Whether it’s dry January, Veganuary or a new exercise regime, thoughts at this time of the year tend to turn to health and fitness. To help you on your way, we’ve rounded up the best fitness aids on the market - from muscle gels and turmeric shots to body creams and massagers. 2023: we got this.
Natura Bissé Diamond Well-Living Warming Gel
(150ml, £54)
The rub:
Natura Bissé’s warming gel comes in a slick white tube with a black cap at the base. The clear gel contains a soothing blend of arnica, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.
The regime:
Squeeze a tiny amount onto your fingertips and apply to areas of stiffness – or likely stiffness – immediately after a workout, or use it after a warm bath to ease any aches and pains before bed.
The result:
Unlike the Deep Heats of the world, this warming gel goes on cold and warms up slowly to soothe muscles over time. We applied a little to a persistently knotty shoulder after a swim, and loved the subtle cinnamon scent and long-lasting effect. Despite the hefty price tag, a little goes a long way.
Moju Tumeric Shots
(4x420ml bottles, £27.80)
The rub:
Tumeric shots – thought to boost immunity - have been the rage for years. Moju create theirs using tumeric root, apple and lemon, as well as black pepper for absorption and cherry powder for taste. Each 420ml bottle contains approximately seven shots.
The regime:
Pour the liquid into a shot glass each morning for an instant boost, or down a glass post-exercise to re-awaken tired muscles. If the taste is too strong, add water and create a smoothie.
The result:
With the nation’s immunity at an all-time low due - thank you Covid - this little bottle had a tough job keeping us bug-free throughout December but, after a month of zingy shots, we can see what the fuss is about.
Germaine de Capuccini Perfect Forms - Total Fit & HD Lipo Control set
(£71.50, 200ml & 125ml)
The rub:
Germaine de Capuccini’s Perfect Forms set contains two products: a HP Lipo Control cream and a Total Fit two-tone oil. The former contains coffee seed extract, raspberry and sunflower seed oil; the latter green coffee, pomegranate and fruits of the forest.
The regime:
After a workout, apply a dot of the pearly pink cream to areas of cellulite, working it in until it vanishes. Next, shake the Total Fit bottle until the red and orange oils blend, and apply it on top of the cream until it too disappears.
The result:
While I’m sceptical about anti-cellulite creams, this two-phase post-exercise routine certainly gets the blood flowing while softening the skin. We loved the subtle fruity scent of the cream and the oil’s richness. Remember to twist the top of the oil to ‘off’ before throwing it back in your gym bag.
Million Dollar Medi +Skulpt Cream & Body Massager
(200ml, £30; £9.96)
The rub:
At 200mls, the cream comes in quite a large bottle, which might not be ideal for your gym or swim kit, but - with its pump action top and snap-shut lid – is mess-free. We loved the white and pink body massager.
The regime:
Pump a dot of the white cream onto your fingertips and apply directly onto clean skin after a period of exercise, targetting areas of stubborn cellulite. Next, use the masasging tool to make sure the cream is fully worked in.
The result:
The cream is thick enough to require some rigorous work but light enough to cover the entire body with a little amount. Unlike body brushes – which can feel prickly – the massaging tool glides around the skin without leaving marks.
Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Muscle Gel
(150ml, £36)
The rub:
Aromatherapy Associate’s De-stress Muscle Gel comes in a stylish white tube with a plastic lid at its base; it contains an aromatic blend of rosemary, ginger, lavender and black pepper.
The regime:
Apply a generous amount of the gel directly to the skin after a period of intense activity – or after long periods of inactivity - to ease joints and muscles.
The result:
Being quite viscous, the gel runs out without encouragement - don’t squeeze the tube if you have a only small area to cover. While we didn’t feel any instant heat but tension did slowly melt away to leave a calming lavender scent.
VOYA Lazy Days Detoxifying Seaweed Bath
£22
The rub:
VOYA's Seawead Bath consists of a large block of organic, hand-harvested seawead encased in a green net with a green rope around the outside, and a separate bag of sea salt.
The regime:
Soak the seawead in a bath of hot water - choosing whether to keep it contained in the net or release it to allow it to spring to life and move around the bath - before sprinkling in some sea salt.
The result:
We left the seawead in the net, placed it into a pre-run bath and draped the green rope over the edge for easy retrieval. The smell was more 'of the sea' than seawead and instantly transported us to the coast. The salt removes the hardness in the water making it - and our skin - feel silky (be careful not to slip).
Stylish Spy
4th January 2023
Spy Likes:
Minimalist lines; organic products; facial massage; tranquillity; interesting people-watching.
Spy Dislikes:
Discarded towels on loungers; steam rooms that aren't steamy; mobile phones.
