Latest news with #fitness
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Why fitness bros are embracing the ‘big butt' trend
We've all heard the joke – that 'glute days' were something straight men skipped, and even mocked. The focus was always on having big arms or a six-pack, because that's what women liked. But now, straight men around the world are no longer neglecting their backsides and are focusing on exercises to give them a 'shelf-like butt'. Fitness bros are now fighting to use the hip thrust machine and swapping chest presses for dead lifts. Meanwhile, thousands of men are flocking to pilates classes, which is only adding to the idea that they're more focused on their glutes than ever. And the fact that over 400 men in the U.S. had Brazilian butt lifts last year backs this up – pun intended. Even brands are embracing the trend, launching male butt-enhancing leggings, underwear, and chinos. 'It was once laughed at,' said fitness coach John Rusin to GQ. 'And now people are standing in line at commercial centres to use the hip thrust machine.' Social media feeds reflect this change, with male fitness influencers talking directly to their followers about how to grow their glutes. But why has this shift occurred, and what are the potential fitness benefits? Reason behind the shift Like with most fitness trends, there's no one single reason for the change. Some fitness buffs simply want to look good from all angles. For others, it's about how stronger glute muscles help power other exercises, from lifting to running. For some, like Sydney-based gym-goer Jake, 35, growing his glutes was all about helping his lower back issues. 'I knew that I needed to grow my glutes to strengthen my lower back area,' he told 'The bigger glutes I gained from my rehab exercises were never a priority, but a nice bonus.' Rusin says this isn't an uncommon story. Strong glutes are known to help you move better: protect the knees; support the hips; and reduce lower back pain. 'Whether you're a man or woman, you can't afford not to train them,' he explained. Another reason for the shift is that male aesthetic trends often follow queer trends, and gay men have long appreciated a good butt. And the GQ writer suggests that female preferences are changing too, with 81 per cent of women who date men saying they 'love a good man butt'. Gyms are catching onto this shift, with companies like F45 now adding more glute-focused training to their workouts. 'We're adding more unilateral movements like single-leg RDLs and split squats, as well as sled pushes and hip-dominant step-ups. This is becoming more popular,' a spokesperson for F45 told the outlet. Tide is turning Jake says he's embracing the trend and will keep prioritising lower-body training. But he notes there has long been a stigma around these types of exercises for guys in his fitness community. 'I think focusing on glutes specifically has always come with a bit of a giggle,' he said. 'There's this idea that no one wants to be thought of as the guy who wants a good booty. But if you're skipping leg day, you're missing out – and you'll be the guy on the beach in summer too afraid to wear budgie smugglers. 'Drop the ego and drop your third upper body day of the week.'
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Five stretches you should be doing every day according to a flexibility expert
If you want to add some mood-boosting movement into your day but, for whatever reason, you don't always manage to get a workout in, you don't necessarily need to commit to a long run or sweaty HIIT session. Stretching can be a welcome alternative, helping soothe sore muscles and providing a welcome break from the stresses of a busy schedule. Everyone can benefit from stretching, and the good news is that it's easy to do. If you're wondering where to start, try this seven-minute routine from flexibility expert Tom Merrick – better known to his one million YouTube subscribers as the Bodyweight Warrior. 'For most people, the biggest benefit they're going to get from [stretching to develop] flexibility is that feeling of losing restriction and gaining freedom to be able to move, even if that's just bending over to pick up something or play with the kids,' he says. Below, Merrick has shared five stretches he does every day and recommends for everyone to ease tight hips, improve shoulder health and improve flexibility in knees, hips and ankles. The five stretches you should be doing every day 1. The 90/90 'The 90/90 is one of my favourite general stretches for the hips,' Merrick says. 'It hits every single angle you're going to require, covering both internal and external rotation of the joint, with the focus of bringing more movement and more awareness into the hips.' He says that most people he sees are 'very locked up around the hips'. As a result, 'their back then ends up doing a lot of the movement for them'. 'Also, if you're sitting a lot in the day, you're going to get some compression and tightness of the glutes, and they then have an impact on other lower body positions like the squat,' Merrick adds. 'If we get more movement into the hips, I've found that's one of the best ways to help people feel more free and move better.' How to do it Sit upright with your right thigh perpendicular to your torso and your left thigh directly out in front of you. Your knees should both form a right angle, and your hands can be placed on the ground behind you for support. From here, lift both knees so they point at the ceiling, then allow them to fall in the opposite direction so your left thigh is perpendicular to your torso and your right thigh is extended in front of you. Continue to transition between these two positions, holding each side for a few deep breaths, for 90 seconds to two minutes. In this video, Merrick demonstrates some methods you can use to elevate this stretch or target specific muscles and movements. 2. The couch stretch This is another stretch that targets the hip flexors – the muscles around the pelvis, responsible for bringing your knees towards your chest – as well as the quadriceps on the front of the thigh. 'If you're doing sports like running and cycling, or you're doing a lot of sitting, it can cause this tightening up of the quad and hip flexors,' Merrick says. 'The nature of these activities means you're encouraging that flexed forward, tightened position [of the hips]. The couch stretch provides more of an extended position – the opposite experience to the stuff you would normally do day to day. 'It's also a really nice one because a lot of hip stretches won't include knee flexion [bending], which is going to stretch our rectus femoris – part of the quad muscle.' How to do it Place your left knee on the floor against a wall so your shin extends vertically upwards. Step your right foot forward so you're in a lunge position, with your left thigh and torso forming a straight line. Think about tucking your hips by squeezing your glutes (buttock muscles), and trying to pull your rear knee forward to contract the hip flexors. Place your hands on the floor inside your right foot, beneath your shoulders, for support. Hold this position for 60 to 90 seconds on each side. You can deepen this stretch by moving your torso more upright. Merrick says the couch stretch can be scaled to suit most fitness levels too. If you're new to flexibility training, you can start by keeping your hands on the floor for support and leaning forward over your front leg. As your flexibility increases, you can sit more upright to increase extension at the hip and flexion of the knee. 3. The squat This one might sound more like a strength-building exercise than a stretch, but Merrick says being able to hold a solid squat position 'demonstrates a reasonable flexibility at several joints including the ankle, knee and hips'. 'This is a fundamental human position, and it's a useful one to be able to get into,' he adds. 'If you're going to do any form of resistance training, you're probably going to come across a squat, and if you have kids or want to pick something up from the ground, you're going to want to be able to access this low position.' How to do it Stand with your feet roughly hip-width apart and your toes pointed slightly outwards. Keeping your chest up and your spine long, sink your hips down into a deep squat position. If you find yourself falling backwards, or you're unable to keep your chest up and your spine long in the bottom of the squat, hold onto a sturdy anchor point in front of you for extra support. Hold this position for 60 to 120 seconds, or watch Merricks' video for some variations to try. Most people will find they fall backwards when they try to get into a deep squat position, Merrick says. This is due to a lack of flexibility at either the ankles or hips, which forces the spine to round and more weight to be placed towards the back of the squat. To remedy this, he recommends practising sitting in a deep squat position while holding a sturdy anchor point in front of you, focusing on keeping your chest up and maintaining good positions. 'This comes down to the SAID [specific adaptation to imposed demand] principle,' says Merrick. 'If you want to get better at X, do X more, so find a way you can sit in a squat comfortably, then you can spend some time wiggling about, moving, and trying to get a good stretch.' 4. The hang Like the squat before it, Merrick says the hang covers a lot of bases. It can aid overhead flexibility for improved shoulder health, stretch a range of muscles around the shoulder joint including the latissimus dorsi in the back and pectorals in the chest, and it provides decompression of the spine too. 'During the day we might get a lot of compression in the spine just from being on our feet, moving around, sitting down,' he explains. 'Hanging allows gravity to pull that spine down and lengthen it.' How to do it Grab a pull-up bar with an overhand grip and your hands roughly shoulder-width apart. Take your feet off the ground to support your weight through your grip. Think about pulling your chest in to create a straighter body position. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. If you are unable to support your bodyweight, use a lower pull-up bar and keep your feet on the ground to support some of your weight. Slowly reduce the weight taken by your feet over time to progress this move. Hanging can also develop your grip strength, which has been identified as an 'indispensable biomarker' for older adults in a review published in the Clinical Interventions in Aging journal. This is because it indicates good generalised strength, bone density and other important health markers. 'We know that grip strength is a really important factor, one for sports but also for longevity,' Merrick says. 'From hanging, we're going to naturally build some strength in the grip – being able to hang for between 30 and 60 seconds would be a good target for most people.' 5. The elephant walk into pike hold The hamstrings are the large muscles that run down the back of the thigh. In his time working with people to improve their flexibility, Merrick says tightness in this area is one of the main things that hampers clients' freedom of movement. 'If you want to work on more advanced flexibility, the hamstrings are almost like a key. If you unlock them, it lets the hips tilt and move more freely, which then is going to make you feel more flexible in general for things like squatting. So stretching the hamstrings in one form or another is great.' He says the elephant walk, where you reach towards the ground and straighten one leg at a time to stretch your hamstrings and shift your hips, is his favourite position for achieving this. How to do it Stand upright with a slight bend in your knees, then reach your hands towards the ground in front of you. With your hands on the ground for support, straighten your left leg while keeping your right knee slightly bent. Hold this position for a second, then switch sides. Continue to do this for 60 seconds, then straighten both legs and try to place your hands on the back of your lower legs, using them to pull you deeper into the stretch. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. Should you try stretching? Stretching shouldn't be your only form of exercise – strength training and raising your heart rate with some form of cardio are key ingredients when cooking up a fit, functional body. But stretching can be a great way to enjoy a more relaxed form of movement while enjoying the many benefits listed above. 'It's universal, everyone can benefit from stretching,' Merrick says. 'The benefits really come down to the application. If you lift weights or do most other sports, the ability to put your arms overhead and squat down are two pretty crucial elements.' 'And we're all going to have to pick something off the floor at some point, so you would want to be able to touch the floor at the bare minimum – ideally, you would be able to get your palms down with straight legs. If you can do those three then you're going to have more than adequate flexibility to take anything that life throws at you.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New luxury gym studio opens in former dairy
A new luxury fitness studio has opened in Hove. Zone4, a premium fitness studio located on The Droveway, has recently launched in Hove's converted Old Dairy housing development. Its founder, Max Smith, has been a personal trainer for almost 20 years and wanted to create a new fitness space that had "everything under one roof". Max Smith, who has worked in the fitness industry for almost 20 years, wanted to create a fitness space that had everything under one roof. (Image: Newsquest) The studio offers one-on-one personal training as well as small and large group sessions. It also features a variety of high-intensity classes, including Hyrox training, along with Pilates and yoga. Tech is being used by the team at Zone 4 to provide members a tailored experience to help them reach their goals, with some of the classes involving the use of heart-rate monitors. Live data is displayed on studio screens which enables trainers to provide guidance based on each individual's intensity levels. As well as the use of MyZone heart rate monitors and body analysis tools, one of the most unique features of Zone 4 is their dedicated indoor sauna and ice bath room. (Image: Zone 4) Members can choose to use the traditional sauna or infrared sauna. Max said: "The USP, I think, is the higher level of finish and creating a space where people actually want to be. "We're not the kind of gym you dread going to at 6am. "Instead of thinking, 'Ugh, I have to go to the gym,' we want people to feel like, 'This is somewhere I want to go.' A number of classes take place at Zone 4. (Image: Zone 4) 'It is a place with a high quality finish that makes you want to spend more time here.' Much investment has also put into the studio's changing room and shower area which sits on the top floor. Members can make use of the lockers provided and use the dressing area complete with Dyson hairdryers and large mirrors. (Image : Zone 4)When designing the gym, Max envisioned an on site coffee shop that would serve both its members as well as local residents. Flint is the studio's in house coffee shop, which is open every day. Max said: 'We've got about 15 seats out here, which we will slowly be increasing. 'When the sun's out and the music's on in the gym, it's a nice place to relax as we are set back from the road." Flint is the fitness studios in house coffee shop. (Image: Zone 4) Max says the new facility is a space tailored for "serious fitness minds" as well as newcomers. Zone4 is located at Studio 1, Dairy Place, The Droveway, Hove, and is currently offering free taster classes for new members.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ski-inspired Workout Nordic Strong Lands in New York
Skiing just became a summer sport. Nordic Strong, a Copenhagen-based ski workout concept, has made its way to New York. This summer, the brand will be hosting a pop-up fitness studio in Sag Harbor at 11 Bridge Street until Labor Day, followed by a permanent outpost in Flatiron at 35 West 21st Street in Manhattan in early September. A single drop in class costs $50. More from WWD Inside Puppy Sphere, the Endorphin-boosting Non-workout Yoga Class Inside Pride x Boom, New York Pride Weekend's Kick-off Party Watermill Center Unveils 'Upside Down Zebra,' a Celebration of Childhood Art and Contemporary Creativity Nordic Strong employs a patented machine, which the fitness brand now owns, that replicates cross-country skiing. The machine can create 50-plus low-impact, full-body workouts and can be customized in a variety of ways. 'We found our first location in Copenhagen and opened that two years ago as a proof of concept. We knew we wanted to take it to the U.S.,' saya Nordic Strong founder and chief executive officer Nicole Roth. 'All classes are centered around the machine, but because it's so versatile we use it in different ways. We do a strength class, a cardio class and a sculpt class that's Pilates-based.' Each class is 50 minutes and also may employ mat work, weights and Bala accessories. Inspired by its Copenhagen roots, the space incorporates a cozy, Nordic-esque design, while the classes feature custom color lights inspired by the Northern lights. Roth described the concept as 'rooted in the Nordic heritage, but still globally relevant.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Oprah Winfrey, 71, shows off her Ozempic weight loss in fitted gymwear as she enjoys a workout with Gayle King, 40, and Orlando Bloom, 48, in Venice ahead of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding
Oprah Winfrey showed off her slimmed-down figure as she enjoyed a pre-wedding workout with buddies Gayle King and Orlando Bloom in Venice on Friday morning. Ahead of Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos ' ceremony that evening, the guests managed to squeeze in a jog around the cobbled streets. TV personality Oprah, 71, looked incredible as she displayed her weight loss in a fitted blue T-shirt and ribbed leggings. The talk show host - who once topped the scales at 237lbs in 1992 - finally reached her 160lb goal weight in 2023 after undergoing double-knee replacement surgery in 2021. After vehemently denying she had ever taken weight loss drugs, she finally admitted to taking them in a shock interview. Oprah lead the pack of celebrities flaunting much smaller physiques, alongside her best friend Gayle, 70, who has also dropped the pounds. The pair may have been on holiday but they were determined not to let their fitness levels drop She also dressed casually in a blue vest, teamed with a pair of fitted shorts. The duo bumped into Orlando, 48, on their workout, who chatted with the pair before continuing with his run. Earlier in the day the group had enjoyed breakfast at the Gritti Hotel amid the wedding celebrations, which are expected to continue until Sunday. A-list stars have flocked to the romantic city to attend the lavish wedding reveling in the opportunity to parade their slimmer bodies amid the Ozempic trend sweeping Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, looked considerably thinner as he arrived for the celebrations, although his method for recently transforming from tubby to trim remains a mystery. Kim Kardashian, 44, and her sisters also showcased their impossibly small waistlines. Her sister Khloe, 41, also showed off her gym-honed figure into a simple black summer dress as she went shopping with her leopard print clad mother Kris Jenner. But the bride-to-be was not to be outdone - with Sanchez, 55, wearing the most eye-popping corset of all to her pre-wedding party at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters on Thursday night. The talk show host - who once topped the scales at 237lbs in 1992 - finally reached her 160lb goal weight in 2023 after undergoing double-knee replacement surgery in 2021 The TV personality, 71 - who once topped the scales at 237lbs in 1992 - finally reached her 160lb goal weight in 2023 after undergoing double-knee replacement surgery in 2021 The Ozempic wedding! Celebrities including Oprah showed off their skinny waistlines at Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding extravaganza in Venice on Thursday wearing a Valentino Garavani dress Oprah is pictured in August 2019 before her weight loss Kim Kardashian and bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez showcased their tiny waistlines at the pre-wedding party Suddenly slim Leonardo DiCaprio also revealed his trim new look (left, and right in 2019) The wedding ceremony itself is set to take place on Friday, June 27 - but festivities are already underway in preparation for the big day. Oprah looked more confident than ever at the pre-wedding party while sporting a purple and white-colored ensemble with small cutouts on the sides that showcased her shrinking midriff. The former talk show host has showed off her slimmer figure in recent months - such as when she made an appearance at the 2025 Tony Awards in NYC. Back in 2023, the star admitted to taking weight loss medication and at the time she told People, 'I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing... 'The fact that there's a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for.' Winfrey added, 'I'm absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself' and explained she had recommended weight loss drugs to people before making the choice to also take the medication for herself. However, despite her weight loss journey being aided by medication, Oprah told the outlet that she also sticks to a fitness regime to also shed pounds, and maintain a lower weight. And earlier this year in January, the star expressed that taking weight-loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, helped her realize the truth about 'thin people.' Oprah - who has lost nearly 50 pounds with the aid of one of the newly popular weight-loss drugs - was seen arriving to Venice on Thursday She once again gave a glimpse at her smaller frame as she attended a party later on Thursday while sporting a purple and white-colored ensemble with small cutouts on the sides Kim Kardashian has also recently sparked surgery speculation as she continues to flashy her very tiny waistline. As she arrived to Venice on Thursday, the TV personality showcased her sculpted midriff in a Balenciaga outfit. The mom-of-four donned a strapless, black bandeau top as well as a maxi skirt and snakeskin boots. Her slim waist was further put on display as she later also stopped by the star-studded bash in a snakeskin Versace dress that clung to her curves and had small cutouts on the front. Bedazzled embellishments were added on the plunging neckline as well as the straps that wrapped around her shoulders. The star's long dark locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves. Kim has briefly opened up about her size in the past, such as in 2018 when Elle Magazine reported that she had a 24 inch waist and hips that measured 39 inches. The media personality also notably dropped 21 pounds in order to fit into Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress for the Met Gala back in 2022. The bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez also flaunted her slim waist while heading to Thursday's party in Venice. She wore a strapless gold dress with a fitted, corset bodice as well as intricate embroidery on the skirt and top portion. The journalist slipped into a pair of closed-toed, gold pumps and styled her locks into a chic ponytail. Bezos was seen helping Lauren into a boat as they headed to their next destination and the pair later sent waves to onlookers nearby. Speculation has previously arisen that Sanchez has undergone procedures such as a facelift and injectable fillers. Back in April, she uploaded an Instagram clip ahead of her Blue Origin space trip - and plastic surgeons told that they believe she had additional fillers in her cheeks and lips as well as fresh Botox around her eyes at the time. Khloe Kardashian was also seen joining her mom Kris Jenner and most of her siblings during the wedding extravaganza this week. The Good American founder put on a stylish display wearing a fitted dress with small cutouts on the material and a lowcut neckline. Earlier in the day, the beauty showed off her toned figure wearing an animal-print jumpsuit as she arrived to Venice. Last week on her Khloe In Wonder Land podcast, she addressed the 'gross' reaction that she got over her weight loss. 'The bigger I was, I was way more confident. I think because, like, what are going to say about me? I know all the things you're going to say. I would have my days that I would feel low and all of that.' She added, 'When I started my fitness journey and, like, becoming in shape, I felt such a need that I had to keep this up, like even if it wasn't for me. I felt like, "Well, I can't get fat again, because everyone is expecting that to happen." 'It was also a different type of attention I was now receiving. And then once I got a little older, I was like, "Wait, this is gross." I hated that that's why I was getting more attention because I looked a certain way.' Khloe later reflected, 'I've learned, no matter what, I'm never going to make people happy because I was once bigger, I was thinner, and I had the same amount of people, but from different ends.' Gayle King - who has also recently showed off her slimmed-down look - was also spotted during the festivities on Thursday. The TV personality was seen arriving to the Venice Marco Polo airport wearing a long-sleeved white top as well as pastel green cargo pants. Gayle King - who has also recently showed off her slimmed-down look - was also spotted during the festivities on Thursday King later dressed to impress alongside Oprah wearing a yellow and white-colored dress for the bash. In recent months, fans have begun to speculate that Gayle may have also used Ozempic to help aid in weight loss. Slimmed-down Leonardo DiCaprio was also seen making an appearance on Thursday with his supermodel girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti. The Titanic actor wore a classic black suit as well as a white dress shirt and a black cap that was placed on top of his head. Fans had previously pointed out the Oscar winner's fuller figure but he appears to have gone back to his leaner frame in the latest outing this week. Bezos and Sanchez's $20 million ceremony will take place on Friday - although it was revealed on Thursday that the couple are already legally married. A source told 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.' They added, 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married. Slimmed-down Leonardo DiCaprio was also seen making an appearance on Thursday with his supermodel girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti Bezos and Sanchez's $20 million ceremony will take place on Friday - although it was revealed on Thursday that the couple are already legally married; seen in May in France 'There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required. 'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning,' the insider continued. It was also added that the billionaire confirmed both he and Lauren are legally married and that they have signed a prenuptial agreement as well. The A-list guests that are attending the wedding - including the Kardashian/Jenner clan - are staying at five star hotels in Venice such as the Aman, The Gritti Palace and the Cipriani.
