Ruth Gaukrodger

1 week ago | fitandwell.com | Ruth Gaukrodger

I first started running in 2020 when I did a Couch to 5K program. I completed the running plan in a few months and felt pretty proud of myself. However, by the end of the program, I wasn’t actually running 5km—I was running for 30 minutes, which took me to around 4.5km. That’s the quiet flaw with Couch to 5K programs. Despite the name, they train you to run for time, not distance.

1 month ago | fitandwell.com | Ruth Gaukrodger

Last year, I downloaded a running plan in an attempt to speed up my 5K times. I armed myself with a pair of Brooks Ghost 16 and spent months racking up slow miles to improve my base fitness and cardio endurance. I finally managed to get my 5k running time under 30 minutes, finishing at 28min 39sec. Switching my old sneakers for the Brooks Ghost 16 definitely helped. The shoes’ comfort and bounce kept me comfortable on concrete surfaces, even when tackling longer 10km jogs.

1 month ago | msn.com | Ruth Gaukrodger

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1 month ago | fitandwell.com | Ruth Gaukrodger

There are many reasons to get stronger, but often, what motivates you changes as you get older. For instance, very few 20-year-olds exercise to maintain their independence but that takes on greater importance in retirement. When I asked Hayley Madigan—a trainer, sports scientist and Oner Active athlete—about the best exercises to do if you’re new to exercise and over 65, she suggested focusing on functional everyday movements, like squats and step-ups.

1 month ago | fitandwell.com | Ruth Gaukrodger

I love yoga. It’s great for stretching out tight hips and shoulders after a long day at the desk. The breathing techniques are excellent for mental resets, the meditations help me focus on what’s important and the single-legged poses help me maintain my balance. I also love upbeat playlists and fast-paced movement, which is why I enjoy yoga teacher Jonelle Lewis’s classes on Apple’s Fitness+ platform. Lewis teaches traditional asanas but invites you to match her beat as she moves.