Women's Fitness

Thank you for The fit list (March issue). Learning more about 10 athletes such as Bethany Hamilton, Tia-Clair Toomey, Rachael Blackmore, Courtney Dauwalter and many more amazingly fit and healthy women enjoying what they are doing was fascinating. My

The catsuit has made a comeback, so jump on the trend wearing The Body, £120, from sustainable activewear brand Contur (conturuk.com). This flattering and functional all-in-one fits like a glove and provides breathability and stretch where you need i

I loved reading your feature How I build my body: Karenjeet Kaur Bains (March issue). Karenjeet is the first female Sikh powerlifter to represent Great Britain and it was most interesting to learn more about her fitness and performance. She is truly

Ever since Hauer joined the Strictly Come Dancing cast in 2012 she has kept us all on our toes. From her breath-taking floor work, stunning outfits and celebrity dance partners, she has given viewers a lot to twist and shout about. As the show’s long

Ride in style wearing kit from women’s cycling clothing brand Kandescent. You’ll find jackets, jerseys, tanks and shorts in fashion-forward prints, plus matching accessories including caps, and arm and neck warmers. Prices start from £10; kandescent.

Dame Flora Duffy DBE is a Bermudian triathlete who competed in the Olympics in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, before winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo games. In 2016, she became the first person to win three world titles in one year: the Wo

Q What advice do you have for someone who has fallen out of love with exercise and is struggling to stay fit? ‘The best place to start is with a simple question: Why did you exercise in the first place? Exercise is a crucial component to all-round h

You already know that regular exercise is good for your body, but an unexpected benefit might be that it can remedy dry, itchy eyes. Every time we blink, our eyes are covered in tear film, an essential and protective coating, but when any part of the

When fitness fan Victoria Martin* became symptomatic with mild Covid, she treated it as she would any other illness, with complete rest followed by gentle activity when she felt better. But her return to exercise was slow – a two-mile walk was leavin

‘I usually have either porridge with water, or some kind of vegan muesli with oat milk and lots of fruit.’ ‘I love the new SlimFast Vitality balanced nutrition shakes which are plant-based, full of vitamins and minerals, and taste great, too. Vegan

Want to take your gym training outside? Hitting the green gym for any type of physical movement could do more than boost your fitness, it could also provide a type of fresh-air therapy that’s like no other. Indeed, more research than ever is showing

As one of Britain’s most successful Olympians, Victoria Pendleton is used to life in the competitive lane. The 41-year-old – who won gold in Beijing in 2008 and at London 2012 – dedicated her life to the sport for over two decades, but has not always

Eight years ago, Laura Kennington (@laurakairos) was a London PT, training clients in the gym while itching to get active outdoors. Fast forward to today and superfit Kennington is an adventure athlete whose achievements include solo cycling the worl

For many sporting enthusiasts, the unpredictable spring weather may create a time for running, indoor strength workouts and cross-training, while cycling, aside from the occasional stationary bike session, often takes a bit of a back seat. Perhaps yo

There are some things we just can’t ignore and, as time goes on, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we can’t deny the effects that climate change has on the earth. As a result, chucking plastic into the bin without a second thought or mindlessly c

Mustard lovers, rejoice! Scientists have discovered that a heaped teaspoon (10g) of wholegrain mustard daily is good for you. The research, presented at the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST), was carried out by Tracklements

Glute bridges will strengthen your glutes and abdominals, whilst also stretching out any tight hip flexors and lower back problems. What makes them great for cyclists is that they work those muscles needed to hold a low, comfortable position on the b

Struggling to lose weight? It may be time to think about your gut health. With a growing amount of research revealing the importance of your gut microbiome when it comes to shedding pounds, we look at the role your microbes play in weight management.

If you are looking to boost your gut microbiome, aim to include a variety of prebiotic and polyphenol-rich foods, as well as fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha. Our top prebiotic-rich foods include apples, oats, flaxseed, on

With eateries and food services out of action, lockdown piqued our interest in home-cooking, so much so that a YouGov survey concluded that 73 per cent of people enjoyed cooking during the first year of the pandemic. New York Times bestselling author

We all have those moments during the day when concentration starts to wane, and if your motivational dip coincides with a scheduled workout, the loss of focus can negatively impact your workout performance. Your diet can help to fuel your brain with

Have you ever wondered what it felt like to be in the womb, protected from the outside world and totally relaxed? If there’s one thing that might come close, it’s flotation therapy. Also known as restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST),

Worried about your immune health? New research shows that taking vitamin D and omega-3 supplements daily can cut the risk of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and psoriasis. The peer-reviewed study, published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal),

Flotation may not suit you if you’re claustrophobic, and it’s also not recommended if you have low blood pressure, an infectious illness or an open wound. You’ll usually wear a swimsuit, or receive the treatment naked (to further reduce the sense of

This month’s meditation by Eve Boggenpoel is inspired by Vietnamese monk and father of mindfulness Thich Nhat Hanh, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 96*. ‘If you are too busy, you do not have the time to enjoy the wonders of life tha

Ever reached for a biscuit or three to get you through a tough day at work? Or maybe it was a second bar of chocolate that eased your painful break-up or bereavement. For those of us who seek comfort in food, turning to yoga can be a healthier and mo

£32; evolvebeauty.co.uk This sensorial night cream from climate-positive beauty brand Evolve uses a combination of 10 essential oils to calm, detoxify, smooth and plump your skin while you snooze – it’s beauty sleep in a jar! £23; uk.davines.com

When you love working out, taking a break from exercise can seem a waste of time – there are training plans to follow, goals to be met and PBs to achieve. Besides, exercise feels good and, for many of us, it’s a way of life. So, what’s the problem? A

‘I’ve always been an active person but being alone with my thoughts was impossible and the only coping mechanism I knew was exercise. It was perfect for calming my busy mind and fulfilling my need to constantly be on the go. › ‘I started to lose a lo

Not only has she helped get Emily Blunt in the ‘best shape of her life’, but the likes of Davina McCall and Ruth Wilson are also fans of Monique Eastwood’s Eastwood Movement Method (eastwoodfit.com), which is based around high-intensity movements and

In need of some serious r&r? The last couple of years have left us all craving a recuperative escape. Now, the world’s top wellness resorts are coming to the rescue with tailored retreats designed to transform your fitness, health and happiness. No l

You do it when you bend down to pick something up, and it’s the gold standard of lower body moves, so why is the squat so hard to perfect? Part of its difficulty lies in the multitude of joints and muscles it uses, from those in the quads, hamstrings

Want defined arms you can flaunt? This super-effective dumbbell circuit will not only work and strengthen every muscle from your shoulders to your abs, but will also get your heart rate up and burn calories. In fact, it provides a fantastic workout i

Why do you feel running is so important for the younger generation? ‘The benefits are huge – getting to know yourself, self-confidence, mental health, physical health, working together as a team and working to your strengths (working on your weaknes

One of the most essential factors for enjoying cycling on a regular basis is having a comfortable pair of bib shorts. I speak from experience when I say they can make or break a bike ride. Poor padding and fit can ruin your experience on the open roa