Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Women's Fitness

While putting the August issue together, I listened to a programme on parenting and the overwhelm that many feel – and I agree, mostly from my own experience, that it’s a juggle for mums and dads today. Perhaps it's even more tricky as we hurtle towards the summer break and try to balance family time with work obligations. So, if you could do one small thing to help support your wellbeing, why wouldn’t you? For some, that might be an art class or a walk among nature, for others (me included) it’s a workout. I know I’m not alone in feeling that exercise keeps me energised. And recently, that energy has come from a lot of cycling, as I prepare for two stages of The Route. The Route is a…

Ever wonder how some women manage to keep fit while navigating major changes in life? Us too! And who better to ask for advice on staying fit through change this summer than influencer, business owner and mum of one, Meggan Grubb? Having maintained her fitness during the various stages of her life so far – from founding her own wellness app Beyond (beyondapp.co.uk) through to pregnancy and motherhood today – Meggan is seemingly ‘doing it all’, even finding the time and energy to train for her first HYROX event, which she recently completed alongside her husband, as their two-year-old daughter Winnie cheered them on from the sidelines. So, just what is the secret to making exercise a priority, we ask her, when life does a 180 and you have a…

Seasonal eating is important to embrace when trying to reduce our ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, as fruits and vegetables that are in season are packed with flavour, making them more appealing to our taste buds. They’re also packed with nutrients, which is better for our health. The idea of ‘seasonal eating’ simply means that you eat produce that is grown and harvested locally to where you live, and you also eat this produce during the season that it has been harvested. For example, for someone living in the UK, consuming British asparagus in the month of May would be considered seasonal eating. If you live in Peru, eating avocados during the summer months is seasonal eating. However, the key here is that if you live in the UK and you…

Mountain Warehouse Surfer Women’s Long Sleeve Swimsuit £59.99, mountainwarehouse.com AT A GLANCE UPF 50+ protection shields skin from harmful rays Resistant to chlorine and saltwater damage Long sleeves and high neck provide warmth and coverage What the brand says: The Surfer Women’s Long Sleeve Swimsuit is made using 200gsm stretchy fabric that is resistant to both chlorine and saltwater damage. Durable and long-lasting, the jet-black fabric provides UPF 50+ protection to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Available in sizes 6 to 22, there’s also a practical zip fastening plus long sleeves and a collar for comfort and coverage. What we say: As a newcomer in the world of cold-water swimming, I was excited to try out a swimsuit that bridges the gap between skimpy bathers and full-blown wetsuits.…

Stay sun safe Remember those colour-changing strips of litmus paper from your school days? Well, now there’s one for your body. If you’re one of the 70 per cent of people not reapplying sunscreen when soaking up the rays, reach for Beame Under the Spotlight UV Detection Patches (£10 for 36, beamespf.com). These clever UV-sensing stickers start off transparent and turn purple after a period of time in bright sunlight, so you know you’ve been exposed to UV light and it’s time to reapply your SPF. Sweat- and water-proof, simply stick one on your arm to work out on holiday or jump in the sea knowing however hard you train, you’ll still be sun safe. Face value With face mists seeing a surge in popularity recently, maybe Subtle Energies’ Pure…

Before sitting down to write this article I cleared my work space, put on a soothing piece of music then went into the garden to let the early morning sun warm my face and clear my mind. As I turned my attention inwards, I began to notice how ungrounded I was – my energy centred in my upper body, my legs weak and uncertain. It took several minutes of focused breathing, directing my energy downwards, to come back to myself and feel more aware of my thoughts, emotions and feelings. It was only then that I felt ready to start writing… How often do we begin a work task, conversation or even a training session without knowing how we actually feel? How often are we consciously aware of what we…

STAR LETTER ‘IT’S REASSURING SEEING MORE ARTICLES ON PERIMENOPAUSE’ I’m glad to see more articles with advice for women who are dealing with perimenopause. I’m entering my 40s in a couple of days and I’m looking for acknowledgment from different sources to reassure myself there is nothing wrong with me (so far, my brain fog drives me crazy!), and that plenty of women are dealing with the same issues. Everyone says weight training is good for you in midlife. In your article, ‘Lift for (mid) life’ (July issue), I loved your advice on not being scared to go heavier and do fewer repetitions (3-8 reps rather than the more popular 10-12 reps) – it has changed my approach to weights completely. Thank you for that. Ladies, let’s grab bigger dumbbells!…

It might sound a bit specialist but chances are you’ve already done some plyometric training in a fitness class. Also known as jump training, plyometrics involves stretching the muscles prior to contracting them. A few moves might include box jumps, ball throws and plyo push-ups. This type of training strengthens muscles and decreases impact forces on joints, reducing injury risk. Plyometrics mimic the motions used in many sports, but because it’s so intense, it results in a high calorie expenditure that’s valuable in weight management, too. The Eastern Europeans first used plyometrics in the 1970s to develop greater strength and power in their Olympic athletes. They based programmes on scientific evidence that stretching muscles prior to contracting them recruits the stretch reflex of muscle to enhance explosive power. This pre-stretching…

Clean creatine Long misunderstood as a supplement only for hardcore gym-goers, creatine is now being recognised for its wider benefits – especially for women, who naturally store and produce less creatine than men. Powered by ultra-pure Creavitalis micronised creatine monohydrate and free from unnecessary fillers, ARTAH Essential Creatine (£28, artah.co) helps to promote hormonal balance, sharpen mental focus, improve sleep quality and support whole-body vitality. Dinner’s ready! Upgrade your pasta with the Northern Pasta Co.’s British Spelt Pasta (from £4.95 for 450g, ocado.com). Using gut-friendly grains that are grown in the UK with regenerative farming methods, then crafted in the brand’s pasta factory in Cumbria, the wholesome pasta is light and tasty. Trending chocolate If you’ve been anywhere on social media over the past few months, you’ve probably heard about the…

Whether you’re training for an upcoming event, joining a group ride or just starting out with cycling, a bike computer can help to keep you on track wherever the road or trail takes you. Boasting smart features, intuitive navigation and easy-to-read displays, these personal pedalling assistants make it simple to plan and follow your routes without having to pull over and fiddle around with a phone. By syncing with your favourite devices, sensors and apps, you can also keep an eye on your health stats, review your performance and receive personalised, real-time coaching. From budget-friendly basics to top-of-the-range models, these cycling sidekicks will have your back – taking care of the tracking, routing and navigating so you can focus on the ride ahead. Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 GPS Bike Computer…

Ever wonder why you feel super motivated some days and completely overwhelmed on others? The answer might lie with cortisol – your body’s built-in stress hormone that’s working behind the scenes 24/7. While it often gets a bad rap, hitting headlines for increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, cortisol is actually your secret weapon for crushing goals and powering through workouts. You just have to know how to work with it. ‘Often stress is described as a negative thing that must be avoided at all costs. In reality, we need stress – including the rise in cortisol – to motivate us and help us reach our goals,’ says Martin Sharp, personal trainer, fitness coach and founder of Sharp Fit For Life (martinsharp.com/sharpfitforlife). ‘While high levels of…

After a decade of chronic UTIs, Olivia Wallis channelled her experience into founding Onoma Health, a next-generation women’s health brand rethinking how we approach urinary and vaginal wellness I was 16 when I had my first UTI. At the time, it felt like a one-off – annoying, uncomfortable, but nothing serious. I had no idea it was the beginning of a relentless cycle that would dominate my life for a decade. By my mid-20s, chronic UTIs had become my normal. I was constantly on antibiotics, swinging between flare-ups and side effects – thrush, BV (bacterial vaginosis), gut issues and food sensitivities. I stopped booking holidays. I avoided intimacy. I lived in fear of the next infection and felt trapped in my own body. What frustrated me most was the lack…

Made to move Seissense (pronounced ‘sea sense’) is the new premium activewear brand using breakthrough fabric innovations to elevate your workouts. After two years in development, the comprehensive collection spans four pillars, including high-performance Essentials for the gym and outdoors and Active Swim apparel with added SPF 50+ protection and chlorine resistance to handle workouts and open-water swims. Available in four colours, check out this Henri Compression Bra, £55, and the matching Henri Compression Capri, £75, both featuring Fuze Tech – an innovative, chemical-free antimicrobial technology that kills odour-causing bacteria on contact to keep garments fresh for longer – plus quick-drying, moisture-wicking, body sculpting properties and UV protection. Visit seissense.com WEAR THIS... On pointe Dial down the noise with Sweaty Betty’s new pared-back studio collection made for yoga, Pilates and…

For the past five years, chef, food writer and supper-club host Rosie Kellett has been living communally with six others, making delicious seasonal food on a budget of £25 per person, per week. In her first cookbook, In for Dinner (the title a question asked on the warehouse group chat so they know how many to cook for each evening), she shares 101 low-effort, high-reward, veg-forward recipes to nourish you. There are meals for week nights when you’re counting down to pay day, busy workdays with short lunch breaks, mornings that call for hearty yet cheap breakfasts, and special days with your favourite people. Bringing to life Kellett’s motto that ‘delicious food should be possible on any budget’, the book is a celebration of food, friendship and community. Whether you’re…

We’re standing at what feels like the crown of Montenegro, perched high above the glittering Adriatic, with panoramic views stretching across the UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor and the beautiful coastal town of Tivat. After driving through dramatic mountain roads and hiking the final stretch on foot, we’ve reached Goražda Fortress, an abandoned fort from the 1800s. As we take in its history, the sunlight dances on the sea below, and lush greenery spills out in every direction. It’s easy to see why Montenegro is fast emerging as one of Europe’s most popular destinations for wellness escapes. FITNESS FANTASTIC Our five-day holiday is centred around a stay at SIRO Boka Place (sirohotels.com); a sleek, new fitness and recovery hotel. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear this isn’t your typical resort.…

How many times have you heard the phrase ‘I’ve got period cramps’? Probably more than you care to remember, and that’s because painful or uncomfortable periods are surprisingly common. Indeed, of the numerous studies on period pain out there, the majority report a figure that sits between 80 and 96 per cent of women experiencing period pain at some stage in their lifetime. It’s prolific, so is there more we could be doing to ease the discomfort? Sure – exercise could help ease the pain, but doing the right kind of exercise is key. ‘When you move, your body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters,’ explains Dr Kerry Krauss, OB-GYN and senior medical advisor at Natural Cycles (naturalcycles.com). ‘Plus, exercise boosts blood flow, helping relax tense uterine…

How many kilometres do you cover in a HYROX event? Strictly speaking, it’s 8K (eight lots of 1K) but you also have to add in your transitions through the Rox Zone and your movement during the functional stations. When I competed at London Olympia in May this year, my watch said I’d raced a total of 6.82 miles. The catch? I didn’t really know how long I’d spent wandering around the Rox Zone. It’s far better to track each individual run and station, but then who wants to do that manually? Enter Amazfit, a leading global brand in the sports wearables market. It’s the only smartwatch company in the world to offer official HYROX Race and PFT modes. If you’re already familiar with multisport tracking watches, for which you press…