Women's Fitness July 2025

Let me ask you a question: is today the day? The day you finally start that training programme. The day you sign up for the event that frightens and inspires you in equal measure. The day you try the activity you’ve always wanted to have a go at, or sign up to the club you’ve been considering joining… I ask because I was recently told not to look back at what I used to be capable of, or worry about what I might be able to do in the future, but to focus on what I hope to achieve right now. After years of saying, ‘I’ll be fitter next year’, ‘I’m not as fast as I used to be, so I'll do it when I'm quicker’ or ‘I’ll have more…

The short of it I’m delighted by Under Armour’s summer running launches, including these lightweight, cool, on-trend Launch Pro 2” Shorts (£45, underarmour.co.uk) Endurance energy I’m hooked on Precision's PF 30 Chews (£8.99 for two 15g carb chews, precisionhydration.com). They’re great when you don’t fancy another gloopy gel. Pick up the pace An investment buy for serious road-racers, the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 shoes (£279, saucony.com) are furiously fast, with a full-length carbon plate.…

STAR LETTER ‘DIVING HAS BECOME PART OF MY LIFE’ I’ve just been to Egypt and enjoyed a trip on a boat and a diving experience. All the divers I spoke with told me that when they dive, they find a quietness that exists nowhere else: a peacefulness that cannot be found in daily life. And while this ‘extreme’ sport can be dangerous, it is also liberating, peaceful, relaxing and fun. I definitely want it to be part of my life now and I was grateful for your Fit Buzz feature (June issue) in which you recommended some great wetsuits for triathlons and diving. Thank you! Lucy, Liverpool Congratulations Lucy, you’ve won a Sekonda Flex Plus Smart Watch, worth £75! Available in four colourways, the Flex Plus features a round, rose…

Dress for success For the ultimate in wear-anywhere fashion, look no further than the new Berghaus Explorer Dress (£95, berghaus.com). Made from a lightweight, breathable fabric to keep you cool and dry, this multitasking summer essential is as practical as it is chic, with a breezy camp collar, hidden pleat pockets and an unrestrictive, adjustable fit. Wear it cinched in at the waist for a sleek silhouette, loose for a laid-back feel, or unbutton it completely to wear over swimwear and activewear. Available in black, green and grey in sizes 8-20, it’s ideal for exploring a new city or escaping to the countryside in style. DO THIS... Runner’s high Forget Glastonbury, Eventbrite’s 2024 Wellness Study shows that 55 per cent of festival goers now prioritise health-focused events to leave feeling…

DR PRIYA GOPALDAS Dr Gopaldas is an NHS doctor, ultramarathon runner and health advocate. She is also a GP and one of the medical minds behind O.R.S Hydration (orshydration.com). Q Is it safe to exercise outside when it’s hot and sunny? How should I adapt my workouts when exercising in warmer weather? A Exercising outside when it’s hot and sunny can be safe if you take the right precautions. However, it also increases the risk of heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion or heat stroke, so it’s important to adapt your workouts. You can do this by firstly changing the time of your workouts – exercising early in the morning or later in the evening so you can avoid peak heat. Also consider exercising indoors or, if you’re outside, try to…

When Denise Lewis attends the one-day London Athletics Meet this July to watch the likes of Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith compete, she will be observing the action from a very different seat. After 15 memorable years in the BBC Sport commentary box, the Olympic gold medallist left viewers stunned during last year’s live coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics when she announced she would be hanging up her microphone so she could take on her new role as the president of UK Athletics to ‘develop and help the sport that’s been so amazing to me’. However, while the heptathlon legend tells us she is enjoying the change and challenge – and is already making great strides by helping to prepare London’s bid to stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships…