Women's Fitness June 2023

Want to enjoy summer to the max? Here at Women’s Fitness, we believe it’s not just about barbecues, holidays and garden parties; getting active outside can do a lot for your mood, too. Indeed, exercise encourages the release of endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. But outdoor exercise boasts special benefits, not only because the sunshine naturally increases those serotonin levels, but also because you feel more connected with Mother Nature – and that can do a lot for down-sizing stress levels. That’s why, in this issue, we’re bringing you plenty of inspiration to get moving outdoors, whether you want to sign up to one of the summer events or classes on page 38, or train for a sub-30 minute 5K best (page 86). You’ll have…

Nicki Petitt-Ward Nicki is a workout writer and fitness model who runs her own PR company working with global sports brands. Find out more @nickipetitt_pr 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 yoga teacher, counsellor and author. Her work is grounded in a deep appreciation of inner stillness as a pathway to transformation. @eveboggenpoel 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 Joanna Ebsworth A qualified Level 3 PT and fitness instructor, Jo has been combining her love of exercise and writing…

STAR LETTER TOTAL INSPIRATION I loved your article with Helen Skelton, ‘Being adventurous is in my blood’ (May issue). She is such an inspiring, beautiful woman. Like Helen, I too have always been into fitness, but I haven’t been as adventurous, and so decided to step out of my comfort zone. I have tried segway and tree-top challenges since reading this article about her! I’m not sure what is next on my list but I’m loving where these fitness adventures are taking me, plus you can do them with kids in tow. It's a win-win! Charlotte Wildman Charlotte wins a bundle of Darn Tough Vermont socks, with a combined value of £80. She'll receive a selection of socks from the brand’s hike and run categories, in a range of…

Game, set & match! Take centre stage when you wear the new Court to Resort collection from premium performance apparel brand Vuori (vuoriclothing.co.uk). Serving up a stunning range of mix-and-match dresses, skirts, shorts, crops and cover-ups, each piece is designed to blend comfort and functionality with sustainability and style. Made from a soft, stretch-infused French terry fleece, we love the cosy Sedona V Neck seen here, £100, paired with the Volley Skirt, £70, which features a high-rise fit, tennis ball pockets, and comfy inner-shorts made from sweat-wicking fabric to keep you looking – and feeling – cool, on and off the court. BUY THIS… Thirst quencher Want a modern, healthier, tasty alternative to sodas and sugary sports drinks? Step forward Vitamin Well (vitaminwell.com), the Swedish success story now available in…

Olympian. Mother. And now game-changer. That’s Helen Glover in a nutshell. Not content with winning two Olympic gold medals across the 2012 and 2016 games, and making history by becoming the first mum to row for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the rowing champion has announced she is back in training with the aim of competing at Paris 2024. Glover will be 38 years old when the Paris Olympics take place in just over a year’s time, and yet she is far from phased. In fact, she’s planning to be stronger than she was in her prime. ‘I have to believe I can come back better than I ever have been, otherwise what’s the point?’ she explains. ‘If I’m coming back to accept being slower than before, I…

Q How long will it really take before we lose fitness while on holiday? Joey Bull says: ‘Science tells us that there is very little reduction in cardiovascular fitness for a well-trained exerciser in the first 10 days of a break, but “well trained” equates to having four-to-six months of base fitness. Those new to exercise, without that foundation of fitness, will see a decline before then. ‘Beyond two weeks is when more significant losses are made. After 14 days, studies show that VO2 max decreases by six per cent. So if you’re a 5K runner with a 25-minute best time, there is a 10-second decline after one week of rest. After two weeks, there’s a 60-second decline. After a luxurious one month away, that 25-minute run could now take…