Connect with us

Fitness

EMILY PRESCOTT: Movie star and hardcore fitness fan Kate Beckinsale, 50, who hits the gym six times a week turns her kitchen into makeshift exercise area

Published

on

EMILY PRESCOTT: Movie star and hardcore fitness fan Kate Beckinsale, 50, who hits the gym six times a week turns her kitchen into makeshift exercise area

Action movie star Kate Beckinsale is a hardcore fitness fan, hitting the gym six times a week. 

But even that doesn’t seem to be enough for the 50-year-old, who turned her kitchen into a makeshift exercise area for an impromptu extra workout. 

The British actress, worth an estimated £20million, shared a video with her six million Instagram followers last week showing her performing strength exercises against the kitchen cabinets while wearing a pink sports bra and tracksuit bottoms.

However she deleted it some time later. 

This budget workout was quite a change for Kate, pictured left at a Cannes gala event last year. 

Advertisement

Action movie star Kate Beckinsale is a hardcore fitness fan, hitting the gym six times a week

She shared a video with her six million Instagram followers last week showing her performing strength exercises against the kitchen cabinets while wearing a pink sports bra and tracksuit bottoms

She shared a video with her six million Instagram followers last week showing her performing strength exercises against the kitchen cabinets while wearing a pink sports bra and tracksuit bottoms

Her vigorous exercise regime often involves workouts using a weighted sled, which burn up to 100 calories a minute, and in 2019 her personal trainer revealed she hits the gym six days a week to train for an hour non-stop. 

The actress is recovering from a tear in her oesophagus earlier this year, which required a six-week hospital stay. 

She has been in Italy filming her next movie, Stolen Girl, based on a true story of child abduction.

No 10’s Cleo faces a new Partygate

Boris Johnson’s ex-aide Cleo Watson has had to apologise to friends expecting a invitation to the launch party of her second political bonkbuster, Cleavage.

Cleo, nicknamed The Gazelle during her time in No 10, had to soothe feelings hurt by the apparent snub by explaining the election had put the kibosh on her planned bash.

Advertisement

‘You are exactly the people I would like to have invited had I been able to have a book launch,’ she told them. ‘Regrettably this isn’t the only party I’ve been wrongly suspected of having.’

Boris Johnson's ex-aide Cleo Watson (pictured) has had to apologise to friends expecting a invitation to the launch party of her second political bonkbuster, Cleavage

Boris Johnson’s ex-aide Cleo Watson (pictured) has had to apologise to friends expecting a invitation to the launch party of her second political bonkbuster, Cleavage

This might be awkward! Ellie Goulding has been signed up to sing at a charity bash Zac Goldsmith is on the committee for – despite the former close friends severing contact earlier this year. 

The pop star was booked for Thursday’s Ormeley Dinner without the Tory peer realising. 

Ellie Goulding has been signed up to sing at a charity bash Zac Goldsmith is on the committee for ¿ despite the former close friends severing contact earlier this year

Ellie Goulding has been signed up to sing at a charity bash Zac Goldsmith is on the committee for – despite the former close friends severing contact earlier this year

Ellie broke off their friendship when she began dating a surf instructor. Zac is now seeing Hum Fleming, the great-niece of 007 creator Ian. 

A source says: ‘Zac’s laid-back but it doesn’t sound like he’s thrilled with this.’ 

Advertisement

Expecting… her own fashion line!

She went public with her pregnancy with a grand fashion statement at New York’s Met Gala last month.

Now model Adwoa Aboah could be set to launch her own maternity line with H&M, the retailer that created the ruffled red skirt and crop top which revealed her baby bump to the world, right.

Model Adwoa Aboah could be set to launch her own maternity line with H&M

Model Adwoa Aboah could be set to launch her own maternity line with H&M

A source close to the 32-year-old Top Boy star told me she was in talks with the high street chain, saying: ‘She’s loving being pregnant and adores showing off her bump. The H&M team have discussed a capsule collection modelled by her for their maternity line.’

Adwoa – who also spearheads a mental health charity, Gurls Talk – is expecting her first child with US skater Daniel Wheatley and the new range could be ready as soon as this summer.

Fashion designer Alice Temperley might as well change her name to Dr Dolittle as it seems there is no end to her rescuing animals. 

Advertisement

Last year, I revealed that Alice – a favourite of the Princess of Wales – had adopted a field mouse, and now I can report she took in a wandering peacock after it chased her car. 

After a brief stay chez Alice, the peacock flew back to its owners across the field.

Fashion designer Alice Temperley posted a picture on Instagram with the peacock she took in

Fashion designer Alice Temperley posted a picture on Instagram with the peacock she took in

Rapper Professor Green looks to have rekindled his romance with former fiancee Karima McAdams – five months after they split. 

The pair, who dated for five years and who have a three-year-old son, looked happier than ever at the opening of Maison Diptyque store in London. 

Professor Green – real name Stephen Manderson – was formerly married to Made In Chelsea’s Millie Mackintosh. 

Advertisement

Socialite artist Nettie Wakefield is backing a campaign to stop tech giants Facebook and Instagram from using people’s photographs on social media to ‘develop and improve’ its AI tools.

Although there is a little-noticed option to opt out of the scheme, Nettie, left, tells me: ‘Apparently AI is automatically being trained on everything we do on the social media platforms.’ 

Socialite artist Nettie Wakefield is backing a campaign to stop tech giants Facebook and Instagram from using people's photographs on social media to 'develop and improve' its AI tools

Socialite artist Nettie Wakefield is backing a campaign to stop tech giants Facebook and Instagram from using people’s photographs on social media to ‘develop and improve’ its AI tools

It is certainly a terrifying prospect for some and so Nettie – whose past loves include Poldark heart-throb Aidan Turner and TV presenter Alex Zane, is railing against the idea.

How? By taking to Instagram, of course!

Nat’s ticket to hide

She’s used to all eyes being on her so I wonder why Natalie Portman was decidedly camera-shy on her visit to the Beatles Museum in Liverpool?

Advertisement

The Hollywood star banned staff, including the museum’s owner Roag Best – the brother of original Beatles drummer Pete Best – from taking photos of her at the venue. 

This also meant that the 42-year-old couldn’t be added to the museum’s wall of fame-style gallery of famous faces.

The museum’s social media page later called out the Black Swan actress, right, who has appeared in one of Sir Paul McCartney’s music videos, for her reticence, prompting fans to criticise her actions.

On her visit to the Beatles Museum in Liverpool Natalie Portman banned staff, including the museum's owner Roag Best ¿ the brother of original Beatles drummer Pete Best ¿ from taking photos of her

On her visit to the Beatles Museum in Liverpool Natalie Portman banned staff, including the museum’s owner Roag Best – the brother of original Beatles drummer Pete Best – from taking photos of her

The owners of Drayton House in Northamptonshire, where black comedy Saltburn was shot, have complained of the unwanted attention the film has brought.

But Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon and chatelaine of Highclere Castle – aka Downton Abbey – has little sympathy. Rather sensibly, Lady Carnarvon says: ‘If you’re doing something like a film, then obviously it might well bring some attention – so if you don’t want any attention, maybe you shouldn’t have done the film. It’s just having that logical progression of thought process.’

Advertisement

The cast and crew of Downton have again descended on Highclere to shoot a third film, much to the joy of Fiona. 

She gushes about the catering coffee cart and tells me: ‘It’s lovely to have everybody back.’

Fitness

‘Exercise has been my therapy since I was six’: Joe Wicks on how he became the nation’s PE teacher

Published

on

‘Exercise has been my therapy since I was six’: Joe Wicks on how he became the nation’s PE teacher

Health and fitness expert Joe Wicks has said it was growing up in a “challenging home” which first sparked his passion for exercise.

Best known as the “nation’s PE teacher” after hosting daily YouTube workouts during the pandemic, raising more than £1million for charity and earning an MBE, Wicks has been building an online fitness following since 2014 and now has more than 4.7 million followers on Instagram alone.

However, speaking to the Irish News, the Epsom-born fitness coach said physical activity has served as a form of therapy since he was six years old.

“As a young child I lived in quite a challenging home,” he said.

Euro NCAP awards new Dacia Duster and Suzuki Swift a 3 star safety rating, as recent results announced

“My parents both had mental health issues. My dad was a heroin addict and my mum suffered from anxiety, eating disorders and extreme OCD so I had these two very difficult people to live with.

“It was quite chaotic but I realised when I exercised, played sport, ran or did any kind of movement I could soothe and calm myself and take away some of that stress.

Advertisement

“And that’s really where my love for physical exercise and movement comes from. It’s been my therapy really since I was about six or seven years old.”

Joe Wicks
Joe Wicks was made an MBE in 2020 (Steve Parsons/PA)

In addition to his fitness programmes, Wicks has also authored numerous best-selling cookbooks, although he said his relationship with food was also affected by his upbringing.

“In terms of the food side of it, I was exposed to a very unhealthy diet. We were on benefits and any money that came through the house was really funding my dad’s addiction.

“So there wasn’t lots of fruit, veg or homemade meals – it was things like crispy pancakes, potato waffles, chicken nuggets, frozen chicken pies, and lots of sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

“I had a very unhealthy diet and even now I sometimes struggle to eat junk food in moderation.”

A turning point came at the age of 13 when he was invited to visit St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

Advertisement

“It was an outreach between the school and the university.

“Lots of the children who went along were on the border of going down the wrong path or came from a difficult home life.

“I knew they were trying to inspire me and get me thinking more positively – that I could actually go to university one day.

“So I did a tour and spent a day there.

Read more: ‘It was an insane hormone disaster’: Newry fitness influencer on how health struggles inspired a thriving wellness platform

Advertisement
Joe Wicks hopes to grace the Pyramid Stage next year
Joe Wicks leading a workout. (Ben Birchall/PA)

“When I got home, I said to my mum that I was going to do a degree in sports science and become a PE teacher.

“And I did actually end up going to that university.”

Although Wicks always had ambitions of becoming a PE teacher, he said he never expected the scale his career would reach.

“I’ve had an amazing career, but it’s been very unintentional.

“I’m not someone who had a big plan or strategy – everything has happened quite organically.

“It’s always been a natural progression and I couldn’t have imagined it going the way it has.

Advertisement

“I’m very grateful for all of it and I don’t ever take it for granted.”

Wicks is holding two fitness sessions at Glastonbury this year
Wicks holding two fitness sessions at Glastonbury last year (Ben Birchall/PA)

One of his most recent and unexpected highlights has been training children’s TV character Daddy Pig ahead of this year’s London Marathon.

“The PR for Hasbro, who own Peppa Pig, reached out and I actually really love Peppa Pig – we’ve always watched it with the kids.

“They said, ‘we’ve got this campaign with Daddy Pig’s son George, who’s now moderately deaf, so Daddy Pig is running the marathon for his son and for the National Deaf Children’s Society’.

“So I said I’d do it but I really wanted to run on the day with him. So they got me a spot and I’m running with him.

“And it’s obviously Daddy Pig in full character and I’m there coaching and motivating him. It’s been really fun and the kids have obviously seen the videos and think it’s hilarious.”

Advertisement

Read more: Joe Wicks: ‘Don’t convince yourself you haven’t got time to cook and that you can’t, because you can’

Joe Wicks trains Daddy Pig for London marathon.
Joe Wicks trains Daddy Pig for London marathon.

Wicks added that he is looking forward to bringing that same energy to Belfast where he will headline the inaugural Wellfest on September 12 and 13.

“There are talks, a nutrition and wellness area and discussions around mental health, as well as workouts from trainers across the board.

“It’s going to be really good fun.”

He will be joined by his wife, Rosie, for the session.

“Because I’ve done the workout so many times, they wanted something a little bit different.

Advertisement

“And it wasn’t like Rosie jumped at it – she’s quite shy. But I said it would be fun and we could make a weekend of it.

“We’re going to go on stage, do a 30-minute workout and it’s going to be great.

“It’s basically a high-energy session where we’ll be chatting and laughing and hopefully people will get involved and feel energised at the end.”

Joe and Rosie Wicks will host a workout session at this year's Wellfest in Belfast.
Joe and Rosie Wicks will host a workout session at this year’s Wellfest in Belfast.

It will be the first time the couple have worked out together on stage.

“I don’t know what to expect,” he laughed.

“We’ve never worked out on a stage together before. I’ve done my workouts and videos and the kids have joined in but they don’t really talk.

Advertisement

“So having Rosie there, mic’d up, we can have a bit of banter and I think it will be more engaging than just me on my own.

“I want it to feel relaxed. People aren’t there to be judged – they’re there to enjoy it. So I think it’s going to be good.”

He said a key part of Wellfest’s appeal is its accessibility, with an emphasis on inclusivity rather than elite fitness.

“The good thing about Wellfest is that you’ll have people of all ages and all different body types.

“You can have kids in the crowd and grandparents as well.

Advertisement

Read more: Joe Wicks to run London marathon alongside Daddy Pig for deaf charity

Fitness guru Joe Wicks
Picture: Aviva Health UK/PA (Aviva Health UK/PA)

“It’s essentially a PE with Joe-style workout with music and if you miss something or need to stop, that’s fine.

“You’re not there to compete, just to take part and enjoy it.”

First established in 2015 in Herbert Park in Dublin, the event is designed to appeal to all levels, particularly those at the beginning of their fitness journey.

“Wellfest is an experience – you’re going there to learn something new and you’ll come away feeling energised and positive,” Wicks added.

“It might be a talk on nutrition, stress or mental health or a workout where you realise you can do something you didn’t think you could.

Advertisement

“It’s about taking part, enjoying it and then maybe continuing some of those habits at home.”

Tickets for WellFest NI, which will take place at Belfast’s Ormeau Park on September 12-13, are on sale now via WellFestNI.com.

Continue Reading

Fitness

How Sheridan Smith is transforming her body composition – the 6-move workout she does weekly

Published

on

How Sheridan Smith is transforming her body composition – the 6-move workout she does weekly

Sheridan Smith does not mess about when it comes to overhauling her body for acting roles. Back in 2019, she revealed she had lost two stone while performing in West End production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and now, the 44-year-old is training for her part in ITV mystery thriller, Two Birds.

To help her achieve her goals, she recruited personal trainer and founder of 1st Class Bootcamp Tom Brown earlier this year. ‘The focus is on building her a strong, fit, healthy body that can perform under pressure,’ Tom tells Women’s Health UK. ‘It’s about improving strength, body composition (so, helping her burn fat and build muscle) and overall wellbeing – physically and mentally, rather than chasing extremes.’

Instagram

The pair strength train together four-five times a week, and there’s one key element to Sheridan’s programme: progressive overload. ‘Sheridan had trained before,’ Tom tells us. ‘But this approach to strength training is far more structured as we practice a clear, repeatable system which involves increasing the intensity week on week (a.k.a. progressive overload), usually by upping the weight she lifts in each exercise.

‘We also implement one strict rest day a week, as recovery is where your muscles have the time to grow back stronger and adapt, meaning she can lift heavier next time. It’s about doing the right exercises well – and doing them repeatedly. There are no quick fixes.’

Advertisement

While Sheridan’s programme involves a mix of strength training, cardio and mobility, strength is the priority. ‘This is how Sheridan can build muscle as the stress that weight training places on your muscles forces them to adapt and grow back stronger,’ Tom explains.

Below, Tom shares the exact 45-minute lower-body strength workout Sheridan does every Monday.

A quick caveat: transforming your body composition isn’t driven by exercise or nutrition alone. To build muscle and burn fat, Tom says Sheridan also follows a high-protein diet, drinks 2-3L water daily, prioritises sleep and recovery, and limits toxins through alcohol, sugar and highly processed food.

Sheridan Smith’s 45-minute lower-body workout

Warm-up and activation (8–10 minutes)

This is designed to activate the glutes and posterior chain (the muscles on the back of your body) before adding weight.

Do: 2-3 rounds with minimal rest between exercises and rounds

Advertisement
  • Glute bridges: 15 x reps
  • Single-leg glute bridges: 10 reps x each side
  • Dorsal raises: 12–15 x reps
  • Clamshells: 12–15 reps x each side

Main strength workout (40 minutes)

  • Barbell back squat: take 3 seconds to lower, pause for 1 second, then extend to stand in 1 second. Do: 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps, resting for 90 seconds between sets. Home workout alternative: dumbbell front-rack squats
  • Dumbbell Bulgarian split squat. Do: 3 sets of 12-14 reps per leg, resting for 75-90 seconds between sets
  • Dumbbell straight-leg deadlifts. Do: 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps per leg, resting for 90 seconds between sets
  • Hamstring curl machine. Do: 3 sets of 12-15 reps, resting for 45-75 seconds between sets. Home workout alternative: Stability ball hamstring curl/dumbbell glute bridge
  • Seated leg curl (single leg). Do: 3 sets of 12-15 reps, resting for 60 seconds between sets. Home workout alternative: Dumbbell glute bridge (heels close to glutes)
  • Dumbbell weighted step-ups. Do: 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps, resting for 60-90 seconds between sets. Home workout tip: Use a sturdy chair or stairs if no access to a bench

Cool down:

  • Forward fold into half lift: 4-5 breaths
  • Low lunge hip flexor stretch: 30 secs x each side
  • Transition to hamstring stretch: 30 secs x each side
  • Downward dog: 4-5 breaths, gently pedalling the heels
  • Pigeon pose: 30-45 secs x each side
sheridan smith

Instagram

Sheridan Smith’s weekly workout routine

  • Monday: 45-60 mins strength training (lower-body focus)
  • Tuesday: 30-45 mins low-impact cardio + core work + mobility
  • Wednesday: 45-60 mins strength training (upper-body push/pull focus)
  • Thursday: Active recovery (walking, mobility, light movement)
  • Friday: 45-60 mins full-body strength + conditioning
  • Saturday: Outdoor movement (long walk, hike or steady cardio)
  • Sunday: Full rest and recovery
Headshot of Bridie Wilkins

As Women’s Health UK’s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.

After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine’s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!

Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner’s World and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across Women’s Health online and in print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as ‘Fit At Any Age’, which showcases the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.

She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks – all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram.   

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Fitness

‘Exercise Snacks’ Are Dominating Fitness Content

Published

on

‘Exercise Snacks’ Are Dominating Fitness Content
Short, no-equipment workouts are racking up billions of views as consumers ditch traditional gym routines for fast, accessible fitness that fits into everyday life

Gym membership might be at an all-time high, but there’s a whole population of people going after their workout goals without a a traditional location or routine.

Just as people are drawn to short-form content on social media, they’re also gravitating toward short-form fitness — also known as “exercise snacks.”

Data from AI-powered analytics platform Virlo scoured more than 1,000 online videos with more than 2.2 billion views, finding that 5–15 minute routines on social media are outperforming traditional gym content, achieving higher engagement as they lower friction and make fitness feel immediately achievable.

Over three-quarters (76%) of trending fitness content across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube was no-equipment workouts that catered to audiences short on time, the report found.

Within that content, videos pushing specific body part targeting and transformation — especially abs, glutes and arms — had three to five times more engagement, while phrases like “no equipment,” “home workout” and “do anywhere” amplified shares. Videos that promised results within a certain number of days or expressed urgency (“lose fat fast” or “10 days to abs”) also saw higher views, especially repeat visits.

Advertisement

The trend reflects a broader shift online toward low-commitment, accessible and quick-results fitness that can seamlessly fit into the confines of everyday life. The videos are typically being posted by “micro-creators” without huge followings who post relatively simple routines.

These mini workouts appeal to the ubiquitous desire for instant gratification, while reducing the intimidation of structured gym routines, potentially increasing the chance of people who might not work out at all engaging in some form of exercise.

While the credibility of these creators’ claims to transform body composition in short windows with these movements is up unknown, there is science backing the effectiveness of exercise snacks.

A meta-analysis from last year found that short, structured bouts of movement — about five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise — significantly improved cardiovascular fitness in adults, and slightly improved endurance among older adults, supporting the idea that any movement is better than none, especially if it lowers the barrier to entry to exercise.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending