Women's Fitness May 2024

Love swimming? Then you’re not alone. I recently learnt that swimming is one of the most popular activities in the country, with as many as 4.7 million people swimming at least twice a month*. Perhaps it’s a no-brainer, as not only is swimming a great cardio workout but it also boosts muscle strength in a low-impact way, while being a life skill and, let’s face it, quite a lot of fun (flume, anyone?!). The latest news, however, extols cold-water swimming’s mental-health boosting benefits. As we discover on page 88, a slightly chillier dip is emerging from the science labs as one of the prevailing ways to remedy the mind by easing depression, anxiety and stress, not to mention providing an endorphin high. And with participation in outdoor swimming growing in…

STAR LETTER ‘GLADIATORS IS INSPIRING ME TO TAKE MY FITNESS TO A HIGHER LEVEL’ ‘I enjoyed your feature Gladiators ready! (March issue) about the gladiators who are taking the revived series by storm, with one of them, Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains), featured on your front page. More than three decades since it first launched, Gladiators is back with a brand-new group of superhuman-like athletes challenging members of the public to take them on. My parents watched it religiously when they were younger, and now it’s inspiring me to take my fitness to a higher level. I’d love to have the feeling of more confidence in my body, like the gladiators – the feeling of strength inside and out, more energy, being able to sleep well at night, and having an…

Colour me happy New research from purposeful activewear brand BAM reveals the majority of UK women believe colourful activewear boosts their mood and makes their workouts more enjoyable, while 45 per cent say wearing bright colours helps to improve their performance. With luscious lilac set to be the standout shade this spring, there’s never been a better time to update your workout wardrobe with some of BAM’s pastel pieces, including everything from sleek leggings and breathable workout tops to slouchy sweats and lightweight running jackets. Versatile enough to elevate your look and mood, while boasting unrivalled breathability, unbeatable softness and sweat-wicking properties, prices start from £20; bambooclothing.co.uk TRY THIS… Making great strides Looking for a safe, sweaty and supportive sisterhood to elevate your running game? These Girls Run (TGR) is…

MICHAEL FATICA Fatica is a consultant osteopath for The Back in Shape Program (backinshapeprogram. com), an online rehabilitation program for treating back pain. He has been treating and advising patients for 10 years, specialising in the spine and spinal mechanics. Q: I recently pulled a muscle in my lower back while lifting weights. How can I aid recovery and prevent lower-back strain going forward? A: Resistance training is great for long-term back health, especially when done well. However, sometimes accidents like this do happen, and often we find that it’s a case of imperfect form aggravating the lower back. It is highly likely that it is a strain of the joints in your lower back that has resulted in the ‘pulled muscle’ feeling you’re experiencing. Short-term, we want the back…

I don’t think there’s been a day in my life during which I haven’t done something active. I did gymnastics from a young age and started athletics and cross country at the age of 11, but I only heard about CrossFit from a friend at school when I was 14. He explained how CrossFit combines many fitness elements such as gymnastics and athletics with skills work, and I thought it sounded like so much fun. So, I went along to my first kid’s class on a Sunday at the CrossFit IOM [Isle of Man] gym with my two best friends and, 10 years later, I’m still doing it. I can’t say I touched a barbell when I started doing CrossFit a few times a week. It was more about kids…

If you’re a year-round gym-goer, you might be missing out on some key benefits of exercising outdoors – especially now the weather is brightening up. Did you know, spending just 10-20 minutes exercising in the sunshine twice a week is generally sufficient to replenish your vitamin D levels after a long, dark winter? This is crucial for giving your immune system a much-needed boost. What’s more, outdoor exercise also helps to raise your energy and mood, elevating feel-good happy hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. Plus, the added challenge of uneven terrains and resistance from the elements can help boost the physical effectiveness of your workouts, too. This full-body circuit combines cardio and strength moves to target the lower body, upper body and core. Get ready to feel unstoppable!…