HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS
BORN TO
RUN
TREATS TO MAKE YOUR 5K THAT MUCH EASIER
FITNESS NOTES
By A B B I E S C H O F I E L D
ECO-LUXE BRAND CONTUR USES REPURPOSED NYLON, OCEAN PLASTIC AND RECYCLED COTTON TO MAKE ITS STYLISH ACTIVEWEAR
P R E T T Y AT H L E T I C This range of exercise-friendly skincare is specifically designed to target irritation, redness and dryness caused by excess sweat and heat. Highlights include a Hyaluronic Vitamin Tonic to spray post-workout and an Invigorating Shower Scrub to clean pesky pores. From £15.50; prettyathletic.com
P U M A U LT R A R I D E Smashing those running goals has never felt easier thanks to this new lightweight trainer from Puma. Not only is the UltraRide super-cushioned and breathable but it’s engineered to physically propel you forward with every stride. Plus, it comes in a cheerful neon pink and yellow design. £85; puma.com
FITBIT CHARGE 4 This is Fitbit’s most advanced health and fitness tracker yet, with Spotify, GPS, Fitbit pay, sleep tools and more, plus it’s swim-proof and has a seven-day battery life. There’s also Fitbit Premium, a paid-for subscription providing workouts from top fitness brands. £129.99; fitbit.com
G E T M O V I N G Absolutely quizzes Adam Ridler, Master Trainer at Ten Health & Fitness on getting fit post-lockdown Q Has lockdown had an impact on the nation’s fitness levels? A Not only has the closing of leisure facilities and sports clubs and studios reduced many people’s activities levels, but lockdown has put a stop to daily commutes and those little bits of movement we do throughout the day. Mental health has also reportedly worsened throughout lockdown with heightened stress and depression due to health anxieties, isolation and boredom. Q How can those of us who haven’t been exercising during lockdown get motivated?
A Start by finding something that interests you and that you actually enjoy, whether it’s pilates, jogging or HIIT. Then set some realistic short-term goals, as these “small wins” will keep you motivated as you progress. National guidelines state that we should try to achieve 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week, including two sessions which strengthen muscles. But you can start by trying short bouts of exercise a few times a week. You’ll benefit from a “dose response”, which is when less active people see great health
improvements by simply starting. Bodyweight exercises like pilates can be great for mindfulness too. Q How can people access online classes? A When lockdown started, there seemed to be a flurry of trainers, fitness brands and influencers doing Instagram Live workouts, but now many people have moved to using fitness brands’ own virtual training sessions. For example, at Ten Health & Fitness we have a series of free live sessions via our Instagram page as well as a schedule of sessions available through Zoom-calls. We also have low-impact on-demand workouts on our YouTube channel which are all instructed by our experts. ten.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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