows that gardening can promote a more positive body image. In a study of 84 gardeners from 12 urban allotment sites, published in the journal Ecopsychology, res

While a full-on yoga class brings many benefits, sometimes you just want a few targeted moves to focus on a specific issue, have a break from schooling the kids or get your body moving after long hours in front of a screen. If that sounds like you, t

• ‘Get dressed for the day as if you’re getting dressed for work and leaving the house. It helps put you in a working mindset and you’ll find it easier to switch off when your work is done and it’s time to relax.’ • ‘Try to work in a space you don’t

‘With a super-fit dad in the Parachute Regiment, I went to a military boarding school where exercise was seen as a really positive thing to do. But when I got to university, I discovered that a lot of women only worked out to lose weight. After gradu

From supervising the kids’ online lessons to catching up on boxsets during lockdown, your eyes may be feeling the effects of too much screen time. Soften fine lines, calm puffiness and stimulate tired eye muscles with XYLEM CBD Eye Roll (£28, xylem.c

Hooray, strawberry season has arrived! ‘Berries are a fantastic snack offering numerous health benefits,’ says Dr Emma Derbyshire, British Summer Fruits’ public health nutritionist. ‘Just nine strawberries (108g) can provide your recommended daily vi

Known as the Juice Master, Jason Vale boasts a string of A-list disciples and has over a dozen best-selling juicing books under his belt. He also has two international juice-detox retreats (in southern Turkey and near Lisbon in Portugal) plus a third

For more than a decade, restaurant chain LEON has been changing the face of fast food, feeding hungry city dwellers with its healthy spin on burgers, fries and wraps and international dishes. Then, during lockdown, LEON has come to the rescue of the

Who doesn’t love a tom yum soup? The fragrant, creamy Thai dish makes the perfect starter or light meal on a warm summer’s night, evoking memories of happy holidays or meals out with friends. However, the traditional recipe is often deceptively high

Want to discover a whole new level of fitness? PT Ashley Joi is your woman. The track athlete turned inspirational cardio and strength trainer is one of the team of trainers on Chris Hemsworth’s awesome health and fitness app Centr (centr.com). Now A

Reps: 12 Benefits: This move increases your balance and body awareness, as well as strengthens your core, glutes and hamstrings. • Sit on the ball with hands folded across your chest as shown (A), then walk your feet slowly forwards as you lie back

‘I started playing hockey aged six, when my parents took me along to my local club. I made it into my first England squad aged 15, and was part of the gold-medal-winning GB team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. I’ve racked up just shy of 90 caps for England

‘I feel very fortunate having already been to five Olympics. Going to a sixth is a big ask, especially as it’s been moved forwards another year. I know I’m getting older and I don’t want people to think I’m delusional but I still love running, and I

1 ‘Talk to people. Chat to family, friends, colleagues, professionals, and seek help from organisations such as MIND (mind.org.uk). The NHS runs workshops, too, so check online or ask your GP.’ 2 ‘Don’t underestimate the power of exercise. Try a hal