We all know how crucial the right footwear is for your workout, but trend-conscious gym-goers in New York, LA and Miami now have to remember to pack their Manolos in their kit bag, too. Why? Because funky US gym chain Crunch has launched Stiletto Strength, a fitness class to teach you how to walk tall and look good in spiky heels, without a hint of a totter (it's all about posture, ankle strength and weight distribution, apparently). True, you wear trainers for most of the Pilates - and strength training-based class, only donning your stilettos for the last 15 minutes, but it still raised a disapproving eyebrow in the fitness fraternity. A podiatrist asked by Crunch to assess the class said women simply shouldn't wear heels - the old killjoy. Personally, I can't wait for the launch of a similar class over here ...
Women on wheels
Only half as many women as men regularly take to two wheels, according to the Cyclists' Touring Club, the UK's biggest cycling organisation. Fear of traffic and feeling intimidated are cited as the main reasons (though I suspect it may be as much to do with the way those helmets mess up your hair). The CTC's Cycling For Women weekend aims to make biking more fun and female-friendly. Spanning the weekend of June 2-4, activities include bike maintenance classes, bike checks, off-road and navigation skills and beginner-friendly rides of various distances. For a calendar of events around the country, call 0870 873 0060 or go to ctc.org.uk, where you can also download a free, eight-page guide to women's cycling.
Wired for sound
It used to be blatantly obvious when someone was listening to music while they were out running: they'd be proudly gripping their Walkman or, later, Discman. Then came discreet little MP3 players, and even armbands in which to store them. Now music on the move has been made even more unobtrusive, thanks to a new range of running tops, Sugoi Wired, which have built-in MP3/iPod housing and wire routing. The player sits snugly in a zipped area on the sleeve, while the wire threads through loops on the sleeve and neckline, so all you can see is a pair of earphones peeping out. Whatever next? Internal music players, installed like pacemakers? The Sugoi Wired range starts from £30 for a short-sleeved T-shirt, from essentialfitness.co.uk.
