Did you know that one in eight of us Brits are now members of a gym? New research also found that the UK is now home to 6,400 fitness facilities. The poll, which looked at fitness trends across London, also found that Islington is London’s most fitness obsessed borough, and across the capital, the number of gym members has exceeded 1.5m for the first time. Wearable tech and sports fashion has also contributed to the increase. Last Christmas, 2.6m purchases were made for wearable tech, which...

From wearing the right bra to recovering from injury or keeping active during pregnancy, a new book offers all the advice you need to stay fit and well while exercising. Dr Juliet McGrattan has penned Sorted, published by Green Tree, which is designed to be a friendly, accessible handbook that gives you a top-to-toe MOT to help you stay fit and well. Dr McGrattan is a GP and runner who is passionate about exercise and her advice on its benefits and the role of exercise in illness prevention...

Are you among the 92 per cent of people who have admitted to not knowing what your fruit and vegetable needs are? According to new research by Opinion Matters, commissioned by Aramark, some 92 per cent of people don’t know how many portions of fruit and vegetables they should consume according to new recommendations. The research, which surveyed over 2,000 people across the UK and Ireland, asked, ‘According to the recently published study by the International Journal of Epidemiology, how many...

If you’re struggling to get through the day because you feel too tired, have you thought it could be down to your iron levels? According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the world. Women, particularly those in their child-bearing years, are especially at risk. And so the experts at Salus are reminding people that alongside a balanced diet, there can be times when an iron supplement can help. If you are worried about the...

New research has confirmed that endurance training could have the ability to protect the heart. The findings have suggested that exercise could be just as important for your heart heath as cholesterol levels and a healthy diet. It was found that expression of genes used to repair damaged DNA increased in response to endurance exercise, even after just a single session. The collaboration between the University of Maryland, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, East Carolina...

Ever wondered what impact exposure to everyday pollution has on your skin? The British Skin Foundation is doing its bit to advise on the measures you can take to protect your skin. Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist and British Skin Foundation Spokesperson, explained: “As skin is your outermost barrier, it is one of the first and largest targets for air pollution.” It is known that components of air pollution can contribute to premature skin ageing, such as wrinkling and pigmentation...

The spring is a common time for marathons, but training smart makes a big difference to how you fare in the lead-up, during and after. And Tyrone Kon, a leading physiotherapist at London's Boost Physio, has put together some tips for successful training, what to do, and more important what not to do when you're training for a marathon. “Your shoes – before you do anything else make sure you have a good pair of light weight trainers that are well fitted and provide any stability that may be...

Weleda has been gracing the catwalk at London Fashion Week as part of a new collaboration. Weleda has sponsored the skincare for the Paula Knorr presentation of the fashion designer’s collection at the recent London Fashion Week. Weleda featured in exclusive front row gift bags at the presentation, providing a London Fashion Week skincare kit full of Weleda wonders, and backstage, Paula’s team of models enjoyed organic facial care from Weleda to keep their skin radiant and flawless. Make-up...

We should all know by now the importance of vitamin D but how much thought do you give to how you take a supplement? Well, new research is confirming just how important vitamin D is, and a spray offers faster absorption of vitamin D than tablets. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition shows that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with longer telomeres, reported to be a marker of biological ageing. And multiple trials have found that oral vitamin sprays elevate serum vitamin D...

Hygge is the latest trend to hit the UK – and now you can even apply it to your skin. Hygge is a Danish term that basically refers to a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. And now there is a skincare range that has been developed using the hygge principles. The Hygge Kit by 58 Lifestyle is the ultimate treat to help bring a sense of cosiness and wellbeing into your life. It includes the Balancing Ecosoy...

You can be a natural beauty while caring for your skin and the environment with this beautiful new lipstick. The vegan lipstick, called Goddess, has been added to the Lippy Girl range from Canada and is a rich, deep plum lipstick, with a hint of shimmer.  Inspired by red wine and berries, it’s a striking, sultry shade that’s totally wearable for a variety of skin tones and ages. Goddess joins a line-up of 12 other neutral and bright lipsticks in the Lippy Girl Vegocentric range. All are made...

Kick-start your 2017 fitness regime with the help of these new headphones, designed for a streamlined workout. The Groov-e Motion sports headphones are bluetooth compatible and crafted with a comfortable behind-the head fit, making them ideal for intense workouts. As an added benefit, they are sweat resistant for high intensity fitness, are cable free and boast a rechargeable battery that allows for up to 12 hours wireless audio playback. The Motion also features a built-in mic for hands free...

A dedicated athlete has run her way to representing her country. Lisa Gawthorne has been a vegan for 10 years, and, as a keen runner, she trains hard. The training has recently paid off as she has just received the news that she has qualified to represent her age group for Team GB in the European Sprint Duathlon Championships, which take place in April next year in Soria, Spain. Lisa herself is no strange to living healthier; she has worked in the natural health industry for many years and is...

When selecting fitness wear, the materials used are a key consideration – so why not look to the 2017 offering from Sundried? The brand will be taking fabrics to a new level this year, using recycled plastics and used coffee, having developed a sustainable technology suitable for activewear. By utilising coffee’s natural ability to block odour, the fabric is the ideal choice for some of the brand’s new garments. Partnering with coffee shops and collecting their used coffee grounds has provided...

New research has revealed that we are a nation that finds it difficult to stick to new week resolutions. According to the National Hydration Council, more than half the population make what is known as new week resolutions, but one in 10 give up on them by Friday and a further one in five have given up by Saturday. The research also revealed that water consumption tails off in settings where sticking to healthy habits is difficult, with more than one in 10 of those employed claiming there...

Increasing numbers of people are turning to a vegan lifestyle, and it needn’t seem as daunting as you might think. Vegan lifestyle expert and organiser of VeggieWorld London, Jimmy Pierson, explains: “Firstly, it’s important to recognise that everyone’s different. There’s no right or wrong way. Some people go vegan overnight and if you can, then great – go for it! But for the majority, it’s a longer journey comprising a number of smaller steps.” Simple ideas to make the transitions easier...