Special thanks to Dawn Collinson, Janet Tansley, Neil Wilson.
Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Cheshire, Lancashire and Newcastle Magazines are part of Northern Magazines Limited.
Welcome to the first edition of Cheshire Fitness Magazine. Each edition of our magazine will bring you interesting and relevant health and fitness features and an insight into what is happening within the industry in Cheshire and its surrounding areas.
Our aim is to promote the best of the best businesses and individuals in the region across all aspects of health and fitness and to enlighten our readers on subjects such as the best places to eat or train or even to go for relaxation.
Whether you are a beginner or an established fitness professional, we hope there will be something in Cheshire Fitness Magazine for everyone and it is our mission to bring you the most up to date and interesting articles.
OUR COLUMNISTS
Knowles Founder
Alfonso Sales & Marketing Director
McGovern Dental Health Columnist
Harris Women’s Sports Columnist
Alberto Cubero Padel Coach Columnist
Charlie
Debbie
Paul
Archie Harris Men’s Sports Columnist
Charlotte
Dr Jane Leonard Health Columnist
Chris White Tennis Coach Columnist
Frankie Harris Pregnancy Columnist
OUR COLUMNISTS
Jade Ainsworth Beauty Products Columnist
Kurtis Stacey Home Health Columnist
Joe Edwards Gym Equipment Columnist
Lea Read Women’s Activewear Style Columnist
Peter Cranfield Men’s Hair Columnist
Rajnish Kumar Senior Designer
Julian Bisquert Physiotherapist Columnist
Melissa Reeves Beauty Treatments Columnist
Zac Khan Men’s Activewear Columnist
OUR COLUMNISTS
Deana Riley Women’s Fitness Columnist
Steven Dobie Men’s Fitness Columnist
Ben Usher Fitness Appointments Columnist
Helen Goodwin Editorial / Sales
Kerry Lindsay Food Columnist
Oliver Wood Technology Columnist
Henry Taylor Bodybuilding Columnist
Lystra Adams Nail Columnist
BEST SPAS
The Best Spas in Cheshire: Where Fitness Meets First-Class Recovery............10
BEST GYMS
The Best Gyms in Cheshire..........................16
VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN
Vegan and Vegetarian Eateries in Cheshire .........................................................22
Latest Body Scan Technology in the North West.....................................................30
HEALTHY HOMES
Smart Monitoring for Healthier Homes ....36 FITNESS
Reformer or Resistance Training? Why the Smartest Approach Is a Hybrid One ....40 The Glute Blueprint......................................60
BODYBUILDING
What’s It Like To Live As A Bodybuilder? ...46
SPORTS
Will it be Arsenal, Liverpool or Man City? ...52
FEATURE
Wellness Leads the Way in Inclusive Spa Treatments for Cancer Care.................64 NEW Molkosan Gut Health Sparkling Drink...............................................................94
NISHKI a rising star in lifestyle, beauty and wellness. .................................100 How the North West is getting shredded — Fast .........................................160
Running Shoes For Men ....................164
BEST FEMALE PTs
STYLE
NAILS
- Big & Small For All Occasions ........82
TENNIS
BEST MALE PTs
Male PTs in Cheshire...........................96
PROPERTY Healthy Homes For Sale-1 .........................106
Homes For Sale-2 .........................152
PREGNANCY Pregnancy And Postpartum.......................110
FITNESS TECHNOLOGY
Red Score, Bad Day: Why Your Whoop Might Be Holding You Back .........174
TECHNOLOGY Your Workout Partner Might Be Watching......................................................178
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
La Zambra Mijas .........................................116 METT Hotel & Beach Resort, Bodrum......120
Avalon Palm Springs ..................................134 Taj Exotica Maldives ..................................138
Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica..............142
PHYSIOTHERAPHY
Healing Hands, Listening Hearts..............148
PADEL
The Rise Of Padel: How Manchester Became A Hotspot For The Sport..............154
MALE GROOMING
Seasonal Shift: Winter Hair & Beard Trends for Men ...........................................168 MENS ACTIVEWEAR
Comoletics: Where Performance Meets Purpose.............................................170
The Ultimate Glam Survival Guide ...........186
DENTAL HEALTH
The Mouth: The Gateway To Whole-Body Health.................................................................194
GENERAL HEALTH
Winter Skin Survival Guide: How To Support & Boost Collagen During the Colder Months ............................................198
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Smooth, Confident And Care-Free. ..........202
WOMEN’S SPORT
Women’s Football .......................................208
THE BEST SPAS IN CHESHIRE: WHERE FITNESS MEETS FIRST-CLASS RECOVERY
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
In a county known for its countryside calm and understated luxury, Cheshire’s spa scene offers the perfect antidote to busy schedules, tough training weeks and everyday stress. Whether
you’re a gym regular looking for muscle recovery or simply in need of mental reset, these standout spas combine indulgence with genuine wellbeing benefits.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere
A long-standing Cheshire classic, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa blends traditional luxury with a comprehensive wellness offering. Alongside a full menu of massages and facials, the spa features
a serene indoor pool, sauna and steam room — perfect for easing tired muscles after training or a long working week. Its calm, refined atmosphere makes it especially popular for restorative spa days and relaxed weekend escapes.
themereresort
The Spa at Carden Park
Set within 1,000 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside, The Spa at Carden Park is widely regarded as one of the region’s most impressive wellness destinations. Its expansive spa gardens, thermal suites, outdoor hot tubs and relaxation spaces make it ideal for those who want a
full immersion into recovery and relaxation. Thoughtfully designed experiences encourage guests to slow down, breathe and reset — making it a favourite for both day spa visitors and overnight retreat seekers.
cardenpark
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester
Conveniently located just outside Chester, this spa is ideal for those wanting premium facilities without heading deep into the countryside. Highlights include a Rasul mud experience, indoor-
outdoor swimming pool and an extensive treatment list covering everything from deep-tissue massage to holistic therapies. It’s a great option for combining fitness, pampering and city accessibility in one place.
doubletreebyhiltonchester
Mottram Hall Spa
Set within a historic country house estate, Mottram Hall offers a spa experience steeped in elegance and heritage. With Champneys roots, the spa draws on a long tradition of wellness treatments and classic
spa rituals. Guests can enjoy a range of therapies alongside leisure and health club facilities, all within a peaceful, landscaped setting that feels worlds away from everyday pressures.
mottramhallcheshire
Manor House Spa, Alsager
Often described as one of Cheshire’s hidden gems, Manor House Spa delivers a more boutique and contemporary spa experience. Known for its Himalayan salt steam room, outdoor vitality pool and stylish relaxation areas, it blends serious
wellness with a sociable edge — including the UK’s first swim-up spa bar. Ideal for those who want luxury recovery with a modern twist, this spa has quickly built a loyal following.
spaatthemanorhouse
THE BEST GYMS IN CHESHIRE
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
Cheshire’s fitness scene is as diverse as the county itself, offering everything from luxury health clubs to high-energy community gyms. Whether you’re training for performance, prioritising wellbeing, or simply looking for a motivating place to move,
Cheshire is home to standout facilities that cater to every fitness style. For this special Cheshire issue, we’ve selected five of the county’s best gyms — each recognised for its quality, atmosphere, and commitment to helping members achieve their goals.
Cpase Health Club
Cpase Health Club in Knutsford sets the benchmark for luxury fitness in Cheshire. Known for its exclusive, boutique approach, this club offers a carefully curated training environment where space, service and expertise are paramount. Members benefit from state-of-the-art equipment, specialist
training zones and expert-led sessions designed to push performance while maintaining a strong focus on wellbeing. With limited membership numbers and a refined atmosphere, Cpase is ideal for those seeking a premium, private gym experience.
claresspacecheshire
David Lloyd Cheshire Oaks
David Lloyd Cheshire Oaks is a true all-in-one health and fitness destination. The expansive gym floor is complemented by an extensive timetable of group exercise classes, making it suitable for both independent training and instructor-led workouts.
Beyond the gym, members can enjoy swimming facilities, spa-style relaxation areas and social spaces, creating a holistic approach to health that fits seamlessly into everyday life. It’s a popular choice for individuals and families alike.
davidlloydcheshireoaks
One Gym Alderley Edge
One Gym Alderley Edge delivers a highly personalised training experience in a calm, focused setting. Known for its strong emphasis on personal training and tailored programmes, the gym attracts members who value expert guidance and measurable results. Looking ahead, One Gym is set to expand
in 2026, with plans to introduce additional training space and upgraded facilities, further strengthening its position as one of Cheshire’s leading boutique gyms.
onegymcheshire
Bannatyne Health Club and Spa, Crewe
Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in Crewe combines traditional gym facilities with the added benefits of leisure and recovery. Alongside a fully equipped gym and a wide range of fitness classes, members
have access to swimming and spa facilities that encourage balance between training and relaxation. It’s a solid choice for those who enjoy mixing structured workouts with time to unwind, all under one roof.
bannatynecrewe
Ascdendancy Warrington
Warrington’s largest independent gym, offering over 10,000 sq ft of fully airconditioned training space across two floors. Equipped with more than 80 world-class machines from top brands like Atlantis, Hoist, Panatta, and Watson, the gym caters to every fitness goal. Members can enjoy a dedicated studio, modern lockers, showers, and changing facilities, all within a vibrant, welcoming environment affectionately known as the “Purple Paradise.”
Backed by an expert team of personal trainers and physiotherapy services, Ascendancy Warrington combines cutting-edge equipment with professional support to help every member reach their peak potential.
ascendancy_fitness
VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN EATERIES IN CHESHIRE
BY KERRY LINDSAY
Vegan and vegetarian eateries in Cheshire that you will LOVE!
If you’re in Cheshire and looking for vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, then look no further.
I’ve done the research so you don’t have to, bringing you a handpicked selection of plant-based eateries alongside places offering excellent vegan and veggie menus.
Whether you’re fully vegan, plant-curious, or simply love good food, there’s something here for you.
Chester
First up is the beautiful city of Chester, which has a growing plant-based food scene, with more plantbased spots appearing each year.
Shrub
Shrub is a fully vegan, plant-based restaurant known for its creative dishes and great reviews. Perfect for dining right in the city centre, and for if you’re after something a little special.
Shrub
Pink Lettuce
Pink Lettuce is a stylish plant-based restaurant serving innovative vegan cuisine. Ideal for those who love modern flavours and beautifully presented food.
pink_lettuce
Vegan House
Vegan House is located in Chester Market, and is a popular spot serving indulgent plant-based fast food and loaded comfort options.
veganhousefoods
Fika+
Fika+ is a lovely vegan cafe for coffee, cakes, brunch and light bites. A great place to relax and refuel while exploring the city.
fika_chester
Beyond Chester
If you’re venturing outside the city, here are a few more spots across Cheshire worth checking out:
The Green Kitchen (near Northwich)
The Green Kitchen is a vegetarian-led cafe with plenty of vegan options, known for wholesome food and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Green Kitchen
Dorado Lounge (Warrington)
Dorado Lounge is a relaxed dog friendly caférestaurant that’s great for vegan-friendly brunches and lunches, with plant-based choices.
Unico Lounge (Wilmslow)
Unico Lounge is in the beautiful town of Wilmslow and is a popular and welcoming spot with a solid vegan menu, perfect for casual dining any time of day.
dorado_lounge
Top Tip
Not every eatery is fully vegan, but many offer excellent plant-based options, so it’s always worth checking menus online before you visit.
I’m not a vegetarian, but I absolutely love exploring veggie and vegan foods. They’re always so vibrant, full of flavour, and packed with goodness, so I’ll keep exploring new dishes and sharing my finds along the way!
CHESHIRENOTED
BY KERRY LINDSAY
Chester has been hiding something very special!
I’ve been visiting each establishment in the Open Restaurant Group, and was very lucky to try its new Chester venue, Restaurant Noted.
It’s the smallest of the Open Group spaces I’ve visited, but it holds itself beautifully and is intimate, calm and stylish. Every detail, from the lighting to the furnishings, feels luxurious and full of class.
We went for the Chef’s Choice with wine and mocktails. I love leaving it in the hands of the experts to decide what I’m eating, and they definitely delivered something special.
Each surprise plate arrived with a story about where it came from and how it was made, which made the experience even more exciting and it felt very exclusive.
Highlights included ...
Prawn Toast Bao Bun. One of the best things I’d eaten all year! The mix of textures, with the crisp bun and soft prawns was unreal.
The Lamb Kebab with yogurt and mint was so tender, full of flavour and was beautifully presented.
The Cod Loin with crispy cheek and satay was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and without a doubt the best cod I’ve ever tasted. The satay complemented the dish perfectly.
The Creedy Carver Duck with pancakes was a complete masterpiece, beautifully presented with tiny saucepans. They were really fun to make, and even better to eat!
And dessert. The smoothest Chocolate Mousse with olive oil, Maldon salt and pistachios. The mix of flavours was divine, and such a surprise.
What I love about Open Restaurant Group is how they bring their food to life. I love hearing how it brings its food is made and where the ingredients come from. And meeting the chefs is a rare opportunity which I am always incredibly grateful for. It is very clear to see that each dish is created with love and passion.
The service from the team was faultless, warm and professional, with glasses never left empty and always time to make you feel like you are the only person in the room.
Noted may be small, but it’s full of heart and already feels like Chester’s must-visit. With exquisite food, incredible service and that signature Open Group touch - we loved it!
restaurantnoted
LATEST BODY SCAN TECHNOLOGY IN THE NORTH WEST
BY OLIVER WOOD
Manchester has just welcomed one of the most talked about innovations in preventive health and fitness: Neko Health, a new body scanning centre that is redefining how people approach their wellbeing. The Swedish company has already turned heads across Europe for its high tech, data-
driven take on the traditional health check.The North West has been blessed with this health check technology as it has officially landed in Manchester, and yes, it feels a bit like stepping into the future.
Walking into Neko feels nothing like a clinic. There is no cold waiting room or flickering fluorescent
light. Instead, you are met with a calm, minimalist space that feels more like a boutique wellness studio. It is modern, sleek and designed to make health feel accessible rather than intimidating. The process takes around 30 minutes. Using advanced sensors, 3D scanners and artificial intelligence powered analysis, Neko captures millions of data points from your body. It looks at your skin health, circulation, metabolism and cardiovascular markers, all without a single invasive test. Afterwards, you sit down with a doctor who breaks down your results and explains what is going well and where you can improve. All the data, none of the fuss. Health checks finally without the awkwardness. Half an hour, no needles, a lifetime of insight. Not a bad deal.
It is a concept built around prevention rather than reaction, helping you spot potential issues early and optimise your health before anything becomes a problem. Neko Health was co-founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek and Swedish engineer Hjalmar Nilsonne, with Ek providing the vision and
investment and Nilsonne leading the company as chief executive. Both founders share a real interest in using technology to make healthcare proactive and personal. For Ek, it is about fixing a system that waits for people to get sick before taking action. Nilsonne, an engineer by trade, brings the same mindset of innovation and problem solving to medicine, believing complex systems can always be made simpler and smarter. Together, they want to make keeping tabs on your health as effortless and as normal as checking your phone.
Inside the Scan: What It Is Actually Like
From the moment you arrive, the experience is designed to be effortless. Check-in takes seconds on a tablet, and the clinic is bright, minimalist and modern, more like a high tech studio than a traditional health centre. The space is calm, clean and quietly futuristic, with every detail geared toward making the process simple and stress free. There are no long waits, no intimidating instruments and no unnecessary fuss. The setup puts the focus on the scan itself.
The scan takes around half an hour. You stand still in front of a sleek pod shaped scanner while it does all the work. Using a mix of 3D cameras, sensors and light-based technology, it captures millions of data points from your body, checking everything from skin condition and blood flow to your metabolism and cardiovascular health. No needles, no awkward wires, no cold instruments. Just you,
standing still, while the system quietly builds a full map of your body.
Afterwards, you sit down with a doctor who talks you through the results .You can see your body mapped out, every mole, vein and subtle sign of stress or imbalance. It is not about diagnosing disease, it is about understanding your body and catching things early before they become a problem. Your muscles may look great in the mirror, but your circulation might be quietly struggling.
For £299, you walk out with more insight into your body than most people get in a lifetime. Not bad for half an hour of standing still.
Why This Matters for Fitness and Performance
For anyone serious about training or fitness, this is where the Neko scan really comes into its own. Most of us obsess over lifting numbers, macros and
cardio stats, but there is a lot going on under the surface that you cannot see, such as inflammation, circulation issues or early metabolic stress. That is where the scan comes in, giving you a snapshot of how your body is really performing and recovering. Consider this the ultimate cheat sheet for your body, data you can actually use to train smarter.
Knowing these things early means you can tweak your nutrition, sleep or training load before small issues turn into setbacks. It also turns progress from purely aesthetic into functional. You can track improvements in metabolic health or circulation that are not visible in the mirror.
The scan fits perfectly with a proactive, high performance lifestyle. Most fitness enthusiasts only notice a problem when performance dips, energy drops or injuries appear. Neko lets you pre-empt those issues, giving you a chance to adjust before they affect your training. It does all of this in 30 minutes for £299, a surprisingly accessible way to take control of your health.
Think you are killing it at the gym? The Neko scan might just show you where your body is quietly struggling. And if nothing else, it is a clever way to
prove all that broccoli and deadlifts are not going to waste. The Neko scan has been placed firmly on the to-do list. It offers a chance to see a full map of the body, uncover what is happening beneath the surface and put all that hard work at the gym and in the kitchen to the test. It is the kind of futuristic health check that makes taking control of your wellbeing feel effortless and surprisingly fun.
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SMART MONITORING FOR HEALTHIER HOMES
BY KURTIS STACEY
Mould is more than an unsightly patch on a wall—it’s a hidden threat to health. Living in damp conditions has been strongly linked to asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, skin irritation, fatigue, and worsening symptoms for people with existing heart and lung conditions. Children, older adults, and those with compromised immune
systems are especially vulnerable. A healthy home isn’t a luxury—it’s a foundation for wellbeing.
Smart environmental monitoring helps protect that foundation.
Discreet sensors installed both inside and outside the home continuously measure humidity, temperature, and dew point. Instead of waiting for
mould to appear, the system identifies unhealthy conditions early—before spores spread and before health is affected. When risk levels rise, tenants receive instant, personalised advice on what action to take.
Crucially, this guidance is always relevant to the conditions at that moment. If the air outside is drier, tenants are advised to cross-ventilate. If it’s damp outdoors, they’re guided to use heating or other moisture-reducing methods instead. This removes confusion and ensures the right action is taken at the right time—every time.
The health benefits of maintaining balanced indoor air are significant:
• Improved respiratory health: Reduced mould spores and dust mites can ease asthma, wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness.
• Fewer allergies and irritations: Better air quality helps reduce sneezing, itchy eyes, sinus congestion, and skin flare-ups.
• Better sleep and energy levels: Stable indoor conditions support deeper sleep and reduce headaches and fatigue.
• Lower infection risk: Drier environments limit the growth of bacteria and viruses that thrive in damp air.
• Improved mental wellbeing: Living in a warm, dry home reduces stress and anxiety linked to persistent damp and cold.
There’s also a financial upside. Damp air is harder and more expensive to heat than dry air. By reducing excess moisture, homes warm up faster and
stay comfortable for longer—helping cut energy bills while improving comfort.
For landlords, weekly reports provide insight into environmental trends, tenant responses, and whether issues stem from behaviour or building defects. This clarity helps prevent disputes, supports targeted maintenance, and avoids costly reactive repairs.
The result is a solution that delivers lasting benefits:
• Healthier people, with cleaner air and fewer respiratory problems
• Healthier homes, protected from mould and moisture damage
• Lower energy use, reducing costs and carbon impact
• Less waste, by stopping damage before materials need replacing
Improving Air Quality Without Smart Monitoring
Even without smart sensors, improving ventilation can make a real difference to health, comfort, and longevity. Small daily habits can significantly reduce damp, improve air quality, and create a healthier living environment. Simple ways to increase ventilation and improve indoor air quality:
• Open windows regularly, especially after cooking, showering, or drying clothes indoors. Even 10–15 minutes can help.
• Cross-ventilate when possible by opening windows on opposite sides of the home to allow fresh air to flow through.
• Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms and leave them running for 15–20 minutes after use.
• Avoid drying clothes indoors where possible; if unavoidable, ventilate the room well or use a dehumidifier.
• Keep trickle vents open on windows—they’re designed to provide continuous background ventilation.
• Heat the home consistently, as warm air holds moisture better than cold air, reducing condensation.
• Don’t block air vents or radiators, which can trap moisture and stale air in rooms.
Whether through smart monitoring or simple everyday actions, improving ventilation helps protect your lungs, your immune system, and your overall wellbeing—proving that healthier homes truly do support healthier, longer lives.
https://merseymould.co.uk
REFORMER OR RESISTANCE
TRAINING? WHY THE SMARTEST APPROACH IS A HYBRID ONE
BY STEVEN DOBIE
If you live anywhere in Cheshire, you’ve probably noticed a rise in Reformer Pilates studios over the past year. From Chester to Wilmslow, Knutsford to Altrincham, the sleek machines are filling up fast — and for good
reason. Pilates has become a go-to method for strengthening the core, easing back pain, and improving posture. But with this surge comes the inevitable question:
Is Reformer Pilates better than traditional resistance training?
As a Personal Trainer who specialises in corrective exercise and uses both training methods daily, I genuinely believe each has huge benefits. For the
past seven years, I’ve owned my personal training studio, Dobie Optimum Fitness. Back in 2022 — before the big Reformer boom — I introduced Reformer-based corrective exercise to help clients get better, faster results. As a Level 4 Pilates instructor and qualified Reformer teacher, I began offering 1:1 PT Reformer sessions alongside my traditional resistance programmes.
Working with clients across Liverpool and Cheshire, I can confidently say this: it’s not about choosing one or the other — it’s about combining them. When used together, they create one of the most balanced, effective, and sustainable ways to train.
Building Strong Foundations
You wouldn’t build a house on soft ground without preparing it first — and the body works the same way. Reformer Pilates lays the foundation: core strength, alignment, stability, and control. Resistance training then builds the structure on top: muscle, power, and long-term resilience.
Pilates teaches your body how to move well, how to recruit the right muscles, and how the biomechanics of movement work. Resistance training teaches your body how to handle load and keep progressing. The real magic happens when you apply a blended approach of the two.
Is Reformer Pilates Considered Strength Training?
Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded carriage or Cadillac to create controlled resistance.
While it doesn’t replace the sheer load of barbells, dumbbells, or machines, it offers something equally valuable — and often missing.
Reformer develops the muscles and movement patterns that many people skip in the gym. It strengthens the deep core stabilisers, gets the glutes firing to support hip stability, improves mobility through the thoracic spine, and enhances control through the lumbopelvic region. It even teaches you how to breathe effectively under tension — a skill most lifters don’t realise they’re lacking.
These qualities translate beautifully into your lifting. With improved alignment and control, you’re far more likely to maintain a neutral spine under heavy load, brace without wasting energy, and reduce issues like knee valgus. You’ll also find the bar path feels smoother and more controlled, with your joints staying in the right position through each rep — ultimately making your training safer and more efficient.
Why Hybrid Training Works So Well
A hybrid programme — combining Pilates and resistance training — gives you the best of both worlds. Clients feel the difference almost immediately, and the results often speak for themselves.
1. More Efficient Strength Development
When your stabilisers are strong, your lifts instantly improve. Stable hips, a switched-on core, and good spinal control all contribute to lifting heavier, more confidently, and far more safely.
2. Technique That Actually Sticks
Pilates slows everything down — and I’m always telling clients, “When you feel like you’re going slow, go even slower.” It teaches you what good movement feels like. This transfers directly to your squats, presses, and deadlifts, boosting mind–muscle connection and ensuring you’re using the right muscles for each movement.
3. Better Mobility & Recovery
Instead of taking two complete rest days, many clients now take a Pilates day. It keeps them moving without overloading the joints, promotes active recovery, and encourages better long-term habits.
4. Reduced Injury Risk
Poor alignment and weak stabilisers are two of the biggest contributors to gym injuries. Pilates directly targets both. It has been shown to reduce chronic joint pain, strengthen key supporting muscles, and build durable movement patterns.
5. Balanced, Aesthetic Results
Resistance training builds muscle; Pilates fine-tunes posture, symmetry, and core definition. Together, they create a strong, athletic, well-balanced physique.
6. Long-Term Sustainability
Hybrid training is varied, engaging, joint-friendly, and enjoyable — which is why clients stick with it for far longer than they do with traditional gym-only routines
The Verdict
Reformer Pilates and resistance training aren’t rivals — they’re teammates. When paired together, they create a training approach that is strong, stable, powerful, and functional.
If you want to lift heavier, move better, reduce injuries, or simply feel more aligned in daily life, a hybrid training programme may be the most effective path you can take. Whether you’re stepping into a boutique Reformer studio in Chester or Liverpool or hitting the weights in one of Cheshire’s many gyms, combining these two methods could be the smartest fitness decision you make this year. Don’t just take my word for it — try it for yourself. You can thank me later.
COMING SOON.....
Treatments:
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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO LIVE AS A BODYBUILDER
BY HENRY TAYLOR
People see bodybuilding from the outside and probably imagine it’s all about lifting heavy weights, staying in the gym all day and getting shredded (really low body fat). All they see is the final product - the stage pictures, tanned physiques with deep abs and veins running through every inch of the body like a
road map. But what they don’t see is the life that lies beneath it: the obsession, the planning, the pressure that we not only put on ourselves, but the pressure from the outside, the strange mix of suffering and satisfaction that only bodybuilders truly understand. I would say it’s the understanding that is the hardest part for anyone from the outside looking in to get, and this is something that I want to get across in these articles and get people to know what it’s really like and why we do what we do. There has always been quite a negative stigma towards bodybuilding, but this is solely due to it not being understood as it doesn’t get the positive publicity that it deserves.
For me bodybuilding is not just a hobby - it’s a lifestyle and one that encompasses all of your energy. It’s a lifestyle that rewires everything - your body, your habits, your mind, your relationships and even your identity.
– Your entire life begins to revolve around the goal
The majority of ‘normal’ day to day people have fitness goals that fit into their schedule. Bodybuilders flip this around. Our schedule is built around our bodybuilding goals.
Everything that goes into bodybuilding is nonnegotiable. Training sessions aren’t optional. Whether you’re tired, busy, stressed, or unmotivated, you still show up and have a job to do. Bodybuilding for me is taken as seriously as a full-time job, it’s given the same commitment and dedication as if your life depends on it. But in my opinion this is the only way you’re going to be able to see your full potential. Progression isn’t based on mood; it’s based on discipline. Over time that consistency becomes part of who you are.
My entire choice of work from when I was 17 years old was based on a thought of if I could continue bodybuilding and working at the same time. I had to choose a job that would allow me to at least get the basics in - train five days a week, eat my six meals a day and get enough recovery in. I have been
a chef since I was 16 years old and previously when I worked in restaurants before working for myself I would have to be out of the house from 6am to midnight so I would have to prepare all of my meals for the day the night before. For the majority of the time I would be on my feet for the whole day and being a chef in a restaurant, you would get minimal if not any breaks, so I would have to have my meals standing up in the kitchen or outside in the break area. I would have to stay on a strict schedule of eating every 2-3 hours to fit all my meals in for the day and make sure each meal had enough time between each one to be digested properly. I always had a saying I would repeat to myself, “when it was time to eat, it was time to eat”, so whatever I was doing at the moment and wherever I was, a meal
would have to be eaten to stay on track. This still goes on today 10 years later with running my own business.
The reason I wanted to go into the private chef business was primarily to make bodybuilding as full time as possible. Being a private chef gives me a lot of flexibility to run like an automated machine and complete my bodybuilding list to perfection each day and work my business around my bodybuilding. It allows me to train when I want, eat when I want and sleep when I want which again I feel you need to be able to put bodybuilding first if you want to be successful in the long run. Bodybuilding has to be in mind at all times, and all these choices in life, even making money, has to revolve around bodybuilding. Holidays and birthdays get
renegotiated. Bodybuilding demands structure, and if you don’t create it, you won’t survive long in the sport.
A Day In The Life Looks Intense From The Outside
But for a bodybuilder, it’s just… normal and the same daily routine I’ve been doing for the last 10 years.
• Wake up early (5am / 4am when on prep). Weigh in bodyweight fasted
• Double espresso, health supplements and hydrate (5-6L water per day)
• Check ins for clients for online coaching and content (instagram / youtube )whilst having coffee
• Then fasted cardio on the bike
• Eat meal 1 (pre workout meal), where everything is weighed out to a T.
• Prep meals if I’m out of the house all day, and or put rice cooker on for the day
• Train (5 days a week)
• Get home after training - post workout meal
• More work / either online or prep the menu for a private chef dinner
• Complete some steps outside (I’m currently on 8000 steps per day, but can go up to 12,000 steps on prep pre contest)
• Eat again and more work
• Eat again
• Work should be done by now or if I have a private chef job I’m out of the house for the last half of the day - normally 3pm-11pm so meals will be prepped and taken with me and eaten in the car on the way to the job and on the way home. Sometimes jobs can be 2-3 hours drive each way.
• Get home and have last meal (meal 6) if home early enough / last meal would have been had in the car
• Finish off step count if needed
• Wind down for 30mins - 1hr always before bed
• Pre bed health supplements
• Go to bed and wake up and do it all over again
Routine for us is comforting, and discipline is easier than diverting from the plan. For me doing anything off my plan stresses me out as I’ve had the same routine for so long. I’ve never had to think about what I’m going to have for tea and I could tell you what my breakfast will be 8 months from now as everything is just pre-planned and kept the same. Food either goes up or it comes down. Variety is kept in so no meal throughout the day is exactly the same but the plan remains the same. It’s just a constant cycle.
Food Stops Being Food
The majority of people eat based on appetite and the want to eat and what they fancy. Bodybuilders eat on strategy. There’s a reason for every meal and there’s a reason for every food source that goes into those meals.
Bodybuilding goes from one end of the extreme to the other and there isn’t much in between. In the offseason you will get to the point where you do have to force feed yourself even when you’re full and sick of the sight of chicken and rice. The
reason for this is we want to put on more size, which requires being in a surplus and pushing past the body’s comfortable range. You won’t grow and won’t expose your body to new adaptations if you stay comfortable. You need to embrace and enjoy being uncomfortable for the majority of the time you do bodybuilding. In prep - pre-contest, you eat small portions slowly, and try and stretch every bite because you’re hungry all day and night. The complete opposite to the offseason and yes, the other end of the extreme.
You learn to hate foods you once loved and understand in both circumstances that food becomes fuel and that’s all you should look at it like. It becomes a tool more than an experience and is just used for one thing.
You Learn To Treat Your Body As A Project Of Precision And Progress Bodybuilding turns you into a human experiment. You become hyper aware of everything
– How your sleep affects your training
– How sodium changes the look
– How stress makes you hold water
– How the amount of carbs fill you out
– How staying consistent over time is the biggest secret
Every detail matters, especially when it comes down to prep and peaking the body for stage - your body can change in seconds in terms of the look, , depending on a lot of variables that take place within the peaking process. But all these variables are measured and monitored / adjusted every day of the year to make sure that we are maximising the process and doing everything we can to make steps towards the next goal.
The Mental Side Is Brutal But Worth It
The physical discipline is hard - but the mental battle is the real test. The majority can physically do bodybuilding but the mental battle is where people either overcome it or let it win.
The mental side doesn’t stop year-round, whether you’re in the offseason or in prep. Especially just after you finish your last show and finish prep
and you start the rebound phase (which is a 6-8 week period where you gradually increase food and recover the body along with holding good body composition). This period can really be hard for some athletes as you are depleted from prep, but now you’ve finished prep and are done for that year in terms of competing. All year round you should be strict with the diet side of things but in a prep scenario you may be stuck on your diet food for up to 20-odd weeks without having an off plan meal / treat - like a burger and fries or going out to eat at a restaurant and having whatever you want. During a prep as well won’t consume refined sugar so the natural instinct after prep is to indulge in this. This is where sometimes the mental issue can come about. Some people won’t be able to control their emotions and will end up binging thinking that it will reduce hunger or thoughts to eat off plan, but in reality it can make it worse and cause bad eating habits. This then results in unnecessary body fat gain and water retention which is not good for the body post-show as your body has been used to eating the strict clean diet for so long, and an abundance of sugar and fat can be damaging to your organs.
The aim is to refrain which is the hardest part postshow - harder than prep itself in my opinion which takes some serious willpower and continuing to be in that strong head space.
The mental side in the offseason can also be difficult. Bodybuilding is all about staying on the same plan for weeks, months and years on end. Being as consistent as you can and creating as many perfect days in a row as possible. For some this in itself can be difficult to manage mentally as to
strive to be the best in this sport requires a lot of sacrifice and discipline - every single day. There are no days off in bodybuilding. You have to love the monotony of the process and have an extreme passion for the sport to be able to stay on plan each day. I’d say one of the biggest mental difficulties in the offseason is accepting that you are going to gain body fat and lose that prep / stage condition. But in order to add on new muscle tissue each year, some level of body fat does have to be put on, eating in a surplus does have to be done so that strength can go up during training and recovery can be increased.
But also the food consumption in the offseason: having to consume high calories every single day in order to keep body weight moving in the right direction and maximise the offseason to gain as much quality tissue as possible. The repetitiveness of eating can get tiring as the further you go into the offseason you will get to a point where you’re just not hungry. I probably spent the last 4 months of my offseason with no appetite, and again this is something you have to accept in order to make more progress and gain more muscle tissue. At some point there will have to be some force feeding going on, which is where the mental battle comes in and having to not let any emotion in and just eat the food on your plan because you know that it will just end up with progress being made. Missing meals cannot happen as you will fall behind. It’s all about staying consistent and maximising every aspect of the journey. Through your bodybuilding journey you will develop the mental area and become more mentally strong, you’ll have more willpower, more discipline and be able to just live life easier.
WILL IT BE ARSENAL, LIVERPOOL OR MAN CITY?
BY ARCHIE HARRIS
As we eclipse the halfway stage of the season, the Premier is really starting to heat up, with various different battles happening throughout the league. With 14 match days to come at the time of writing, the top flight of English football is once again proving to be one of the best and most competitive
leagues in the world. The 25/26 season has already brought excitement, upsets and fierce rivalries with only more to come in the remainder of the season. In addition, 8 Premier League clubs are also competing in European competitions and are further establishing the quality the Premier League has to offer.
The Title Race
Prior to the start of the season, many experts and fans predicted the title would be a threehorse race, with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool all looking strong. Many saw Liverpool as the favourites after their title winning season in 24/25 and especially after they seemed to further strengthen their squad with multiple signings worth over £100 million. This saw Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz joining from Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, the former being a proven Premier League striker finishing last season with 23 goals and 6 assists for the Magpies, and the latter being an exciting German youngster who was widely regarded as one of the best players in the Bundesliga over the last few seasons even winning Player of the Season in the 23/24 season.
Arsenal were once again one of the front runners for the title after multiple strong seasons under Mikel Arteta, with the Gunners just coming up short, finishing each of the last three seasons in 2nd place. Over the course of these seasons they have been the best team in the league defensively, with goalkeeper David Raya winning the last two Golden Gloves for most clean sheets in the league. They
also bolstered their squad, bringing in the likes of Martín Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres who many saw as the last piece in the puzzle and the striker who would push them on to win the league for the first time since 2004.
Similar to the last 8 seasons, Manchester City were looking to add another title, which would make it 7 in the last 9 seasons. With additions such as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Rayan Cherki, City fans were hopeful for another season on top of English football. These signings also came along with the return of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who was looking to appear for the first time since September 2024 after tearing his ACL.
However, after 24 games, the top of the Premier isn’t looking exactly how fans expected, with another team keeping up the pace. Arsenal currently sit top of the table, having only lost three of their games so far, one of which being against Liverpool at Anfield losing 1-0. They have a goal difference of +29 having only conceded 17 goals so far and have kept 10 clean sheets, even with key injuries to defenders such as Gabriel and Saliba. Gunners fans will be hopeful this will be their season to claim it all after coming so close in previous years. Sitting in second place and only 6 points behind Arsenal is another favourite, Manchester City. They have managed a goal difference of +26, but they have been more free scoring, with 49 goals in the league this season, 20 of which coming from Erling Haaland. Summer signing Rayan Cherki sits in second on the assists table and midfield partner Phil Foden has also been in very good form. If that wasn’t enough already, they have just completed the
£62 million signing of Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth, a powerful winger who currently has 10 goals in the league this season, the third most of any player.
Despite a poor start to the season, picking up only 3 points from their opening 5 games, the final team in the top 3 is Aston Villa. After not scoring in their first 4 league games, many fans were worried they would face a drop off after 3 great seasons, which saw them finish 6th, 4th and 7th. They now currently sit only one point behind Manchester City after beating the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in the process. England international Morgan Rogers was a catalyst in this period, scoring 7 and getting 4 assists to aid his team and help push them to another season of European football. Manager Unai Emery will be looking to close the gap to his former club Arsenal in the following weeks, sparking an unforeseen but exciting title race.
Although they won their first 5 games of the season, including wins against title rivals Arsenal and local rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool currently sit 8 points behind Manchester City, which has them in 6th place and 14 points adrift from the leaders. This comes after a drop off from the form we have come to expect from Liverpool in recent years, with a specific period between the end of September and the end of November being particularly unexpected. During this period they suffered defeats at Anfield to the likes of Brentford, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest and also included away to losses to Chelsea and Manchester
City. They seem to have regained some form however.
Will this finally be the season Arsenal get over the line and clinch the title, or will one of chasing pack reel them before the end of the season? We will have to wait and see.
Battle for European places
Due to English clubs consistently performing well in European competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League, 1st place all the way down to 7th place in the league can earn a European spot. A spot on the Europa League can also be earned by winning the FA Cup, which is how Crystal Palace qualified last season, before having to pull out and play in the Europa Conference League instead due to multi club ownership rules. This incentive has clearly boosted a lot of teams to kick on and push for these places this season. As it stands, only 7 points separate Chelsea in 5th place and Bournemouth Everton in 12th place, meaning any slip up can be capitalised on and teams can climb closer to the European places very quickly. We have already seen a variety of different teams filling these spots and they
are constantly changing, making this stage of the season thrilling.
Historically larger clubs like Manchester United (currently in 4th place) and Chelsea (currently in 5th place) will be looking stay at the top of the table and play European football next season, as they have done many times over the last few years. On the other hand, clubs such as Brentford (currently in 7th) and Sunderland (currently in 11th place) will be eager to book their place in a European competition. This would make
it Brentford’s first appearance on the European stage after only being promoted to the Premier League in 2021. Their strong start to the season has been driven by Brazilian forward Igor Thiago, who signed for them in 2024 but struggled with injuries in his first year. He has bounced back this year and after a solid run of games he has notched an impressive 16 goals in the league, only behind Erling Haaland in the race for the golden boot. With wins over Manchester United and Liverpool already this season, the Bees will be striving to keep this run of good form going and clinch their spot in a European competition next season.
As for Sunderland, they have appeared only once in a European tournament, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1974, where they were knocked out in the second round. Being a newly promoted club, and making their first Premier League appearance since 2017, not many fans or experts predicted correctly how Sunderland would start the season. Many saw them going back down to the Championship, or at most surviving after a close relegation battle. However, an excellent Summer transfer window has propelled them to start the season very well, even being as high as 4th in table, where Régis Le Bris’ side stayed for 2 weeks on match day 10 and 11. Most memorably for the fans though was a 1-0 win in the Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light
against fierce rivals Newcastle. This saw German striker Nick Woltemade convert an own goal after attempting to head away a cross. The crowd erupted and the atmosphere was brilliant, a moment fans will remember for years to come.
Speaking of atmosphere, Everton moved in to their new stadium for the start of this season, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, based on the Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool and the atmosphere created by the fans has been nothing short of fantastic. They managed to create a noise level of 131 decibels, breaking records and becoming the loudest stadium in English football. This came after Jack Grealish
scored a winner in the 93rd minute to secure a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Under David Moyes, the toffees have looked an improved side compared to previous years evident in wins such as 1-0 at Old Trafford after having a man sent off and two dominant victories over Nottingham Forest. Fans will be hoping they can return to the heights of English football, after last appearing in the Europa League in the 2017-18 season.
Manchester United and Chelsea have had similar seasons so far, both having some very good results
such as Manchester United’s win over Liverpool, with Chelsea also beating the reds thanks to a dramatic late winner from Brazilian youngster Estêvão. In spite of this, both teams have recently sacked their managers, Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca respectively, the Manchester United manager leaving after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Leeds which he followed with a fiery post-match press conference in which he wanted to be seen as the ‘manager, not a coach’. This led to him being fired the next day, after an up and down 14 months in charge. As for Enzo Maresca, Chelsea had only
won 1 in their last 7 Premier League games before he was relieved of his duties on New Year’s Day. It is also believed his relationship with the club’s hierarchy was not great, amidst interest in the Italian manager from Juventus and Manchester City. He left with the club sat 5th in the table. Both Champions League winning clubs have appointed new managers, with former United player Michael Carrick stepping in as interim head coach until the end of the season, and the Red Devils hierarchy will look for a permanent manager after the season is over. Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior, who was most recently the Strasbourg manager, where he was enjoying a good season, sitting 7th in Ligue 1. The new managers will be aiming to finish the season strong and earn their respective clubs European football for the next season.
The Relegation Fight
18th, 19th and 20th; the places you do not want to be in after 38 games of the Premier League season, the bottom three clubs getting relegated to the Championship, a notoriously hard league to bounce back from. Currently sat in the bottom 3 are 18th place West Ham, 19th place Burnley, and 20th place Wolves. Their start to the season has not been what they have hoped for, only accumulating 20, 15, and 8 points each after 24 games. Therefore it is to no surprise that West Ham and Wolves have already sacked and appointed new managers. Graham Potter was dismissed by
West Ham in September and Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed on the same day, following his dismissal from Nottingham Forest after having a touchy relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, despite the club finishing 7th and having a very strong season in 24/25.
Wolves had one of the worst starts in Premier League history under ex manager Vitor Pereira, only picking up 2 points from their opening 10 matches. Pereira was sacked after losing 3-0 to Fulham in November and Rob Edwards was appointed subsequently. It took them another 9 games to pick up another point, where they drew with Manchester United in game week 19, and followed this with a 3-0 win over West Ham and another draw leaving them on 7 points. Derby County hold the record for least points in a Premier League season with 11 in the 2007/08 season. After the start, many thought Wolves would be the unfortunate new holders of this record, but as they are seeming to pick up some form, they hope to eclipse this and fight for their survival in the last 14 games.
Newly promoted side Burnley have also struggled this season under manager Scott Parker. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder became manager after the Lancashire side got relegated in 2024, and manager Vincent Kompany left for Bayern Munich. Having previously managing Bournemouth and Fulham to promotion, he managed the same with Burnley but has so far struggled in the top flight, only winning three games so far this season.
Currently they are 11 points behind Nottingham Forest who are sat in 17th, the first safe spot in the league.
West Ham sit only 6 points from safety but have struggled for results in recent games, losing games to relegation rivals Wolves and Nottingham Forest in successive games. They haven’t won since match day 11 in which they beat Burnley 3-2 at the London Stadium and if they don’t start getting some results soon, they could be in trouble come May.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are the two most likely teams to get drawn into the dog fight with the bottom three clubs. Newly promoted Leeds have been the better of the two, with new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring 9 goals so far this season and even managing to win December Player of the Month in the Premier League. He has boosted them to 26 points so far, 6 points above the relegation zone, a position they will be aiming to stay in for the rest of the season, and earn another season in league. If the current bottom three were to stay there, it would be the first team in the last three seasons that only one of the promoted sides went back down, with all three promoted sides getting relegated in the previous two seasons. Can West Ham, Burnley or Wolves battle their way to safety, or will the teams above them manage to hold them off?
Let’s hope that the second half of the Premier League season keeps supplying unpredictability and the season finishes as exciting as it has begun.
THE GLUTE BLUEPRINT
BY DEANA RILEY
How to build strong, sculptured, powerful glutes.
If there is one muscle group that has stolen the spotlight in the fitness world, it’s GLUTES.
But beyond aesthetics, strong glutes are essential for posture, balance, athletic power and injury prevention.
Whether you’re chasing a rounder shape, better lifts, or a pain-free lower back, understanding your glutes - and how to train them properly - is key.
Welcome to your definitive guide to the powerhouse!
MEET THE GLUTES: Your body’s power trio!
Your glutes are actually three separate muscles.
1. GLUTEUS MAXIMUS .. the shape maker. The largest muscle in the body. Creates that lifted round look and powers explosive movements like sprinting, jumping, and climbing.
2. GLUTEUS MEDIUS ... the hip hero.
Sits higher on the outer hip stabilises the pelvis, controls hip rotation, and gives that sculpted sidecurve.
Small but mighty. Supports hip stability and prevents knee collapse during walking, running and squatting.
Most people under-train the medius and minimus which is why they struggle with hip dips, knee pain and a flat side profile.
WHY GLUTES MATTER MORE THAN YOU THINK!
Strong glutes don’t just look good they …..
• Improve posture and spinal alignment.
• Reduce lower back pain.
• Boost athletic speed and jumping power.
• Increase calorie burn (they’re big muscles)
• Protect the knees and hips from injury.
• Enhance balance and core strength.
GLUTES are your body’s engine. When they’re strong and firing, everything feels easier.
THE BEST GLUTE EXERCISES - ACCORDING TO SCIENCE.
These movements act
Activate And grow the glues better than almost anything else.
1. BARBELL HIP THRUST.
Best for, maximus glute growth.
WHY IT WORKS:
Keeps consistent tension on glute max and allows heavy loading without stressing the lower back.
GLUTE TIP:
Lean your torso slightly forward to shift tension from quads to glutes.
2. ROMANIAN DEADLIFTS!!
Best for : upper glute connection and hamstring glute-tie in.
WHY IT WORKS:
A powerful hinge movement that forces the glutes to control the descent and drive the lift.
GLUTE TIP:
Think (HIPS BACK )not (weight down) the hinge is everything!
3. CABLE KICKBACK/ GLUTE /KICKBACK MACHINE!
BEST FOR: isolating gluten max and shaping and curve.
WHY IT WORKS:
Provides constant tension through the entire range of motion.
4. SIDE- LYING OR STANDING HIP ABDUCTION!
BEST FOR: hip dips, shaping the side glue, stabilising the pelvis.
WHY IT WORKS:
Direct isolation of glute medius- the muscle responsible for outer- hip roundness.
The secret to faster glute growth ( most people skip is this). Sitting all day cares ‘sleepy glutes’
Wake them up with this 5 minutes of pre- workout activation!
• Banded hip abductions.
• Banded lateral walks.
• Glute bridges.
• Clamshells.
Even elite athletes swear by this!
Final thoughts:
You can build your dream glutes ……
You don’t need fancy machines or endless squats!
YOU NEED:
• Smart exercises.
• Consistency.
• Mind- muscle connection.
Train with intention, feel every rep, and your glutes will be transformed!!!!
WELLNESS LEADS THE WAY IN INCLUSIVE SPA TREATMENTS FOR CANCER CARE
BY PAUL KNOWLES
Maya Blue Wellness Leads the Way in Inclusive Spa Treatments for Cancer Care
Set beneath the striking red-brick arches of Stanley Dock, Maya Blue Wellness at Titanic Hotel Liverpool has become one of the city’s most recognised destinations for relaxation and
recovery. Known for its peaceful atmosphere, ESPA treatments, and attentive service, the spa offers a space where guests can unwind in complete comfort.
Now, Maya Blue Wellness is extending that sense of care even further. Through specialist training and collaboration with The Amethyst Trust, the spa has introduced treatments that are safe and supportive for guests who are undergoing, or have completed, cancer treatment. This development made Maya Blue Wellness the first spa in Liverpool to offer these adapted therapies in June 2023.
Identifying a Gap in Care
The decision to introduce specialist treatments came from Spa Manager Sophie McDermott and her team’s growing awareness of how often guests affected by cancer were unable to book treatments.
“We had a lot of guests we were having to turn away because we didn’t have anyone qualified to treat them safely,” Sophie explains. “People would fill out their consultation form and tick the box for cancer. That was sometimes the first time we had been aware, and it meant we couldn’t go ahead with the booking. None of us felt comfortable doing that, but without the right training, it wouldn’t have been safe.”
It’s a situation faced by many spas across the country. Until recently, most wellness professionals were taught to avoid treating anyone with a cancer diagnosis due to safety concerns and lack of guidance. As Sophie and her team noticed the number of affected guests increasing, they saw a clear need to make a change.
“Some of our guests were in remission, some were still in treatment, and others were just looking for something comforting to help them feel like themselves again,” Sophie says. “We didn’t want to keep saying no when there was a safe, professional way to say yes.”
Specialist Training with The Amethyst Trust
To bridge that gap, Maya Blue Wellness partnered with The Amethyst Trust, an organisation that provides nationally recognised training for spa therapists treating clients affected by cancer. Supported by ESPA, The Amethyst Trust delivers the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care
(SATCC) course — the industry benchmark for safe and effective cancer care training in spas.
In spring 2023, Sophie arranged for two members of her team to complete the SATCC course at the ESPA Training Academy in Northwich.
“They had to sit an exam just to get on the course,” she explains. “The training covered everything — theory, practical techniques, consultation skills, and an understanding of medical terminology. It really gave them confidence to approach every client as an individual and to adapt their treatments properly.”
The course teaches therapists how to assess medical conditions, identify potential risks, and modify treatments accordingly. It covers topics such as lymphatic drainage, medication interaction, and how different cancer treatments can affect the body.
“A lot of people don’t realise that some treatments can have unintended effects,” Sophie says. “For example, chemotherapy can make skin extremely sensitive, so not all products or techniques are suitable. If someone has had lymph nodes removed, you have to change how you do a massage, because the body processes fluid differently. Every case is unique.”
Adapting Treatments for Individual Needs
The new training has enabled the spa to safely adapt several of its ESPA treatments. Maya Blue Wellness now offers three therapies that can be
customised for guests affected by cancer — the Inner Beauty Facial, the Inner Calm Full Body Massage, and the ESPA Back, Face and Scalp Massage, which remains one of the spa’s signature experiences.
Each treatment begins with an in-depth consultation, allowing therapists to understand the guest’s medical history, medication, and current wellbeing. From there, the approach is personalised — whether that means adjusting the pressure, the positioning of the client, or the products used.
“Someone who’s had surgery, such as a mastectomy, might need more cushioning on one side or prefer us to avoid that area altogether,” Sophie explains. “Others may feel self-conscious because of scars or physical changes. Having a therapist who understands and responds with sensitivity makes a huge difference to their experience.”
The adaptations extend beyond the treatment table. Guests who may have limited mobility or require additional equipment, such as oxygen support, can still enjoy a relaxing and safe visit.
“We’ve had guests come in who were seriously unwell,” Sophie says. “They might have medical
equipment with them, or they may not be able to lie flat. Before, a therapist might not have known how to handle that. Now, we can make sure they still get the benefit of the treatment.”
Positive Feedback and Growing Demand
The response to these new treatments has been overwhelmingly positive. Since launching the adapted ESPA therapies in 2023, the spa has seen a steady increase in demand.
“We noticed more and more guests coming to us who had been through cancer treatment,” Sophie says. “Rates of cancer are increasing, and people are more open about looking for ways to look after themselves. Being part of the Titanic Hotel means we also get guests coming for a break away during or after treatment, so having these options available makes a big difference.”
The feedback, she says, has been “incredibly touching.” One experience in particular stands out.
“A guest booked a treatment for her husband, who was at a hospice. It was around Father’s Day. He came in, used the facilities, and had a massage. He was over the moon — you could tell it meant so much to both of them. They didn’t think it would be possible. That really showed us how important this is.”
The success of the programme has led Maya Blue Wellness to expand the training further. Two additional therapists are set to complete their SATCC certification in the coming months, ensuring that the spa can accommodate more guests safely and effectively.
Raising the Standard for Inclusive Wellness
The introduction of cancer-safe treatments aligns with Maya Blue Wellness’s broader goal of making wellness more inclusive. For Sophie, it’s about ensuring that no one feels excluded from the spa environment because of their medical history.
“It’s not about creating a separate service,” she explains. “It’s about making sure our treatments and our team are inclusive. We want everyone to feel comfortable and confident that they’re in safe hands.”
The initiative also reinforces the spa’s commitment to professional excellence. Maya Blue Wellness holds a 5 Bubble Rating from the Good Spa Guide Awards, recognising its standards of care, staff expertise, and guest experience.
By completing SATCC training and integrating it into everyday practice, the spa is helping to set a benchmark for others in the industry.
“For a long time, people with cancer were told they couldn’t have spa treatments,” Sophie says. “Now we know that, with the right knowledge, they can — and they should. It’s about bringing back that sense of wellbeing and normality.”
A Calming Environment
The environment at Maya Blue Wellness plays an important role in the overall experience. Located in the lower level of Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the spa combines original 19th-century dock architecture with contemporary design. Exposed brickwork, arching ceilings, and soft lighting create a sense of stillness that contrasts with the city above.
Facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas. Treatments are delivered using ESPA’s natural, holistic skincare and body products, which complement the spa’s philosophy of balance and wellbeing.
“Our space helps people to relax straight away,” Sophie says. “It’s quiet, warm, and designed for comfort. For guests going through something as challenging as cancer, being in a calm environment really helps them to unwind and feel safe.”
Changing Perceptions Across the Industry
Maya Blue Wellness’s work reflects a wider shift in the wellness industry toward education and inclusivity. The collaboration between ESPA, The Amethyst Trust, and SATCC is part of a national effort to ensure that guests with medical conditions can access safe, supportive spa experiences.
The SATCC framework was established by industry leaders to remove the uncertainty surrounding cancer and touch therapy. By providing accredited training, it ensures that therapists understand how to work responsibly with clients affected by cancer, rather than automatically excluding them.
Sophie believes that awareness is growing, but there’s still work to be done.
“There’s definitely more understanding now, but many spas still don’t offer these treatments,” she says. “That’s not because they don’t care — it’s because they’re cautious. Once people realise the training is available and how much it benefits their guests, I think we’ll see more places following suit.”
A Message of Care and Confidence
For guests, the reassurance that they can safely enjoy a spa experience can be life-changing. Maya Blue Wellness’s approach demonstrates that luxury and safety can go hand in hand.
“It’s about restoring confidence,” Sophie says. “When someone has been through a major illness, they often lose a bit of trust in their body. Being able to have a treatment — to relax, to be cared for — can be a big step toward feeling like themselves again.”
The therapists at Maya Blue Wellness share that sense of purpose. “The team loves doing these treatments,” Sophie adds. “It’s meaningful work. They can see the difference it makes to people.”
Looking Ahead
With additional therapists soon to complete their training, Maya Blue Wellness plans to continue developing its inclusive wellness offering. Sophie hopes to see more collaboration across the spa sector in the years ahead.
“Every guest deserves to feel welcome,” she says. “If we can share what we’ve learned and encourage other spas to do the same, then that’s something
positive for everyone. Wellness should be accessible — it shouldn’t stop because of a health condition.”
As awareness grows and more therapists receive training, Maya Blue Wellness aims to remain at the forefront of this movement — combining professional standards, compassionate care, and the calming surroundings that have made it one of Liverpool’s leading wellness destinations.
About Maya Blue Wellness
Located beneath Titanic Hotel Liverpool on Stanley Dock, Maya Blue Wellness is an award-winning spa offering an extensive range of ESPA treatments, a hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, and relaxation spaces. The spa has achieved a 5 Bubble Rating from the Good Spa Guide Awards and is committed to delivering exceptional, inclusive wellbeing experiences for every guest.
For more information or to book, visit www.titanichotelliverpool.com.
WINTER STYLE TIPS
BY LEA READ
Puff It Out
If there’s one thing for cold frosty mornings, early gym darts and to stylishly wrap up spandex it’s the puffer ! Embracing here I am Attitude in major prints you’re actively feeling encouraged with remarkable strutting style !
MAC Moments
The trench coat, which originated from military wear became a massive trend for women and is still going strong. Worn timelessly by many celebrities, it forever oozes elegance whilst functionality makes it an essential piece for any occasion so versatile and as super stylish styled up as a dress. Kim, we salute you, this look in the most beautiful slate grey teamed with boots has got to be one of my faves!
Move 2 Snood
The 80s is taking forms on us all with the fabulous snood. This scarf hybrid has made a stylish return channelling a mysterious heroine. Worn in many different fabrics, bold colours are trending right now. The key is to wear with everything from gym to front row events and dinners. My tip would be to replace that statement necklace and brave the 2026 IT Gal Club
Rev it up !
Wow, the LV Motor racing suit seen on B is my hands-down winner not to mention these 90s nostalgia vintage sports shirts hitting mainstream incorporating into everyday sport and dress up. My tip would be to add a statement pearl or diamond necklace to funk it up.
STYLE
Oldschool Bold Tradionalists
Oversized logo, colour clashing panelling, these tracksuits certainly just aren’t for exercise they are so versatile and worn with ironical Love ! Top tips - style the jacket over a white T-shirt with jeans whist the pants look great teamed with taiored coats given a high contrast look.
Bag It!
Chloé icon Paddington bag is effortless luxury with soft slouch silhouette and equestrian inspired details timeless lock. The ALO Odyssey bag with distinctive shape resembling bowling yet sophisticated and affordable, from bagging up your gym kit to fitting purpose for day to night style up striking colours. ALO am impressed.
LV Lover
Sporty turns regal luxurious lightweight and versatile in the coolest shade. Mocha Winner!
Super Slouch
Seen on many runways, style up these beauties and elevate your look. My tip would be the baggier the better, place over your spandex or trousers creatively and you have a trending pantaloon effect.
Satin Steal given leather bomber of 2025. A natural satin bomber in fresh chestnut, proven to be a chic comeback worn by Miss Huntington-Whitley at the F1. Teamed with Phoebe Philo joggers, a crisp white Tee she stole the show in Helsa! LoVe LoVE LoVe
We’re women, what’s your super powers? Building glutes creates hourglass body, sure is the focus Goal for 2026! From workouts to food track to embracing styling them curves, I’m sure you agree Gio does it with perfection and confidence. A vibe of work hard, play hard, aim towards that well-deserved 2026 vacation. Stay focused, be proud of your gains. Stay on track ladies.
NAILS - BIG & SMALL FOR ALL OCCASIONS
BY LYSTRA ADAMS
With over 4,000 nail salons and bars in England and at least 100 opening every year, the demand is clearly there.
I’m known for my huge long nails but nails of all shapes and sizes are so important.
For me, nails are more than a beauty choice — they’re a form of self-care and self-expression. Whether I’m heading to the gym, a meeting, or simply running errands, having my nails done makes me feel polished, put together, and confident.
Interestingly, my nails have become a topic of conversation almost every day. I’m constantly stopped by people asking, “Oh my God, how do you do anything with those nails?” There’s a genuine fascination around them — from their length to their design — and it always makes me smile. What many don’t realise is that extended nails don’t limit you; they simply encourage you to adapt. Just like fitness, once you build strength, coordination, and confidence, everything becomes second nature.
In a world where we’re constantly busy, it’s the small rituals — like sitting down for a fresh set — that allow us to pause, reset, and focus on ourselves. I see nails as an extension of wellness; they reflect discipline, care, and pride in how you present yourself.
Just like fitness, consistency matters. Maintaining my nails is part of my routine, alongside training, eating well, and taking time to recharge. When I feel good about the details, that confidence carries through into everything else I do.
I’d love to see more people embrace extended nails and double tips — not just as a trend, but as a form of personal expression. Nails don’t have to be practical to be powerful. They can be bold, unapologetic, and a reflection of who you are.
Confidence isn’t built only in the gym — it’s built in the habits we choose every day.
Natural Look Preferred: Many men express a preference for natural-looking nails that are short to medium in length. Extremely long or gaudy fake nails can be seen as impractical or “high maintenance”.
Individual Taste: Many men acknowledge that nail style is a personal preference for the woman herself, and as long as they find the woman attractive, the specific nails do not matter significantly.
Certain colours and styles are associated with particular traits, though these are often based on viral theories or anecdotal claims rather than rigorous “research” in a formal sense.
The Red Nail Theory: This viral social media theory suggests that men are more attracted to women wearing red nail polish, as the colour is associated with confidence, femininity, and sensuality.
Colour Meanings:
* Red/Fiery Colours: May be perceived as confident and passionate.
* Nude/Neutral Colours: Often seen as a “safe,” elegant, or a “rich girl” choice that denotes understated class.
* Light Blue: The subject of another viral theory claiming it indicates a woman is in a relationship
or seeking one, a claim rooted in social media trends rather than scientific study.
* Vibrant/Multiple Colours: Some men appreciate specific colours that contrast well with a woman’s
skin tone, while others find multiple colours on one hand to be excessive.
Ultimately, opinions are diverse, ranging from total apathy to a keen interest in how nails contribute to a woman’s overall style.
BEST FEMALE PTs
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
Cheshire’s fitness landscape is being elevated by a new generation of outstanding female personal trainers who combine technical expertise with a genuinely people-first approach. These coaches go far beyond surface-level results, helping clients build real strength, confidence, and sustainable
health through intelligent programming and personalised support. This column shines a spotlight on the women setting the benchmark for excellence—trainers who are changing lives, challenging outdated fitness norms, and redefining what it means to coach with impact.
Although Deana Riley is based in Liverpool at The Zone Liverpool, she earns her place among Cheshire’s best female personal trainers because her coaching impact extends well beyond city boundaries. Her calm, highly technical approach to training—focused on longevity, movement quality, and sustainable strength—has made her a go-to coach for clients across Cheshire who value intelligent, long-term results over quick fixes. With sessions that blend mobility and strength and a supportive yet precise coaching style, Deana consistently helps clients build confidence, resilience, and bodies that perform as well as they look—qualities that place her firmly among the region’s elite trainers.
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Millie Pendlebury earns her place among Cheshire’s best female personal trainers through her highly effective online coaching, helping women achieve the sought-after balance of a smaller waist and bigger glutes. Known for her clear structure and results-focused programming, Millie delivers personalised plans that fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles while still driving real body recomposition. Her coaching goes beyond workouts, giving clients the guidance, accountability, and confidence needed to achieve lasting changes—proving that impactful coaching doesn’t have to be confined to a gym floor.
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Tia Jade, a personal trainer at PureGym Chester, has earned her place among Cheshire’s best by empowering women to build strength, confidence, and shape with purpose. Specialising in glute growth and body shaping, her coaching combines focused programming with an encouraging, high-energy approach that delivers visible, sustainable results. Tia Jade is known for helping women feel powerful in their bodies, not just changing how they look but how they carry themselves—making her a standout coach for those seeking both physical transformation and renewed self-belief.
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Deana Riley
Tia Jade
Millie Pendlebury
Hannah Carpenter stands out as a personal trainer, online coach, and FITN athlete, bringing a unique blend of athletic credibility and industry insight to her coaching. Alongside her work as a freelance model, Hannah helps clients build strong, confident physiques through disciplined training and structured online support. Her approach is both aspirational and grounded, inspiring clients to raise their standards while providing the practical tools needed to achieve sustainable results—making her a compelling presence among the region’s leading female fitness professionals.
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Sal Russ is a standout professional in the fitness and therapy space, qualified through CPASE, with over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is recognised as an elite personal trainer and holds the highest qualifications across all of her fields, including kinetic chain release therapy, clinical Pilates, exercise and movement specialism, sports therapy, and preand post-natal care. With a holistic, evidence-led approach, Sal focuses on how the body moves, functions, and recovers—delivering precision, education, and long-term results for every client.
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Livi Wild is a standout personal trainer based at Hale Training Club, known for her high-energy coaching style and competitive mindset. As a HYROX athlete, Livi brings real performance experience into her training, specialising in strength, conditioning, and hybrid fitness. She works closely with clients to build strength, endurance, and confidence through structured, results-driven programmes, making her a go-to coach for anyone looking to train with purpose and push their limits.
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Hannah Carpenter
Sal Russ
Livi Wild
IS TENNIS ONLY A SUMMER SPORT?
BY CHRIS WHITE
Maybe for some but the sport of tennis is just as busy as ever.
The professionals really don’t get an off season anymore with the tennis calendar becoming non-stop with new events including exhibitions.
Previous years, from the end of November, the pros would be able to have a couple of rest weeks then a couple of weeks in December to put in off-court fitness and time on court to make subtle technical changes all ready for the next calendar year.
Nowadays pros have to make changes on the go during competing as well as finding opportunities to find gyms as they travel the world. Some may give themselves a 10-day training block during the middle of the year but this will depend on how successful the first part of the year is as they may need to enter another tournament as they chase valuable ranking points.
Personally I have been very fortunate to help some players prepare for the first Gram Slam of the year The Australian Open.
This involved lots of repetition of shots in all different strategic scenarios. I have also had to try and find ways to recreate the conditions the players
will be facing in Australia such as the heat as it affects the ball bounces and court speeds.
Back in the UK, January is a month of making improvement or a fresh start of new goals. I have recently launched an online pay as you go coaching service which allows me to help anyone in the world with their tennis game.
Simply send over a video of a particular shot, for example your serve, and I am able to analyse the video then send back experienced tips/tricks without you having to even step on a court.
For example the serve is arguably the most complex shot in the game with so many variations. Spin, speed, height, angle, stance and so much more. Why not have a look at the website to see if we can help your chosen shot?
NEW MOLKOSAN GUT HEALTH SPARKLING DRINK
BY HELEN GOODWIN
Arefreshing sparkling drink for gut health support, Molkosan Sparkling, made from organic whey and fermented with friendly bacteria, is rich in L(+) lactic acid, a postbiotic – think of it as a cleansing, pHbalancing health boost for your gut.
Your gut should be buzzing with good bacteria, creating a healthy environment in which food can be broken down and nutrients absorbed, and where cells belonging to the immune system can happily go about their business.
Postbiotics help it to do this. Made when the friendly bacteria in your gut (probiotics) digest and break down fibres (prebiotics), postbiotics are the rather healthy end result.
Lending a layer of protection, postbiotic L+ lactic acid creates an environment that unfriendly bacteria and opportunistic fungi such as Candida albicans don’t like, meaning they’re less likely to stick around (quite literally, they’re less able to stick to the gut wall).
L+ also helps to balance the pH of your gut, and a nicely balanced pH, helps to promote the production of digestive enzymes, allowing you to break down fats and sugars more effectively. The right pH balance also encourages a healthy stool. And what about the 70% of immune cells living in your gut? It’s simple, a healthy gut helps to build a healthy immune defence, and the more of the good stuff, the stronger your defences. Once you’ve given your gut an environment where good gut bacteria
can thrive, those bacteria then produce more L+, and your gut goes from strength to strength
Molkosan Sparkling is naturally sweetened with stevia and delicious aronia and pomegranate juices. It’s also lactose and gluten free, low in calories, and suitable for vegetarians.
Enjoy over ice or straight from the can!
Molkosan Sparkling costs £8.99 for four 250ml cans, and is available from health shops nationwide and from avogel.co.uk
BEST MALE PTs IN CHESHIRE
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
Cheshire’s fitness industry has evolved far beyond quick fixes and generic training plans. Today, the county’s leading male personal trainers are redefining modern fitness by prioritising strength, movement quality, recovery, and long-term performance. This smarter, more holistic approach is attracting clients who want results that last — and coaches who understand that true fitness should enhance everyday life, not dominate it.
Among the standouts is Steve Dobie, Director of Dobie Optimum Fitness, whose multidisciplinary expertise places him firmly among Cheshire’s best. A highly experienced personal trainer, reformer Pilates instructor, sports massage therapist, and online coach, Steve takes a complete, system-based approach to the body. By combining intelligent strength training with mobility, recovery, and Pilates-led movement, he helps clients build strength while protecting longevity. Whether coaching in person or online, his work is tailored, professional, and designed to fit real life — making him one of the most respected names in Cheshire’s modern fitness scene.
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Steve White is a highly respected strength and conditioning coach, rehab specialist, and the director of SWFitness, with over 11 years of experience in the fitness industry. Known for his intelligent, results-driven approach, Steve specialises in building strength that lasts, combining performance training with rehabilitation-focused methods to help clients move better, feel stronger, and train pain-free. Whether working one-to-one or as an online coach, his programmes are tailored, evidencebased, and designed for long-term success, making him a standout choice in Cheshire for anyone serious about their health, performance, and longevity.
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With eight years of one-to-one coaching experience at Dedicated Supergym and over 300 clients trained, Sam Gelling has established himself as a results-driven personal trainer in Cheshire. A six-time bodybuilding competitor with three wins and appearances at the British Finals, Sam has spent the last two to three years specialising in sports performance and body transformations. In 2026, he co-founded Androgen Medical Labs, an online coaching brand bringing structured, evidence-led training to a wider audience, combining his competitive insight with real-world coaching expertise.
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Steve Dobie
Steve White
Sam Gelling
From a young age, sport shaped Dan Hooper’s identity, beginning with a professional football career that saw him progress through academy systems and play abroad in Scandinavia before injuries brought that chapter to a close. That discipline and resilience carried him into successful careers in modelling, television, and acting, while fitness remained a constant thread throughout. Today, Dan is the Principal Personal Trainer at CPASE Health Club in Mobberley, Cheshire—widely regarded as one of the best health clubs in the country—where he delivers high-level, results-focused coaching in a discreet, world-class environment. Known for his holistic approach, Dan supports clients not just physically but mentally, nutritionally, and hormonally, with particular expertise in female health as a qualified menopausal wellness practitioner. A nominee for Celebrity Fitness Trainer of the Year, HYROX competitor, charity fundraiser, and devoted father of two, Dan continues to lead from the front, championing strength, longevity, and balanced health at every stage of life.
Dan Hooper
Luke Porter is one of Cheshire’s leading personal trainers, online coaches, and competitive bodybuilders, recognised for his results-driven approach and high performance standards. As the owner of Elite Strength
Rob Massam is a standout in Cheshire’s fitness scene, combining elite sporting experience with intelligent, results-driven coaching. A rugby league player for the North Wales Crusaders, Rob is also a personal trainer and qualified biometrics coach, helping individuals reclaim their health, rebuild lasting energy, and develop real-world strength that supports everyday life. His approach goes beyond aesthetics, using dataled insights to create sustainable training that allows clients to show up stronger for themselves and their families—so they can live the life they truly want.
Rob Massam
Performance Gym, Luke specialises in strength training, body composition, and physique development, working with clients both in person and online to achieve measurable, sustainable results. His coaching combines structured programming, technical precision, and real-world experience from the bodybuilding stage, making him a trusted figure for anyone serious about improving their strength, physique, and overall performance.
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Dan HooperRob Massam
Luke Porter
NISHKI A RISING STAR IN LIFESTYLE, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS.
BY HELEN GOODWIN
Abrand born from sisterhood, fuelled by purpose and driven by a mission to empower women from the inside out
Founded by two visionary sisters, Shez and Nikki, both born and raised in Liverpool, they wanted to create a community of empowerment
and wellness, encouraging people to look after themselves both mentally and physically with a product offering to enhance that.
Their products range from stunning gift sets with candles, diffusers and jewellery sets to beauty focused items like lashes, transformative wellness supplements, collagen & PDRN peptides, face masks to luxury gym & pilates wear and dreamy feminine sleepwear. Every product is designed to inspire confidence, self love and spiritual alignment.
NISHKI has already been seen on many familiar faces and the brand has gained a huge following within months of launching. As a result of this growth they released limited edition gift sets containing pyjamas, beauty essentials and jewellery sets, which have been selling out due to the quality and reasonable price!
View their full product range here; @nishkiofficial www.nishki.co.uk
A NEW BRAND FOR PEOPLE SERIOUS ABOUT LIFE
BY HELEN GOODWIN
Velozia is made for a certain kind of person. Someone who values consistency over intensity. Discipline over motivation. Progress built quietly, confidently, and with intent. Movement is not a break from life, it is part of its structure.
The brand was born from a belief in the transformative power of movement. Done well and done often, movement sharpens focus, builds confidence, and reinforces identity. Over time, it becomes a form of self-expression.
Velozia products are designed to feel intuitive. Responsive without distraction. Supportive without excess. Every detail is considered to enhance motion rather than restrict it. Performance wear that works consistently, reliably, and without noise.
This is clothing for early starts and long days. For training that sits naturally alongside work and life. For moments of exertion that bring calm rather than chaos. Pieces that move seamlessly between activity and everyday wear.
Nothing is accidental. Innovation is purposeful. Materials are chosen for performance, durability, and feel. Aesthetic choices are refined and timeless, designed to support confidence rather than seek attention.
is not about trends. It is about standards. For those who understand that discipline is freedom. That progress is built daily. That performance is not announced, it is lived.
Velozia. Purpose in Motion. www.veloziasportswear.com
Velozia
HEALTHY HOMES FOR SALE
BY HELEN GOODWIN
It was difficult to highlight just one luxury home for sale in this issue so we have decided to feature two!
Ingram Premium Listings, the only UK realtor based in Merseyside who source and sell properties
solely in the upper quartile market of £1m plus, has given us sneak peek of two of its listings on our very own ‘leisure peninsula’.
Both properties, located in Caldy, benefit from the very best lifestyle that the area has to offer. With miles of beaches, extensive watersport offerings, and a short walk from the UK’s biggest manmade lake, a key attraction for windsurfers paddleboarders, sailing and cold water swimmers These two extraordinary properties enjoy their own extensive private leisure facilities indoor and within their private grounds
Caldy Road
This stunning 8 bedroom home combines elegant architecture with first class leisure amenities including a fully-equipped gym.
It also boasts its own private wellness suite, with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, massage/physio room and separate changing facilities and private annex.
Glass sliding doors from the pool open onto the sunny terrace and allow the sunlight to come inside the indoor pool all day.
In addition, there is an Olympic-grade hard tennis court which really takes this property’s lifestyle credentials to the next level.
Generous lawns and landscaped gardens surrounded by trees and private access to National Trust footpaths directly from the property truly enhance a connection with nature and a sense of calmness, privacy and modern luxury.
The property also has 6 reception rooms, 7 bathrooms and is finished to an exceptional standard throughout.
PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM
BY FRANKIE HARRIS
For numerous women, the pregnancy and postpartum journey can feel like a loss of control over their own bodies. Through physical activity and mental wellbeing, movement can help women reconnect to their bodies. Exercise does not need to be routine, and workouts do not need to be strenuous. The most
important thing is that it is enjoyable, and it empowers you. Movement should enable you to feel more in tune with yourself and support not only your physical health but also mental wellbeing. There can be a feeling due to social pressures during pregnancy and the postpartum period to ‘bounce back’. But your body does not need to go backwards, it is moving forward and evolving slowly, with intent and care. Every individual’s
experience will be unique, and it is important to find peace in your own journey, whatever this may look like.
Women’s health is more than a clinical check-up or a fitness tracker, it is about holistic wellbeing. This starts with changing the narrative and challenging ourselves to ask better questions. Instead of ‘How do I get my body back?’ the question becomes:
‘How can I care for the body I have now?’ This column provides an opportunity to explore that question. From finding strength in pregnancy to postpartum recovery, mental clarity to physical confidence, movement can support every chapter of a woman’s life.
Exercise should never feel like a chore. NHS guidance recommends trying to stay active for 30 minutes each day, but also acknowledges that this is not always possible, and appreciates that any movement is better than no movement. Whether it is a walk around the park, a swim in the sea, a yoga class, or dancing in the kitchen, exercise should be a choice that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. It is important in the perinatal period to warm up before exercising, maintain good hydration and notify instructors and trainers, if appropriate, to ensure safety for yourself and your baby. Swimming can be a great option for many pregnant women, as the water supports the body and can help to relieve pressure around your joints and muscles. It is not always about doing more or pushing harder; it is about doing what matters. Small, meaningful movement is just as powerful as a long, intense workout. Stillness and mindfulness are part of the process too and should not be overlooked.
Regular movement during pregnancy and in the postpartum period can offer a range of benefits for both mother and baby. Exercise during pregnancy is not harmful to your baby. However, it is important to avoid physical activities that carry a risk falling or impact to your bump, such as martial arts, horse riding or contact sports such as football. After 16 weeks’ gestation, lying flat on your back is also
discouraged, as it can compress a major blood vessel that supplies blood to your uterus, potentially reducing blood flow to your baby. Because of this, certain exercises, especially in activities like yoga or core workouts, may need to be modified to ensure they remain safe throughout pregnancy. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists supports physical activity in pregnancy, as it can improve quality of rest and sleep, help manage healthy weight gain, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. These are complications that can have lasting negative effects on maternal and infant health.
Exercise during pregnancy has also been linked to improved mood, emotional regulation and enhanced social cognition. These benefits can contribute to improved self-esteem, positive body image, better quality of life and reduced levels of anxiety. Many pregnant women report that staying active not only supports their physical health but
also supports them to feel more connected to their baby and overall wellbeing. Regular movement can provide a sense of routine, increase energy levels, and promote better sleep. All of these factors can enhance daily life throughout pregnancy and postpartum. There are a variety of dedicated antenatal and postnatal physical activity groups that provide parents with a valuable opportunity to connect with others who are like-minded and going through similar life experiences.
Movement does not have to be intense, complicated, or routine to be meaningful. Your body should be treated with kindness, and it is important to listen to what it needs. The true goal should be to find confidence and feel at home in your own body as it adapts and progresses through pregnancy and postpartum.
Having a supportive partner, family members and friends can make a meaningful difference for women looking to start or maintain regular movement through pregnancy and after birth. Encouragement, practical support, and genuine understanding can create a more positive and empowering experience of physical exercise. Sharing movement with a partner or friend, whether this is a walk, a class or at home stretching, offers a chance to connect, spend quality time together, and support emotional wellbeing. Many antenatal and postnatal activity classes actively welcome partners, providing opportunities to learn, bond and better understand the physical and emotional changes of this journey. In the postnatal period, support at home becomes even more valuable. When partners and loved ones share the parenting responsibility, it gives new mothers the space to focus on their own recovery and wellbeing. For mothers and parents who prefer not to be separated from their baby, there are also a number of classes that welcome babies of all ages, allowing movement and bonding to occur. In this way, movement becomes a natural part of daily life, contributing to a healthier, more connected lifestyle for the whole family.
EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL
By Paul Knowles
LA ZAMBRA MIJAS
BY PAUL KNOWLES
An Andalusian hideaway meant for discovery’ La Zambra Resort, a 5-star, Michelin-recommended property in Mijas, is nestled in the Andalusian foothills between Málaga and Marbella.
Formerly the Byblos Hotel, the iconic resort popular with A-listers from around the globe has hosted royalty and rock stars since 1986. The
luxury oasis has one of the Costa del Sol’s most expansive spa and wellness centres and not to mention a world class golf resort.
Andalusian architecture boasting charming courtyards, and original stone fountains are framed by picturesque mountains and spectacular sunsets.
Relax at one of the three swimming pools, or sample quality Mediterranean cuisine at the four restaurants.
Every guest room has a private terrace with lush garden views or stunning golf and mountain vistas.
We recommend a junior suite with ground floor terrace and sweeping views of the pool, golf course and mountains. Nestled in a quiet part of the resort off a stunning courtyard with huge fountain, the junior suite has a fully stocked bar, tea and coffee making facilities and plenty of storage space. Luxurious bathrobes and slippers are provided together with a full menu of items from razors to
toothpaste and adapters, chargers and even curling tongs so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten anything, they have it all!
A huge luxury bed commands the room and views with a comfortable corner sofa. A good size digital TV has plenty of channels and lots of English to choose from. The bathroom has double sink vanity, separate toilet with integrated cold or warm water bidet, a separate shower and a stunning deep bath. Plenty of fluffy towels are in keeping with the natural earthy tones of the resort. Plugs and USB charging points are all perfectly placed through the room.
Breakfast has plenty of choices from the usual cereals, fresh fruit, and juices, to eggs however you’d like them prepared by the chefs on hand. The Eggs Benedict is delicious!
12 different varieties of teas and more coffee options available than Starbucks.
For those with a sweet tooth for breakfast there is a full area of cakes and pastries and if that’s not enough the chef will cook to order your favourite pancakes or waffles.
Lunch at La Bartola overlooking the pool provides a huge variety of seafood tapas, light bites, salads and one of the biggest club sandwiches you’ll see. Enjoy local, national and international wines, and we would recommend an Aperol spritz or the famous La Zambra Sangria.
For dinner, you are spoilt for choice with so many options in Malaga, Marbella or Puerto Banus all 25 minutes away but if you want to escape the crowds then enjoy La Zambra’s Picador restaurant with a great selection of Andalucian sharing plates and a huge wall full of every red wine you could desire.
This stunning resort is perfect all year-round for a summer break or some winter sun.
Book online: www.lazambrahotel.com
Tel: +34951311234
Email: mailto:info@lazambrahotel.com
Exclusive Tips:
The guest relations team love to go that extra mile in making your stay memorable. Ask for Juan (Guest Relations Manager) he’s amazing and will guarantee you have the best possible experience.
Check out the secret signs throughout the hotel which reveal secrets and if you are lucky special gifts.
METT HOTEL & BEACH RESORT, BODRUM
BY PAUL KNOWLES
Bodrum is extremely popular in summer as it’s known for its riviera vibes whether it’s the culture, shopping or the highlife. Global celebrities are regularly spotted in the nearby town of Yalikavak also known as Palm Marina. Shop in Louis Vuitton, Fendi or Gucci and
dine in Zuma, Bagatelle or the special Godiva bar as you spot how many yachts have helicopters.
If, however you are looking for more of an understated less pretentious vibe METT certainly delivers. Nestled along the sun-kissed Aegean shores is one of Bodrum’s most pristine beaches ‘Haremtan Cove’, and the exclusive hideaway of METT Hotel & Beach Resort Bodrum.
Just minutes away from Bodrum is one of the most famous landmarks, The Windmills of Bodrum which were built in the 18th century. Their use continued until the 1970s, when they were replaced by motor power.
When in operation, The Windmills were integral to life in Bodrum and the city’s economy. They had to be sturdily built to ensure their continued operation, and they constantly operated throughout the year because flour would mold and worm easily. So, to prevent the loss of much-needed food supplies,
people would only grind enough wheat to meet their monthly needs.
Just past The Windmills you come to METT’s entrance and an impeccably dressed security guard who smiles as if you have made their day asks for your name. Once through the entrance you are surrounded by perfectly manicured trees, plants and flowers which are in abundance as you drive down the hill. Welcoming you are four staff all dressed as immaculately as the gardens and they accompany you through to reception offering a cold drink and towel.
Reception offers a glimpse into what you can expect at METT with a huge glass window soaking in the shimmering light from the Aegean with Greek Islands in the distance. Did I die and go to Zen heaven?
Check-in was easy and hassle free then we were escorted to our golf buggy with the option of going straight to our villa or a quick tour. We were excited so we opted for the tour.
The private beach and beach club are stunning and Folie Restaurant and Sea is where elegance and fun collide, offering vibrant culinary experiences from seabass to kebabs, various salads to all the usual lunch bites.
There was not one footprint in the sand on the private beach, it was absolutely stunning and for those who don’t like the sand, there are many decked areas and private cabanas if you want even more privacy.
The large outdoor infinity pool was such an Instagramable opportunity #METT. For those wanting to be pampered, MOI Spa has everything including the traditional Turkish Hammam.
We arrived at our home for the next few days: Villa 7010 a three-storey detached villa with infinity pool and full unobstructed views of the Aegean and Islands. A large entrance door opens up to a spectacular three-storey white marble LED staircase. To the right is a fully-stocked chefs’ kitchen. To the left is a huge open plan living room, dining room with floor to ceiling glass on both sides opening out to a decked infinity pool and views to die for.
Downstairs are two suites with dressing areas and ensuite bathrooms. Upstairs another two bedrooms and the master with the same views overlooking the pool, the sea and islands. We were introduced
to our team of staff who were going to be looking after us and they seemed to have the perfect balance of guest services and discretion. We unpacked and settled seamlessly into our home for the next few days. As a regular traveller for over 10 years, amenities are essential - the thread count of the sheets on the luxurious beds was in the thousands and when I say fluffy towels, I mean fluffy!
After an amazing night sleeping on a cloud “The METT Bed” we noticed our villa had its own WhatsApp group so guest services could send daily information (below). What a nice touch.
Breakfast at METT exceeds all expectations with the perfect balance between indulgence and healthconscious choices, all served in an exquisitely decorated setting with a view that takes your breath away.
From the moment you sit down, the attentive table service made the experience feel refined and relaxed. The menu offered a delightful variety, from beautifully poached eggs on sourdough with creamy avocado to a traditional Turkish breakfast featuring a colorful spread of fresh cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and warm bread. The spinach omelettes were a standout—light, flavourful, and expertly prepared.
To accompany the breakfast, there was a wide selection of drinks, including freshly-brewed coffee, a range of teas, vibrant juices, and nutritious milkshakes made with your choice of milk— including plant-based options. Every detail felt thoughtfully curated, and the quality of ingredients was top-notch.
What truly elevated the experience was the ambiance. The breakfast area is tastefully decorated
with a calm, stylish aesthetic, and the panoramic view creates a serene backdrop that enhances every bite. Whether you’re starting a busy day or simply enjoying a leisurely morning, this breakfast is the perfect way to begin.
For dinner we decided to check out the Isola Manzara Gardens, a unique Italian restaurant listed in the latest Michelin Guide, as we wanted to experience the unparalleled views of Bodrum Castle.
Isola Ristorante pays homage to the essence of the rich culinary traditions of Sicily, Sardinia, and Capri. The home-grown concept by Sunset Hospitality Group transports guests to the Southern Islands of Italy with its enchanting blend of fresh and bright flavours, presenting Italian favorites along with an extensive selection of wine. Isola offers a vibrant ambiance and provides guests with warm, personalised service.
METT is a perfect escape for those craving a weekend getaway or an extended retreat, the 5-star lifestyle resort offers lavish guest rooms, premium suites, lofts, and villas all facing the Aegean Sea, each featuring private pools and lush gardens so it’s perfect for singles, couples, families or larger groups.
https://www.metthotelsandresorts.com/bodrum/
RAFFLES PRASLIN
SEYCHELLES
BY PAUL KNOWLES
Many of us have dreamed of visiting the stunning archipelago of the Seychelles, set off East Africa in the Indian Ocean. e island paradise, which spans 115 islands, is a picture perfect setting of white sand beaches famed for its coral reefs where there is excellent diving to be enjoyed.
Located on the tranquil island of Praslin, which boasts its own microclimate, the luxurious Raffles Estate Praslin is a hidden escape where you can truly relax and unwind whilst experiencing a retreat for the senses. Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles, full of bays with turquoise waters fringed with palm trees. e famous brand of Raffles hotels and resorts is world-renowned and synonymous with an unsurpassable level of guest experience. e location for a truly once in a lifetime getaway, Raffles Praslin is a beachside resort which comprises 86 expansive private villas which come with their own plunge pool and outdoor terrace, affording you sweeping ocean views. Guests can expect glorious sunshine during their stay, indeed the average temperatures are always tropical on the island.
ere are so many activities on offer at the resort, such as swimming and kayaking across the crystal
clear waters. Dining options at Raffles Praslin resort are many and varied with a wide selection of options available overseen by Executive Chef Chris Meredith who developed his impressive culinary expertise working at a host of prestigious hotels and Michelin starred restaurants. e elegant and contemporary Losean Restaurant serves a globallyinspired breakfast menu and a dinner menu which draws on Seychellois dishes inspired by the local area as well as those with Creole influences. Choose from indoor and outdoor tables with sweeping sea views where you can enjoy an array of excellent local seafood alongside a wine list which features a choice of classic wines and a dessert menu of patisserie and cakes. Curieuse Restaurant meanwhile serves a selection of sushi and sashimi as well as a pan-Asian inspired fusion menu. When it comes to relaxation the resort is unsurpassable, and The Raffles Spa is the largest in
the Seychelles featuring 13 treatment pavilions, an ocean view tea room, steam whirlpools, experience showers and outdoor lounges with soaking pools as well as a choice of beauty treatments on offer. Yoga and meditation can be enjoyed on the outdoor pavilions giving guests the chance to soak up the stunning views whilst exercising, followed by a relaxing massage.
In terms of excursions there is plenty on offer in the area and a trip to Mahé Island, home to the capital Victoria and a sightseeing trip to the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and the white sand beaches including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka, are a must. e Seychelles is home to rare wildlife such as giant Aldabra tortoises and sea turtles, so taking the time to organise an excursion to witness some of these amazing creatures is something not to be missed during the course of your stay. A visit to the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is another trip which it is worthwhile including on your holiday itinerary, where you can enjoy relaxing walks surrounded by Coco de Mer trees whilst spotting diverse wildlife and hearing about the area from the knowledge guides who are always on hand to tell you fascinating stories. For a truly rejuvenating holiday, Raffles Praslin is an out of this world experience, the island is an idyllic paradise and staying here gives guests the chance to switch off from the stress of everyday life and enjoy an unrivalled sense of escapism.
EXCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask the resort concierge about arranging a private chef for an unforgettable dining experience.
Swim in one of the two infinity pools at night to enjoy the starry skies above.
Sip the Seychelles version of a Singapore Sling, the refreshing Praslin Sling, at the poolside bar.
Relax at Takamaka Terrace, the only shisha lounge in the Seychelles, to enjoy evening cocktails.
Raffles Praslin Seychelles Anse Takamaka, Baie Ste Anne, Seychelles www.raffles.com/praslin
AVALON PALM SPRINGS
BY PAUL KNOWLES
The desert city of Palm Springs is not necessarily the first choice of many when considering a holiday in California, but the charming area boasts many examples of stunning architecture, which along with the hot springs and the sunny climate make this a destination which is definitely worth visiting.
For old school glamour and echoes of the charm of a bygone era, the Avalon Palm Springs has plenty to o er and it makes the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway. e hotel is something of a hidden gem with plenty of character and a secluded feeling which makes it ideal for a romantic break.
e four star boutiue hotel has a stunning interior design aesthetic created by Kelly Wearstler, who designed a style and colour scheme which seeks to combine the best of classic and modern elements - think rooms with neutral tones paired with bright splashes of colour, comfortable armchairs and deluxe beds. e hotel lies nestled between the downtown Palm Springs area and the stunning backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains, which means there are some marvellous views to be enoyed. e Avalon group discovered the property back in 2003 and the accommodation consists of 67 sumptuous rooms and 13 villas with one
or two bedrooms, which are equipped with every convenience. It is easy to imagine stars of the silver screen both past and present checking in to this resort to enjoy seclusion and tranquillity, and indeed it is always a popular choice of hideaway for those looking for a sense of escapism.
e hotel has three pools, a spa and restaurant as well as expansive grounds and it has long been regarded as a desirable place to stay, due to the winning combination of location and facilities. All of the accommodation is bright, spacious and airy with lots of natural light flooding in.
ere are plenty of good restaurants to choose from in the area, and e Chi Chi Restaurant within the hotel serves a menu which fuses Latin-style cuisine with modern Californian influences, serving dishes prepared using the best of locally sourced fresh produce. Diners can expect hearty fare such as empanadas, tacos and burgers served alongside all-day breakfasts, a varied cocktail menu and a selection of juices created to give you everything from glowing skin to mental clarity.
Executive Chef Tara Lazar has developed a menu inspired by many of the dishes she encountered during her travels, which she has put her own spin on using the best ingredients to devise innovative dishes which give a nod to the South of the Border. The rooms and suites at The Avalon all come equipped with every amenity you could desire during your stay and the welcoming feeling makes you feel as though the hotel is a home away from home.
Relaxing by the pool is the ideal way to unwind during your stay, with comfortable loungers to recline on beneath the shade of parasols. There are beautiful views to behold everywhere, with lush palm trees and colourful flowers creating a pretty ambience. Poolside dining is available from Chi Chi too, with the emphasis on a relaxed, grazing style of dining of light dishes which can be enjoyed throughout the day.
The sprawling manicured gardens are full of picturesque fragrant flowers which create that classic Palm Springs ambience which the area is
so renowned for. is is the place to switch off your phone, soak up the sun and forget about your everyday cares. e peacefulness of the environment is complemented by the hotel’s Estrella Spa which offers a choice of treatments and therapies, designed to relax mind, body and soul. e focus here is on treatments which concentrate on wellness rather than solely beauty, and the spa is a retreat which centres on relaxation, balance and harmony.
For more active pastimes, the surrounding Coachella Valley is renowned for outdoor pursuits and stunning scenery, and there is plenty to choose from when it comes to activities such as hiking on some of the winding trails, horse-riding and cycling which are all available locally.
EXCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask the hotel concierge about booking a hot air balloon ride (available locally) which is a unique way to get a superb aerial view of the area.
Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum to soak up a little culture during your stay and enjoy collections of work by western and contemporary artists.
Book a walking tour with the Palm Springs Historical Society to take in the celebrity homes and mid-century architecture the area is famous for.
For shopping enthusiasts, the Downtown and the Uptown Design District has a vast selection of stores selling artisan goods, fashion and antiques.
Avalon Palm Springs 415 S Belardo Rd Palm Springs CA 92262
United States
www.avalonpalmsprings.com
TAJ EXOTICA MALDIVES
BY PAUL KNOWLES
The 5 star Taj Maldives Exotica Resort and Spa is a dream destination, set in lush landscaped grounds on the private island of Emboodhu Finolhu, which is located just a 15 minute boat ride away from the capital Malé. e Maldives is renowned for its tranquillity
and a sense of wilderness abounds as soon as you arrive at the picturesque resort.
e luxurious location makes an ideal place for a romantic getaway, a honeymoon or simply for the holiday of a lifetime. is is a truly stunning escape, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. e horseshoe shaped resort comprises 64 private villas which overlook the azure waters, each of which come with their own plunge pool and a relaxing and contemporary neutral colour scheme. e white sand beaches are the perfect place to relax with a good book and soak up the sun, before enjoying a bite to eat in one of the many dining options available.
e 24 Degrees serves food all day with menus which draw their influences from a Pan Asian and European style of dining. Teppanyaki is available with a selection of seafood, meats and vegetable dishes which cater to all tastes.
e Deep End is the more upscale and fine dining choice at the resort, where the team of talented chefs create beautifully plated modern European food which fuses the best of Mediterranean flavours.
Ingredients are carefully sourced with a preference for local provenance and sustainable produce.
e resort’s Jiva Grande Spa is an authentic Indian style spa which o ers an expansive range of beauty and wellness treatments designed to rebalance mind, body and soul. Aromatherapy massages, yoga, meditation and traditional bathing rituals are sure to leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.
For those who prefer slightly more active pursuits, the resort has an extensive range of watersports on o er such as water skiing, banana boat rides, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving. It is even possible to get up close and personal with some of the sea life during the course of your stay, with shark and stingray feeding available as an excursion. Another must during your stay is to visit the National Museum located in Sultan Park Malé which showcases the fascinating history, culture
and society of the island with displays of historical artefacts. Check the opening times before your visit to avoid disappointment however, as they vary dependent upon the season!
If you are looking for the type of holiday where you can retreat completely from the world, Taj Exotica is just the place and there is even personal butler service on o er to make every part of your stay stress free. Your butler can arrange everything from breakfast on your villa terrace to tailor-made excursions and romantic private dinners. Every element of your stay can be created to your preference and it is easy to see why this magical paradise is an award-winning resort. For an unforgettable holiday experience this is an ideal choice, a true haven in every sense of the word. e privacy and seclusion is second to none and the facilities are such that everything you need is available within the resort.Taj Exotica is often ranked as one of the best resorts in the world, and you simply will not want to leave this oasis of calm.
EXCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask the concierge about arranging a private dining champagne breakfast for a truly memorable experience.
A private sunset cruise is a must for an unforgettable romantic experience.
Try the local Maldivian cuisine during your stay which centres on excellent seafood, curries and delicious fresh coconut.
Visit The Equator Bar at the resort for music and a lively atmosphere where you can enjoy a superb wine list, cocktails, cigars and shishas.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives P.O. Box 2117
South Malé Atoll Republic of Maldives www.tajhotels.com
FAIRMONT MIRAMAR SANTA MONICA
BY PAUL KNOWLES
Situated just 8 miles from LAX, Santa Monica is the beachfront destination where you can truly wash away your cares and relax. e area is famous for its easygoing vibe and life centres on the beach where even a simple walk is a pleasure. With sweeping views of the glittering Pacific Ocean, palm trees and blue skies, there is no better place to spend a relaxing stay in Santa
Monica than the luxurious Fairmont Miramar. e 10-storey tower hotel was established in 1921 and it boasts a selection of rooms and suites equipped with every amenity you could possibly need including Wi-Fi, flat screens, and co ee makers. Upgraded rooms also feature balconies or patios, a ording guests beautiful panoramas. e restaurant and heated outdoor pool make the Fairmont Miramar the perfect holiday destination where everything you need is on hand and the sun shines throughout most of the year if you want to top up your tan whilst relaxing poolside.
e Exhale Mind Body Spa o ers a range of relaxing therapies such as massages, whirlpool baths, and restorative treatments. e spa menu is designed around the principles of ancient and contemporary therapies combined and the glow body scrub and Hammam detox therapy are the perfect treatments to get your body beach ready during your stay!
e most intriguing aspect of this resort is the option of bungalow accommodation, giving you the chance to enjoy your stay in total seclusion and privacy whilst still taking advantage of the hotel facilities and central location. e 32 garden bungalows are designed to feel like a home away from home, with a sense of comfort and classic style as well as a private patio. e jewel in the crown of these opulent bungalows is Bungalow One, which was recently renovated by Robb Report Home & Style. e elegant 2500 sq.ft bungalow has a mid-century yet modern aesthetic, with three bedrooms and the feeling of a relaxing retreat where you can truly unwind. e space is light and airy and the colour scheme is neutral with local vintage artwork adorning the walls, soft lighting and a selection of organic textures which convey the ‘surf modern’ ambience created by Los Angelesbased interior designer Michael Berman who drew inspiration from the beach and the relaxed local
vibe to create an easy breezy seaside feel. Bungalow One manages to be plush yet laid back, stylish yet understated, in short, everything you would want from holiday accommodation just a short walk from the beach. No element of comfort is overlooked in Bungalow One, with Scandia Linen and 100% Egyptian cotton bedding as well as Michael Berman custom designed furniture throughout, a La Cava Tub in the wet room and Molton Brown products in the bathrooms. Samsung Smart TVs are fitted throughout the bungalow and there is a Keurig co ee maker and True Beverage Center to provide refreshments. Venturing out in the local area, the beach is of course the first destination to head for during your holiday, with stunning views, a selection of watersports available and plenty of beachside restaurants for a spot of lunch overlooking the sea.
e shopping in the area is renowned for an eclectic mix of art shops, homeware stores, small fashion boutiques and famous brands within the locale.
Santa Monica Place is the area to visit for designer labels, with renowned fashion houses situated in the downtown area and of course no trip to Santa Monica is complete without paying a visit to Fred Segal which plays host to a range of emerging labels and designers.
After a long day of shopping, you can retire back to the secluded patio of Bungalow One which overlooks Miramar Gardens. This is the ideal place for a pre-dinner cocktail before heading to the hotel’s FIG Restaurant which has a casual dining style and serves a menu developed around the use of locally sourced organic produce selected from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. FIG serves everything from breakfast to dinner and having brunch there is a fun way to start a relaxed day, with a menu including eggs benedict, wa es, sandwiches, salads and burritos. In the evening, the menu centres on sophisticated and contemporary dishes including steamed Manilla clams, Baja seabass and prime ribeye steak with butternut squash and salsa verde.
e Fairmont Miramar is an impressive resort which has so much to offer and staying in one of the private bungalows is an unforgettable experience. Bungalow One is the ideal choice for a holiday of total relaxation and indulgence, with no attention to detail spared and an attractive beachside design style which makes you feel as though you do not want to leave.
EXCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
The traditional Lloyd’s Barbershop within the resort o ers male grooming with a complimentary drink of Bourbon, Cognac, or Scotch.
The Vilebrequin store at the Fairmont Miramar sells a selection of swimwear and resort wear, should you have forgotten to pack anything!
Dine at Valentino Santa Monica on Pico Boulevard for delicious Italian food in a stylish setting.
Visit the Santa Monica pier for a traditional seaside experience, including restaurants, shops and amusement park.
Fairmont Miramar 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States www.fairmont.com/santa-monica
HEALING HANDS, LISTENING HEARTS
BY JULIAN BISQUERT
In a world driven by speed and technology, there’s something profoundly human about the art of physiotherapy. It’s not a quick fix or a routine of exercises, it’s a partnership between science and empathy, between the healing hands of a physiotherapist and the hopeful heart of a patient. Behind every stretch, every session, and
every small victory lies a quiet story of resilience, patience, and trust.
Physiotherapy is often viewed as a purely physical science, focusing on muscles, joints, and movement. Yet anyone who has spent time in a clinic knows it is far more than that. It’s about people, their fears, their frustrations, and their determination to heal. A good physiotherapist doesn’t just treat an injury; they treat a person. They listen not just to pain, but to stories.
Every patient who walks through the door brings their own narrative. Some come after accidents, some after surgeries, and others after months or
years of silent pain. They all share one common goal: to regain control of their bodies and reclaim a part of their lives that pain has taken away. And that journey begins not with machines or exercises, but with understanding.
When a physiotherapist first meets a patient, we don’t just assess movement; we observe emotion. The hesitation before a first step, the wince during a stretch. These moments tell as much as any scan or test. Healing, then, becomes as much about reassurance as rehabilitation. Sometimes progress starts not with movement, but with listening and education.
Hands, in physiotherapy, are more than clinical tools, they are instruments of empathy. Through touch, a physiotherapist can sense tension, stiffness, or weakness. But that same touch can also convey care. It can say, “You’re not alone in this.” The simple act of a supportive hand on the shoulder can ease not only physical tension but emotional strain.
Yet, what makes this profession truly special is that healing flows both ways. Patients, often without realising it, become teachers. They show us physiotherapists what courage looks like, the courage to start again, to push through pain, to believe that progress is possible. They teach patience, as recovery rarely moves in straight lines. They teach humility, reminding us that no matter how much science we know, recovery still depends on the human spirit.
There’s a lesson in every session. The elderly man who refuses to give up after a stroke teaches perseverance. The young athlete learning to walk again after surgery teaches determination. The woman managing chronic pain with quiet grace teaches acceptance. Each story leaves a mark on the therapist, shaping how they see healing, not as a formula, but as a shared human journey.
On difficult days, when progress seems slow or setbacks appear, it’s often the patients who remind physiotherapists why they do what they do. Their smiles after taking a long-awaited step, their gratitude for small improvements, their trust even through pain. These moments breathe life back into the work. They remind us that healing is
not measured only in physical milestones, but in courage, trust, and hope.
Physiotherapy is a science, yes, grounded in anatomy, evidence, and research. But it’s also an art, an art of communication, empathy, and listening. The best therapists know every muscle group and technique, but they also know when to simply pause, smile, and let silence speak. They know that sometimes the most powerful therapy is encouragement, and that compassion can ease pain in ways no manual technique ever could.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It unfolds quietly, one movement at a time, one conversation at a time. And while physiotherapists guide their patients back to strength, it’s often the patients who remind them what strength truly means.
A patient once told me: ‘’I may technically be disabled, but I do not view myself as disabled. I now see the world as disabled; the world now has to change for my needs, and I will not change for the world. It is a marathon, never a sprint.’’
In the end, physiotherapy is more than the restoration of movement; it’s the restoration of hope. It’s a collaboration of healing hands and listening hearts, united by a belief that recovery, no matter how slow, is always worth pursuing. For every patient who learns to walk again, lift again, or simply live without fear of pain, there’s a physiotherapist who has also learned something invaluable: that healing, at its core, is a shared act of humanity.
HEALTHY HOMES FOR SALE
BY HELEN GOODWIN
Ingram Premium Listings, the only UK Realtor based in Merseyside who source and sell properties solely in the upper quartile market of £1m plus, has given us sneak peek of another listing on our very own ‘leisure peninsula’.
Caldy Wood
Surrounded by over 200 acres of woodland, including 13 acres of National Trust land, this 5 bedroom property offers an exceptional retreat into nature with one of the most breathtaking private gardens in the whole of Merseyside.
At the heart of this home lies a state of the art indoor pool with dual swim jets. Beside the pool you have sensor doors leading to what has to be the best home gym we have ever seen! Both spaces enjoy breathtaking views of the garden through floor to ceiling sliding doors that seamlessly blur the line between indoors and out.
It also has it’s very own wine cellar, multiple reception rooms and many exceptional features throughout the house including its landing.
This is a home designed and finished to exceptional standards with a crisp modern feel encased in green space, offering a feeling of serenity, and balance (it also has its own treatment room too) – a true haven for calmness and a healthy lifestyle, surrounded by the woods, coast and beauty the exclusive area has to offer.
THE RISE OF PADEL: HOW MANCHESTER BECAME A HOTSPOT FOR THE SPORT
BY ALBERTO CUBERO TORREGROSA “CUBERO THE PADEL COACH”
Anation discovers padel (2019-2022)
Going back to 2019, when I moved to Manchester, padel in Great Britain was largely unknown, or just “that Spanish sport” someone had seen on a holiday trip. I
remember the first time I looked for places to play or talked to people about padel, and they had no idea what I was talking about. Little by little, I found a small niche of padel fans. I was able to play my first padel match in the United Kingdom
and teach my first padel classes as a coach at the Manchester City football team’s sports facilities, where they had an indoor court. I was able to make a group of friends and we began training together and competing nationally. We travelled around the country, getting to know the clubs that were slowly opening up.
When I travelled to tournaments, I realized that the sport had a small but growing following, some grassroots clubs, some tennis courts or converted indoor courts, and a huge untapped potential. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) had only just begun formally regulating the sport at the national level. At that time, participation was low: around 15,000 adults and young people played padel at least once a year. The court infrastructure was very modest; it’s estimated there were dozens rather than hundreds.
From 2019 to 2021, I saw on my travels how the growth was gradual but promising. The number of courts increased from approximately 50 in 2019 to around 150 in 2021, and participation followed a similar upward trajectory from approximately 15,000 players in 2019 to around 89,000 in 2021, having played at least once.
The LTA, recognizing the potential, began laying the groundwork: developing coaching structures, exploring facility expansion, and beginning to consider padel more seriously as a complementary racquet sport to tennis.
By 2022, the conditions were set for more rapid expansion. More courts, more publicity, more venue operators seeing opportunity. Demand was increasingly visible, people searching for fun alternatives, more social forms of sport, racket sports that weren’t as technically or physically intimidating to start with. Regions outside London, including the North West, began to see interest. But Manchester in particular was just on the threshold of what was to come.
SMASH & SOCIAL: MANCHESTER’S PADEL BOOM SINCE 2022
When The Padel Club, following the trend set in the rest of the country, opened its doors in July 2022 in Wilmslow, it was one of the first dedicated padel venues in the North West, and where I truly saw the beginning of the padel boom in and around Manchester, where interest in the sport began to grow and people began demanding more. It started with just two courts, but demand was overwhelming, reservations quickly sold out, and within months, operators doubled their size to four courts. All of this prompted new clubs to jump on board and open their doors quickly. Since 2022, Manchester has experienced a wave of court construction, facility expansion, and investment.
But this is where my story as Manchester’s first padel coach begins: Club de Padel, the first padel club in Manchester city centre, opened its doors in December 2023 with four outdoor courts on Deansgate and I would be the padel head coach. With this landmark launch, the expansion of padel in Manchester became unstoppable, and I was at the centre of it. During those first months, I introduced the sport to thousands of new players, who came every day fascinated by this new sport and its engaging social aspect.
For me, the keys to padel’s success are:
Accessibility for all: It’s an easy sport to learn, even for people with no previous experience in racket sports. It’s played in pairs, which reduces individual pressure and encourages fun. It doesn’t require extreme physical fitness to start, making it inclusive for all ages.
Small court dimensions: The courts are smaller than tennis courts, allowing for more courts to be built in limited urban spaces. The game is more dynamic and offers greater interaction, making it attractive for spectators.
Social component: It’s played in doubles, making it ideal for socialising. Many clubs have added leisure spaces, bars, and meeting areas around the courts. It has become a popular activity for after-work and weekend getaways.
Virality: Once someone starts playing, they often invite friends or family to try it out. Social media has helped popularise the sport with videos of spectacular plays and aspirational content.
Immediate fun: From the first match, the game can be enjoyed without a steep learning curve. It’s a sport with a steady pace and many spectacular plays (thanks to the walls).
Overall, data from mid-2025 shows Greater Manchester with approximately 74 padel courts spread across 23 venues, with plans to add another 27 courts across three locations by autumn 2025. If these projects are completed, Manchester would exceed 100 courts in total.
Another revealing fact is that approximately 59% of Manchester’s courts are covered or indoor. This reflects both the climate and the year-round demand for play. A good example of this expansion is the club where I currently work as head coach, Carbon Padel Club, which has 11 indoor courts, 9 doubles and 2 singles, making it the largest padel facility in the North West.
PLAYERS, PARTICIPATION & THE SOCIAL PULL
National Momentum, Local Ripples
Nationally, padel’s numbers have been surging. By the end of 2024, just over 400,000 adults and juniors in Britain had played padel at least once in the previous 12 months. Court infrastructure followed: 893 courts across ~300 venues.
The LTA’s strategy aims to increase annual players from ~129,000 (end2023) to 400,000, monthly
players from ~65,000 to 200,000, and courts from ~350 to 1,000. Manchester is firmly part of this push.
The Social Pull: More Than Just Sport
What is striking about padel’s evolution in Manchester since 2022 is the degree to which it is becoming a social phenomenon, not just a sport.
Social hubs & lifestyle elements: Facilities are being built with clubhouses, cafés, lounges, outdoor social spaces. The idea is that people come to play and hang out.
Events and community activation: Padel clubs host social tournaments and family sessions. These types of events help attract people who may not be looking for serious training, but are interested in socialising through sport.
Accessibility of courts and formats: Covered courts help deal with Manchester’s less predictable weather. “Pay and play” options (not just membership) lower barriers.
Beginner and casual players driving growth: Many first timers are coming because padel is viewed as more approachable than tennis: doubles format, smaller court, less pressure, more immediate play.
CHALLENGES, OUTLOOK & THE ROAD AHEAD FOR MANCHESTER
Challenges
Even amidst fast growth, Manchester’s padel scene faces challenges:
Capacity vs Peak Demand: Many existing courts are booked out during evenings and weekends. Players often need to plan well ahead. Indoor or covered courts are especially in demand where weather constraints make outdoor courts less usable.
Cost of Infrastructure: Building high-spec covered courts, installing good lighting, maintaining courts, and creating social facilities (clubhouses, lounges) requires large upfront investment and ongoing cost. That may drive higher usage fees, membership
charges, or minimum spend requirements, which may exclude some potential players.
Balancing Social vs Competitive Uses: As popularity grows, demand for competitive play (tournaments, leagues) may strain the availability of courts for casual/social users. Maintaining a balance so that the sport remains inclusive and accessible is an important managerial challenge for venue operators.
Site, Planning, and Real Estate Constraints: Finding appropriate sites (especially for indoor / covered courts), securing planning permission (noise, lighting, structure), negotiating with real estate owners or local authorities are often timeconsuming and costly. Projects like Victoria North are tied into larger regeneration plans to help with this.
Maintaining Quality & Experience: With so many courts being built in different places, ensuring consistent surface quality, coaching availability, lighting, hygiene and overall user experience will be vital to making sure people return.
Outlook & What to Watch
Looking forward from 2025 and into 2026, here’s what seems likely in Manchester:
Court numbers exceeding 100: With the +27 planned courts, Manchester is on track to surpass 100 courts in Greater Manchester across all venue types (indoor, covered, outdoor) by late 2025.
More large-scale, purpose-built facilities: Facilities like Carbon Padel Club set new standards. We can
expect more venues built from scratch with all the amenities, rather than converted ones.
Expansion of covered/indoor courts: Because of Manchester’s climate and the demand for year-round play, the share of courts that are indoor or at least covered will continue to increase.
Growth in monthly / frequent players: As awareness continues and accessibility improves, more people will move from “played once” to “play monthly” or “play weekly.” Nationally, Sport England data already shows those playing twice monthly doubled from ~23,000 (2022/23) to ~51,000 (2023/24). Manchester will likely mirror or exceed this trend.
Social & Community Integration: More events, more mixed use of venues (social, food, drink, music nights, social leagues), more family / junior offerings. There also seems to be a desire by operators to make the venues part of the local identity.
Policy Support & Local Plans: Manchester is the first city in Britain to have a “local padel plan” in collaboration with the LTA, Manchester City Council and Manchester Active. This should help align future facility development with planning policy, transport access, and public health / leisure strategies.
Why It Matters: The Social Shift
The rise of padel in Manchester is not just about more courts or more players, it’s about how sport is evolving socially:
People increasingly look for leisure activities that combine activity + socialising + lifestyle. Padel offers that trifecta.
For many, padel is less intimidating than other racket sports. You can play with friends, meet new people, not worry too much about technical perfection.
Sports venues are becoming places to hang out, not just to train. The investment in social spaces, food/ drink, events, spectator-friendly design shows that clubs understand they are building communities, not just courts.
There is also a wellness angle: people are more interested in enjoyable, sustainable physical activity rather than only gym or high-intensity competition. Padel gives cardio, coordination, social interaction, fun.
THE FUTURE
Since 2022, the padel scene in Manchester has transformed fast. What began with a couple of courts and curious locals has become a vibrant network of venues, social spaces, and a growing community of players—casual, curious, competitive. With nearly 74 courts and 23 venues, plus more under way, Manchester is becoming one of the leading hubs of padel in the UK.
All signs suggest growth will continue if done with attention to access, affordability, and quality. If those are managed well, padel in Manchester may not just be a boom, but a sustainable fixture in the region’s sporting and social life; one where people play, meet, hang out, and stay active, not just for a season, but for many years to come.
HOW THE NORTH WEST IS GETTING SHREDDED — FAST
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
Liverpool has always been a city that punches above its weight in music, sport, and now fitness. Few stories capture that spirit better than ShredFast, the homegrown brand that started on Merseyside and has grown into an international name in performance training.
The journey began in 2018 with a simple goal: to create workouts that deliver real results while building a true sense of community. Founder Luke Powell and his team wanted to redefine fitness — making it something people could feel part of, not just show up for. From the very first sessions, the energy was electric. Loud music filled the room,
determination filled the air, and every class became an experience.
What started as a local movement quickly became a phenomenon. Liverpool’s tight-knit fitness scene embraced ShredFast as more than a gym — it became a lifestyle. Built on the same values that define the city — grit, humour, and heart — ShredFast represented something bigger than physical training. It was about mindset, belonging, and progress.
In 2022, ShredFast took its first step beyond the UK, opening a flagship location in Dubai. The move marked a bold chapter for the Liverpoolborn brand, and it paid off. Dubai’s hunger for innovation and high-performance living was the perfect match for ShredFast’s philosophy. What began as a local passion project had officially gone global.
Now, In 2025, ShredFast expanded again, this time to Monaco. Known for its precision, luxury, and elite standards, Monaco might seem a world
away from Liverpool’s docks, but the mindset is strikingly similar — ambition, resilience, and a drive to be the best. ShredFast Monaco brings that same raw energy and community focus to one of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
Through every milestone, ShredFast has stayed true to where it came from. Every new studio carries that unmistakable Liverpool DNA: tough, passionate, and unshakably real. The team has never lost sight of what made it special in the first place — a commitment to results, connection, and a sense of belonging that transcends location.
As ShredFast continues to grow, it stands as a reminder that the best ideas often start close to home. From the heart of Liverpool to the shores of Monaco, it’s proof that hard work, community, and belief can turn a local dream into a global success story.
BEST RUNNING SHOES FOR MEN
BY CHARLIE ALFONSO
From performance powerhouses to designer hybrids, these are the trainers redefining movement. Whether you’re chasing a marathon PB, conquering the Liverpool
waterfront, or blending sport with style, this list celebrates the best of both worlds — precision engineering, bold design, and serious performance.
1. LOEWE × On Cloudsolo
“When performance meets pure design.”
A masterpiece of movement and minimalism, the LOEWE × On Cloudsolo stands at the intersection of art and athletics. Merging On’s Swiss-engineered CloudTec® cushioning with LOEWE’s luxury craftsmanship, it’s as functional as it is fashionforward. Every curve, stitch, and panel feels deliberate — sleek leather details meet performance mesh, creating a shoe that’s equally at home on the city streets or a light training run.
This isn’t just a sneaker; it’s a statement — for runners who want to move beautifully and live boldly.
Best for: Style-conscious runners, urban athletes, and collectors of limitededition gear.
RRP: £375
2. Nike Alphafly 3
“Speed without compromise.”
The undisputed king of race-day footwear, the Alphafly 3 feels less like a shoe and more like a secret weapon. With its twin Zoom Air pods, carbon plate, and space-age midsole foam, every stride feels turbo-charged — like running on bottled lightning. This is the shoe for those chasing PBs, podiums, or just the thrill of flying past the competition.
Best for: Marathoners, competitive runners, and speed demons.
RRP: £241
3. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
“The evolution of efficiency.”
Adidas has fine-tuned its racing dynasty with the Adios Pro 4, a shoe that’s as sleek as it is savage. It delivers that unmistakable snappiness underfoot — thanks to its carbon-infused ENERGYRODS and dual-layer Lightstrike Pro foam — while trimming every unnecessary gram. On the roads, it feels like
momentum in motion; on race day, it feels like destiny.
Best for: Half and full marathon elites, precision runners.
RRP: £220
4. On Cloudultra 3
“The trailblazer’s luxury liner.”
From the Swiss Alps to the Wirral Way, On’s Cloudultra 3 blends trail grit with road elegance. Its unique double-layer CloudTec sole delivers bounce and control over mixed terrain, while the updated mesh upper keeps it cool and composed through long runs. Whether you’re exploring coastal paths or climbing city hills, this shoe doesn’t just carry you — it cushions your ambition.
Best for: Trail-to-road runners, adventurers, and hybrid athletes.
RRP: £179.99
5. Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
“Clouds, reinvented.”
If comfort could run a marathon, it would wear the Gel-Nimbus 27. Asics has mastered the art of plush performance — and this edition takes it even further. FF Blast+ cushioning and an engineered knit upper make every stride a sigh of relief. Ideal for Liverpool’s long-distance faithful, this shoe doesn’t shout speed; it hums endurance.
Best for: High-mileage runners and those who love a pillowy feel.
RRP: £139.95
6. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
“The dependable performer.”
Like a trusted training partner, the Adrenaline GTS 24 never lets you down. It’s got that trademark Brooks smoothness — soft cushioning, fluid transitions, and clever GuideRails tech to keep your
stride steady without feeling forced. It’s the kind of shoe that quietly racks up hundreds of miles while keeping your knees and hips happy.
7. On Cloudmonster
Best for: Stability seekers and long-term trainers.
RRP: £134.95
“Big energy. Bigger bounce.”
The Cloudmonster isn’t subtle — and that’s exactly why runners love it. Those oversized pods aren’t just for show; they create a sensation that’s part trampoline, part turbo. It’s fun, it’s futuristic, and it’s fantastic for runners who want every step to feel alive. Perfect for morning miles along the docks or post-work loops around Princes Park, it turns ordinary runs into joyful jumps.
Best for: Daily training, recovery runs, and runners who like a springy ride.
RRP: £130
8. Asics Gel-Cumulus 27
“Balanced brilliance.”
The Cumulus 27 is like the Gel-Nimbus’ lighter, more playful sibling. It’s built for the everyday runner who wants a mix of comfort and responsiveness — a perfect ‘do-it-all’ trainer. With a smooth, breathable upper and reliable cushioning, it’s the kind of shoe that disappears beneath you in the best possible way. Whether you’re chasing pace on the Strand or logging easy miles through Allerton, this one’s got your back.
Best for: Daily training, easy runs, and general mileage.
RRP: £119.95
9. Adidas Adizero SL2
“Affordable speed with Adizero DNA.”
The SL2 brings elite pedigree to the everyday runner. Borrowing design cues from Adidas’ prolevel racers, it combines Lightstrike cushioning with a featherweight frame — giving you that “race shoe feel” at a fraction of the price. It’s fast enough for tempo days, durable enough for daily use, and stylish enough for coffee after your run.
Best for: Runners seeking a fast, affordable allrounder.
RRP: £78
10. Nike Flex Experience Run 12
“Simple, steady, and surprisingly smooth.”
The Flex Experience Run 12 proves that performance doesn’t always come with a price tag. Designed for new runners, gym-goers, or those who just love an easy jog, it’s lightweight, flexible, and built for comfort over complexity. Perfect for casual laps around the park or as a reliable gym companion, it’s the kind of shoe that quietly gets the job done — without the ego.
Best for: Entry-level runners, gym sessions, and everyday wear.
RRP: £59.99
11. Under Armour Charged Surge 4
At just £37, the Under Armour Charged Surge 4 proves you don’t need deep pockets to chase your fitness goals. Lightweight, breathable, and cushioned enough for daily 5–10 km runs, it delivers surprising comfort and grip for a fraction of the usual price. Sure, it won’t rival £150 supershoes, but for Liverpool runners wanting reliable performance on a tight budget, this under-£40 trainer is unbeatable value.
RRP: £37
SEASONALSHIFT:WINTERHAIR& BEARDTRENDSFORMEN
BY PETE CRANFIELD
Summer’s still feels like it’s a way off and I’ve been in the puffer gilet and heavier hoodies for months. But this time of year doesn’t just bring a change in wardrobe; it brings a noticeable shift in men’s hair and beard trends too.
As the temperature drops, there’s something instinctively comforting about a bit more hair—on both the head and the face. Colder weather often
makes guys want to ditch the ultra-short fades and clean-shaven looks in favour of styles that feel warmer, cosier, and a little more rugged. And honestly? I do exactly the same.
This winter, I’m predicting we’ll see a strong move towards softer, more textured hairstyles. Think less scalp exposure around the back and sides, and more of that Timothée Chalamet-inspired tousled,
undone vibe. These longer, freer styles give a relaxed but stylish look that pairs perfectly with the layered fits we all gravitate toward once the chill sets in.
If you’re planning to keep more length this season, your consultation with your barber is key. Take the time to explain what you’re after in as much detail as possible—bring a reference photo if you can. (Trust me, we don’t judge. In fact, we love it.) A good barber will help tailor the style to your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle, so use that expertise to your advantage.
Facial hair is shifting too. Personally, I rocked a clean shave with a standout moustache all summer long and loved the look. But as soon as the biting cold returns, I crave a little extra coverage. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a short, defined beard paired with a neat moustache—think Jeremy Piven in Mr. Selfridge. It’s classic, masculine, and gives just enough structure without feeling overgrown.
The best barbers are constantly keeping an eye on how fashion and grooming trends evolve. We know many of you rely on us not just for a fresh cut, but for expert advice—so don’t be shy about asking. Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to try
something new. A fresh hairstyle or beard shape can give you that extra boost just when the dark mornings and early nights start to hit.
Until next time—
Stay sharp.
COMOLETICS: WHERE PERFORMANCE MEETS PURPOSE
BY ZACH KHAN
It began with a moment. Not a business plan. Not a funding pitch. Just a moment of sunlight cutting through the Alpine air, the glint of water off Lake Como’s surface, and the silent promise of a new day. There, in Northern Italy, surrounded by nature’s effortless elegance and timeless masculinity, the seeds of Comoletics were planted.
Today, Comoletics isn’t just another activewear label. It’s a movement, a call to men who seek not just to look good or move well, but to feel something deeper: confidence with purpose, performance with meaning, and a connection to community.
From Lake Como, With Intention
The name Comoletics fuses two seemingly separate ideas: Lake Como, with its luxurious calm and stoic energy, and athletics, the spirit of movement, sweat, and drive. But for founder Zach Khan, the brand was never about blending opposites. It was about uncovering what unites them.
“On that trip to Lake Como, I realised how little we as men give ourselves permission to slow down,” he recalls. “We’re always chasing, working & building. But what if the confidence we’re after isn’t in the hustle, what if it’s in the stillness? The lake, the mountains, the architecture, it all moved with purpose. That’s the kind of movement I wanted to build into a brand.”
That insight became Comoletics’ guiding principle: Performance Wear With Purpose. The result is a label that doesn’t just create premium men’s activewear, it creates pieces that empower. Designs that move as well in the gym as they do in life. Pieces you can sweat in, breathe in, live in.
Confidence Is the New Muscle
In an era where men’s fashion is evolving rapidly, from tailored suits to loungewear, from rigid masculinity to fluid expression. Comoletics is carving its own lane. It’s not just about functionality. Nor is it about empty aesthetics. It’s about confidence, the kind built not in boardrooms or weight rooms, but in intention.
“Confidence isn’t about being the loudest guy in the room anymore,” Zach explains. “It’s about being clear on who you are, how you move, and what you
stand for. Comoletics clothes are designed to help you walk into that version of yourself.”
This is where Comoletics shines: the brand has managed to thread the needle between minimalist luxury and performance-grade utility. The fabrics are engineered for stretch, sweat-wicking, and breathability, but the cuts and colour palettes nod to timeless European refinement. Think training shorts that look just as good at brunch. Or sweatwicking Ts that transition seamlessly from morning runs to client meetings.
It’s gym to streetwear but elevated.
Design That Doesn’t Just Look Good, It Works
Comoletics’ design DNA is unmistakable: clean lines, purposeful seams, tonal hues, and a focus on fit that flatters all body types, not just the shredded elite. There’s an understated confidence to every piece. A quiet nod to those who don’t need to scream to be seen.
Every collection is built around the idea of intentional movement. Whether you’re lifting, running, meditating, or simply walking through your day, the gear is made to support, not overshadow. It’s performance wear that respects the man wearing it.
The Como Gym Shorts offer four-way stretch, sweat dispersion tech, and a tailored cut that sits perfectly on the thigh flattering without suffocating.
The Varenna Windbreaker is windproof and waterresistant yet breathable enough for high-output activities.
The Como Gym Tshirt, has become a best-seller not just for its featherweight comfort, but because it fits like a second skin.
Rooted in Community, Designed for Life
Community isn’t an afterthought, it’s a cornerstone. Comoletics was built around the idea that movement is more powerful when it’s shared. Whether it’s through local events, online activity, or simply seeing another man in a Comoletics piece and nodding in recognition, the brand fosters a sense of belonging in a space that often feels isolating.
“I wanted Comoletics to feel like a team, not a label,” Zach shares. “A team where every man, no matter his shape, background, or journey, feels seen and supported.”
This ethos has cultivated a loyal base of wearers; men who come for the gear but stay for the mission. They’re CEOs and creatives, fathers and students, runners and lifters. What unites them isn’t how they look, but how they live with purpose, clarity, and quiet confidence.
Design Forward, Always
While the heart of Comoletics is rooted in purpose, the brand is no slouch when it comes to aesthetic innovation. The design team draws inspiration from architecture (especially the symmetry and serenity of Northern Italy), streetwear, and Scandinavian minimalism.
The result? Pieces that never shout but always speak. A capsule wardrobe for the modern man who demands form and function in equal measure.
Upcoming collections will see more layering options, tailored outerwear for transitional seasons, and expanded sizing to reflect the brand’s commitment to inclusivity. But what won’t change is the design discipline: every stitch must serve a purpose. Every fabric must feel good. Every item must elevate not complicate a man’s life.
Why Comoletics Matters Now
In 2026, we’re in a new era of masculinity; one defined not by aggression or stoicism, but by selfawareness, balance, and connection. Comoletics is helping redefine what it means to dress that kind of man.
It’s not about being the best in the gym. It’s about showing up for your goals, your values, your people. It’s not about flexing. It’s about flowing with your purpose, your body, your day.
And in a world full of disposable fast fashion and empty branding, Comoletics offers something rare: substance.
It’s not just activewear. It’s a reflection. A reminder. A recalibration.
So whether you’re smashing a 5K, heading to the gym, chasing your kids, or building your business Comoletics is there, moving with you, reminding you that how you show up matters.
Final Word: Beyond the Brand
Comoletics isn’t trying to dress everyone. It’s for men who move with purpose. Who crave simplicity, quality, and community. Who believe performance isn’t just measured in reps or speed but in intention.
It’s gear for the man becoming his best version not because society told him to, but because he chose to.
www.comoletics.com
RED SCORE, BAD DAY: WHY YOUR WHOOP MIGHT BE HOLDING YOU BACK
BY OLIVER WOOD
We’ve become obsessed with metrics and graphs — but your body has its own language. Why your Whoop might be telling you less than you think ...
There’s nothing worse than waking up ready to train — slept well, feeling sharp, buzzing to hit
a PB — and then checking your Whoop. Red recovery score. Low readiness. Suddenly your day feels off, even though your legs feel strong and your mind is clear. Nothing ruins a morning like a red score and a side of guilt. It’s sold as a reality check, but half the time it’s not reality at all. It’s
an algorithm’s best guess — and when you start trusting that more than your own body, you’ve got yourself a problem.
Too many people treat their data like gospel. If Whoop says “red,” they rest. If it says “green,” they go all in — no questions asked. And to be fair, waking up to a triple-green score does give you a hit of motivation. It feels like validation, proof that the early nights and clean meals are paying off. That boost can be empowering — and yes, your ego might inflate a little. But the same system that gives you a high can just as easily drag you down, planting doubt when you feel fine.
The problem isn’t the data — it’s how much power we’ve handed it. Green doesn’t always mean go. Red
doesn’t always mean stop. We’ve become obsessed with dashboards, streaks, and graphs, and in the process, forgotten how to actually listen. Whoop can reveal patterns, highlight poor habits, and
encourage smarter recovery — but it can’t feel your energy, your drive, or your readiness to perform. Your Whoop doesn’t know your legs like you do. And that’s where the performance paradox comes in. By trying to train smarter, people often train less. They hold back on days their body is ready to go, all because a number said otherwise. Even elite athletes check these straps obsessively, but the best performers rarely let a number override how they feel on the day. Fitness isn’t about perfect adherence to a metric — it’s about knowing yourself and acting with awareness.
Your body has been tracking fatigue, readiness, and resilience long before wearable tech. Every twinge, surge of energy, craving, or yawn is a signal. Learn to read them. Intuition is data too — just written in a language we’ve forgotten how to speak. Sometimes the only algorithm you need is common sense.
If you wake up feeling strong, trust that. Don’t let a low recovery score write the story of your day. Numbers can guide you, but they shouldn’t dictate your choices. Your body’s feedback is still the most accurate metric you’ll ever get — and you don’t need Bluetooth to hear it. That said… there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your Whoop, even if it’s just a very expensive wristband that makes you feel fancy while you train.
Maybe that’s the real lesson. The Whoop, the Garmin, the Apple Watch — they’re tools, not teachers. They can highlight patterns, but they can’t capture purpose. The best athletes in the world know when to override the data, when to lean into a gut feeling, and when to back off because something just feels off. That’s not anti-science — it’s experience.
We don’t train just to hit metrics. We train to push limits, to learn discipline, to build trust between mind and body. Sometimes that means ignoring the screen and trusting the signal that comes from within. So wear the tech, track the stats, enjoy the graphs — but don’t forget who’s really in charge.
At the end of the day, performance isn’t measured by colour codes or readiness scores. It’s measured by how well you know yourself — and that’s something no algorithm can replicate.
YOUR WORKOUT PARTNER MIGHT BE WATCHING
BY OLIVER WOOD
Picture this: you are halfway through a 10K, sweat stinging your eyes, lungs burning, and your sunglasses just whispered, “New PB.” A second later, they snap a perfectly framed video of your stride for your Strava feed. No phone. No wrist check. No thought required.
No tripod. No excuses.
Your next personal best just got a cameraman.
One of the biggest wins for Meta’s smart glasses is how seamlessly they plug into the fitness apps you already use. Whether you are logging miles on Strava, tracking splits on Nike Run Club, or syncing heart rate data from a Garmin, the glasses act as a natural extension of your setup. Through Bluetooth and app integrations, your activity data, from pace to elevation, flows effortlessly between devices. Oakley’s version goes further, with automatic recording triggers that sync clips with your Strava stats, turning every segment into a highlight reel. Imagine hitting a personal best and having the moment captured and uploaded before you have even cooled down. You focus on form. Meta handles the fame.
Welcome to the age of Meta’s smart glasses, where your next training partner is not human. It is watching you, listening to you, and in some cases, even thinking for you.
Smart glasses used to sound like science fiction, something out of a futuristic training montage. But this year, Meta teamed up with two giants on opposite ends of the style spectrum: Ray-Ban and Oakley. The result is eyewear that does not just shield your eyes; it listens, records, analyses and even responds. They are designed to capture every sprint, every stride, every lift, and maybe a few moments you did not mean to share.
So yes, your next workout partner might literally be watching you. The only difference is that this one never blinks.
It is no surprise that content creators are hooked. Across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts, Meta’s smart glasses have become the go-to tool for athletes and influencers who want to capture their grind without interrupting it. These glasses do not just watch; they record, stabilise and frame every move from your own point of view, giving followers a front-row seat to the sweat and effort behind every workout. The grind never looked this cinematic.
With a quick “Hey Meta, record a video,” you can turn a heavy squat, a sprint finish, or a crisp handstand into a perfectly framed clip. No phone, no setup, no second takes. The footage feels raw and unfiltered, which is exactly what audiences crave. In a space saturated with polished,
overproduced fitness reels, first-person footage shot mid-set feels honest, and that honesty performs.
The glasses do the heavy lifting behind the scenes, automatically syncing clips to your phone and using AI to centre the action. By the time your heart rate slows, your post is ready to edit or upload. For creators chasing both performance and authenticity, Meta’s glasses are the easiest way to let the world see your work. Because if it is not on Strava, did it even happen?
When it comes to Meta’s smart glasses, the experience you get depends on which side of the spectrum you are on: Ray-Ban or Oakley. Both carry Meta’s technology, but they wear it very differently.
Ray-Ban Meta sits firmly in the lifestyle lane. Think sleek, city-ready frames that look just as natural in a café as they do on a morning jog. They are built for creators who want style and substance in equal measure — the kind of person who records a workout one minute and a street-style vlog the next. With a light, minimalist design, crisp camera quality, and intuitive voice control, Ray-Ban Meta glasses are for those who want their tech to blend seamlessly into everyday life without screaming “gadget.”
Oakley Meta, on the other hand, is the performance model — tougher, louder, and unapologetically athletic. With Prizm lenses, a durable IP67 build, and battery life that can last through an entire endurance session, Oakley’s version is built for
athletes who treat training like a religion. Designed to withstand sweat, rain and speed, they are the glasses you take on a trail run or a 100-kilometre ride. The line between training partner and tech partner just disappeared.
Same brain, different bodies: one built for lifestyle, the other for longevity.
The Good, the Bad, and the Creepy
Like any new technology, Meta’s glasses walk a fine line between innovation and intrusion. On the bright side, they are changing the way we train and create. No more asking a stranger to film your set or risking dropping your phone midsprint — everything is captured hands-free. The AI assistant can even offer real-time cues, help track performance, and log your progress across multiple apps. It is like having a coach, videographer and analyst all in one sleek frame.
But every lens has a dark side. The same feature that helps you perfect your form also records the world around you, sometimes without consent. Every clip, every command, every metric feeds into a bigger data loop. Privacy advocates call it overreach; creators call it efficiency. The truth probably lives somewhere in between. The future of fitness is always watching, whether you like it or not.
Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban and Oakley is not just a style play — it is a statement about where fitness and storytelling are headed. These glasses do not just capture effort; they amplify it. For creators, they are a dream. For athletes, a glimpse into the future of wearable intelligence. And for everyone else, maybe a reminder that even in our most personal moments — a run, a lift, a breath between sets — technology is watching, learning and evolving with us.
So yes, your next workout partner might be watching you. It is not just wearable tech — it is watchable tech. The question is: are you ready to let it help you hit that next rep, or does the idea of being seen still make you sweat more than the workout itself?
POWERING PERFORMANCE
BY JOE EDWARDS
How Box Step Fitness Built the Creamfields 2025 Gym Experience ... When music meets movement, magic happens. This year at Rockstar Energy presents Creamfields 2025, the world’s most iconic electronic music festival, a new kind of stage
stole the spotlight: a fully equipped, cutting-edge fitness gym built and supplied by Box Step Fitness. In a UK-first collaboration, the team at Box Step brought their expertise in wellness, equipment,
and event activation to create an on-site fitness hub designed for festival-goers, artists, and staff alike. The result? A space where beats and barbells
collided, and health took centre stage alongside world-class DJs.
From Vision to Reality
Creamfields is no stranger to innovation—each year pushing boundaries with groundbreaking production, lineups, and immersive experiences. For 2025, organisers wanted to go beyond the music and offer something that fit the rhythm of a new generation of festival fans. That’s where Box Step Fitness came in.
The brief was bold: build a fully functional gym that could handle thousands of energetic festivalgoers, withstand the unpredictable UK elements, and reflect the high-octane lifestyle of Creamfields and its headline sponsor, Rockstar Energy. With a reputation for delivering premium fitness solutions to both commercial gyms and pop-up activations, Box Step Fitness was the natural choice.
Within weeks, the concept became reality. Box Step’s design team engineered a modular gym structure that could be assembled and dismantled in record time. Every detail—from the renovated shipping containers and functional outbreak areawas tailored for the Creamfields environment.
Behind the Build: Box Step Fitness Expertise
The success of the Creamfields gym was no accident. Box Step Fitness brought years of expertise in equipment manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and custom installation to the project. Their team handled every aspect, including:
• Design & Planning: Creating a space that balanced durability, safety, and atmosphere.
• Equipment Supply: Sourcing the most effective strength equipment to fit within the available space.
• Logistics: Coordinating delivery and setup in the tight window between festival site construction and opening.
• On-Site Support: Providing staff from Liverpoolbased firm Absolute Body Solutions, to manage equipment maintenance, class programming, and guest engagement.
This end-to-end service ensured that the gym wasn’t just functional—it was flawless.
Setting a New Standard for Festivals
The Creamfields 2025 gym set a precedent for the future of festivals. In an era where wellness and lifestyle are just as important as entertainment, Box Step Fitness proved that health can be a headline act. Festival-goers no longer had to choose between fitness goals and fun—they could have both, seamlessly.
As one guest put it: “Next year you should make it even bigger.”
Meanwhile, Box Step Fitness CEO, Joe Edwards says: “The Gym at Creamfields definitely raised a few eyebrows when it was announced. However it was a huge success and was operating at maximum capacity several times throughout the course of the festival. We’re already in talks to build on it and make bigger and better for next year.”
Looking forward, the partnership between Box Step Fitness, Rockstar Energy, and Creamfields hints at a new wave of festival culture—one where wellness is woven into the fabric of the experience, and where fitness is as much a part of the vibe as the music itself.
Final Thoughts
Box Step Fitness didn’t just supply a gym to Creamfields 2025—they redefined what a festival
activation could be. By blending world-class equipment, innovative design, and a wellness-first mindset, they created a space that amplified the energy of Creamfields and gave festival-goers an unforgettable way to move.
With this ground-breaking activation, Box Step Fitness has positioned itself at the intersection of fitness, lifestyle, and live entertainment. One thing is certain: this won’t be the last time we see them powering performance on the world’s biggest stages.
• Founder Joe Edwards, drawing on his background as a professional athlete and physiotherapist, brought credibility and craft to the project.
• Rapid response logistics and aesthetic-focused equipment reinforced Box Step’s culture of agility and style.
• Their presence at Creamfields—an event grounded in indulgence and spectacle—underscored a shifting cultural ethos: wellness and partying are no longer separate.
This landmark moment prompts us to ask: Will other festivals follow suit? Is wellness the final frontier of rave culture? The Creamfields Gym wasn’t a novelty—it was a roadmap for the future.
THE ULTIMATE GLAM SURVIVAL
BY JADE AINSWORTH
Here, I’ll be sharing my absolute ride-ordie favourites, the products that never let me down, the ones I’ve tried, tested, and truly fallen in love with. These are the beauty products that help you look and feel your very best, whether you’re heading out for date
night, a big event, or just want that “I woke up like this” kind of glow.
My Estée Lauder Obsession
Firstly I’m going to start off with a brand I’ve completely fallen head over heels for — Estée Lauder. I’m officially that girl who’s on first-name terms with Rose at the Estée Lauder counter in Boots, Speke.
My love for the brand started with one of the most iconic products in skincare history: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum ( £65.00 - £117). I’ve been using it for just over a year, and it’s one of the products I just couldn’t live without out now.
Every evening, I put a few silky drops on my face, and it’s like an instant drink for your skin. The texture is featherlight — almost like liquid silk — but somehow gives the deepest hydration you could imagine. By morning, my skin looks fresher, plumper, and more alive. It gives that “eight hours of sleep and two litres of water” glow… even if I’ve had neither.
I’ve tried so many serums over the years ( I think I have been through them all), but nothing gives me the same consistent results as this one. It just brings my skin back to life overnight.
The secret? A clever mix of hyaluronic acid and Estée Lauder’s Chronolux™ Power Signal Technology. The science behind it might sound a bit fancy, but the results are simple: my skin looks healthier, smoother, and more radiant every single day. It’s become the anchor of my whole skin routine.
Falling in Love, One Product at a Time
Recently, thanks to a few irresistible gift-withpurchase offers (because who doesn’t love a freebie?!), I decided to explore more of the Estée Lauder range. And honestly, I’m in love!
My mornings now start with the Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm (£36.80) — yes, it’s technically part of their night line, but it’s too good to only use before bed. The texture is just gorgeous — it starts as a buttery balm and transforms into a silky oil as you massage it in. It melts away everything — makeup, SPF, the day’s stress — in seconds.
My favourite part? I soak a facecloth in hot water (as hot as I can comfortably bear), press it gently over my face, and let the steam do its thing. The balm turns into a milky texture and rinses off, leaving my skin baby-soft, clean, and nourished — no residue, no tightness, just a lovely glow.
Then comes the perfect hydration product: DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant 24H-Moisture Creme (£55.00). Oh. My. God. This cream is honestly like you have just been for a facial. I would definitely recommend if you are looking to try something new.
I’ve always loved thick, hydrating moisturisers, but so many daytime ones are too light or leave that weird tacky feel. I even used to use my night cream during the day just for the hydrating feel— until I found this little baby. It gives me that rich, dewy finish without being greasy, and my makeup sits beautifully over it.
The scent is so fresh and clean, and the finish is that perfect healthy glow — not shiny, just luminous. It’s one of those products that makes your skin look alive before you’ve even put a drop of makeup on.
Mini Gifts That Turned Into Big Obsessions
The last time I repurchased my serum, I got a mini gift set which I took on a couple of longhaul flights I have recently been on, and they were absolute lifesavers.
Normally, the plane air leaves my skin feeling like sandpaper, but thanks to those Estée Lauder minis, my skin stayed soft, hydrated, and glowy even at 30,000 feet. Needless to say, I’ve now bought the full-sized versions.
Medik8 Retinol: The Nighttime Game Changer
Let’s talk retinol. It has a bit of a scary rep, right? We’ve all heard the horror stories — flaking, peeling, redness. But Medik8 has completely changed the game.
Their retinol is gentle but powerful, and it’s honestly the reason my skin looks smoother, brighter, and more even-toned than it did a year ago. You start on a lower level and work your way up to the higher number. I use it a few nights a week, ( prices start at around £30 and go up to about £85 depending on size and strengh). I always
follow with my Estée Lauder moisturiser, and the difference is unreal.
Fine lines have softened, texture has improved, and so many people have said how much nicer my skin has started to look.
What makes Medik8 stand out is their slow-release system — it delivers all the benefits of retinol without the irritation. It’s that perfect blend of science and luxury that just quietly transforms your skin at home.
The Future of Skincare: Shark CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Mask
Okay, this next one is for my fellow skincare gadget lovers (or anyone thinking about a gift that is a little bit extra special ).
The Shark CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Mask is basically the future of skincare. It’s sleek, futuristic, and honestly makes me feel like I’m starring in a sci-fi movie while doing my evening routine — but the results are next level.
It combines LED light therapy with cryo-cooling technology. The LED helps boost collagen and calm inflammation, while the cooling effect instantly soothes and refreshes your skin.
I love using it after a long day or post-workout when my skin feels a bit flushed or tired. It reduces redness, minimises pores, and leaves my skin firm, calm, and radiant. It’s become my go-to self-care ritual.
Makeup Must-Haves: From Base to Glow
Now, let’s move on to my must-have makeup products!
Every great look starts with a great base, and my current obsession is YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer ( £27.00 ). Honestly, it’s the primer of primers. The texture is like silk, and the tiny gold flecks make it feel so luxurious. I apply it with my fingertips, pressing it gently into my T-zone and cheeks, and instantly my skin looks smoother and more even.
It blurs pores, softens texture, and gives that perfect finish that makes foundation glide on like a dream. It’s one of those products that doesn’t just prep your skin — it transforms it.
Now, one question I always get in my Instagram Q&As is: “What foundation do you use?”
My go-to for everyday wear is NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser ( £31.00 ) in St. Tropez. It’s super lightweight but gives that gorgeous sheer, buildable coverage with a natural finish. It’s enriched with French Polynesian Kopara (so hydrating!) and a vitamin C derivative to brighten and even skin tone over time. Plus, it’s got SPF 30 — which is perfect if you are using retinol. It’s oil-free but leaves your skin looking healthy and luminous. Perfect for that “no-makeup makeup” which has a natural vibe.
When it comes to concealer, I’ve finally found my holy grail, Givenchy Prisme Libre Concealer (£37.00). I’ve tried so many and they either crease or dry out my under-eyes, but this one is just perfect!
It gives amazing coverage without settling into lines, keeps you looking bright and fresh all day, and just melts beautifully into the skin. I actually keep a few shades — one for concealing, one for contouring, and one for brightening. If you’re unsure which to get, pop into Flannels and ask at the Givenchy counter — they’re fab at helping you find your match.
Now, for that healthy, flushed glow — it’s all about Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Pillow Talk (£35.00 ). The shade is iconic for a reason, it’s that perfect rosy nude that flatters everyone no matter your age or skin tone. I swirl my brush around the outer ring, then dab the centre shade onto the apples of my cheeks — gives an instant lift, instant glow.
Then, to finish things off, my secret weapon: Dior Backstage Glow Stick (£37.00). This is quite a new product to hit the market, but I’m obsessed. It gives
that lit-from-within sheen — not glittery at all, just glossy, hydrated, and fresh. I swipe it across my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, and even my eyelids and blend with my fingertips. It lasts all day and night.
Lips, Locks, and a Little Extra Glow
If you’ve ever asked me what lip liner I use — it’s Doll Beauty, always. And I’ve got a discount code for you: DBJADEAINSWORTH
They’re all under £10, so I suggest grabbing a few. My go-to daytime shades are Boy Bye and Boss Lady. For night, I mix it up with Diva 4 Eva, Prinsass, and Killin It — which, by the way, is a perfect dupe for Clinique’s discontinued Choc Chip.
To lock everything in place, I swear by Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (£23.60 at LookFantastic). It keeps your makeup flawless for up to 16 hours — waterproof, smudgeproof, transfer-proof. Basically, once it’s on, it’s on.
And because glowing skin doesn’t stop at your face, my final obsession is Sol De Janeiro GlowMotions Body Oil (£22.50, LookFantastic). It comes in two shades (I go for the darker one) and gives your skin the most beautiful bronzed shimmer.
It’s that “holiday in a bottle” kind of glow — every time I wear it, someone asks what’s on my skin. It smells divine, lasts forever, and makes your arms, legs, and décolletage look airbrushed and radiant.
That’s it from me this time, I hope you’ve found a few new products to fall in love with — whether you’re refreshing your skincare, adding to your makeup bag, or just want to treat yourself to something new.
THE MOUTH: THE GATEWAY TO WHOLEBODY HEALTH
BY DEBBIE MCGOVERN
For years, the dental profession has known that the mouth is more than just a smile — it’s the gateway to the rest of the body. Increasingly, science confirms that oral health isn’t isolated from general health. Instead, gum disease and oral inflammation are now recognised as significant contributors to systemic
conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pancreatic cancer.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Research suggests that chronic gum infection may play a role in the development or acceleration of Alzheimer’s. A 2019 study published in Science Advances by Dominy et al. identified Porphyromonas gingivalis — a key bacterium in gum disease — in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The study found that this bacterium’s toxic enzymes, gingipains, may contribute to neuronal damage and inflammation associated with dementia progression.
Heart Disease
The connection between gum disease and cardiovascular health is one of the most wellestablished. The British Heart Foundation notes that bacteria from inflamed gums can enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and arterial plaque formation. A 2016 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology confirmed that individuals with periodontitis have a 20% higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those with healthy gums.
Diabetes
The link between diabetes and gum disease runs both ways. Poorly controlled diabetes increases susceptibility to infection, including periodontal disease, while severe gum inflammation can worsen blood sugar control. The Diabetes UK and British Dental Journal emphasise that managing oral health is crucial for maintaining stable glucose levels,
effectively making dental care part of diabetes management.
Pancreatic Cancer
Perhaps one of the most striking associations comes from a 2016 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study published in Gut, which found that men with a history of gum disease had a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The same oral bacteria implicated in periodontitis (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) were detected in higher levels among pancreatic cancer patients.
Prevention Is Power
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, interdental cleaning, regular dental visits, and reducing sugar intake are simple but powerful steps.
The NHS and Public Health England continue to stress that preventive dental care not only protects teeth but can help guard against chronic disease. In conclusion, the evidence is clear: a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body. Dentists, doctors, and patients must work together to view
oral care not as vanity, but as a vital component of lifelong health.
References
• Dominy SS et al. (2019). Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains. Science Advances.
• Lockhart PB et al. (2012). Periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Circulation.
• Ide R et al. (2011). Periodontal disease and risk of pancreatic cancer. Gut.
• Sanz M et al. (2016). Scientific evidence on the association between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. Journal of Clinical Periodontology.
• Diabetes UK and British Dental Journal reports, 2022.
WINTER SKIN SURVIVAL GUIDE: HOW TO SUPPORT & BOOST COLLAGEN DURING THE COLDER MONTHS
BY DOCTOR JANE
As the temperature drops and central heating rises, our skin takes a hit. In fact, the skin can be up to 30% drier in winter. Cold weather and dry indoor air strip away moisture, weaken the skin barrier, and can trigger flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, acne, and psoriasis. So, how do you protect your skin, support its health, and even reverse some of the signs of aging during the winter?
It’s All About Pre-Juvenation
Pre-juvenation is a proactive approach to skincare that focuses on preserving skin health and stimulating collagen before aging signs become deeply etched. This means using skincare and aesthetic treatments that encourage your skin to work for itself—specifically, to make and bank collagen.
Understanding Collagen Loss by Age
From the age of 20, we naturally lose about 1% of collagen per year. Here’s a breakdown:
• Age 20s: Collagen starts to decline (~1%/year). By 30, you may have lost 10% of your total supply.
• Age 30s–40s: Collagen loss increases to 1–1.5% per year. Fine lines, dullness, and reduced elasticity become noticeable.
• Age 50+: Oestrogen decline during menopause accelerates collagen loss—up to 30% lost in the first 5 years post-menopause.
Key Collagen Killers:
• Natural aging
• UV exposure (photoaging is the #1 preventable cause)
• Smoking
• Poor diet (low in protein, vitamin C, and antioxidants)
• Pollution and oxidative stress
• Lack of sleep and chronic stress
My Favourite In-Clinic Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
1. Polynucleotides (“Salmon Sperm” Treatment)
These are tiny fragments of DNA derived from fish that stimulate fibroblasts—cells vital for repair and collagen synthesis.
Best used for:
• Under eye & upper eyelids: Hydrates, improves skin tone, reduces fine lines and dark circles.
• Jowl area: Combined with hyaluronic acid to improve skin firmness and hydration.
• With microneedling: Treats acne scars, trauma scars, and hyperpigmentation by boosting skin turnover and improving texture.
2. Profhilo – Biostimulating Hyaluronic Acid
Profhilo delivers a mega dose of hyaluronic acid in a unique formulation that:
• Hydrates deeply by attracting water molecules.
• Stimulates fibroblasts to boost collagen, elastin, and even natural hyaluronic acid production. Injected in a 5-point pattern, Profhilo spreads evenly through the skin, creating a “scaffold” for regeneration.
Result: Glowing, hydrated, firm, and supple skin.
3. Jalupro – Injectable Skin Booster
Jalupro is a rejuvenating injectable packed with:
• Amino acids – collagen-building blocks
• Hyaluronic acid – intense hydration
• Peptides – collagen stimulation
• Vitamins & antioxidants – support repair and fight oxidative stress
Perfect for improving overall skin texture, tone, and volume.
Why Winter Is Ideal for EnergyBased Treatments
Winter is the perfect time to undergo laser treatments, microneedling, and skin resurfacing.
Shorter days and less sun exposure reduce the risk of photosensitivity and hyperpigmentation.
But don’t forget: Wear SPF 50 daily, regardless of season or weather!
Your Winter Skincare Essentials
Support collagen and skin barrier health with these powerhouse ingredients:
Vitamin C
• Brightens skin, reduces inflammation
• Promotes collagen synthesis
• Fights oxidative stress
Niacinamide
• Strengthens the skin barrier
• Balances oil production
• Reduces inflammation and breakouts
Retinol
One of the most effective anti-aging ingredients:
• Boosts collagen and elastin production
• Speeds up cell turnover
• Fades pigmentation, acne, and improves skin texture Start slowly (1–2x/week) and build up tolerance. Use SPF daily!
SPF 50
• Blocks 98% of UVB radiation
• Reduces skin cancer risk
• Prevents photoaging and pigmentation
Collagen & Skin Health Starts From Within
Your skin is your largest organ, and its health is a direct reflection of your internal wellbeing. The phrase “Get the inside right and the outside follows” couldn’t be more true.
If your skin is changing—persistent rashes, new lesions, or non-healing spots—don’t ignore it. Book a check-up. These can be signs of underlying health issues.
My Top General Health Tips for Glowing Skin
• Prioritise sleep
• Rest and recover regularly
• Daily movement
• Get sunlight & time in nature
• Manage stress – chronic stress ages the skin
• Stay hydrated
• Eat high-protein, high-fibre meals
• Aim for 5 servings of fruit & veg daily
• Protect your peace – be mindful of the energy you give and receive
6. Stay hydrated + high-protein diet – fuel skin from within
7. Collagen supplements – support from the inside out
BY MELISSA REEVES
My journey with laser hair removaland why it can change your life too.
Hi, I’m Melissa Reeves — a 33-yearold single mum, business owner, and laser hair removal specialist. I recently opened AJMR Studios, my beautiful little haven in
Waterloo, Crosby, where I offer laser hair removal and skincare treatments that help people feel genuinely good about themselves.
Inside AJMR Studios lives my pride and joy — Sphynx Laser, my own professional laser brand. Sphynx is my baby; it represents everything I believe in when it comes to confidence, empowerment, and feeling your best in your own skin.
But before I ever thought about opening my salon or creating Sphynx Laser, I was just like many of my clients — stuck in a frustrating cycle of shaving, waxing, and battling painful ingrown hairs. My natural hair is thick and dark, and no matter what I tried, I’d end up with rashes, bumps, and irritation. It wasn’t just uncomfortable — it made me feel embarrassed and self-conscious, especially in the summer when I wanted to wear shorts or dresses.
Laser hair removal completely changed my life — and that’s exactly why I decided to dedicate my career to it. Now, I get to help other people experience that same freedom and confidence, every single day.
Why I Fell in Love With Laser Hair Removal
When I had my first laser treatment, I was nervous — and a bit embarrassed, if I’m honest. I was getting my bikini area done and wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it might feel awkward, but it wasn’t at all. Laser technicians do this day in and day out — there’s absolutely no judgement, it’s just part of the job. Once you’re in the room, you realise how professional and comfortable the whole process actually is.
I also wasn’t sure if it would actually work or if it would be worth the money — but after just a few sessions, I couldn’t believe the difference. My skin felt smoother than it ever had before, and those awful ingrown hairs that used to drive me mad? Gone. The red bumps faded, my skin tone
evened out, and for the first time in years, I didn’t feel like I had to hide my legs.
That’s when I thought, if this has made me feel this confident, imagine how many other people I could help by offering this professionally.
Fast-forward to now, and AJMR Studios is open — my dream turned into reality. Every day, I see women and men walk through my door who feel just like I used to. They’re tired of constant shaving, tired of the irritation, tired of wasting money on temporary fixes. And I get it, because I’ve been there.
Laser hair removal isn’t just about vanity — it’s about freedom. The freedom to wake up and not think about shaving. The freedom to wear what you want, feel confident in your skin, and not be ruled by body hair or irritation.
What It Really Feels Like
Let’s clear something up — laser hair removal isn’t scary or painful. Most of my clients describe it as a quick, warm flick, It’s over before you know it,
and with modern technology, it’s gentler and more precise than ever.
At Sphynx Laser, I use advanced technology designed to make treatments comfortable, effective, and safe for all skin types. Each session targets your hair follicles at the root, slowly reducing their ability to regrow. Over a few sessions, you’ll notice patches staying smoother for longer until — eventually — you barely need to think about it at all.
What I love most is watching my clients’ confidence grow with each appointment. The relief on their faces when their skin stops breaking out or when those stubborn ingrown hairs finally disappear — that’s why I do what I do.
And yes, laser works brilliantly for both men and women, whether it’s legs, underarms, face, back, or bikini. Smooth skin isn’t just a “female” thing — everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident.
The Long-Term Payoff
I like to think of laser hair removal as the ultimate investment in you. Sure, the upfront cost is more than a razor, but think about how much money you spend each year on razors, wax strips, and soothing creams. Not to mention the time you waste!
With Sphynx Laser, once your course is complete, you’ll only need an occasional top-up. The results last for years, your skin looks healthier, and you’re no longer dealing with daily irritation or stubble.
It’s low-maintenance luxury — and I always tell my clients, you deserve it.
Skincare: The Secret to Radiant Results
Smooth, hair-free skin is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you pair laser treatments with good skincare habits.
Before and after each session, I encourage my clients to treat their skin gently. Think hydration, not harsh exfoliation. Avoid anything too active or scented before a session, and after your treatment, focus on soothing and protecting your skin.
A good moisturiser, a calming serum, and SPF are your best friends. And I can’t stress this enough — sunscreen is non-negotiable. Protecting your skin from UV rays keeps it even-toned, healthy, and glowing.
Over the years, I’ve tried so many products, but one brand that’s completely stolen my heart is La Biosthétique Paris.
Why I’m Loving La Biosthétique
When I first discovered La Biosthétique, I was drawn to its story. Founded in Paris in the 1950s by biochemist Marcel Contier, the name literally means “the biology of beauty.” That philosophy — blending nature, science, and artistry — really resonated with me.
Their products are beautifully formulated, luxurious, and incredibly effective. I love that they focus on what your skin truly needs, not just trends. And the fact that many of their products are made with over 90% natural-origin ingredients, are vegan, and silicone-free makes me love them even more.
There are a few products I’ve personally used and completely swear by:
• La Biosthétique Dermosthétique Hyaluronic Serum – This is pure hydration in a bottle. It plumps, smooths, and gives your skin that fresh, dewy bounce — perfect after a laser session when your skin needs extra moisture.
• La Biosthétique Clair de Teint Clarifiant Cleanser – A gentle yet powerful cleanser that keeps skin fresh and clear without stripping it. It’s brilliant for anyone prone to congestion or post-shave bumps.
• La Biosthétique Traitement Hydratant Cream – A beautiful daily moisturiser that locks in hydration and leaves the skin soft and silky. It’s lightweight, but it gives long-lasting comfort — ideal for post-laser care.
I love that these products fit into a busy lifestyle. As a single mum running a business, I don’t have time for complicated 10-step routines. I need skincare that works — and La Biosthétique delivers. It’s that simple.
A Little Self-Care Goes a Long Way
Running Sphynx Laser and AJMR Studios while being a mum means life can get hectic, but I’ve learned that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. Whether it’s a relaxing facial, a quiet
cup of coffee before the day starts, or a laser session that gives you back your confidence, it all adds up.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean spending hours on beauty rituals. It’s about doing the small things that make you feel like you again. For some people, that’s skincare. For others, it’s getting rid of that one thing that’s been holding them back — like unwanted hair or skin insecurities.
That’s what I love about laser. It’s not just about smooth legs or hair-free underarms — it’s about giving people the confidence to walk out the door feeling empowered, fresh, and free.
Why I Opened AJMR Studios
Opening AJMR Studios in Waterloo, Crosby, was one of the scariest but most rewarding things I’ve ever done. As a single mum, I wanted to build something that wasn’t just a business — but a space where people could come, relax, and feel looked after.
I know how personal beauty treatments can be. It’s not just about the physical results — it’s about trust, comfort, and connection. That’s what I wanted AJMR to be. When my clients walk through the door, I want them to feel safe, understood, and excited to invest in themselves.
Whether someone’s coming in for a full Sphynx Laser course or just popping by for advice on
skincare, my goal is always the same — to help them leave feeling confident and cared for.
Real Confidence Starts With You
The truth is, confidence doesn’t come from a bottle or a treatment — it comes from you. But the right treatments and products can absolutely help you feel like your best self.
Laser hair removal gave me that boost. It helped me feel more feminine, polished, and comfortable in my own skin. And when you start to feel that way, everything else — your posture, your mood, your energy — follows.
My clients often tell me that after finishing their laser course, they feel lighter, more put-together, and free. It’s amazing how something so simple can have such a powerful impact.
Final Thoughts — From Me to You
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my journey, it’s that self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s an act of self-respect.
You deserve to feel confident in your skin, no matter who you are or what your routine looks like. Laser hair removal isn’t just about beauty — it’s about empowerment. It’s about saying goodbye to irritation and inconvenience, and hello to confidence, smoothness, and time for the things you actually enjoy.
Pair that with a little skincare love (La Biosthétique has my heart!) and a consistent routine, and your skin will thank you.
At AJMR Studios, through Sphynx Laser, I get to help people experience that every day — and it’s honestly the best feeling in the world.
So if you’ve been thinking about trying laser hair removal, or you’re ready to invest in better skin, consider this your sign. You deserve to look good, feel confident, and love the skin you’re in.
Because when you take care of your skin, you’re not just changing how you look — you’re changing.
With 2025 coming to a close, it’s important to reflect on the major milestones that have been achieved in women’s football this year. Focusing again on the European Women’s Championship, a record number attendance of 623,088 was accomplished; increasing by over
48,000 from the previous women’s Euros. Not only did we see an attendance record broken for the tournament, but on a national level here in England, a new record was set for the FA Women’s Cup final, as Wembley Stadium hosted 77,390 spectators in May. These two numbers show that the support for women’s football is there, we now just need to nourish it and keep striving to make more history.
2025 has been a very special year for women’s football as the Lionesses were crowned European champions in July of this year. Women’s football has been growing exponentially over the past few years, and credit can definitely be given to the England Women’s team. In the past 3 years, the Lionesses have won back-to-back European Championships and featured in the World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to a talented Spanish team. This European Championship was certainly one to remember, and one that has propelled female football forward.
The 2025 Women’s Euros was hosted by Switzerland, which was the country’s first time hosting an international women’s championship. The tournament included 16 teams, with England automatically becoming a favourite as the defending champions. England, who were initially ranked 7, were drawn in a tough group alongside France, The Netherlands and Wales; however, they overcame all the odds after losing their first game to qualify
for the knockout stages. From here, the Lionesses carried that momentum all the way through to the final where they reclaimed the European title after added time and penalties. Fans from all over England celebrated the victory and praised the female players for bringing silverware home. Not only did they win the trophy, but they also won the hearts of thousands of football fans who have been desperate to see their international side find success.
It is so important to not only praise the team for their success on the pitch, but the significant impact they have had off it too. Regardless of background, age, gender or location, the 2025 Women’s Euros united people to cultivate support for women’s sports. It is no secret that there is still prejudice towards female athletes; however, the high-quality talent that was exhibited during the tournament showed young girls aspiring to be footballers that their dreams can come true. The more success professional female footballers have, the quicker the game will grow for all those involved. It is evident to see that there are more
girls playing football than ever, and what an amazing thing that is to witness!
Moving forward, what can we hope for in 2026? First and foremost, we can be optimistic that young girls will be inspired to begin playing football. More and more youth teams are starting up around the country, giving young female footballers access to playing and competing in the sport they love. Secondly, we can anticipate growth in the top two divisions of English women’s football. For the 2026/2027 season, the top two divisions of English women’s football (the Women’s Super League 1 & 2) will be expanding to welcome more teams than ever. Not only does this demonstrate the increased investment into women’s football, it also shows that there is a demand for competitive female football here in England. On top of this, it was recently announced that all clubs in these leagues will be required to pay their athletes a full-time wage. This is a huge step in the
right direction, as this will allow female footballers to leave their part-time jobs to pursue football as their sole career. Finally, we can dream of more championships for our Lionesses, and potentially an international trophy for an English club.
A key aspect of growing the women’s game further is to promote it in all spaces. Visibility is so important for the female game to develop and expand. This column will deliver news, insights and updates on the latest in women’s football, whilst monitoring the progress it is making year-round. In addition, we will share the best ways to keep up to date with all things women’s football. Whether it is attending a live match, watching a game on television or supporting your favourite team on their social media, there are so many avenues that you can take to move the game forward. Inch by inch, 1 percent by 1 percent, every ounce of support will push women’s football closer to reaching its full potential.
