Women's Fitness Winter 2020

For anyone looking to get fit, there’s never been a wider range of options. Home workouts have surged since lockdown (fitness tech firm Peloton reports a 172 per cent increase in sales of home kit). Last month, Apple announced the launch of its fitness classes and there are many apps and online training sessions. Despite so much variety, the obesity rate in the UK is estimated to affect one in four adults. Almost 63 per cent of adults are overweight. The pandemic hasn’t helped. According to online fitness app, Her Spirit, 72 per cent of mums became the ‘default parent’ during lockdown and their activity levels dropped as a result. We have to make exercise a priority, but if you aren’t motivated, you’ll always struggle to stick to a routine…

Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author and keen runner. She runs online programmes and works with athletes.christinebailey.co.uk Elle Fox Elle is a Naturopath, a College of Naturopathic Medicine graduate and microbiome specialist with 30 years’ experience in complementary medicine.naturopathy-uk.com Josephine Perry Josephine is a sport psychologist. She educates those who want to get fitter or faster, from first time parkrunners through to Olympic athletes.performanceinmind.co.uk Eve Boggenpoel Eve has practised yoga and meditation for 25 years. She trained as a yoga teacher at Triyoga and is a qualified homeopath. She also practises t’ai chi. Martin Kelly Martin is a motivational coach who was obese due to work stress. He lost over 25kg of fat, and now runs ultramarathons and coaches people who want to change their health. Louise…

GAME-CHANGING TIPS Thank you for your brilliant article, Get the most from the gym (issue 9). Now I’m allowed back in my gym, I really want to make more use of my time there. So I was very pleased your feature demonstrated game-changing tips to make my workout count. I can see now that having a plan of action before I step foot in my gym can help me avoid wandering around aimlessly while I decide what to do next. This indecisiveness in the past has not only added time to my workout, it’s made it less efficient. A clear plan is my secret weapon and now I have one, thanks to your great suggestions. Sali Thomas, Denbigh WATERCRESS WONDER Your magazine helps me work towards having a healthier body…

BRILLIANT BICEPS Armed for Success (issue 10) was just what I needed to help me achieve what I’ve always dreamed of – toned and sculpted arms. In the past, getting toned arms has been a bit of a challenge. Reading all your advice about workouts for biceps and triceps has been a considerable help. I already have the resistance band and chair. I’ve started the exercises using slow and controlled movements and I can really feel my arms working. I hope to keep this up and feel more definition in my arms soon. It’s a plus that the exercises don’t make me feel like I’m dying the entire time, but they are obviously going to work on those parts that need strengthening. Ria Harding, via email Ria wins a Brooks…

Do you always exercise with a sports watch or do you prefer to do ‘naked’ workouts sometimes? ‘I like to use my watch to see my progress – that way, I can up my workouts each time.’ Elisa Armendariz ‘My heart rate monitor just died, so I cycled without it today and felt naked. I love knowing my heart rate and calories burned.’ Isabel Belanger ‘Sometimes I use one if I do a new route and want to know how far I went, but usually I train without one and run to feel.’ Zippy Lilley…

COVER UP Every workout wardrobe should have a cool cover-up: this essential bit of kit helps you raise your body temperature during warm-ups and also retain heat during cooldowns, so your muscles stay flexible as you stretch. We recommend this super soft BAM Escape Bamboo Hoody, £65 (bambooclothing.co.uk), which has moisture-managing properties, so you never overheat. • Look for a zip-up style if you need easy on and off access. • Training in dark conditions? Choose a design that has reflective details. • Hoods with an adjustable, drawstring neck will help to protect you from the elements. TRY THIS... TAKE FIVE Dubbed ‘a tiny gym in your pocket’, the Activ5, £129.99 (available from amazon.co.uk and Smartech Selfridges), is a portable strength training device and coaching app that guides users of…