Women's Fitness July 2023

Hello, high summer! At least, I hope you’re basking in warmer weather by the time you read this. What I love about this time of year is just how easy it is to keep fit, whether you’re someone who likes to stay active or not, because it’s just rude to drive when you can stroll, scoot or cycle in the sunshine. An activity that I think can be highly underrated is walking – it’s so simple, cheap and effective. As I approach the birth of my third child, walking (in particular, speed walking and hiking) continues to be a staple activity for me. It has kept me healthy with its low-impact fitness rewards, mental health benefits and maintenance of stamina, especially as I’ve been doing it with extra load (which…

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 TIPS FROM THE TOP I enjoyed and learned a great deal reading the June cover interview, ‘My goal is to be stronger than ever’, with GB rowing icon, Helen Glover. I remember Helen in the 2012 Olympic Games, typifying the ideal that hard work breeds success, and I once heard her described as a ‘once-in-a-generation athlete’. And yet, she only took up rowing in 2008! The fact that she is 38 years old (the same age as me) is not holding her back from being a competitive rower again. I have taken on board all of her tips for fit mums, because that's what I want to be. I've Helen to thank for motivating me again, proving it’s never too late to get your fitness back. Kira Seville…

Leader of the pack Built for hiking, active travel and messing about on the river, the new Deschutes Valley Heritage collection from outdoor fashion brand Columbia (columbiasportswear.co.uk ) will support all your adventures in comfort and practical style this summer. You’ll find a wide range of tops, bottoms and cover-ups to suit all shapes and sizes, plus co-ordinating footwear, backpacks and hats in a choice of pastel pinks or vibrant prints, inspired by the lush landscape of Oregon’s scenic Deschutes River. Our top pick? The water and stain-repellent Skeena River Jacket (£135, seen here), with versatile detachable sleeves and multiple pockets for all your essentials. TRY THIS… Map your hormones Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s hormone health intelligence platform, Jennis (£9.99 per month; jennis.com) has extended its services to support women in…

Think you know Lucie Donlan? Think again. While many of you might recognise her from her six-week stint on the 2019 series of Love Island, or her glossy Instagram feed where she models for top brands and updates her 1.6 million followers on her travels to beautiful destinations around the world, it’s her true love for surfing, the environment and all things involving the great outdoors that the WF team has known her for since her teenage years. Now 25, and recently crowned the Best Eco/ Environmental Influencer 2022, Lucie’s life might appear to be the height of glamour and luxury, but behind the scenes, the qualified surf coach and judge loves nothing better than working out to keep her body and mind healthy, so she can cope with her…

TRAINING TIPS Q When it comes to strength training, what are the best exercises for fat loss? Joey Bull says: ‘Finding exercises that increase muscle mass and demand lots of calories is the best way to train for many reasons. For instance, jumping jacks may raise the heart rate and burn calories, but what long-term benefit for muscle tissue do they have? The effort level needs to be far more significant. To burn energy, we need to maximise how much we exert, but still make it sustainable. ‘Pick moves that use many muscles at the same time and, by 10 repetitions, feel enough. Choose dynamic moves such as squats or side lunges with shoulder flys to the side, curtseys with shoulder presses, lunges with single-arm rows, renegade rows, single-arm…