Exercise

Exercise

Everybody strives to live an active lifestyle. It may be a brisk walk or a hot yoga class, but nevertheless exercise is a focus for a large part of society. When media was established, this necessity grew exponentially, creating jobs for the experts in this field, also known as influencers. Fitness gurus have ruled the centuries in the media. From the famous Billy Banks in the 90s to 2020's Blogilates, the workout saga has only been on the rise.

The RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Weight Bench is designed for those who want more from their workouts and their space without compromising on either front or settling for less. It's a bench that grows with you as your fitness journey progresses, adapts to your changing goals seamlessly across different training phases, and looks as good as it performs in any environment you place it. The modular design makes it work for beginners and serious athletes alike.

At one point, I was resting on a hip thrust machine, letting my mind wander without auditory stimuli beaming directly into my brain - kind of nice, actually - when a woman called, "Hey, do you have a second?" and asked for advice on using the belt squat machine. I was happy to help, and we chatted for a bit before exchanging friendly goodbyes.

Three of these moves are included in a list that some trainers have dubbed "the Big 5" (planks, push-ups, burpees, mountain climbers and squats). Done right, and often, you'll build more than strength - you'll also improve your balance, mobility, range of motion and muscle endurance. That's because these movements recruit muscles in areas that lifters have a tendency to ignore (obliques, forearms, ankles, etc.).

They discuss the transformation of recovery techniques from the early days of simple practices like hydration and nutrition to the modern inundation of gadgets and supplements. Key highlights include the necessity of foundational recovery methods such as proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and social support. The hosts also stress that while advanced recovery tools have their place, they should complement, not replace, the basics.

Fiorella Rafael remembers feeling stiff at the end of every day in her old office job. That lack of movement would creep up and compound over the week, she says. Though standing and walking meetings were encouraged, with deadlines to meet it wasn't always tenable. It's partly what drove me to become a pilates instructor, she says. Now Rafael teaches pilates at Sydney's Scout Studios, where she meets people like me who spend far too much time sitting.

RITFIT's Patriotic Color Bumper Plates answer this call by combining serious Olympic-standard performance with bold American spirit. The story behind these plates reflects the growing movement of athletes who want their training environment to inspire and energize them. Every lift becomes a celebration when you're surrounded by gear that represents something bigger than just moving weight. The star-spangled design transforms routine workouts into moments of genuine motivation and pride.

Not all workouts need to be an hour long. If you work from home and only have 10 minutes to move, you can do a few exercises back-to-back to boost your strength, cardio and mobility. I asked two of Peloton 's top coaches for their go-to exercises for mini workouts. Ben Alldis-a strength and cycle coach with Peloton-recommends doing a compound move like a dumbbell thruster, along with a plank variation, to target multiple muscle groups.

After a couple of months travelling where I didn't hold back on alcohol and carbs, I decided on radical action to get over my gym-phobia. I flew from France to Thailand, where I moved into a four-storey gym adjoined by 17 hotel rooms. I lived there for a week, taking as many classes, ice baths, saunas and scoops of protein powder as I could handle.

With CrossFit more or less done for, there's a new fitness obsession in town: HYROX. The event alternates eight one-kilometer runs with eight different workout stations: SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jump, rowing, farmer's carry, sandbag lunge and wall balls. It's very popular: the 2024-25 HYROX season saw 650,000 participants competing in 40 races from London to Cape Town.

Yoga blocks are one of the most versatile tools you can bring to your mat. They make alignment more accessible and bring depth to familiar shapes. Not all yoga blocks are created equal, though. Each of the most common options comes with its own strengths and drawbacks. Some are softer and easier to grasp, others are sturdier and built to last. But the one thing that's for certain? Having a set at home can make such a difference to your practice.

First Noah Lyles equalled Usain Bolt's record of four straight 200m gold medals at a World Athletics Championships. Then he promised the greatest sprinter that has ever lived that he would surpass him in two years' time. I can't wait for 2027 to become the only man to win five 200m titles, said Lyles, who powered home in the second half of the race to win in 19.52sec, with his American compatriot Kenny Bednarek claiming silver in 19.58.

From coffee tasting to uncovering your home's history to trying out country line dancing, Boston has plenty of classes you can take for free. Each class offers the chance to learn a new skill or simply enjoy a fun night out as the fall season ramps up. Head to this high-energy, total bodyweight athletic HIIT class in the Seaport. You can also earn points for attending the event if you download the Seaport Insider App.

When pondering your next full-body strength workout, a yoga practice may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But it should be! Whether or not yoga counts as strength training depends on the style of yoga and how you approach it, but there's no doubt that the right practice can give you and your muscles a serious workout.

You may be surprised to learn that the treadmill was invented as a prison torture device in 19th-century England. Or maybe you're not surprised, depending on your feelings about huffing and puffing as you trod along on an automatic belt to nowhere. Still, it's a little wild to realize that upward of 50 million Americans willingly use a device each year that was conceptualized to make criminals suffer. A lot of people are gluttons for punishment, though.

It is clear that Richard Tice neither believes in free speech nor understands the Christian gospel, since he thinks the archbishop of York should not interfere with international migration policies (Richard Tice hits back at C of E criticism of Reform immigration policy, 31 August). Does he plan to tell Christians the matters on which we are now allowed to express opinions? Michael Sanderson Elsecar, South Yorkshire