Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i Women's Fitness

Finally the summer months have arrived! Summer is a great time to get fitter, not only because the warmer temperatures are more conducive to being comfortable when moving outdoors, but also because the longer days can make you feel more energised and motivated to exercise. It’s easy to get drawn in by the allure of a bike ride in the sun (read page 14 for cycling advice) or a swim in a balmy lido, but let’s not forget that strength training can take place outdoors as well. On page 32, we provide a heart-pumping and muscle-boosting bodyweight workout that you can do from any location – in the gym, at the park, even on holiday by the pool! Talking of holidays, if you’re keen to keep challenging your muscles while…

Positive vibes Inject some energy into your workout wardrobe wearing Oti Mabuse’s second activewear collection with Reaktiv at Tu. Designed to capture the professional dancer’s passion for movement, the 34-piece collection of leggings, shorts, crop tops, vests and jackets features a vibrant summery colour palette and funky prints in sizes XS to XXL, including snakeskin separates and co-ord sets in bright pink and on-trend buttermilk yellow. Available exclusively online at tu.co.uk, argos.co.uk, and in selected Sainsbury’s stores, prices start from £10 to reflect Tu and Reaktiv’s commitment to versatile, stylish and affordable fashion. Feel the heat Leading the way for boutique London fitness studios, Psycle (psyclelondon.com) has opened its sixth Ride, Barre, Yoga and Reformer studio in Bank – with an exciting new addition. Home to a 48-bike Ride studio,…

A 5K is 3.1 miles – one of the most frequently run distances in competitive races. Welcome to the ‘5K club’, a club where excitement, empowerment and a sense of feeling challenged all come together. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, a 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect goal. It’s achievable with the right training, yet just tough enough to give you that satisfying sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line. Of all the races you’re likely to hear about, a 5K is sure to be one of the least demanding and least intimidating. It’s the perfect starting point for your first race, but how do you get started, how should you structure your training and what should you wear to feel comfortable every step…

Are you eating enough protein? In his new cookbook, nutritionist Dr Rupy Aujla combines his 15 years of medical experience with the latest nutritional research to bring you delicious recipes that are designed to change the way you think about protein forever. High protein and healthy don’t necessarily come hand in hand, and with the recent trend for protein-rich diets, we often turn to more meat and processed, convenience foods at the expense of a truly healthy, nutrient-rich diet. In Healthy High Protein, Dr Aujla challenges misconceptions about what protein does and where we can get the nutrient. This expert-led, accessible guide to protein will help you cut through the noise of misinformation and discover balanced, varied recipes that unlock the benefits of a protein-rich, healthy diet. RUPY’S HIGH-PROTEIN RIGATONI…

When Sinead Hatter jumped on the scales to find out she weighed 88kg, the heaviest she had ever been, she realised she needed to make an immediate change to look after her health. From that day forward, and with the help of health and fitness tracking app MyFitnessPal, she set a goal to lose three stone (19kg) and transform her fitness. ‘I had to mentally prepare myself for the challenge ahead and address a few battles I had been harbouring that hadn’t been dealt with. A lot of this was handled by using food as a comfort, especially after the passing of my dear mum in 2019. I realised that I could only change my mindset and this had to happen before I could even begin to start working on…

Stylish swimwear The Space High Neck U/W Bikini Top, £34, and High Leg Bottoms, £22, from Pour Moi (pourmoi.co.uk) are what’s needed to clock up swim lengths in style. Sweat-proof sunnies Seen on several pro runners at this year’s London Marathon, the SunGod Forty2s (£110, sungod.co) are the running glasses of this season – secure, sweat-proof and stylish! Hair hero Sunny runs and sea swims can leave hair frazzled, which makes softening Q+A Intense Hydration Mask (£12, qandskin.com) my perfect travel companion.…

PENNY WESTON Weston is the director of Moddershall Oaks and founder of MADE, a 360° wellness centre. She specialises in fitness, nutrition and wellness, and loves helping others to optimise their health, energy, and mental resilience. Visit pennyweston.com Q Do you have any cycling technique tips for beginners? I’m struggling to figure out my pacing, pedalling and gear shifting – especially when going uphill or downhill! A 1. Find a steady pace One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners make is setting off too fast and burning out too soon. I recommend aiming for a pace that feels comfortable where you can still hold a conversation without gasping for breath. Your endurance will build over time, and you’ll find it much easier to maintain a good rhythm. 2. Focus…

‘Everything is hard before it is easy’ – that’s what famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said – but I don’t know if I can agree. That’s because I have just completed the Transgrancanaria ultra trail marathon and it was hard from the moment I started to the second I finished, six hours and 41 minutes later. Transgrancanaria, which takes place on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, brings together ultra-running professionals and ultra-trail lovers of the highest level every year. There are different races to choose from: the shorter 21K, 47K Marathon, 82K Advanced and the 126K Classic course. I opted for the 47K. With a case full of running gear, including the beautiful The North Face VECTIV Pro 3 trainers that I raced in, I took…

When Paola Di Lanzo founded Paola’s BodyBarre (PBB) back in 2008, she wanted to redefine strength as the result of an activity that empowers rather than exhausts – and time has shown she was onto something. A fusion of Pilates, barre, yoga and functional training, PBB was created before Pilates was in demand – Google searches for the discipline are up by 70 per cent since last December alone – and ahead of functional fitness being the popular workout it is today. PBB was arguably years ahead of its time, and its longevity in the fitness business is, perhaps, testimony to that. But what makes it such a hit? Certainly, Di Lanzo’s ‘soft strength’ method plays its part. ‘In a world where high-intensity workouts and sweat-drenched routines often take centre…

‘I love your trainers’ were the words of a fellow exerciser as I laced up to take the new Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trainers (£135, salomon.com) for an off-road run one sunny morning – and certainly, the trail shoes are easy on the eye if style motivates you to get going. But the real genius is in what the brand has coined ‘Dynamic Comfort’, a nod to how plush these trainers – which focus on comfort and cushioning, the number one request from runners – really are. And they are supremely comfortable, from the moment you slip your foot into the shoe, to the final throes of your run when your form might deteriorate. This comfort factor matters because, in my opinion, after decades of running, trail shoes haven’t been…

STAR LETTER ‘THANK YOU FOR SHINING A LIGHT ON WALKING’ I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your recent article ‘Walking workout’ (May issue)! It was so refreshing to see walking get the attention it truly deserves. The tips for increasing intensity were especially helpful – and reminded me that even simple changes can make a big difference. As someone healing from a C-section, with a little baby and a dog to care for, walking has become my main form of exercise. It’s accessible, gentle and still so effective – both physically and mentally. I often feel like walking is overlooked, so I loved seeing it celebrated in your magazine. Thank you for shining a light on this underrated workout! Keep up the great work! Björk Congratulations Björk,…

When personal trainer Kate Rowe-Ham found herself experiencing breathlessness and heart palpitations in the middle of the night at the age of 41, she turned to her husband and told him – in the event she didn’t wake up the next day – that he should tell doctors her heart had been the cause of her death. Never in a million years did it occur to the now 49-year-old mum-of-three that her symptoms could be indicators of perimenopause. And the sad truth is that a diagnosis of perimenopause was far from her doctor’s minds, too. ‘As a PT, I was a perfectly fit and healthy person with access to all this information about health and fitness, and yet my perimenopause journey literally came out of nowhere to me in lockdown,’…

Newsflash: you don’t need a lot of equipment to get a good workout! In fact, all you need is your bodyweight and some space. The beauty of this mini circuit is that you can do it anywhere – think, your garden, the local park or even a beach. From heart-pumping burpees to core-blasting crunches, this high-intensity bodyweight workout is a simple, effective way to challenge your whole body, all the while breathing in some good-old fresh air and taking in the natural surroundings. Raining? Not to worry. You can also do it in your living room, so now there’s no excuse to skip a workout! HOW TO DO IT After a five-minute warm up (try walking around the block or doing a few rounds of star jumps and hip circles),…

Immune booster With a minimum of 351mg of vitamin C per dose and no added sugar, the Rebel Kitchen Camu Shots (£1.95, rebel-kitchen.com) are powered by new-kid-on-the-block superfood camu camu berries, which originate from the Amazon Rainforest and contain 30 times more vitamin C than oranges. Opt for the classic Immunity blend or try the Immunity + Natural Energy option, which includes added vitamin B. Start your day Created for those seeking an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, SUPERKEEN Cereal (£28 for four packs, superkeenfoods.com) is free from allergens, nuts, dairy, gluten and seed oils. Ideal for allergen avoiders, people with auto-immune diseases or those experiencing overactive immune systems, the tasty and gut-loving cereals are designed to help you start your day feeling great, thanks to hero ingredients such as tiger nuts, cassava,…

Now the warmer weather is here, chances are you’re getting out on your bike a lot more than in winter, and when you add in the numerous cycling sportives on offer this summer, your bike legs are probably getting a lot of action. All this time in the saddle undoubtedly benefits both your health and fitness. ‘Cycling improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, boosts endurance and increases stamina,’ says yoga teacher Catherine Weston. ‘Plus, regular cycling hydrates the joints with the circulation of synovial fluid lubricating and nourishing the cartilage, promoting better joint mobility.’ But it’s not just your physical health that benefits, cycling helps boost your mood too. ‘The physical action of cycling releases endorphins and serotonin, helping to reduce stress and lift mood, while outdoor cycling promotes relaxation, reducing…