Women's Fitness April 2025

I recently had the pleasure of attending this month’s cover model Caroline Idiens’ (@carolinescircuits) Fit at 50 book launch, at which she led a workout and we all tasted some recipes from the book. It was here that Idiens said something that has stuck with me: ‘It’s not all about the big weights’. She was, of course, referring to her low-weight/high-repetition approach to strength training – which you can read more about on page 18 – but it also could be a metaphor for life and the transformative effects of taking small steps for big outcomes. Idiens' book includes a six-week plan that mixes strength, functional and HIIT workouts. To give one of the sessions a go now, turn to page 24. When it comes to workout moves, however, I…

STAR LETTER ‘I CAN STRIVE TO BE BETTER TOMORROW THAN I AM TODAY’ I enjoyed reading your article I love the challenge of being better than yesterday (February issue), about Double Winter Olympian, Aimee Fuller. It’s something I often remind myself of – that I must not allow today’s shortcomings to keep me stuck in one place. Tomorrow is a new day and I can strive to be better tomorrow than I am today. And not only with my fitness, but also myself as a person. I used to have a bad habit of looking at other people’s perfect lives and wanting to be like that. But then I read something Bill Gates said, ‘Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world – if you do so, you are insulting…

Strides ahead STOX Energy Socks have launched an innovative line of running socks, sports socks and calf sleeves to elevate your recovery and performance. Knitted on circular knitting machines for a seamless fit using moisture-wicking Dryarn to keep feet dry, they feature graduated Class 2 compression technology that’s scientifically proven to boost endurance, improve circulation and help muscles recover faster. For a perfect blend of support and comfort, we recommend these new Ultralight Running Socks (£39.99, stoxenergy.com), which have an ultra-thin footbed for optimal shoe contact. Smart hydration If you like to film your workouts or follow online training plans from your phone, you’ll love the new Sip+Snap MagSafe Water Bottle from QDOS (£29.99, qdossound.com). Perfect for use at home, work, the gym and on the go, it boasts a…

ERYN BARBER Barber is a personal trainer at The Fitness Group. A certified running coach and keen trail runner, she also has a Master’s degree in Strength & Conditioning. Visit thefitnessgrp.co.uk Q I started running a few weeks ago and have no idea what my running form is like – or what it should be like! How best can I monitor and improve my technique? A As a beginner, unless you’re dealing with an injury, there is no need to obsess over running form. No one looks the same when they run, therefore form will differ slightly from person to person. However, running with good form can help to reduce injury risk and make running easier. There are a few simple changes you can make to your technique that will…

Some people baked banana bread during lockdown, 52-year-old personal trainer Caroline Idiens began to build an online fitness empire. Today, the mum of two from Berkshire – better known to her army of loyal fans as ‘Caroline’s Circuits’ – has more than two million followers on Instagram, a workout platform that attracts users from across the globe, and a brand-new book on sale called Fit at 50: Your Guide to a Stronger, Fitter and Happier (Mid) Life in Just 6 Weeks. And the best bit? The newly appointed ambassador for activewear brand Sweaty Betty didn’t even have a website or Instagram account before the Covid-19 pandemic began. ‘It was in March 2020 that my entire business changed overnight,’ explains Idiens, who worked in advertising in London before she qualified as…

When it comes to strength and fitness, being able to do a full press-up and doing it well is pretty impressive. The good news is that this goal isn’t impossible. Press-ups are all about working with your bodyweight and utilising your upper-body strength. You’ll need strong shoulders, arms and chest muscles, and your body needs to work as one. In fact, a press-up is a total-body, functional movement, so every muscle – including your core and lower body – will need to fully engage for it to work. THE PRESS-UP To perform a press-up, start in a high plank position (A, below) with feet a bit wider than hip-width apart. This will give you more stability. Engage your core and pull your shoulders back as you slowly bend your elbows…