FLEX APPEAL

EDITOR’S LETTERISSUE 257 SEPTEMBER 2021

If you used the renewed summer freedoms to

WITH HELP FROM…

JAMES FORREST MF ’s resident outdoor specialist makes

LIFT IT TO LOSE IT

UPDATES

15 MINUTES WITH…

CLIFF DIVER ORLANDO DUQUE

FACE THE MUSIC

If you like the idea of working out

GREY MATTER

Stress can turn your hair grey, but finding

TOUGH LUCK

Training athletes to be ‘mentally tough’ can help

JOE WICKS

Photography: Comic Relief via Getty Images is set

TOO MUCH TOO SOON

According to a new study in the journal

TRY THIS: AFTERSHOKZ AEROPEX

£149.95, aftershokz.co.uk Open-ear bone conduction headphones are ideal

HEALTHY HOLIDAY

If you’re looking for an active summer getaway

5-MINUTE FITNESS

Although most high-intensity interval workouts tend to last

COFFEE KICK

Photography: Getty Images If you play football and

Nik Naidoo

MEET THE FRONTMAN:

Outdoor FITNESS & ADVENTURE

AUTUMN BUYER’S GUIDE

SUMMIT EXCITING

Mountaineering will get the adrenaline flowing, improve your fitness, help you escape the stresses of everyday life, and – best of all – make you feel utterly alive

THE LONG RUN

Ultrarunning is the ultimate test of physical endurance and mental strength, while taking you right to the heart of some breathtaking landscapes

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Whether for swim events or adventures, Orca safety ambassador and internationally recognised ocean advocacy expert, Bruckner Chase, says there are important considerations to make when open-water swimming

SWIM, RUN, REPEAT

If you love wild places, beautiful scenery and an endurance challenge, swimrun is the perfect outdoors activity for you

GET A GRIP

Climb your way to fullbody strength and a rock-solid physique

UNDISPUTED

HAVING BECOME ONLY THE FIFTH MAN IN HISTORY TO CLEAN UP ALL FOUR BELTS IN A SINGLE WEIGHT DIVISION, SCOTTISH BOXER JOSH TAYLOR HAS CEMENTED HIS STATUS – AFTER JUST 18 PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS – AS ONE OF THE BEST POUND-FOR- POUND FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD. OUR MAN JOHN SILCOX SAT DOWN WITH THE 30-YEAR-OLD TO FIND OUT WHERE IT ALL WENT SO RIGHT

UNDER PRESSURE

BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING IS THE EMERGING METHOD FOR BOOSTING RECOVERY AND PACKING ON SIZE AND STRENGTH IN DOUBLE-QUICK TIME

THIRST FOR ADVENTURE

WHILE STAG DOS INVARIABLY INVOLVE A FAIR AMOUNT OF DRINKING, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF GROUPS ARE TURNING TO EXERCISE AS A WAY TO SUPPLEMENT – IF NOT REPLACE – THE MORE TRADITIONAL FORMS OF FUN

IT’S IN YOUR GENES

IDENTIFY YOUR BODY TYPE TO MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL

AGAINST ALL ODDS

REFUSING TO LET A RARE FORM OF AT TIMES DEBILITATING ARTHRITIS CONTROL HIS LIFE, TRIATHLETE MAX POPLAWSKI’S REMARKABLE JOURNEY HAS SEEN HIM GO FROM AN INABILITY TO WALK, TO THE HEIGHTS OF TEAM GB – DESPITE BATTLING SEVERE PAIN EVEN IN THE MIDST OF COMPETITION

LGB CONCERN

New analysis of NHS data has shown that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are more than twice as likely to suffer from a long-term mental health condition

Listen Up

Agnieska Walczuk, coach at workplace mental health organisation Sanctus, explains how to talk to the other men in your life about their mental health

We Need to Talk

Therapy can change your life....if you can get it. mental health writer joe Minihane looks at the barriers men still need to overcome to access the help they need, and speaks to the people trying to help

FUEL

Shopping List

POP STAR

Popcorn is a whole grain food that’s high

ADVERSE EFFECTS

Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to reduced testosterone

Vitamin Sea

Seaweed has been a common ingredient in many

CHERR PICK

Tart cherry extract has been shown to significantly

TURN UP THE HEAT

Capsaicin –a bioactive phytochemical found in chilli peppers

BREAK THE FAST

Although there has been some research into the

SHAKE THINGS UP

Protein shakes are the muscle-building supplement of choice

SIMPLE SNACKS

Three bite-sized protein portions to refuel between meals

GREEN MACHINES

Ditching animal products is no longer just a sacrifice for the good of the planet, with many athletes at the top of their games tapping into the power of plants to reach a higher level of performance. Here’s how you can do the same

GREAT SHAKES

Discover the power of plants with our pick of the best vegan protein powders

TWO BY FOUR

Tackle this Tabata session (20 seconds on, 10 off) to blitz fat in four minutes flat

CENTRE STAGE

A strong core is fundamental to both exercise performance and real-world movement, but if you’re sick of repetitive abs circuits this full-body session will work your middle while bringing every other muscle group to the fore

BEAR THE BELL

Test your strength, stamina and aerobic staying power with this quick but hard-hitting kettlebell circuit

ACCESS ALL  AREAS

This session – from Gymbox PT Ben Foulis – will target every major muscle group, with the three sections combining for increased mobility, muscle growth, strength, aerobic fitness and muscular endurance

MIRROR MUSCLE

Super-size your upper body with this supersets workout

STAYING POWER

Your exercise motivation will always rise and fall, but with smart planning and positive psychology you can ditch erratic workouts for a more regular and rewarding routine

CARRIED AWAY

Classic strongman-style carrying exercises are highly effective for building muscle and burning fat – and you don’t need to be towing a truck to feel the benefits