Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Men's Fitness UK

It’s official: I am the most injury-prone man in the world. OK, so it’s not official, but when you spend more time on the sidelines than you do on the metaphorical playing field, sometimes it’s fine to be a trifle dramatic. Since the last issue, I have both felt and recovered from a Grade 1 calf tear. And, for those three people that follow my progress, you will know I had to pull out of Hyrox in November with chronic patella tendonitis. And yet, despite all the setbacks (and these latest two are just the tip of the iceberg), I am still raring to get back to it and set my next fitness goal. This will most likely include an autumn half marathon and hopefully another shot at a late…

When it comes to marathon running, the North vs South divide is still in evidence, with Southerners in it for the competition and Northerners motivated by charitable causes, according to a new survey of more than 3,400 runners conducted by A.S.O UK, owners of the Manchester Marathon. But whatever their motivations, one thing’s for sure: a desire for accomplishment drives people to the line. This will never have been more in evidence than next weekend (April 27th) when more than 90,000 marathon runners will take to the streets on the same day in both the adidas Manchester Marathon and TCS London Marathon – creating the biggest day of marathon running in recent UK history. It won’t just be those taking part on the day that achieve new personal bests. With…

Most electric bikes these days are very obviously electric. Large down-tube-mounted battery packs, bulbous bottom brackets housing electric motors and handlebar-mounted control panels all tend to scream 'e-bike'. Not so the Quella Varsity Electric Bicycle. Despite being up there with some of the best electric bikes, due to its sleek, stylish and minimal design, it can easily be mistaken for a regular pedal bike. But there’s a lot more to Quella’s e-bike range than meets the eye. Design The Quella Varsity Electric bike comes in four distinctly academia-inspired designs: the dark blue Oxford, the light blue Cambridge, the silver Imperial and the grey Edinburgh. Thanks to the steel-framed, single-speed design, the aptly named Varsity wouldn't look out of place on the cobbled streets of any of these university cities. Each…

"Weighed down, carrying " 30kgs-plus of equipment, not including our fire kit and breathing apparatus, we made our way up a crowded stairwell, struggling to make progress. The smoke grew thicker with each floor we went up. Around the ninth floor we lost all visibility and the heat was rising. Still we continued up and up through the blackness. We reached what we believed to be the 19th or 20th floor but there was no way to tell. It was here where we found a couple trying to find their way out, panicking, choking, blinded by the thick toxic air.” This is from an anonymous account on Facebook by one of the many brave firefighters who risked their lives at the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. A member of…

A health scare can be a terrifying and isolating experience. The body ceases to work as it once did and that youthful, invincible feeling may be replaced with a sense of our own mortality and vulnerability. Major events such as surgery, chemotherapy or a heart condition can leave us wondering if we will ever see a return to fitness. Even relatively minor health scares, such a tumour or lump that proves to be benign or a long bout of flu or covid can be unsettling. These set our fitness back and the couch may seem a far more appealing option than a 5k run. But there is good news: with good nutrition and a slow but steady training regime, and if necessary, proper advice from a health care professional, your…

People who push themselves when working out report a form of time warp, making it feel as if they have been exercising for longer than they have, researchers say. Adults who took part in 4km cycling trials on exercise bikes perceived time to have slowed down, scientists said, with the cyclists overestimating how long they had been pedalling for by about 10%. The finding suggests people who are trying to improve their fitness might feel their workouts are shorter and more enjoyable if they are distracted from the intensity of the activity by listening to music or training in a more competitive setting. “People perceive time as moving more slowly during exercise,” said Andrew Edwards, a professor of psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, and the first author…

The one-mile kettlebell challenge provides a tough workout that will test your upper body endurance while also giving your legs and core a good workout. If you fancy getting outside but still want to get a workout in, take a pair of kettlebells for a spin and do this. Just make sure you tell the gym what you’re doing before you go out the door with their kit! Ideally this would be done with a partner, but it can also be done solo with some alterations. The workout Pairs Rack two kettlebells to your shoulders in the front rack position. Do five squats then carry for as far as you can. When you have to put the kettlebells down, you swap with your partner. They squat and carry while you…

This month…chef, writer and cover model Chris Baber What does a typical training day look like for you? Nowadays, it would consist of either a full body workout in the gym or a four-five mile run. As life has got busier and the demands on my time have increased, I find a full-body workout first thing in the morning gets my heart-rate up and leaves me feeling the gym totally energised. On my cardio days, I typically do a run but I might throw some intervals in based on how I feel - I don’t put pressure on myself like I used to when I was competing. My normal week would include three days resistance, three days cardio and one day off. I also do plenty of walking, which is…

To become a true gym warrior, you’ve got to be able to go to battle on the ropes. When you consider that kettlebells were first used as a training tool by the Russian military in the early 18th century, battle ropes are relatively the new kid on the block, having first been used for conditioning in 2006 but only claiming their place on the gym floor around 2010. Rope training earns its stripes for being adaptable to both high and moderate intensity drills, enabling you to improve aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and power whilst at the same time burning a truck-full of calories and releasing growth hormone that is crucial for muscle development. So why not try a few of these next time you get your sweat on? Single arm…

"I didn't have any doubts or regrets Billy Monger is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. A professional racing driver, Billy’s life changed forever in 2017 when he lost both of his legs in a devastating crash. Instead of letting this tragedy define him, he turned it into fuel for an extraordinary journey. Since then, Billy has become an advocate for adaptive sports, a fundraising hero, and now, a world-record-breaking para-triathlete. In December 2024, Billy made history by smashing the Ironman World Record for a double amputee at the prestigious Kona event in Hawaii. Completing the gruelling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run in record-breaking time, Billy beat the previous mark by more than two hours - all while raising vital funds for Comic Relief. Billy sat down with…

A running shoe with a carbon plate packed inside of it will be on the feet of runners that dominate race podiums whether it’s the Marathon Majors or at your local half marathon. Some call them cheat shoes, but these legal racers feel nice to go faster in. You now have more options than ever to choose from and you don’t have to be team Nike or Adidas to put on a good bit of carbon. The big names and newcomers are pushing the boundaries so that you can do the same. So, we’ve tested six carbon plated running shoes that you’ll want to fulfil your need for speed in in 2025. The best carbon plated running shoe overall If you want the best carbon running shoe that’s built for…

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Cook smarter, not harder Compartment for chicken? Check. Compartment for sweet potatoes? Check. If you’re not using an air fryer yet, you’re seriously missing out. This dual-drawer air fryer cooks most meats in around 15 minutes, thanks to two 4-litre non-stick baskets that let you cook two different foods at once on different times and temperatures. With 13 pre-set functions—steaming, grilling, dehydrating (the dehydrated apple might take seven hours, but it’s perfect for your overnight oats)—and even slow cooking, it’ll quickly replace your oven. Energy-efficient, fast, and easy to clean. What’s not to love? £129.99; shop.swan-brand.co.uk Gyuto Chef’s Knife Absolutely critical is a sharp chef’s knife—it’s the workhorse of any kitchen, and the TOG general-purpose knife is the ideal choice for the serious home chef. Crafted for effortless, expert-level chopping,…

Recent research showed the key to maintaining your mojo is the idea of turning exercise into a habit you do frequently, without thinking about it. Comparing regularly active people with an inactive control group, there were some clear differences that help to unlock the mystery of motivation. Perception is crucial as 84% of gym bros were turned on by the social interaction and 92% enjoyed their workouts, plus felt energised and a sense of achievement afterwards, whereas amongst the couch potatoes, only 48% and 23%, respectively, reported the same. Other factors that differed greatly between the groups were understanding the health benefits, scheduling specific days and times to exercise and incorporating challenges. So, if you’re struggling to stay in the game, find a fitness discipline you enjoy doing, join a…

In every issue… VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/MFPGA25 COMPLETE THE FREEPOST POSTAL COUPON OR CALL 01959 543747 and quote code MFPGA25 HOTLINE OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8.30AM-5.30PM. CALLS ARE CHARGED AT YOUR STANDARD NETWORK RATE 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 mensfitness.co.uk, 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…

the term ‘techno-strain’ could easily have been plucked straight from the pages of a 1960s science fiction novel. But, despite its futuristic ring, it’s a problem that’s impacting countless people today – and there’s a chance you are one of them. Research from the University of Nottingham has revealed reveals that techno-strain — the physical and mental stress caused by excessive digital communication and prolonged screen time — is rampant across UK workplaces, particularly in those where long hours are either explicitly encouraged, or subtly expected, as a path to success. A study by Canada Life has highlighted just how widespread this particular issue is. More than half (51%) of UK employees report working beyond their contracted hours every day, with almost one-fifth (17%) putting in at least two hours…

To say that Chris Baber is passionate about food is an understatement. Just five minutes into talking to him about recipes and you can tell that he lives and breathes what he does. He makes food sound exciting, a rare gift in this social media-obsessed world. His journey to the upper echelons of the cooking world has been nothing short of stratospheric: since winning TV cooking show Yes Chef in 2016, he has had experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and partnerships with a number of leading brands, including HexClad. Growing up in Northumberland, his passion for food and fitness was instilled at an early age, the relationship between the two forming the twin pillars of his work today. His recipes reflect his ethos: fuelling the body with nourishing meals without sacrificing…

Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker is a distinguished Special Forces operator, with 13 years of military service under his belt. Staz joined SAS: Who Dares Wins as the DS for 2021, and he’s the co-founder of high-performance outerwear brand ThruDark. “I usually train at a high intensity and complete all my workouts within 45 minutes,” Staz tells Men’s Fitness. “The below exercises are my go-to, and I’ll usually combine five or six of them into a circuit. These circuits tend to be done three to four times a week, and I’ll sometimes add in a weighted vest to increase the challenge.” WORKOUT INSTRUCTIONS Pick out five or six of the following exercises. You’re going to do 5 rounds in total. Complete 10-12 reps of each exercise, moving from one to the next…

For many of us, the nine to five requires hours spent sitting at a desk and staring at a screen. That’s good news for your social media presence, but less so for your posture and general mobility. Fortunately, while reducing desk time simply isn’t an option for most, there are some quick-fix stretches you can do – on a daily basis and alongside regular movement breaks – to prevent all that sitting from causing too much damage. CHEST OPENERS Leaning forward over your keyboard can shorten the muscles in your chest and restrict your breath, affecting both mood and energy. This exercise aims to open the chest and encourage deep abdominal breathing. • Relax your arms down by your sides.• Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle and rotate your…