Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Men's Fitness UK

MEET THE EXPERT Mike Chadwick is a former paratrooper and physical training instructor for the Royal Army, credited with revolutionising fitness training in the British Armed Forces. Visit coachmikechadwick.com for more. TikTok is one of the few things growing faster than health problems related to sedentary lifestyles. While some TikTok trends are unhelpful or even harmful (‘dry scooping’ protein powder, for instance), one that can only have a positive impact is the rise of the ‘dead hang’. This is an exercise that simply involves hanging from a bar for a certain amount of time. While it might sound easy, it is actually a remarkably effective way to build upper-body and grip strength. It also helps to stretch out the shoulders and decompress the spine, both of which can be especially…

It’s the brutal bodyweight exercise everyone loves to hate, but there’s a reason the burpee is a PT and fitness class favourite: it’s unbelievably effective. “Like the press-up, this move can be done absolutely anywhere,” says strength and conditioning coach Andy McKenzie. “Unlike the press-up, it’s a total-body move that builds killer cardio endurance and is one of the very best fat-burning exercises.” We couldn’t agree more, which is why – on p80 – we have seven variations, beyond the original ‘down and up’ variety, which you can learn to loathe just as much……

Britsare finding it harder than ever to pay attention, with two in five (41%) reporting that they are finding it more difficult to maintain their ability to concentrate since the pandemic, reveals new research from energy and focus brand Pro Plus®. Lockdown may be a distant memory, but it seems to have made it a challenge to stay focused. Many adults say they are unable to keep their attention on a single task and this is significantly impacting their work and home life. This phenomenon is not something that has gone unnoticed by our bosses, with more than 1 in 10 (13%) people reporting they have been reprimanded for it. This number increases to 1 in 5 (21%) adults whose family members have commented on their lack of focus. Commenting…

Iwas so scared that the whole thing would tip over and we’d all die.” By rights, it should never have flown. The mini-BMX bowl suspended below one of the biggest balloons ever built in the UK weighed two tonnes, and swung around so violently when hung from a crane that rider Kriss Kyle doubted it would ever get off the ground. If it did, he feared the consequences. Kyle’s whimsical, lockdown-inspired vision of riding his bike through fluffy clouds quickly turned into a gut-churning fever dream. Riding the bowl on the ground merely sowed the seeds of doubt in his own abilities, as he battled to even breathe under the pressure of the bowl’s leg-shreddingly tight quarters and the weight of an 8kg parachute. An interminable wait for a weather…

The burpee is an intense bodyweight exercise which, for that reason, most people love to hate. Also for that reason, it’s one of the most effective fat-burning movements you can do. Like the press-up, it can be done absolutely anywhere; unlike the press-up, however, it’s a total-body move that builds killer cardio endurance. One study even found regular burpees to be effective at improving short-term memory. A combination of a squat, press-up and jump, the burpee is a compound movement that will work several muscle groups at once – as long as your form is correct. For each of the variations detailed here, you will need to engage your abs and glutes throughout – and make sure you master the first, conventional version before moving to the more advanced movements.…

ISSUE 278 JUNE 2023 Summer is coming – honest. And the good news is that even if you’ve barely moved for the past few months, it’s not too late to get in shape for sunnier days ahead. Inside this summer fitness special, you’ll find everything from workouts to maximise fat loss, to 15-minute meals for fuelling muscle growth in double-quick time. We also chat to Sam Warburton, the British and Irish Lions legend-turned-strength-coach who – despite retiring a few years ago – still trains (and looks) like an elite athlete. Through his SW7 Academy, he’s helping everyday gym-goers do the same: with a focus on power as well as strength, to help you build a robust physique that stands the test of time. Isaac Williams, Editor isaac.williams@kelsey.co.uk INSIDE: HOW TO……

Vivobarefoot’s brand mission is all about minimalist footwear that allows your feet to work as nature intended. That means toes splayed out wide, the ankle and heel free to move, and soles in maximum contact with the ground. The natural feel is aligned with sustainability: with each shoe treading lightly on the planet thanks to the use of recycled plastics and bio-based materials. Lite work With Vivobarefoot’s latest minimalist creation, the Primus Lite Knit, all the usual brand hallmarks are in place: wide toe box, ultra-thin soles and a flexible upper for full ankle mobility. All of which makes for an outstanding weight-lifting shoe – if your feet can handle it. Lifting heavy weights off the floor is best done in flat shoes that allow you to drive through your…

WhenCraig Newman left his abusive relationship, he was surprised at the lack of options for those looking to move beyond initial crisis support, and set off on a path towards recovery. “It was incredibly complicated to understand how you recovered,” he tells MF, “which seemed pretty bizarre, given what I do for a living.” Newman is a clinical psychologist, and has spent his career building eHealth programmes and solutions, helping people with mental health challenges. So, after working on his own recovery, he developed a model and began working with others who had found themselves in similar situations. “It really revealed to me that there are massive gaps in the sector in terms of how we support people,” he says. “And when I say gaps, I mean chasms when it…

If you’re short on time, high-intensity interval training can be just the ticket for working up a sweat – and torching through calories – in 30 minutes or less. While weighted exercises can be incorporated into HIIT, this particular session uses nothing but your own bodyweight. Save it on your phone for a fast and furious workout you can smash out anywhere. Warm-up • Perform the following 3 exercises for 20 secs each. • Take 10 secs to transition between movements. • Focus on smooth, quality reps. • Repeat the whole warm-up circuit for a total of 4 rounds (6 mins). 1a. GREATEST EVER STRETCH • Start in the press-up position. • Drive one knee up towards your head and place the foot flat on the outside of the hand…

To celebrate the outdoor adventure brand’s 90th anniversary, Ellis Brigham is hosting a weekend of hiking, trail running, climbing, swimming and paddleboarding – set in 16 acres of parkland along the shore of Wales’ largest national lake. You can also expect outdoor skills workshops, cooking demos, gear repairs, guest speakers and more. Weekend tickets start at £245 for two to five people. That includes a two-night camping pitch, free on-site activities, a welcome drink, and an exclusive 90th anniversary water bottle. What? Explore Weekend Where? Bala, North Wales When? 15-17 September Head to ellis-brigham.com/exploreweekend…

Mankind Initiative Mankind offers support service for men in abusive relationships. This includes a confidential listening service, advice on planning an escape, police procedures and signposting for specialist help. Visit mankind.org.uk or call 01823 334244 Men’s Advice Line Run by Respect, the Men’s Advice Line offers a freephone number, email address and web chat service, delivering emotional support and access to legal advice. Contact them on 0808 8010327, Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm; email info@mensadviceline.org.uk, Monday to Friday between 9am and 8pm; or use the web chat service on Wednesdays between 10am and 11.30am, and 2:30pm and 4pm. Its website, mensadviceline.org.uk, also has lots of resources for those in crisis. Galop LGBT+ charity Galop has a dedicated helpline, email address and web chat service, as well as a chatbot…

Holidays divide people into two camps. The first see getting away as a chance to do nothing other than eat, drink, sleep and gain a good few kilograms in the process. The second enjoy a more active approach. There are obvious merits to both. But if you feel the need to earn those poolside pina coladas, this minimal-kit session can be smashed out in 20 minutes or less. Do it first thing, then secure a deck chair, pronto. WARM-UP Complete 2 rounds 1a. CRAB WALK • Place a mini resistance band around both legs, just beneath your knees. • Stand with your feet wide apart and lower into a half squat. • Leading with your knee, not your ankle, step to one side working against the resistance. • Continue in…

An effective training programme should cover all five measurable health and wellbeing components: strength, work capacity (cardio fitness), mobility, body composition and emotional wellbeing. Stretching exercises fall under the banner of mobility, and this is a component you can’t afford to ignore if you want to maximise your fitness potential. Maintaining the ability to move through a full range of motion will not only reduce your risk of injury, but will also ensure both muscle and strength progressions. The stretches listed here are designed to stabilise the core and loosen the glutes, hip flexors, adductors, upper back and ankles. These are all areas commonly associated with stiffness. Equally, they’re all areas that will improve strength training performance if you can move them efficiently. The following movements can be performed one…