Women's Fitness

Your Wellness Guide (issue 242) was just what the doctor ordered! I’m a new infant-school teacher, so I’m up against my fair share of bugs at work. Plus, I’ve not long joined the gym and there are plenty of germs to pick up when using the equipment t

Make a date for Live Well London (Feb 28-Mar 1, 2020), where you can try as many fitness classes as you like on the Move It Main Stage, drop into the Live Cooking & Nutrition Theatre, attend meditation and workshops in The Retreat, be inspired by tal

‘I wake up at 7am, drink a big glass of water with lemon, then head into my fitness studio with a mug of green tea. There I do 10 minutes of meditation and a little yoga while my husband prepares breakfast and our two children (aged 12 and 14) get re

It’s that crazy time of year again when gym sessions can start to slide, thanks to hectic festive schedules. Of course, sticking to your workouts is a great way to relieve seasonal stress and give you energy to juggle. However, if you’re struggling t

Time: 30 seconds Works: Hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings, calves and core • Stand with your feet together and hands on your hips. • Lunge forwards with your left foot (A), then jump straight-up switching your legs in midair, like scissors (B). Land b

New research from Sydney’s Macquarie University adds weight to the idea that diet can help ease depression. Previous studies relied on people remembering what they ate, but in this randomised controlled trial, people with depression were recommended

‘Before breakfast, I take a liquid collagen supplement called TRR Nutrition to help with on-court preparation and intense workouts (when I’m resting, it helps to maintain my health and fitness). For breakfast on match days, I’ll eat something like a

Want to reduce your risk of cognitive decline in later life? Researchers from Boston University have uncovered a new piece in the dementia-risk jigsaw – while you sleep, cleansing cerebrospinal fluid rushes into your brain every 20 seconds. The fluid

As if pre-Christmas work schedules aren’t hectic enough, the whirl of social events, gift shopping and family visits can mean the season feels like one, long to-do list. Such is the pressure to pull off the perfect celebration, we often simply battle

Gabby Allen is continuing her takeover of the fitness world. Since leaving the third series of Love Island in 2017, the Liverpudlian professional dancer, fitness instructor and personal trainer has released her first book, Shape Up with Gabby Allen (

Friends who train together get better gains together – that’s the overriding message from the latest sports science, which shows that working out with a partner ups the amount of exercise we do. And that’s not all – research from wellness booking app

If you’ve got zero motivation to go to the gym, you’re not alone – more than one in 10 people say they haven’t stepped inside their gym for an entire year. And it’s no wonder, given that we busy Brits claim to be too tired or overworked to keep fit.

Peloton Bike, £1,990 (plus £39/month subscription), onepeloton.co.uk ‘Before you come to the conclusion that this bike isn’t for you, do the maths – how much do you spend on a gym membership each year? Are there any other costs, such as petrol, food

The festive season is filled with treats to tempt us. From Christmas cocktails to salty snacks, carb-laden ‘beige’ buffets to chocolate selection boxes, it can be hard to stick to your normal healthy eating and drinking habits. And then there’s the l

There’s good reason yogis always look so chilled. Did you know that yoga backbend poses help relieve anxiety and stress? Deepening your breath and stretching your spine, backbends bring you into a new state of calm and are said to open your heart and

‘Skiing is a game – you need to control your skis, not let your skis control you,’ smiles Elliott, my 19-year-old ski guide and instructor. ‘Always look in front of you – not at your feet. Do long turns when the slope is steep and fewer turns when th

Whether you’re a committed vegan or are trying to eat less meat, you needn’t feel like you’re missing out at Christmas. If you’re bracing yourself for endless Brussels sprouts, author of Keep it Vegan, Áine Carlin can help. In her new book, Cook, Sha

No matter which foodies you follow on Insta, or how tempting the images in your feed, sometimes all you want when you get home from work is a quick and tasty supper – especially when you’re tired, hungry and haven’t managed to fit in that mid-week sh

She’s worked with the likes of Jillian Michaels, been a fitness model for Nike and BeachBody, and now Ashley Joi –a former US college track athlete – can be found training some of the biggest LA entertainment stars such as Mindy Kaling, Bebe Rexha an

Think you need a pair weights to get in shape? Think again. A resistance band can be just as effective – it not only improves your strength and balance, but will also work your body in a full range of motion, targeting muscles you can miss with weigh

Practising this pose regularly strengthens your entire lower body and stretches your back, shoulders and hips, while improving your balance, concentration and co-ordination. It also opens up the sacral area at the bottom of the spine, where many peop

£78.50; tropicfeel.com Packing for an adventure? This versatile, lightweight (7oz) travel shoe has you covered, offering the technical outsole of a hiking shoe, the waterproof benefits of an aqua shoe and the comfort of a walking shoe. Vegan-friendly

Fitting workouts into a busy life can be a challenge at the best of times. When you’ve got a demanding career, children – or both – calling on your time, something has to give and often it’s exercise. Add Christmas into the mix and finding time to ru

‘In January 2016, I became homeless, aged 24. I’d left a violent relationship and was told by the council that I’d only be offered housing if I was seen bedded down outside. I tried to avoid being homeless by staying with friends, but my previous rel

‘I have many interests and love working in very different genres to keep all parts of my brain active. This might seem disparate to some people, but I think you can be into entertainment, sport and current affairs all at the same time. I just love st