Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Women's Fitness

As we settle into a new year and all of the ‘fresh start’ connotations that brings, it’s very easy to get swept away with motivation, in the pursuit of workout results that come fast. But keeping fit is a long game, and the best results are surely the ones that we get to keep for life. Because let’s be honest, doing too much, too soon, without adequate rest or before acquiring proper form, is only likely to leave us feeling burnt out and, if unlucky, injured. A decade ago, I wrote a feature on this exact subject, when HIIT crowds were rife and fast-fitness classes were going through a meteoric rise. I remember the expert at the time saying that the big problem was the uptake of novice athletes wanting…

DR SARAH BREWER Dr Brewer is a medical expert, nutritional therapist, award-winning author and cold-water fanatic. Visit drsarahbrewer.com ‘Cold-water swimming helps to keep you in the moment – the ultimate form of mindfulness’ Q I really got into wild swimming over summer, but I haven’t yet braved it during the winter. Is it safe to continue during the colder months? And are there any extra precautions I should take? A My first ever sea swim was on September 8, 2020, and I was hooked – I’ve been almost every day since. Not only is swimming one of the best all-round exercises, working almost all body muscles, it’s also non-weight bearing, making it good for aching joints. The cold water also helps to keep you in the moment – the ultimate…

Chef and content creator Christina Soteriou is on a mission to make eating plants exciting. Research encourages us to eat 30 plants a week and move away from ultra-processed foods – but in our busy lives, this can be tough. In her new cookbook, Big Veg Energy, Soteriou is determined to make healthy eating easy and joyful, never a chore. With influences from her Cypriot roots, each nourishing and vibrant dish is packed with protein and nutrients to give you a plant-based boost – whether you’re a long-time vegan or simply looking to up your veggie intake. From warming ragus to roasted squashes, we’ve picked our favourite veg-tastic recipes to brighten up your meal plans this winter. PULLED AUBERGINE RAGU WITH HUMMUS MASHED POTATO Putting hummus in your mashed potatoes…

Columbia Joy Peak II Hooded Insulated Jacket£155, columbiasportswear.co.uk AT A GLANCE Omni-Heat Infinity lining that reflects your body heat Lightweight, body-skimming design without any bulkiness Sustainably made without any PFAs (‘forever chemicals’) What the brand says: With lightweight yet heavy hitting Thermarator insulation and an Omni-Heat Infinity advanced reflective lining – featuring tiny gold dots that reflect your body heat – this body skimming jacket provides exceptional warmth and comfort in cold conditions. Made without any PFAs (aka, ‘forever chemicals), the jacket also features a water-resistant outer, a fleece-lined hood, inner and outer pockets, comfortable cuffs with thumb holes, plus a chin guard and drop tail to keep you extra cosy. Ideal for hiking and walking, or day-to-day winter wear, the Omni-Heat Infinity technology was inspired by NASA space blankets…

STAR LETTER ‘I’VE GOT MORE ENERGY!’ I’m off to visit my brother in a month and I’ve been worried about my lack of fitness of late and him noticing I wasn’t as fit. I broke my arm a few months ago and have let my exercises slide. That’s why I was grateful for Get fitter in 28 days (January issue). I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to transform my body in four weeks but I’m on the case with your four-week workout challenge. I’m well into the plan now and, apart from the obvious results such as weight loss, I’m looking more toned and sleeping better, plus I feel stronger and more energetic. I’m definitely on my way to getting my fitness back. Many thanks Women’s Fitness ! Colette…

Resilience, adaptability and confidence are just some of the qualities that Team GB double Winter Olympian Aimee Fuller has in abundance. It’s these same star qualities that have helped the former pro snowboarder carve out an equally successful second career in broadcasting. As the first woman in history to land a double backflip in competition back in 2013, Fuller has continued to turn the rulebook on its head by spearheading new and exciting ways of presenting. This is true, whether she’s getting her guests out of the studio and taking them for a stroll to spill their motivational secrets on her popular Monday Mile podcast, or giving the term ‘roving reporter’ an inspiring spin for the BBC’s coverage of the Great North Run by running the full 13.1 miles, all…

Keep your head warm and yourself seen in the Sealskinz Loddon Waterproof Cold Weather Reflective Beanie Hat (£35, sealskinz.com), made from three-layer Aquasealz technology to keep your noggin dry. Every little helps, so slap on the Mountain Warehouse LED Snap Band (£12.99, mountainwarehouse.com) and you’ll increase your visibility with its reflective detailing and LED light. Dull-weather days mean it’s easy to get caught out in low-visibility kit when cycling. Be bright whatever the weather in Van Rysel Women’s Road Cycling Winter Jacket (£54.99, decathlon.co.uk). Shine bright in the Proviz Lumina Women’s Reflective Running Jacket (£89.99, provizsports.com), with a highly reflective print on the chest and back. It’s also well ventilated so you don’t need to take it off. Stay bright and breezy in the UA Launch Elite Cold Weather Jacket (£135,…

Made popular by the likes of CrossFit and Hyrox, hybrid training focuses on a combination of cardio and strength training, rather than specialising in just one training method. Hybrid workouts help athletes to be both cardiovascular-fit and functionally strong. The hybrid training workout begins with a focus on cardio – this should be a run or cycle, but could include a row or SkiErg. For the strength rounds, choose a weight that is heavy enough to challenge you but light enough to complete the full workout. For an additional challenge, increase the weight each round. HOW TO DO THIS WORKOUT Depending on equipment availability, the session can either be done with all the cardio first, followed by the strength training rounds, or by alternating. If alternating: Do 4 rounds of…

There is no blueprint of how you will experience menopause whenever the time comes, but according to the British Menopause Society, around 70-80 per cent of women suffer from symptoms. You’re probably aware of some of the common transitional side effects, including hot flushes, insomnia, mood changes and a higher risk of the bone-related condition osteoporosis. A slower metabolism when you reach this important life stage can often result in weight gain, in particular around the middle. Falling oestrogen levels can trigger an increase in abdominal fat – which has earned the (unfortunate) nickname ‘meno belly’. Midsection weight gain can happen as early as perimenopause and at the same time you’ll notice a drop in muscle mass, which increases the susceptibility of abdominal weight gain. Abdominal fat can be one…

What the tech? Rather than sitting snugly in your ear and projecting music straight down your ear canal while blocking out surrounding sounds, open-ear headphones sit around and in front of the ear while leaving the ear canal open, meaning you can still hear the world around you. They use either bone-conduction technology to conduct sounds to the inner ear via the bones in your skull, or air-conduction technology to transmit the music through the air. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 £169, uk.shokz.com Superpowered by Shokz DualPitch, the latest model from Shokz combines bone- and air-conduction technology, alongside intelligent volume optimising, for clear and powerful highs, mids and bass sounds. The ergonomic ear hooks and unibody frame provide a secure, comfortable fit, without any slipping or adjusting, while the expanded contact…

In the pink New to the UK, Aussie brand Who is Elijah has launched Cherry Vista eau de parfum (from £40, whoiselijah.uk) – just in time for Valentine’s. Playful and seductive with top notes of pear and anise, and a cherry and white floral heart resting over a base of creamy vanilla, benzoin and green patchouli, it’s all about embracing and savouring life’s most vibrant moments. Citrusy, floral and sweet. Pucker up! Take care of your lips in colder weather with Ella & Jo Love your Lips (from £6, ellaandjo.co.uk). Available in refreshing Mint & Lemon, or sweet Cherry with a subtle pink hue, this luxury lip treatment protects against the elements, while leaving lips deeply moisturised, plumped and with a long-lasting gloss. We love… Hair essentials When you want…

If you’re one of the two million Brits who experiences seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you’ll be familiar with the drop in mood that arrives once the days get shorter. Chances are you’re also sleeping more, craving sweet and carb-rich foods, feeling lethargic and maybe even withdrawing from social activities. And you’re not alone. ‘It is normal to feel low when the weather and seasons change, but if you feel down for most of the day, you might have seasonal affective disorder,’ says fitness and nutrition expert Penny Weston (pennyweston.com). ‘You may be experiencing lower energy, anxiety, anger, stress, difficulty concentrating, irritability and overeating.’ The exact reasons for SAD aren’t clear – past research has linked it to everything from genetic mutations in the eye to low levels of vitamin D…

Peak performance Hit the slopes in stunning style this season wearing top-tier outerwear from Columbia’s premium Titanium ski collection. Engineered with advanced technology to keep you warm and dry so you can stay out for longer, we love this Wildcard IV Waterproof Down Ski Jacket, £315, featuring two-way stretch and an adjustable hem, hood and cuffs to help you move freely. Plus, it has all the pockets you need for your ski pass, goggles and other mountain essentials. Perfect, whether you’re carving down slopes, snowshoeing through fresh powder or hiking along icy trails. Visit columbiasportswear.co.uk. For more skiwear inspiration, check out our skiwear edit on page 76. DO THIS... Alpine adventure Love Trails Festival, the world’s first trail-running and music festival, is taking its signature blend of adventure and community…

Need something simple that works well? This barbell complex consists of five barbell exercises performed back-to-back without rest, making it an ideal training method to build muscle, burn fat, get fit and boost your metabolism with just one piece of kit! What’s even better is that it takes less than 30 minutes to do. Here’s what you need to know: a barbell complex means you won’t put your bar down at all until you’ve completed all of the exercises on the list. After warming up your body thoroughly, perform the below moves in order, completing all five reps for one set before moving to the next without putting the barbell down. When you’ve completed all five exercises, rest for two minutes and then start again from the top. You’re aiming…

Tea time Designed to ease stress and support hormone balance through all stages of a woman’s life, Tea & Tonic Meadow Secret Rose Collagen Matcha (£39, teaandtonic.co.uk) combines adaptogenic shatavari and ashwagandha with neuroprotective lion’s mane mushroom. Premium and sustainably sourced, there’s also cooling rose and red clover to ease hormonal hot flushes, pure marine collagen peptides to support the skin, gut, joints and bones, plus antioxidant-rich matcha to combat fatigue and enhance mental clarity. Pure protein Aiming to reconnect people with real food, the ROAM Grass-fed Beef Bars and Bites (from £19.20 for six bars, roamfood.com) are minimally processed and high in protein, without any unnecessary additives. The brand balances ancestral wisdom with modern nutrition, combining premium wholefood ingredients that have been tried and tested for generations, with an…

FEMCARE FOCUS One-stop wonder Look after your reproductive health needs as you age, with Dr.Vegan Women’s ProMulti (from £24.64, drvegan.com). Particularly beneficial for women aged 50+, the 28 vitamins, minerals, probiotics and botanicals – including B vitamins, folate, magnesium, lactobacillus and ashwagandha – support mental resilience, clear thinking, hormone cycles, vaginal and gut health, bones and more. Watertight first aid Be prepared for any eventuality with Lifesystems’ new Mini Waterproof First Aid Kit (£21.99, lifesystems.co.uk). Complete with bandages, tweezers, blister plasters, dressings and even a resuscitation shield, it’s a handy addition to your kit, whether you’re hiking in rainy conditions, on an ultra or hitting the water in a canoe. Weighing in at just 240g, you’ll hardly notice you’re carrying it. IN THE NEWS Love your brain With one-in-11 Brits…

Clear vision These women-specific Roxy Storm Snowboard/Ski Goggles, £75, have a slim, lightweight frame for a better fit, while anti-fog lenses provide 100 per cent UV protection; roxy-uk.co.uk Bold lines Warm, protective and comfortable, the Descente Iris FF Jacket, £739, has added high-loft insulation panels and a plush faux fur-trimmed hood. Complete the look with the windproof Descente Bonded Stretch Pants, £359; ellis-brigham.com Top notch No skier’s uniform is complete without a beanie to keep their head warm. This Barts Nicole Beanie, £32.99, comes in three colours and hides a non-itch fleece lining for greater comfort; ellis-brigham.com No sweat Enjoy award-winning warmth and breathability wearing the Artilect Flatiron 185 Crew, £110, and Flatiron 185 Leggings, £110. Made from Nuyarn merino wool, both feature flatlock seams for zero chafing; artilect.studio Sock…

The course of your life is not written in stone. True, we are all shaped by our biology – along with our life experience and the environment we grew up in – but there’s plenty you can do to achieve your goals, however large or small. ‘While genetics lay the foundation, it’s the way we adapt to and interact with the world around us that defines who we are,’ says registered psychologist and thought-leader, Dr Bea Mackay (beainbalance.com). ‘From the moment we’re born, we begin a process of trial and error, constantly tweaking and adjusting our behaviours, attitudes and habits to better fit our circumstances.’ You’ve probably been practising this on your fitness journey already, where, using reflective thinking, you look back on the choices you made, noticing what worked…

Being crowned the best in the world at your day job is a monumental achievement, and although I look back fondly on winning two Paralympic gold medals, the challenge I completed last summer tops them both. Following two years of preparation, I became the first blind woman to swim the English Channel, completing the 21-mile swim from Dover to Cap Gris Nez beach, France in 12 hours, 20 minutes – beating the average swim time by nearly an hour. My biggest challenges were training my body to handle sea temperatures and training my mind to keep going when things got tough. Plenty of time was spent acclimatising to cold water at home using an ice bath, training at my local swimming baths and familiarising myself with bone conducting headphones so…