Women's Fitness

Social distancing driving you to distraction? Fear not! This issue of WF is packed with the inspiration and expert advice you need to stay sane and super-fit at home. In ‘Space-saving fit kit’ (page 36), some of the UK’s top fitness gurus reveal the

What good timing your ‘Stress less in 24 hours’ plan has proved to be! (Issue 4). Having to adjust to our new way of life has left me feeling trapped and anxious without my regular daily routine. But following your mindful exercise plan has helped gi

Whether you’re climbing mountains or working out at home, the last thing you need is for your leggings to let you down. Which is why WF loves these High Waist 7/8th Enduro Legging, £49, from sustainable clothing brand BAM (bambooclothing.co.uk). Thes

These silky, stretchy leggings fit like a second skin, and are high waisted for ultimate comfort. ■

‘If I haven’t broken something, I usually train every day of the week, but I don’t count how many hours I average. I’m always travelling, so the length of my running sessions depends on where I am and how much time I have. I adapt my running to my en

Need a coffee fix to get your brain in gear? Not any more, according to new research. Just 20 minutes of exercise has the same effect on your working memory as a cuppa, say scientists from the Exercise and Health Psychology Lab at Ontario’s Western U

Pour Moi’s new sweat-wicking, high-waisted leggings come in sizes 8 to 22, with a side mesh phone pocket and a hidden pocket for your keys. These leggings are part of a new range of sportswear in sizes 6-24. Lines are labelled to suit the activity l

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outwards. Squat down by moving your hips back. Alternate which hand goes forwards on each rep and ask your pooch for ‘paw’. You can use a treat if your dog needs more than a verbal cue

Surely, if you’re aiming to execute peak performance you must simply exercise your body harder? Not necessarily. The secret of being able to perform at your best may lie in your emotional education. Emotional fitness is an increasingly popular term t

Perform this workout as circuit and complete two rounds. For round one: do each move for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Perform the circuit twice through without any rest, then rest for two minutes and perform another two rounds. Benefits:

Nearly two-thirds of regular exercisers listen to music during their sweat sessions*. But if you’re one of them, how do you know you’re tuning into the right type of tracks for your chosen activity? A slew of science already shows that the rhythm mat

Can’t resist a sugary drink? You could be increasing the lipid levels in your blood, shows a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The research, conducted by scientists at Tufts University in Boston, US, found people who drink s

Think you decide what you eat? For better or worse, your social media friends may be affecting your food choices, research at Aston University in Birmingham has found. In the study, university students estimated the amount of fruit, vegetables, energ

Eat plenty of Brazil nuts and canned tuna – as two of the best sources of selenium they could help your live longer. In a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, higher selenium intake was associated with longer telomere length in middle-a

‘I love porridge oats and have them every day. They’re packed with carbohydrates, protein and fibre and keep me feeling full for hours. I add cacao powder, antioxidants, chia seeds and nut butter on top for healthy fats, and maple syrup for sweetness

Anxiety, pain-relief, low-libido, insomnia – it seems there’s no end to the list of benefits attributed to the use of CBD oil. And with its touted anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties, it’s no surprise to learn that cannabidiol, to use its full

It’s not hard to get hooked on running – the sport encourages your body to release feel-good endorphins that will leave you on a natural high, plus it helps control weight, boost confidence, ease stress and can even be the perfect form of me-time. Bu

Mindful movement – aka tuning into your thoughts and surroundings as you exercise – is the workout of the moment. The latest science reports that its benefits include less stress and anxiety, as well as improved sleep, mood and general wellbeing. It’

‘Mindful running is a fantastic way to throw off the concerns of the week and just become one with where you are right now,’ says William Pullen, psychotherapist and author of Run For Your Life (Penguin Books, £9.99). ‘Try the following exercise on a

Go the distance with kit that will get you where you want to be  Choose gear that’s tough enough to handle any weather or terrain  Be ready for any challenge the concrete jungle might throw at you

Want to look after your cardiovascular health? Make sure you sleep regular hours. Good sleep hygiene is crucial for a healthy heart, shows new research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study, conducted at the Brigha

Take a three-pronged approach to optimising your health with the first in a new ‘Love your…’ range. An A-Z multivitamin and mineral fills in any nutritional gaps you may have; an omega-3 fish oil capsule helps reduce inflammation and supports heart h

Fans of outdoor exercise might want to stock up on Soliel Toujours Extrème Face & Scalp Sunscreen Mist Sport 50 (£36; spacenk.co.uk). More than 70 per cent organic, and with a whopping 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance, the broad-spectrum UVA/

‘I wake naturally between 5-6am, have two cups of boiled water while going through emails and social media, and then have a breakfast of eggs with my five-year-old twins after they get up at 6.30am. Before lockdown, I’d drop them off at school and cy

Doing more home cooking at the moment? Hold the salt – new research shows a high-salt diet can weaken your immune system. In a study at the University of Bonn, people who ate around six grams a day (the equivalent of two fast-food meals), showed sign

‘Absolutely. My day is much more enjoyable and productive if I can get a run in somewhere, and I’m probably a nicer person to be around, as well! If I’m feeling down, I go for a run. If I’m feeling happy, I go for a run. If I’m trying to solve a prob

Lift your bottom and strengthen and tone your legs, all while increasing your metabolism, with this effective lower-body workout. Not only will it work all the larger muscle groups in your legs and bottom but help you burn more fat, too. Perform the

Lockdown driving you loco? Use the extra time you’re spending at home to build your core strength by switching your regular abs moves to yoga postures that focus on working your mid-section. Not only will a strong core benefit your posture and long h

£315; mountainhardwear.com ‘This is the Mercedes Benz of waterproof sports jackets. You might have to pay a pretty penny for it but it’s worth the investment. Weighing in at 236.5g, it’s the second lightest waterproof on test – lighter than the Arc’

You know your diet has a direct impact on your physical health, but what you eat influences your mental and emotional wellbeing also, which is the thinking behind The Good Plates restaurant, launched by David Lloyd Clubs with chef and mental health e

This month’s postnatal workout is all about building up your strength. Most of the moves use an exercise band, and the focus is using a pulling action on your posterior chain (the muscles at the back of your body). After you’ve given birth, your pos