Women's Fitness October 2017

Want to boost your body? Treat yourself to some new kit! Yep, we all know a new outfit can boost our confidence but, now, scientists have proven that shiny new sports kit can improve our workout results too. Just by wearing athletic kit, you trigger changes in the brain that make you perform better. Result! It’s just one of the gems we learnt while compiling this month’s ‘Get your body back’ special (page 55). With holidays over, we all need some extra motivation to kick-start those goals. So we’ve rounded up the pros to help. Can’t afford a PT? No sweat. Turn to ‘Celeb trainer secrets revealed!’ (page 56) for insider tips the world’s top PTs usually only share with their clients. Not seeing the results you want? You may…

STAR LETTER HEADING OUTDOORS Your article ‘Into the woods’ in September’s issue has really inspired me. As I was reading it, I thought of all the lovely wooded countryside around me, yet I spend my time working out in the gym. I headed to the forest and just had some time out. I took my yoga mat and took in my wonderful surroundings while stretching and just relaxing. I really did feel totally revitalised, full of energy and in a great mood. What’s even better is that I’ve found a fantastic cycle route I’ve enjoyed with my young son, and a parkrun nearby too, so I can go there to keep fit and enjoy the relaxing surroundings afterwards. Thanks H&F! Charlene Pavitt, East Sussex LIFE-CHANGING READ I’m 45 years old…

In last month’s Success Story feature ‘Exercise helped me beat breast cancer’ (Success Story, September issue), we mistakenly published an image of Laura Try alongside the story of Helen Weller (left). We would like to apologise to both women for any upset caused. You can read Helen’s story online at healthandfitnessonline.co.uk. Laura has just completed The Great British Row – look out for her story in the December issue of H&F. Thank you to both Helen and Laura for sharing their inspiring accounts with us.…

1 GET STAIRCLIMBING! Want to physically challenge yourself and reward more than just your body? London’s Gherkin challenge, October 22, is an excellent way to do just that. Run up 38 stories of the iconic 30 St Mary’s Axe and enjoy well-earned champagne, a massage and incredible panoramic views of the London skyline, all in the name of fundraising for the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Sign up at nspcc.org.uk. 2 EAT, SLEEP, SURF Want to hold on to that summer feeling for as long as you can? Why not spend three days in Devon at ETE TriCamp’s Surf-Fit retreat (October 6-8), getting active, eating well and challenging yourself ? Don’t worry if you’ve never surfed before – experienced coach Mark Capps will guide you through…

‘I couldn’t find luxury, natural spa products so ESPA was born’ ‘I work like a dog but I need to stay healthy so I can keep doing this as long as possible’ ‘Morning is a key time for me. I rarely get up past 6:30am and it’s often 5:30am. I have a hot water and lemon to stay alkaline. Then I do stretching to keep supple and strength work. ‘I’m very privileged to have my own sauna, gym and environmentally friendly outdoor salt pool at home. Unless the weather’s bad, I also work out hard in the water with weights. Twice a week, I work out in the gym with a trainer (I love Stephen Price’s methodology; spandco.co.uk) and use weights and TRX. ‘I was very sporty and into health…

Are you guilty of continually putting off signing up to play a sport? Team games have so many benefits, including social, mental and physical, but a new study by London gym DW Fitness found that a whopping 70 per cent of women of all ages don’t play a sport. A further 40 per cent admitted to not having been in a team in over 20 years! These are pretty alarming statistics, especially when obesity is affecting 25 per cent of Brits. So, if you want to kick-start your health and fitness, get out there and join your local club or put together your own social team. Your mind, body and soul will thank you for it.…