Women's Fitness April 2021

Recently, I discovered a quote that spoke volumes to me: ‘Motivation is what gets you started; habit is what keeps you going’. It conveys why it’s been so hard for so many of us to truly attack an exercise goal during the recent lockdowns – because without our regular routines (whether going to the gym after work, exercising while the kids are at school, or heading to a weekend sports club), keeping fit has become less habitual and easier to swerve. Indeed, a 2021 study from the University College London reports that two-fifths of us are doing less activity now than during the first lockdown last spring. Unsurprisingly, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, GP and host of the Feel Better Live More podcast, rates morning routines as even more important during this…

Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author and keen runner. She runs online programmes and works with athletes.christinebailey.co.uk Lucy Miller Lucy is an ex-national gymnast and qualified PT. She is also a nutritionist and life coach who loves nothing more than to go for a run or do a gym session. @lucycmiller Eve Boggenpoel Eve is a holistic healer, yoga teacher and author. Her work is grounded in a deep appreciation of inner stillness as a pathway to transformation. @eveboggenpoel Emma Lewis Currently studying to be a PT, Emma has written and sub edited on women’s health and fitness magazines for many years. She is a lover of everything that is active. Joanna Ebsworth A qualified Level 3 PT and fitness instructor, Jo has been combining her love…

CORE BURN A lot of the time I find my fitness training is doing me good, but it’s not helping me to lose weight… That is why I was so pleased to read Get Fit and Burn Fat (March issue) to help me with this problem. I’m looking to improve my overall health and slimming down for summer. The exercises are great ways to increase fat burning, quickly and easily. I have incorporated them into my fitness schedule immediately. I’m finding the lateral toe tap and plank toe tap exercises especially effective – I can feel my core and triceps benefiting daily! Many thanks to Autumn Calabrese for a fantastic cardio session. Daisy David, Herts STAY STRONG How to get fitter (March issue) was brilliant and an enormous help. When…

‘I did more cold-water swimming in lakes and rivers as the leisure pools weren’t open’ Laura Stott-Allworthy ‘I’ve now got basic equipment at home, and there is so much available on demand, but I’ll probably book the odd studio class.’ Lauren Shanley ‘I took up SUP, which I might not have done had other events been taking place. I stopped when the weather got cold but will head out again soon.’ Faye Smalls…

FEELING INSPIRED I am grateful for your magazine as it really does what it says on the tin – [talk about] proper women’s fitness. I am finding that so many other magazines are becoming heavily focused on mindfulness and wellbeing, which is fine but in my opinion, is at the cost of articles about fitness. I feel that there is the right balance in your magazine. I especially like the articles for which you interview fitness and health-focused people to discuss their training and nutrition – I find that really interesting, and it’s inspiring to hear about other women’s approach to exercise and diet. Keep up the great work! I am a subscriber and look forward to reading the magazine each month. Lynsey Holmes, via email Lynsey wins a six-month…

GOING THE DISTANCE When you’re putting in the miles, you need clothing that will keep you feeling comfy, dry and chafe-free every step of the way. Enter New Balance’s Q Speed Fuel Collection, with every piece designed to give you total confidence. We love this sleek Q Speed Fuel Long Sleeve Top, £45, with its hidden thumbholes and reflective details, paired with the matching high-rise Q Speed Fuel 7/8 Tights, £60, featuring deep hip pockets so you can carry your phone and other essentials with complete ease. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11, £135; newbalance.co.uk FUNCTIONAL FUSION Puma has reconfigured the cross-training shoe to create its first-ever trainer designed specifically for functional fitness. Engineered to withstand tough workouts, Puma’s Fuse Strength trainers (£80; puma.com) feature a low, shock-absorbing midsole and wide…