Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Men's Fitness UK

I've never been a Star Trek fan: I was much more in to Star Wars. But a quote I saw from the noble USS Enterpise commanding officer Jean-Luc Picard really resonated with me. "It is possible," he said "to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness. That is life." It’s so true and never more evidenced than by my preparation for the most recent London Hyrox event. I admit that, for the last few years, I have trained fairly aimlessly. Don't get me wrong - I have trained hard. But it felt that I was training for training’s sake with no real purpose or goal. Enter Hyrox. For the first time for several years, my training had a purpose. I had a goal. I ran more; I…

It won’t have escaped your notice that the equipment inventory for most gyms now includes recovery items such as foam rollers, massage guns and spikey balls, all of which can be used in self-myofascial release, which growing evidence suggests is essential for maintaining your muscles in peak condition. Fascia is the connective tissue that attaches to every organ and bone in your body with that wrapped around and woven within your muscles being specifically referred to as myofascia. It is rich in nerve endings and due to its strength and elasticity, it considerably impacts your posture. It is made up of 3 components: collagen (giving it structure); elastin (making it stretchy); and ground substance (gel that provides fluidity). Its key purpose is support but it also provides connected chains that…

I think there is a growing awareness of our need to be connected to nature. And to also remember that we are nature. Everyone’s valuing the importance of it.” Jenny Clark knows better than most. She’s the founder of The Wild Times, which has been offering retreats across the UK and Europe since 2021, when she emerged from lockdown with an urge to bring people together after so much isolation. With options to paddle board, hike, swim and practice yoga, Clark’s getaways centre on putting the individual first and creating space to boost health and mental wellbeing in the process. Retreats are just one part of a UK wellness industry which was believed to be worth a colossal $223 billion in the UK alone in 2022, according to Statista. And…

Looks can be deceiving in the sport of Padel tennis. Behind the walls of an unremarkable hanger-like building on a Slough industrial estate, the rapidly growing racquet sport is in full swing. The five indoor courts at Slough Padelhub are a hive of activity with some of the UK’s leading elite players introducing the game to a bunch of select media. Video cameras are whirring, music is pumping, there’s pizza and padel chat around the bar area, all orchestrated by R3 Sport, a key mover in the rapid growth of padel tennis in the UK. According to the Lawn Tennis Association - the National Governing Body of Padel too - during the period of 2020-23 the number of padel courts in Britain grew from 50 to 350, while annual participation…

Following on from the success of his Sunday Times bestselling The Good Bite’s High-Protein Meal-Prep Manual, Niall Kirkland is back with a new collection of delicious and indulgent high-protein recipes - all under 500 calories. The Good Bite Lite packs a tasty punch, with recipes that harness the power of protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer. With full nutritional breakdowns, food tracking barcodes for each recipe and easily identifiable symbols for slow cooker, air fryer and speedy recipes, this is one book you’ll be cooking from all week long. BLACK BEAN CHILLI WITH CREAMY GUAC & BROWN BASMATI & WILD RICE A delicious and super nourishing black bean chilli. The scotch bonnet will provide a distinctive spice and flavour, whilst the dark chocolate provides an earthy richness to…

The foundation of any home gym set-up should be a set of dumb-bells and a gym ball. The reason they’re so useful is that they are so versatile. You can target any body part in a variety of ways, increasing your chances of losing fat and gaining muscle. This feature will give you a wide variety of exercises for each major body part. You can then begin to explore a range of workout techniques that will make sure you keep challenging your body and help you get bigger and stronger. Dumbbells allow you to fatigue your muscles easily within your desired rep range, helping to build new muscle. The fact that you hold one in each hand gives you balanced muscle growth and develops your stabilising muscles because you’re forced…

Researchers have found that middle-aged and older adults with high cardiorespiratory fitness have a lower risk of dementia in the future. This observational study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. involved over 60,000 people in the UK who were followed for a 12-year period. Participants took part in a physical exercise test to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. Researchers also measured memory and thinking ability and considered participants' genetic predisposition to dementia. After controlling for other factors, such as age and medical conditions, the researchers found that people who were in the ‘medium’ dementia risk group who had a better cardiorespiratory fitness may be able to decrease their risk of developing dementia by 35%. Dr Jacqui Hanley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “According to the latest research,…

Nearly 50 per cent of people can tell what the weather will be like from their joint aches and pains, according to new research from Deep Heat. Weather is impacting the nation’s pain as so many Brits claim that cold, wet, damp weather makes their joint aches and pains worse, says the pain-relieving brand. Meanwhile, 38 per cent of Brits claim to experience mood changes, 40 per cent experience lower energy levels and 43 per cent say that they feel more tired. And a third of people just said they feel plain fed up. Discussing the data, GP and Deep Relief expert hub member, Dr Gill Jenkins explained: “It’s clear that colder, wetter weather is impacting the nation’s pain as so many Brits claim that cold, wet, damp weather makes…

AND SAVE £31.44* IN YOUR FIRST 6 MONTHS In every issue… Men’s Fitness is about more than rippling muscles, or chicken and broccoli dinners. These days, we’ve expanded our remit slightly. Our extensive collection of workouts, strength training tips and nutrition advice will help you look the part, sure, but it’s an unfortunate fact that big muscles don’t equate to happiness. Which is why in the pages of our monthly issues and online at mensfitnesstoday.com, you will also find the tools you need to improve all the unseen aspects of your health, too. If you’re looking for celebrity training plans or quick-fix diets, you’ll be better served elsewhere. However, if you want to learn how to make a healthy way of living second nature – no matter how busy you…

Starcroft Farm Cabins Situated in a dark sky reserve north of Hastings, these three cabins are comfortable and play host to four-night writing workshops throughout the year. starcroftfarm.co.uk The Wild Times Wild Times retreats are held across the UK and Europe, with a focus on movement outdoors, from yoga sessions to paddleboarding to long hikes. thewildtimes.co Mind Over Mountains Mind Over Mountains is a charity that focuses on offering walks and retreats for those struggling with their mental health. Counsellors and guides are on hand to act as listeners and to offer exercises in mindfulness while out and about. mindovermountains.org.uk Health Travel Retreats don’t mean roughing it. Health Travel’s range of luxury retreats range from boosting leadership skills in Mexico to watersports and beach fitness in St Lucia. Health.travel Thera-Sea…

The old-school advice around what is the ideal breakfast, claimed that men and women could eat the same foods - but men should aim for slightly higher calories to satisfy their increased energy demand due to greater lean body mass. However, a new study from the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, has smashed that theory like avocados on sour dough! Using a mathematical model of metabolism, scientists showed that men’s metabolisms respond better to a high carbohydrate meal after fasting for several hours, so oats and grains are the perfect choice. Conversely, a meal with a higher percentage of fat suits a woman’s metabolism better so they should be loading up on eggs.…

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Low motivation, cold temperatures and a lack of daylight are the top three reasons why Brits are shunning exercise in the winter. According to new research from Net World Sports, nearly two-thirds of Brits surveyed admitted that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the ‘winter blues’ negatively impacts their ability to exercise. James Bickerstaff, personal trainer at OriGym, said: “Symptoms commonly associated with SAD include fatigue, decreased motivation and a lack of energy. Naturally, all these things can make it harder for someone to stick to a consistent exercise routine.” While SAD and winter conditions can pose significant challenges, there are practical steps you can take to maintain your fitness routine. 1. Incorporate more Vitamin D, iron, and fibre into your diet: One of the first things you can do to…

#1. Stretch. Physiotherapist Sammy Margo says that stretching is vital, whether there are changes in the weather or not. “Small stretch ‘snacks’ can help warm up muscles and joints. Just a few minutes at various points throughout the day can help ensure you stay mobile and that you can move comfortably. Try some in the morning, to break up hours spent sitting at a desk, and try doing some before you go to bed at night.” #2. Layer Up. When the cold, damp weather kicks in, it’s vital to wear appropriate clothing. Dr Gill Jenkins says: “Wearing warm layers helps to stop muscles from seizing up, and muscles protect the joints. Wear clothes that keep your body dry too. Opt for waterproof jackets on rainy days and make sure your…

When it comes to sustainability, the running shoe industry has not always been at the front of the queue. Brands have had some green innovations but they have often been lone wolves against a sea of consumerism. But that is starting to change. Big brands like Brooks and On Running have made sustainability part of their agenda and a number of new brands have entered the marketplace with a promise to reduce waste, conserve resources and minimise the carbon footprint of the production process. What makes a shoe ‘sustainable’? Recycled materials: many brands are now using polyester made from recycled plastics. More than a decade ago, Brooks unveiled a shoe called the Green Silence. It was lightyears ahead of its time, using a heel counter made from recycled CDs and…

How To Do This Workout This is an intense session designed to push your anaerobic capacity as well as develop musculature, so time your rest periods and keep them to a minimum. Do the exercises in order with a maximum of two minutes between each and keep the rest periods between sets to 60-90 seconds, and keep the entire session to 45-60 minutes. EXERCISE ONE Dumb-bell Woodchops. Sets: 3 Reps: 12 (6 each side) The Romans used this one because it can develop the strength and speed to strike diagonally with a sword. EXERCISE TWO Dumb-bell Deadlift. Sets: 3 Reps: 10 The greater range of motion afforded by using dumb-bells over a bar will make this exercise more functional, and stabilise your lower back. EXERCISE THREE Medicine Ball Crunch-to-throw. Sets:…

It’s just after lunch on the last Saturday in November. Most ordinary people are kicking back after a late brunch. I stop short of using the word ‘normal’, but it feels completely abnormal to me to be stood on a start-line with 200 other scantily clad men about to take on my first Hyrox. The last four months of training comes to this: a warrior-like arena setting at London’s Excel Centre where the fittest do battle and seemingly only the strongest survive. What happens in the next hour or so will reveal if all the training and pain has been worth it. I would cross my fingers but I’m already clenching my fists in anticipation. It started with a bet The idea of doing a Hyrox was originally suggested when…

The conventional wisdom, that there’s a hard limit on the amount of protein your body can absorb in one sitting, has taken a significant hit from a new study that has multiple nutrition experts re-evaluating the picture of post workout nutrition. But what does this mean for your own performance diet? Most people stepping into a gym in 2024 to add muscle will have heard the advice that there’s an upper limit to the amount of protein your body can absorb in one sitting (usually around 30-40g). But a study published in Cell Reports Medicine in December 2023 appears to have sunk that rule by showing that a 100g ‘protein bomb’ consumed after a heavy workout resulted in a greater and more prolonged anabolic, muscle-building response (more than 12 hours)…