Foam rolling – or “self-myofascial release” – will ease tension as you roll muscles over a foam cylinder. How it works: the pressure softens, lengthens and realigns the fascia, promoting muscle relaxation. Not only does it feel amazing, but it also helps break up knots and reduces the risk of injury. Check out these three moves, perfect for anytime use – whether it’s before, after, or even during your workout routine. Tip: Each complete roll (down and back) should take at least five seconds. If any spot feels especially tight – you’ll know from the way it hurts like crazy as you pass over it ..read more

This killer tone-up workout ticks a few convenient boxes. It requires zero equipment, fires up your muscles, tones and gets up your heart rate. The best part? It takes just 15 minutes of your time. This tone-up workout was designed with the help of exercise physiologist and fitness trainer Amy Dixon. It’s perfect for when you’re stuck somewhere with no gym access, or just want to get a workout in with little time to spare. How to do this tone-up workout: Do these moves one after another with no rest between them. When you’ve finished the last move, pause for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat the c ..read more

Niggling knee pain can make it hard to keep up your exercise habit, even if you aren’t running marathons. These resistance band knee exercises could help. They strengthen the joint so your knees can cope better with the demands of your workouts. Where does knee pain from exercise come from? You don’t need to be a long-distance runner to suffer from knee pain. It can show up during squats and lunges or even just climbing the stairs. And it’s hard to ignore. Typically, knee pain from exercise occurs when the muscles and joints are overused, leading to pain either during or after t ..read more

When you’re doing the most just to keep your new little human alive, it’s a winning day when you find time to wash your hair. As for exercise? Healthy eating? Leaving the house? This is what dreams are made of.  Well, these fit moms are proof that there is hope. Follow them on Instagram for fun ways to incorporate baba into your healthy lifestyle, post-baby workouts and, most importantly, to remind yourself that you’re not alone in this strange, new world. 1. Takkies @Takkies7 SA’s queen of sass and self-love shares heartwarming videos featuring her adorable daughters. Trust us, these kid ..read more

The gym isn’t for everyone and if that includes you, it’s totally fine. There are many ways to get a good workout in. And right up there, is dancing. You might not think of shaking your booty as exercise, but spend a Friday night burning up the floor at the klurb and don’t be surprised if you struggle to get out of bed the next day. This dance workout from Toka Lintsa is perfect for women who love to move on the dance floor, not so much on the gym floor. Work Out Without Even Realising It So how do you turn your love of dancing into a workout? It’s easier than you think! “D ..read more

Being a new mom is filled with all kinds of good stuff: curious stares, endless cuddles and cute giggles. But let’s be honest – there are tough times too: not enough hours in the day, sleep deprivation and you put yourself second… or third. Real talk: self-care is important, so we sourced the multi-tasking, do-it-all products that every new mom needs to make your life a whole lot easier. Skincare To Soothe Hormonal Skin Changes in hormones can induce red, flaky patches on your face. To combat dermatitis, you need to use skincare products that are ultra-soothing, fragrance-free, noncomedogeni ..read more

I’ll admit, I sometimes sigh when an instructor cues up a plank. I know, they will *always* burn. Planks are a classic core move for a reason and offer so many benefits. “Planks target and strengthen the core muscles, including transverses abdominals (the deepest abs muscles), rectus abdominis and the internal and external obliques, so in simplest forms, a simple plank will fire up all of your core muscles,” says Jade Morning. But planks are also kind of, well, boring. Holding a plank for 30 to 60 seconds means I have nothing but the floor to distract me from that deep burn quaking up through ..read more

Are you on the hunt for a comfy pair of new running shoes? Or maybe you’re after your very first pair and don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with the sheer volume of new takkies dropping seemingly weekly. Wherever you are in your running journey, we’re here to help you. There are so many factors to consider when looking for a pair of running shoes. Think: price, cushioning, pronation, heel drop, distances and of course, the look and feel. So we put the newest running shoes to the test, racking up kms to find four that are worth your hard-earned rands. Here’s what we thought ..read more

Forget raising the bar – put your feet up, woman! Seriously, we mean it when we say put.your.feet.up. “Lifting them onto a step or bench is the simplest way to build strength faster,” says strength and conditioning specialist Don Bahneman. Yup, you *can* sculpt a better body without lifting a dumbbell. All you need: this bodyweight home workout. READ MORE: 18 Feel-Good Workouts That’ll Boost Your Mood, Stat How Does Putting Your Feet Up Build Muscle? It boils down to basic physics: for upper-body exercises, this tweak changes the angle of the exercise and forces your muscles to work harder to ..read more

Picture someone hunching over their keyboard for the majority of the day, shoulders creeping up towards their ears. Does that hypothetical person sound a lot like you? We’re all guilty of being that person at some point or another. And while we should be more vigilant about sitting up straight, it’s easy to forget when you’re rushing towards that 3pm deadline. That’s why we found four simple shoulder strength exercises that will help you get better posture in very little time. READ MORE: The 3 Stretches You Should Be Doing Daily Why You Should Strengthen Your Shoulders For Better Posture Build ..read more