Women's Fitness September 2021

Did you take a vacation from structured exercise over the summer? Whether you were busy sunbathing on staycation, looking after school-aged kids or making the most of outdoor socialising, the summer can be the perfect time to relax and reboot after a hectic first-half of the year. But eventually, the accumulative effects of lots of days out, late nights and good food can take their toll, and you might start to yearn for an exercise routine again. Enter September. I’ve always found September to be a great month for re-evaluating my workout goals and kickstarting a new exercise schedule, but it can be tricky to know where to start. If you’re in the same boat, read our guide to getting back into your workout routine safely on page 24. Teamed…

Nicki Petitt Nicki is an online fitness coach and workout writer. She brings energy via Zoom Room, which will challenge your body and create a stronger mindset. Find out more @nickipetitt 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 Fiona Russell Fiona Russell, aka Fiona Outdoors, is an adventure and fitness›journalist. She enjoys trail running,…

THIS MUM MOVES Thank you for your brilliant article Strong Mama! (August issue). It’s obvious pregnancy brings about huge physical and emotional changes, but your advice to stay active can help mums-to-be keep their bodies in balance. It’s good to know that exercising during pregnancy is safe and healthy… I’m six months pregnant and have given up horse riding (loaning my horse out for six months as he needs exercise, too), but I’ve noted your workout for prenatal fitness. A few years ago I used to go to step aerobics and the aerobics teacher was eight months pregnant! I thought she was crazy at the time, but maybe not. She had a beautiful, healthy baby and was soon back teaching. Thank you for a helpful and reassuring article. Amie, Cambridgeshire…

GOLD STARS I thoroughly enjoyed your article Meet our Olympic Hopefuls (August issue). I’m glued to the screen watching the Olympics [at the moment, in July]. Olympic athletes are some of the most dedicated people in the world, and I immensely admire the extreme lengths they go to achieve their dreams and make their countries proud. From Taekwondo and sprinting, to paratriathlons, the women featured in your article are excelling in their chosen sports. I have a friend who competed in Three Day Eventing with her horse at the Olympics about 12 years ago. I always remember her saying she had dreamt about the Olympics from the day she was five years old, and she wasn’t going to stop. This feature has made me think a lot more about my…

Loud and proud Stand tall wearing P.E Nation’s (pe-nation.com) latest collection of ethically produced activewear. Consciously created to consider the welfare of humans, animals and the environment, you’ll find supportive sports bras, oversized hoodies, funky tracksuits and short shorts all sporting the brand’s signature retro-inspired style. Go for bold wearing this Upfield Sports Bra, £64.85, with its sassy cut-out detail, and the matching high-waisted Upfield Leggings, £93.67, both made using this stunning liquid gradient print. Groovy baby! USE THIS… GET FRESH Bosch has created the world’s first electronic device that dissolves odours from clothes without the use of water, solvents or detergents. The lightweight, portable Bosch FreshUp (£249.99; bosch-home.co.uk), harnesses the power of plasma to instantly break down and remove odour molecules when run over fabrics, including delicates such as…

Green goddess Maison Lejaby’s sustainable Inspire collection features gorgeously soft separates like this Sporty Chic T-shirt, £35, made from plant-based fibres, and these Seamless Aere Leggings, £70, woven from recycled yarns; uk.maisonlejaby.com Planet friendly Made from Econyl-regenerated nylon, Scultura’s Flusso Sports Bra, £54, has an innovative micro-mesh lining that naturally wicks away moisture to keep you fresh and dry; scultura-activewear.com Reuse and reduce BPA- and BPS-free, this reusable S’well Speckled Earth 500ml Bottle, £24.50, has a condensation-free exterior with added texture that won’t sweat in your hands or your gym bag; uk.swell.com Smarty pants Asquith’s Long Harem Pants, £69, are made from a super soft, sustainable bamboo fabric that is naturally sweat-wicking and breathable – perfect for yoga or lazy weekends; asquithlondon.com To tie-dye for Made from a sustainable modal…