Women's Fitness July 2024

Do you head outside to exercise when the temperature rises? I’ve long been an advocate of the green gym. Over the years as a fitness writer and editor, I’ve attended brand events, product lectures and research briefings about the benefits that outdoor exercise has on physical and mental health. I’ve interviewed industry experts, top athletes and outdoor fitness fans. And all this has done is make me fall in love with Mother Nature’s gym even more. This organic form of exercise has been proven to limit feelings of stress and depression, boost self-esteem and enthusiasm, and lower levels of fatigue – and there’s so much choice, whether you want a solo workout such as a run or cycle, or a group session like a fitness bootcamp. Summer is the best…

STAR LETTER ‘IT WAS REFRESHING TO READ ABOUT OLDER WOMEN’ ‘I’d like to thank Joanna Ebsworth for her feature on The Body Retreat’s new Menopause Retreat (May issue). Older women can feel that striving for fitness is no longer for them, so it was refreshing to read that one of the participants during the week Joanna took part in was 68 years old. A stay there certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s packed with so many varied activities, nutritious food and good companionship – sounds to me like money very well spent.’ Maggie, Ripon ‘I now realise strength training doesn’t need to be scary’ ‘I really was very grateful for your article Full-body burn (June issue). It was the perfect advice to help me begin my strength-training journey – I now…

Love all With Wimbledon and Paris 2024 around the corner, there’s never been a better time to update your tennis wardrobe, whether to brush up on your backhand or try out the preppy yet athletic ‘tenniscore’ aesthetic sweeping our socials. For inspiration, check out the latest New Balance Tennis Range, seen here on US tennis star Coco Gauff, which serves up a stunning range of skirts, shorts, crops and cover-ups made from high-performance fabrics to keep you looking and feeling cool on and off the court. Complete the look with the new Grey Edition of the Coco CG1 shoes, £150, featuring FuelCell cushioning to put a spring in your step; newbalance.co.uk DO THIS… Prepare for great… NESS Promising a fantastic atmosphere, breathtaking views and truly memorable experience for all, it’s…

STEVE AHERN Ahern is a personal trainer at Goal Plans powered by MuscleFood (goalplans.com). He’s a level 3 certified PT and has more than 10 years’ experience in the fitness industry, working with a range of clients from athletes to celebrities all over the world. Q What stretches and exercises should I include in my warm-up and cool-down to prevent myself from feeling achy after a workout? I’m never quite sure when to do dynamic or static stretches for best results! A Many people overlook the importance of incorporating a proper warm-up and cool-down routine into their workout regime. However, dedicating even just five minutes before and after a workout to perform a few stretches or exercises that focus on muscle recovery can make a significant difference in preventing or…

‘I always thought the day I fell pregnant would be the day I turned the page and started a new chapter,’ reveals Australian weightlifter, CrossFit Games athlete and mum-of-one Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr, 30. But, in a surprise turn of events that has stunned the CrossFit world – and her, too – the six-time Fittest Woman On Earth is currently in training to compete in the final of the 2024 CrossFit Games this August, following the birth of her first child – daughter Willow – in May 2023. ‘As it turns out, I didn’t even realise I was pregnant during the early part of my first trimester,’ says Toomey-Orr. ‘I was traditionally taking some time off after the CrossFit Games in 2022 to let my mind and body relax, and I figured…

Reformer Pilates has boomed in popularity in recent years. The workout uses a reformer bed with adjustable resistance to support and intensify Pilates moves. While the machine may seem like the holy grail of Pilates equipment, in reality, the essence of each exercise lies in the principles and movements themselves. So, by modifying exercises and swapping a machine for gliding discs and resistance bands, you can benefit from some of the most effective dynamic reformer Pilates moves on your mat – and for a fraction of the cost – in the comfort of your own home. HOW TO DO THIS WORKOUT Complete this workout on a flat, hard surface, such as tiles or wooden floors. You will need an exercise mat, a resistance band and two gliding discs. Simply work…