Women's Fitness October 2023

I love autumn – the trees look beautiful and the air is crisp. It’s a great time for outdoor exercise too, as without the intense heat of the sun you can run, cycle or do any outdoor pursuit more comfortably. Speaking of which, Emma Lewis pedalled off on a family cycling holiday earlier this year, which may inspire you to do the same this season (page 36). And, while autumn and winter may make you less inclined to be barefoot, you may want to consider getting into barefoot running, which isn’t, as the name would suggest, running without shoes – although some people do that – but in minimal trainers. Although I’m by no means a runner, I was introduced to barefoot shoes at a re-wilding event in 2017 –…

STAR LETTER ‘Thank you for all your brilliant articles. I especially loved the interview with Myleene Klass (cover of August 2023), where she says “there's no point focusing on your body if your mind’s not strong”. Myleene shared how her simple approach to fitness worked, and after reading the article I knew where she was coming from. I can see now when it comes to fitness goals, mindset is the ultimate determinant of success. As a famous saying goes, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right”. At times, fitness advice can be overwhelming and difficult to decipher, but Myleene made me realise if I take a step back and look at the big picture, I will see getting fit will not be so difficult. I learned…

Snug as a bug Timberland’s new Venture Out Together collection features versatile footwear and performance apparel, designed to inspire and equip you for outdoor adventures in any weather. We heartily recommend the latest iteration of the GreenStride Motion 6 Hiker, £160, which combines lightweight comfort and improved rebound with a new waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry on those wet, autumnal days. Pair it with the Benton Waterproof 3-in-1 jacket (£315), which has a removable hooded fleece liner, for the ultimate waterproof and warmth protection from the elements! Visit timberland.co.uk WEAR THIS… Fit for all Finding gym wear that goes beyond traditional small to large sizes can often present a challenge. Thankfully, activewear brand Gym+Coffee produces a wide range of high-quality leggings, sports bras, running jackets, T-shirts, shorts and…

Mel B knows a thing or two about confidence. Back in the 90s, the record-breaking popstar-turned-TV-personality-turned-domestic-violence-campaigner was the epitome of female empowerment alongside her Spice Girls bandmates, inspiring an entire generation of women to support other women and celebrate their individualities without apology. So, when lingerie brand Pour Moi began the search for an ambassador to front their new Own Your Confidence campaign – and help it spread the message that all women deserve to feel confident no matter their shape or size – it seemed a no-brainer to put Mel at the very top of their “most wanted” list. However, while Mel acknowledges she’s never been healthier – or in better physical shape – she reveals she wanted to spend a bit more time working on her mindset before…

NOLAN SUNNASSEE Nolan is a professional strength and conditioning coach, specialist personal trainer, fitness writer and consultant. Find him at evo-fit.co.uk Q: How do I ease back into exercise when I’ve had a break? A: ‘That’s an excellent question and quite a common one for people not exercising over the summer months as they may be busy with children or away on holidays. When you don’t work out regularly, you can lose strength, power, endurance and muscle mass. But the good news is you can get it back much faster than someone starting from scratch; that’s because all the exercise you have done in the past has been stored in your brain and nervous system, meaning your body isn’t learning a new skill, but rather waking up one lying dormant.…

There really is nothing like a good morning workout to set you up for the day – your post-workout high not only leaves you ready to take on the day ahead but it will also wake up your metabolism. That’s because when you exercise, you subsequently build muscle that aids in speeding up your basal metabolic rate (BMR), or how much energy you expend while resting. And the faster your BMR, the more energy you’ll burn. TO DO THIS WORKOUT… This no-gym, no-equipment sequence will only take 10 minutes, yet help you thrive day-to-day. Start with a quick warm-up of some jumping jacks and high-knees then repeat this sequence four times, taking as little rest as possible after each round. TRICEPS PUSH-UP Benefits: This move will work your triceps, chest,…