Fitness

Don’t you just get those days when you’re like ‘that’s it, I’m joining the circus’? Nope? Just me then. But in all seriousness, I actually did. I joined the flying trapeze department in Stellenbosch with the Living Arts Foundation. Here’s what went down… and up. Flying Trapeze So how did I even hear about this? Well,

For as long as I can remember, I’ve worried constantly. As a kid, I worried about school, my social life, my looks, my family. Everything. It wasn’t until I was about 12 or 13 that I finally understood there was a word to describe what I was feeling: anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to

Gym junkies, squat superheroes, dumbbell daredevils — whatever you call them, they exist in your life if you’re reading this. Finding a present that’s right for those people might be tough since they most likely have every type of equipment under the sun. But, you can never go wrong with hilarious t-shirts, gym bags, or

Often referred to as your body’s “powerhouses,” your glutes (a.k.a. the muscles that make up your booty) help you do pretty much everything from strolling around to squats. But thanks to desk jobs and endurance sports, tight glutes are common. “An imbalance of activity — either too much or too little — usually causes tight

As fun as it is to wrap up a big, pretty box full of leggings or sneakers, sometimes the old adage is true when it comes to holiday gifts: good things come in small packages. Behold the best stocking stuffers for the friend in your life who loves to work out. Whether they’re a runner,

A person may choose to follow a vegetarian diet for various reasons, including health issues, environmental concerns, or religious beliefs. Regardless of the reason, it is important to consider a few things before becoming vegetarian. For instance, people should know which foods to avoid and what to include in their diet to ensure that they

Warmer days call for making the most of your time in the great outdoors — especially with the holiday season upon us! The Women’s Health team took a bunch of hydration packs outdoors as part of a fitness gear trial — all in the name of “fun in the sun”. Avid hiker, cyclist or trail

The birth control pill has a number of benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. It can ease painful cramps, help better manage conditions like endometriosis, and yes, even clear up your skin. But if you want to take advantage of its acne-fighting benefits, it’s best to choose from one of three FDA-approved medications: Yaz, Estrostep, and Ortho

I’ve always been a healthy eater, ever since childhood. My diet is plant-based, and I rarely eat processed foods or dairy. I’m not someone who overeats during meals, either. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with trying not to snack after dinner. One of the reasons I often wander into the

It’s easy to skip out on the gym when you’d only have 15 minutes to sweat before running out the door. But that’s the beauty of circuit training: You can get through a total-body, calorie-burning workout at turbo speed in your own living room and still make it to work on time. You can use

We’re celebrating these local brands, that were featured as part of our Women’s Health Fitness Awards. These proudly South African activewear brands are the ones to keep your eyes on this year! 1/ Rush Activewear Tester: Susan Barrett, Managing Digital Editor 1/Rush Sports Short These high-rise sports shorts are perfect for coverage if you’re not

For as long as I could remember, getting my periods meant dealing with a lot of pain and heavy bleeding. At first, the pain was manageable — I would gulp down painkillers and curl up somewhere, waiting for it to pass. But the older I got, the worse the pain became. It didn’t matter if

Many mammals gain weight and become insulin resistant during fall. However, these changes are easily reversible, and the mammals will not develop any further unhealthful symptoms. Researchers believe that the explanation for this lies in mechanisms associated with hibernation. Share on PinterestHibernating mammals may have genetic mechanisms that protect them from obesity. Image credit: Little

Torn between watching Netflix and working out? I get it. But what if I told you there was a move you could do to tone your arms, abs, shoulders, and back while sitting down? It’s called the seated overhead press. It’s kind of similar to a military shoulder press, but instead of using your bodyweight as resistance,

Starring in a movie like Baywatch means getting in superb shape — just ask star Alexandra Daddario, who worked out with trainer Patrick Murphy to sculpt a lifeguard-like physique before the movie’s 2017 release. Alexandra recently joined forces with Patrick again for a 20-minute AMRAP workout that’s full-body, lightning-fast, and crazy-challenging. AMRAP stands for “as

High-intensity interval training (or HIIT) has taken the fitness world by storm. HIIT workouts involve intense bursts of exercise, which allow you to exercise for a shorter amount of time, while still getting your heart rate up and boosting your calorie burn, even after your session has ended. That’s why HIIT is widely considered one

You can never have enough gym gear, right? That was certainly the feeling in the WH office as we browsed Black Friday deals from all our favourite activewear brands… most of us already wearing activewear. But unlike with, say, jeans, activewear can’t just look cute, it needs to hold its own in a workout, too.

Lateral raises may not look like they’re doing much for your bod, but trust me — they do. They’re an essential shoulder exercise that will amp up your strength and stability in a big way. The move targets mainly your deltoids (the triangular muscles on top of your shoulders) and will create the kind of

It’s been a long, busy, action-packed, stressful year. And a great way to tell a loved one that you care about them during the holidays would be to give them some much-needed (and likely long overdue) self-care. Because, let’s face it, some of the best gifts to give are those we’d like to receive ourselves,

If you’re taking birth control to prevent pregnancy, realizing you missed a pill can be nerve-wracking — but whether you need to use a backup method depends on the type of birth control you’re on and how much time has passed since you last took it. Most oral contraceptives are combination pills that should be