Women's Fitness June 2021

Hello, sunshine! For me, summer is all about simple pleasures – outdoor runs among the trees and flowers, dropping a kayak onto one of Britain’s wonderful waterways, lazy Sunday walks along the beach… It’s no wonder that research shows it takes spending just 20 minutes in a park to make you feel happier; the great outdoors really does have a mood-boosting effect. And even a year spent largely indoors has done nothing to quash our instinctive bond with nature. In fact, lockdown rules may have even heightened our appreciation for the outside, with data showing our use of parks and green spaces increased during summer 2020. When commutes to work were cancelled and pub meals with pals got postponed, the great outdoors called to us like an old friend, giving…

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 of…

STAR LETTER GETTING STRONGER ‘I’ve never bought a fitness magazine before and certainly never written into a magazine! I participated in a health bet to kick-start a postnatal fitness journey in April – my aim was to shed weight. My shape changed radically and I now run regular 5Ks despite having never run before. Your magazine has been a real inspiration. I love the evidence-based tips! The Break your training plateau article (April issue) came at the problem from so many angles that it was really helpful to me – reading about the issues of overtraining resonated. The Lift to lose article (April issue) also really helped me to debunk the training terms online instructors have been using. I’m looking forward to the next issue. Thanks for keeping me…

SLOW DOWN Taking time for ample rest and recovery is vital for a fit and healthy body and mind, which is why we love the ethos behind new ethical activewear company, The Re.Store (therestore.co.uk). Its brand motto, Not Busy, aims to put an end to the glorification of being busy by reminding us that the best things happen when we’re relaxed and not manically rushing around. Reflecting this, the slow-made collection of vintage print-inspired leggings, sports bras and vests – including the Resonate Reversible Sports Bra, £45, and Life Force Leggings, £70, seen here –›are either made to order or produced in small batches in the UK using regenerated fishing nets. Get ready for life in the slow lane. WEAR THIS… KEEP YOUR COOL Just in time for summer, Under…

River deep, mountain high Engineered with water-repellent fabric, Columbia’s Summerdry Cargo Shorts, £50, are great for both messing about by the river and hiking with friends. The Summertide Water Shoes, £90, have a mesh and neoprene upper, and rubber soles, making them ideal for water sports; columbiasportswear.co.uk Seamless support Moisture-wicking and breathable, this Icebreaker Cool-Lite Merino Anatomica Seamless Sport Bra, £55, is super comfy and supportive; icebreaker.com Keep a cool head Breathable and cooling, this Buff CoolNet UV+ Tapered Headband, £14.18, offers UPF+50 protection and pulls sweat away from the skin to ward off irritation; buff.com Super sunnies Oakley’s women-specific Spindrift Sunglasses, £135, pack plenty of performance features to withstand all kinds of outdoor activities; oakley.com Great and small Made with lightweight, quick-drying, stretch-woven fabric, Smartwool’s Merino Sport Hike Shorts,…

Getting a bit bored of doing the same-old, same-old in the gym? If you can wile away the hours drifting from one bit of kit to the next, many fitness experts agree that it helps to focus your workouts. This means taking a step back from clocking up the workout hours and writing down what you want to accomplish. Perhaps you want to power to a running PB, maybe you want to master a pull-up, or you might even want to simply de-stress and feel good. Whatever your aim, finding your ‘why’ could be a great source of motivation on days of doubt and when results aren’t coming thick or fast. ‘In the fitness industry, we often say “Just show up”,’ says Buz Roberts, owner of F45 Ealing (f45training.co.uk). ‘But…