STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE
Perfect kit for building up your back and augmenting your abs
1 NADI X SMART YOGA PANTS
It’s probably the least likely physical pursuit to receive a full technological makeover, but yoga is molten hot right now and it’s one of the finest, low-impact ways to improve strength and flexibility, especially where the core is concerned. These high-tech leggings feature embedded sensors and motors that offer yoga flow guidance through vibration and audio prompts. No kidding!
Around £185, wearablex.com
2 BEST FITNESS AB-HYP BENCH
Combining two of the most popular and longest-running ab-building exercises in the book (the ab crunch and back hyperextension), this space-saving bench supports the lower body so users can perform all manner of crunches, sit-ups, and leg extension exercises to strengthen the core and ensure that washboard stomach really pops. It folds flat when not in use, for easy stashing.
£149, fitness-superstore.co.uk
3 ELEIKO DIPPING BELT
Granted, if at home you’ll need to have access to something sturdy to take your weight. But once you’re able to get your feet off the ground with the upper body supporting your mass, a durable leather dipping belt like this is the perfect way to gradually overload the abs during hanging knee raises, pull-ups, and tricep dips. Learning to properly engage the core during these fundamental exercises is a great route to solid abs.
£59, eleiko.com
4 TECHNOGYM SKILLMILL CONNECT
What better way to shred fat and reveal abs than with the most punishing running experiences around? Designed to improve power, speed, stamina, and stability in pro athletes, this clever piece of tech adjusts its resistance automatically with user effort. That makes it your best friend (or worst enemy) when it comes to performing high-intensity interval training workouts.
£9,680, technogym.com
5 P.VOLVE
This app and equipment combo has been carefully curated to improve mind-muscle activation, meaning users are trained to achieve serious muscular workouts without the injury-causing intensity of, say, thousands of crunches. The system utilizes patented resistance bands, glute activation balls, and light weights to assist in its unique, app assisted high-intensity workouts, guaranteed to carve solid muscles and improve form.
6 PERFECT FITNESS AB CARVER PRO
Crafting the six-pack of your dreams needn’t cost the earth, as this advanced abs roller boasts some basic but clever technology in a package that costs less than most monthly gym memberships. An interior kinetic engine, which uses a carbon steel spring to provide resistance when rolling in and out, makes it far more approachable, while ergonomic hand grips are deliberately angled to target arm and core muscles.
£39.99, amazon.co.uk
7 JAXJOX KETTLEBELLCONNECT 2.0
Forget investing in an entire load of kettlebells, as this clever contraption stashes six different weights into one handy unit. Simply press a button and the kettlebell automatically adjusts from 5.5kg to a hefty 19kg. Better still, the kettlebell is one of the best devices for achieving total body strength, which the app-based JaxJox on-demand and live classes can prove.
£229, jaxjox.co.uk
8 SLENDERTONE CONNECT ABS TONING BELT
Working in conjunction with an app, this abs belt uses advanced electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) technology to contract the abdominal muscles. Essentially, you can kick back and chill while the belt sends signals to your abs and oblique muscles. There are between 1 and 100 intensity levels, with five specific toning programmes that cover a range of end goals. Weird, but it works.
£154.99, slendertone.com
GET TRIM
Fix up, look sharp by getting the right helpers
1 WAHOO KICKR BIKE
Purveyors of some of the finest turbo trainers money can buy, Wahoo has taken things to the next level by unleashing arguably one of the most realistic indoor cycling experiences around. The Kickr Bike is styled like a carbon fibre Tour de France racer and features real road-bike-style gear shifting. It is also ready to roll out of the box, seamlessly integrating with the Wahoo ecosystem and some of the best virtual training programmes out there, such as Zwift and The Sufferfest.
£2,999, uk.wahoofitness.com
2 NINJA BLENDER
Getting trim is as much about diet as it is about exercise, so clean up the daily intake of calories with the brilliant smoothie maker. Its 1,000W motor can slice through frozen fruit, vegetables and all manner of healthy snacks. Automatic one-touch blending programs make things nice and easy. Better still, everything is mixed into the cup, so you can create great tasting, high protein body fuel quickly and then consume it post-workout for maximum results.
£89.99, ninjakitchen.co.uk
3 PELOTON BIKE+
It’s no secret that working out with others increases motivation and the likelihood of sticking to fitness goals. Peloton riffs on this idea by bringing class-based exercise to a domestic setting, with a smart bike and accompanying display that hosts thousands of classes and live leaderboards for that added kick up the posterior. A fresh, moveable HD screen also helps with the new, weights-based resistance classes that you can hit when you’re not spinning your legs into a frenzy.
£2,295, onepeloton.co.uk
4 BODY POWER STRIKEMAN
Boxing is one of the most physically demanding pursuits going but the thought of hanging a heavy and awkward punch bag is enough to put most off. That’s where your new best friend, the Stikeman, comes in. His high-density foam torso and noggin are perfect for a pummelling, while the heavy-duty base is sturdy enough to withstand even the mightiest of stress fuelled uppercuts. The height is adjustable, so it’s great for people of all different heights.
£249, fitness-superstore.com
5 FIIT APP AND FIIT DEVICE
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YOUR MUSCLEBUILDING WORKOUT PLAN
These six essential resistance training moves are what you need to power up your training in 2021
YOUR HEART-STRENGTHENING RUNNING PLAN
Make the pavement work for you by following a few simple pieces of advice
YOUR AB-BUSTING WORKOUT PLAN
Get a stomach flatter than a week-old glass of Prosecco by heeding our words on how to turn that flab into rock
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BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
Here’s just a handful of things that it’s really helpful to know
Your First 30-Minute Workout Plan
Looking for an accessible place to start? This home workout plan is a great way to squeeze a little activity into your busy routine and learning some essential exercises
How To Build Your Own Home Gym
Currently public gyms aren’t easy to access – fortunately, with a little advice, you can build your dream gym at home
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Samsung HW-Q950T
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SLACK KICKS OFF 2021 WITH A GLOBAL OUTAGE
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