Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Muscle & Fitness Hers South Africa

• PERFORM THIS workout before your next feast to help mitigate the calorie-palooza and redirect those macronutrients to your muscles rather than your fat stores. First, you'll do three compound moves. (Start light and increase weight each set.) Then you'll do an intense five-minute cardio session to raise your metabolic rate for the next few hours. Then feast away. BURN IT OFF THE CHEAT MEAL WORKOUT GOT 10 MINUTES? That's all the time you need to help ward off disaster before you eat your cheat.…

• YOU'RE FAMILIAR with the standard cardio players—the treadmill (both motorized and nonmotorized); the spin, recumbent, and Airdyne bikes; and the StairMaster—but we'd like to introduce you to a lesser-known member of the roster: the SkiErg. Released by Concept2 (the same company that invented the popular Concept2 Rower, or Erg) in 2009, the SkiErg emulates the double-pole technique used by Nordic skiers. The user stands in front of the towerlike machine and grabs a handle in each hand. Then she uses her full body to pull the “poles” down before butterflying her arms back up to smoothly transition into another rep. The result is an upper-body-heavy cardio sesh that's easy on the joints and, according to Equinox trainer Dan Daly, C.S.C.S., promotes postural health. “The SkiErg can encourage tall long…

• AT AN age when many of us couldn't imagine doing a cartwheel, 41-year-old Ryall Graber continues to defy Father Time. The 2018 Fitness Olympia runner-up earned two major titles in 2019: the Fitness International and Arnold Classic Australia Fitness show. One of the 5'4”, 125-pound Canadian native's keys to success is her giant-set-focused training, which she uses to keep her metabolism healthy as she scales back cardio. “I get to eat more closer to a show because my metabolism is so healthy, which means I feel better and leads to winning all around,” Graber says. CRANKING UP THE BURN “Mixing intervals with giant sets increases my metabolism, burns more calories during and after training than standard steady-state cardio and weight workouts, and increases fat loss,” Graber says. GO FOURTH…

• AMANDA LAWRENCE not only took first at the women's -84kg open class at this year's IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships—she did it in style, breaking three world records with a 536-pound squat, 556-pound deadlift, and 1,352-pound total. Not bad for a 22-year-old with only three and a half years of training. She'd go on to tie that total to win the 84kg weight class at the USA Powerlifting's Raw Nationals in October. Here's her take on training, mindset, and social media. NATURAL TALENT I had never trained the squat, bench, or deadlift before my first meet in June 2016. Then I started training the January before. I squatted every day for four months, and I ended up breaking the American junior squat record. NEVER SETTLE To win Worlds was…

SHRIMP & PEA SALAD SERVES 2 1 lb frozen, cooked, and peeled shrimp ½ cup Persian cucumbers, sliced ¼ inch thick 1 cup frozen peas Sea salt ½ cup halved grape tomatoes 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp minced garlic 2 pinches dry oregano 3 pinches black pepper 8 cups mesclun or spring mix greens 1. Place unopened frozen shrimp in cold water or leave in the refrigerator overnight until thawed. When ready to eat, rinse the thawed shrimp in a colander with cold water and allow to drain. 2. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except mesclun. 3. Place mesclun in a serving dish and top with the shrimp mixture. HEART HEALTHY Shrimp is packed with omega-3 fatty…

AVOCADO & FARRO HARVEST BUDDHA BOWL SERVES 4 ½ lb brussels sprouts, halved ¼ cup olive oil ¾ tsp salt ¾ tsp pepper ½ lb shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 tbsp chopped thyme 3 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp tahini paste ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp lemon zest ¼ tsp ground cumin 1 cup farro, cooked 1 avocado, sliced 1 cup alfalfa sprouts ⅓ cup toasted pumpkin seeds 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 2. Toss together brussels sprouts, 2 tbsp olive oil, and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Transfer to parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and lightly charred in spots. 3. Heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, thyme,…

DESPITE WHAT YOUR high school gym led you to believe, there's more than one type of barbell. These days, the better gyms feature a range of options—some specific to certain lifts, others more versatile. It's enough to make your head spin. But with a little knowledge and some quality time handling the bars, you can take your workouts to the next level. Here, we'll run through a baker's dozen of barbells, from tried-and-true bars you'll find in your standard big-box gyms to some seriously innovative newer options. We've also enlisted Brandon Smitley, a competitive powerlifter and co-owner of Thirst gym in Terre Haute, IN, to provide his expert tips on mastering each type of barbell. THE GUIDE DEADLIFT BAR A deadlift bar has more whip—or flex—than a conventional bar. It's…

UNIQUE DATE IDEAS FOR EVERY BUDGET Valentine's Day—the season of love, passion, and romance—is upon us once again. For many, it's a time to show appreciation and affection toward that special someone in our lives. But for those looking to break the mold of the typical dinner-and-roses routine, there are endless possibilities for creating unique, memorable experiences. Whether you're working with a luxurious budget or keeping things low-cost but still meaningful, this guide will help you craft a Valentine's Day to remember—one that aligns with your relationship, personality, and financial flexibility. THE ULTIMATE LUXURY GETAWAY FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO SPLURGE When you want to pull out all the stops and treat your partner to an unforgettable experience, a luxury getaway is the way to go. This is the opportunity…

• IF THERE'S ONE THING Derek Hansen knows, it's how to help athletes oppose gravity. No, he's not showing them how to float in midair. But for three decades the top sprint coach has been helping elite competitors in the NFL, NBA, and NCAA oppose the natural force—all in the name of getting faster. “Gravity pulls us to the ground, so my job is to [teach you how to] oppose it in the best way possible by limiting friction,” he says. Hansen likens it to an inflated ball, full of air and able to fly and bounce farther, while a deflated ball won't move nearly as efficiently. “[When sprinting], you need to put a lot of force into the ground, but also be elastic and bouncy to get back off…

What was it that got you into obstacle course racing? I kind of got pulled into it because my ex-boyfriend wanted to try it out. I won my first race [in 2013] by 20 minutes, and I was like, “This is so dumb—there are no real athletes in this sport.” But then I went to the States [from Canada] and started doing races and started not winning. That got me hooked. I was like, “I guess that this isn't as easy as I thought it was.” Spartan Races require full-body strength and lots of endurance. How do you train for them? I train a lot with marathoners in New York City to improve my aerobic engine. In the evenings, I'm in the gym lifting really, really heavy [weights], doing short…

• AT 24 YEARS OLD, Emily Shah has already compiled an impressive résumé. She's a trained dancer and a theater veteran and was named Miss New Jersey in 2014. She's also served as an assistant on the sets of blockbuster films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Fast & Furious 7. But it's her latest project that she considers her big break—and the one about which she's the most passionate and proud. SPREADING THE WORD Shah stars in Jungle Cry, a film based on a true story about a group of amazing teens who never got the glory they deserved—but she hopes to help change that. “They were a group of boys from slums in rural India, some of them are orphans, and they were at a school where…

WOMEN HAVE different needs than men—especially when it comes to nutrition—but most supplements on the market are designed with men in mind. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals CEO Jared Wheat and his fiancée, Megan Flores, are changing that. Together, they are rebranding and relaunching Top Secret Nutrition to become one of the leading names in supplements tailored specifically to women in all walks of their fitness journey. “A lot of brands are catered toward people who are already in the fitness industry, and we wanted to cater to soccer moms and professionals who are more on-the-go,” says Flores, who serves as the COO for Top Secret. TARGETED NUTRITION Flores and Wheat found that women had different priorities when choosing supplements. They wanted less stimulants and more targeted nutrients for bone strength as well…

THE ROAD TO THE TOP OF WWE wasn't an overnight trip for Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, who have become two of sports entertainment's most popular attractions. And perhaps this shared affinity for grinding it out in the ring explains why Lynch and Rollins (real names Rebecca Quinn and Colby Lopez) gravitated toward each other outside of the ring as well. Last May, when their relationship was revealed to the public, the WWE Universe swooned at the news. It just seemed to make sense: The crimsonhaired Lynch is the first woman to hold the Raw Women's Championship and SmackDown Women's Championship simultaneously. And “Beast Slayer” Rollins is the WWE Universal Champion and the winner of the 2019 Royal Rumble. Both are beloved by the WWE Universe, which regularly sends the…

• EVERY BODY HAS A STORY. Massy Arias’ insanely chiseled physique is a story of strength but also one of perseverance, helping her overcome the odds and become an Instagram-famous fitness guru with millions of followers—2.6 million and counting—including celeb stans SZA and Chris Hemsworth. Even her tats tell tales. “I have a koi on my right side going upstream, which symbolizes me going through a hard time but still pushing through,” Arias says, referencing the intricate fish ink next to her sculpted six-pack. “The lady on my shoulder? That's my mom looking over my heart.” Formerly known on social media as MankoFit, Arias has built up an impressive body of work that includes a CoverGirl endorsement, a Fabletics collection, a supplement line, an in-the-works book, and a brand-new fitness…

The world's best-selling electric car has gone back under the knife for a few cosmetic tweaks as Tesla regains its core business focus after the Cybertruck and futuristic RoboTaxi. Without the Tesla Model Y, neither outlandish product, nor a conceptual idea would be possible. In other words, if Tesla is to continue on this path, it needs the new Model Y to pick up where the old one left off. Additionally, the plan is to make further inroads into the Chinese market, where their own locally-produced EVs are gaining momentum and popularity. Except this time around the market is significantly more mature and diverse than it was five years ago when the Model Y was first launched. Models like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 are just two from…

• PERSONAL TRAINING is a huge business, and it's only getting bigger. In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that there were 300,000 “fitness trainers and instructors” and that the field was expected to grow by 10% between 2016 and 2026. Not to mention that Instagram and YouTube have given way to a slew of influencers, many of whom sell programs to their millions of loyal followers. With so many options, it can be tough to know who is worth your hard-earned cheddar. So to help you find the ideal muscle guru, we've consulted a pair of experienced personal trainers, grilled them on what makes a good trainer (and a good client, more on that at right), and then came up with this five-point checklist. You're welcome. TRAINER TELLS…

• AS THE NAME IMPLIES, instability training involves training on an unstable surface, most often using a piece of equipment such as a Bosu ball or a Swiss ball. According to research published in the Sports Health journal, instability training is frequently used for performance enhancement, rehabilitation, and overall musculoskeletal health. The idea is to strengthen the core and trunk muscles and, in some cases, to prepare athletes to train on unstable surfaces such as sand. Instability exercises may be body-weight in nature—like standing on a wobble board to improve your balance—or can involve resistance. In both cases, you can look forward to stronger abs, obliques, and lower back. But what does the science say? One study found that exercises performed under unstable conditions increased trunk muscle activation by an…

• ODDS ARE that you probably have some pretty bad childhood memories of your parents forcing you to eat bland brussels sprouts. The good news is that these veggies can be transformed with a few simple ingredients and minimal culinary experience. And your body will thank you for eating them, too. A half-cup serving of sprouts comes in at only 28 calories and is packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Several studies have also shown that brussels sprouts have anticarcinogenic properties and could help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. A VITAMIN K-NOCKOUT Brussels sprouts have 137% of your daily recommended dose of vitamin K, which helps prevent blood clots. 1 SKEWERS Halve brussels sprouts. Thread 1 slice thick-cut bacon and 5 to 7 sprout halves on each skewer. Bake at…

■ When Seth Rollins tried CrossFit for the first time, there was no looking back. One of his favorite CrossFit WODs is called Fran, a mild-mannered name for a brutal little workout. “It's a couplet of barbell thrusters and pullups,” Rollins says. “A thruster is a full front squat into an overhead press.” The prescribed sequence is three rounds of 21, 15, and 9 reps. Men are supposed to use a 95pound barbell for the thruster; women should use 65 pounds. And you're supposed to do it as fast as inhumanly possible. Give Fran a try and see how close you come to Rollins’ time (three minutes and 20 seconds, which is considered elite). And, yes, it will hurt so good. WORKOUT OF THE DAY FRAN FOR TIME DIRECTIONS: Complete…

In the age of wireless audio, finding the perfect smartphone that complements your earbuds can elevate your listening experience. Whether you're streaming music, taking calls, or enjoying podcasts, seamless integration between your device and earbuds is essential. Here's an in-depth look at the top smartphones for earbud lovers in 2025, complete with descriptions, features, prices, and where to buy them. The Best Smartphones for Earbud Lovers Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Price: Starting at $1,199 Where to Buy: Apple Store, Best Buy, Amazon Apple continues to dominate the smartphone market with its iPhone 16 Pro Max, offering unparalleled compatibility with AirPods. Featuring the new H3 chip, this flagship device takes wireless audio to the next level with ultra-low latency and Lossless Audio over AirPlay. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also…

The Porsche 911 Carrera S is here to take up its command post between the Carrera and the Carrera GTS, but with the performance gaps between each nameplate shrinking, the lower-tier models are becoming increasingly attractive alternatives. Porsche really couldn't resist throwing a few extra goodies in its direction, inadvertently making it all the 911 you'll ever need. First and foremost, the 3.0-lite flat-six gets a new pair of turbos to go with optimized cooling. Unlike in the new GTS, there's no hybrid technology yet but that didn't stop the engineering team from finding a 30hp gain for a total output of 473hp. Porsche's bread and butter, with a thin layer of marmite, 911 does the 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 191mph. Yes, the GTS claims…