BOUNCE OUT OF BED
The desire to sack off your evening workout for a TV date with a jacket potato is strong, but this is the time of year you need that endorphin hit most. Here’s how to stay active – and warm!
People often mistake hot yoga for (the rather extreme) Bikram yoga, but that’s not the case. Hot yoga is simply your choice of yoga class, but heated, usually between 30-40°C – which makes dragging yourself there a lot easier! “The cocoon-like atmosphere is perfect for dark winter nights,” says Nick Higgins, co-founder of HotpodYoga.com. “The heat really enables you to stretch and strengthen all parts of the body, allowing you to feel truly amazing and invigorated before stepping out into the cool night air.”
Do running? Try skipping!
When it’s dangerously icy outside (or you just can’t face the chill) there’s an indoor option for all you runners – that doesn’t involve the monotonous treadmill. “Skipping is a great alternative to running,” explains Dalton Wong, founder of TwentyTwoTraining.com and author of The Feelgood Plan. “ Just like running, you can vary the intensity by skipping slowly or with high knees for HIIT workout.”
Do cycling? Try spinning!
Cycling can lose its appeal when you can’t see for the rain pelting your
h e a lt h
frost-free fitness
Do yoga? Try hot yoga!
eyeballs. When it gets too much, keep your fitness levels up with a spin class. “Be sure to find a class that concentrates purely on cycling and does not use upper-body exercises when riding to properly mimic your usual cycling routine,” advises Andy Flack, instructor at CycleBeat.co.uk. “Many bikes have a display connected to them that can show your leg speed, power output and heart rate.”
Do tennis? Try badminton!
Why not give badminton a go when the courts get icy this winter? “For a normal game of badminton, you would typically run about seven miles on average versus three miles in tennis,” explains John Webb, badminton coach from BadmintonCoachingLondon.co.uk.
Do swimming? Try circuits!
The idea of getting wet, then leaving the leisure centre with damp hair isn’t appealing when it’s freezing out. But all is not lost! “You can refine your stroke in the gym,” advises Jodie Owen Kinsella, personal trainer at Bodyism.com. “A total-body strength and stability circuit will help maintain your swimming technique in time for spring. Repeat three to four times for a full workout.”
BOUNCE OUT OF BED Good exercise intentions can go out the window when it’s still dark outside
and your alarm rings. Reduce your chances of hitting snooze with these tips…
photos: alamy, getty images, jalag/camera press
1. Lay out everything you’ll need the night before – kit, trainers, socks, water bottle, keys etc. 2. Make sure you’re in bed by a non-negotiable bedtime. 3. Put your phone out of reach so you have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off. 4. Leave a glass of water with lemon by the bed, then drink it when you wake up to kick-start your body. 5. Remind yourself why you’re doing this by giving yourself a goal. Imagine how great you’ll feel after. 92 | january 2017 | very.co.uk
SOGGY SNEAKERS
Braved an outdoor run? Got soggy shoes? Shoving them in the tumble drier or attacking them with a hair dryer can ruin them, so give the below a go. n Take out the insoles, hand wash and set aside to dry. n Stuff newspaper into the shoes, then leave for a couple of hours in a warm room. n Take the paper out. If they’re still wet, repeat stage 2.
very.co.uk | january 2017 | 93
People often mistake hot yoga for (the rather extreme) Bikram yoga, but that’s not the case. Hot yoga is simply your choice of yoga class, but heated, usually between 30-40°C – which makes dragging yourself there a lot easier! “The cocoon-like atmosphere is perfect for dark winter nights,” says Nick Higgins, co-founder of HotpodYoga.com. “The heat really enables you to stretch and strengthen all parts of the body, allowing you to feel truly amazing and invigorated before stepping out into the cool night air.”
Do running? Try skipping!
When it’s dangerously icy outside (or you just can’t face the chill) there’s an indoor option for all you runners – that doesn’t involve the monotonous treadmill. “Skipping is a great alternative to running,” explains Dalton Wong, founder of TwentyTwoTraining.com and author of The Feelgood Plan. “ Just like running, you can vary the intensity by skipping slowly or with high knees for HIIT workout.”
Do cycling? Try spinning!
Cycling can lose its appeal when you can’t see for the rain pelting your
h e a lt h
frost-free fitness
Do yoga? Try hot yoga!
eyeballs. When it gets too much, keep your fitness levels up with a spin class. “Be sure to find a class that concentrates purely on cycling and does not use upper-body exercises when riding to properly mimic your usual cycling routine,” advises Andy Flack, instructor at CycleBeat.co.uk. “Many bikes have a display connected to them that can show your leg speed, power output and heart rate.”
Do tennis? Try badminton!
Why not give badminton a go when the courts get icy this winter? “For a normal game of badminton, you would typically run about seven miles on average versus three miles in tennis,” explains John Webb, badminton coach from BadmintonCoachingLondon.co.uk.
Do swimming? Try circuits!
The idea of getting wet, then leaving the leisure centre with damp hair isn’t appealing when it’s freezing out. But all is not lost! “You can refine your stroke in the gym,” advises Jodie Owen Kinsella, personal trainer at Bodyism.com. “A total-body strength and stability circuit will help maintain your swimming technique in time for spring. Repeat three to four times for a full workout.”
BOUNCE OUT OF BED Good exercise intentions can go out the window when it’s still dark outside
and your alarm rings. Reduce your chances of hitting snooze with these tips…
photos: alamy, getty images, jalag/camera press
1. Lay out everything you’ll need the night before – kit, trainers, socks, water bottle, keys etc. 2. Make sure you’re in bed by a non-negotiable bedtime. 3. Put your phone out of reach so you have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off. 4. Leave a glass of water with lemon by the bed, then drink it when you wake up to kick-start your body. 5. Remind yourself why you’re doing this by giving yourself a goal. Imagine how great you’ll feel after. 92 | january 2017 | very.co.uk
SOGGY SNEAKERS
Braved an outdoor run? Got soggy shoes? Shoving them in the tumble drier or attacking them with a hair dryer can ruin them, so give the below a go. n Take out the insoles, hand wash and set aside to dry. n Stuff newspaper into the shoes, then leave for a couple of hours in a warm room. n Take the paper out. If they’re still wet, repeat stage 2.
very.co.uk | january 2017 | 93
