Women's Fitness August 2021

What does being strong mean to you? It’s something I’ve continuously pondered while the bare bones of this issue have come to fruition, and I believe that our relationship with weight lifting evolves. As a teenager in the early noughties, I lifted weights to gain muscle definition. But in my 20s, as a club runner, I weight trained to support injury prevention. Now, in my mid 30s, strength training is integral to my health. I enjoy carrying my young daughters because it doesn’t feel like an effort. I can quash stress and boost my energy levels after just 15 minutes of lifting, and I know that I’m laying down the foundations for a stronger body in the decades to come. There’s no doubt that the simple act of resistance training…

Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author and keen runner. She runs online programmes and works with athletes.christinebailey.co.uk 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 Joanna Ebsworth A qualified Level 3 PT and fitness instructor, Jo has been combining her love of exercise and writing for 15 years, and is keen to inspire others to be active. @joglows Louise Pyne Louise is a qualified nutritionist and freelance health writer.›She specialises in women’s health and wellness, as well as children’s health.louisepynenutrition.com 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…

ACTIVE ICON I really enjoyed your feature Game, Set, Match (July issue) for which Jordanne Whiley gave us a glimpse into her world. Jordanne is an accomplished British wheelchair tennis player who has also been awarded an MBE. Paralympians such as Jordanne exhibit the determination, bravery and hard work needed to succeed. Each athlete has a story to tell, and Jordanne’s is an extraordinary one. Thank you for sharing it with us. My admiration for her is without bounds and I hope she continues to do well in her sport while inspiring others! Abigail George, North Wales KEEP MOVING I’m longing to book a holiday and so enjoyed your article Break Away! (July issue). I thought I might not have time for fitness during a holiday, but even if I…

I never want to exercise much while on holiday, partly because I work from home and my main workout regime is 20K on the exercise bike after I finish work. That means, when I’m without the exercise bike, my routine goes out of the window entirely. At the moment, I’m really focused on getting fitter and losing my lockdown weight, so your Break Away! feature (July issue) hit home – and just three weeks before our 10-day summer holiday to the Cumbria coast! As well as the physical benefits of being a bit more active while we’re away, I really like the idea of walking barefoot on the beach to feel free and connected again. I also think there might be a few lunges going on as my wife and…

LOVE ALL This summer, around one million new female tennis players are expected to step out onto British courts for the first time following the effects of lockdown. If you’re one of them – and you’re searching for something suitably stylish to wear – look no further than new luxury tennis apparel brand EXEAT (exeatweekend.com). Inspired by the chic idyll of England’s quintessential grass courts, you’ll find heavenly high-performance skirts, t-shirts, shorts and dresses, including this sailor uniform-inspired Nelson Dress (£280, XS-XXL), all integrating sustainable fabrics and a level of tailoring fit for a Saville Row suit. Advantage, you. DO THIS… DESIGNED FOR LIFE New Pilates and workout platform, A Body Forever (abodyforever.com), is on a mission to keep you moving no matter where you are. Founded by renowned Pilates…

Courtney Black is more than just a one-HIIT wonder, with thousands of subscribers to her real-time workouts on the Courtney Black App and more than 800K fitness fans following to boot. Her high-intensity workouts are aimed at building strength, fitness and endurance through commitment and perseverance – in the resonant words of Black herself, ‘what doesn’t challenge you doesn’t change you!’. As we settle in for a good natter, Black is all beaming smiles and giggles. It seems that the effervescent, infectious energy that she brings to her workouts is reflective of her vibrant personality – and her honest and candid answers to each question are testament to that authenticity… HOW DID YOU GO FROM REGULAR PT TO TRAINING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS? ‘I’ve been a personal trainer since I was…