{"id":451984,"date":"2025-12-16T23:52:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T23:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/451984\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T23:52:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T23:52:15","slug":"helen-skeltons-fitness-routine-at-42-why-her-do-what-you-can-approach-makes-sense-at-any-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/451984\/","title":{"rendered":"Helen Skelton\u2019s fitness routine at 42 \u2013 why her \u2018do what you can\u2019 approach makes sense at any age"},"content":{"rendered":"

At 42, Helen Skelton has a very impressive fitness<\/a> CV. Having taken on some of the world\u2019s toughest endurance challenges throughout her career, including a 78-mile Ultramarathon in Namibia, a world record-breaking solo kayak down the Amazon river and a South Pole cycling trek, she\u2019s no stranger to a challenge. <\/p>\n

Variety is king<\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently, though, the mum-of-three is challenging herself on more of an everyday level when it comes to fitness. \u2018I exercise because I don’t want to be frail,\u2019 she told Woman & Home in a recent interview<\/a>, adding that she preferred not to focus on one specific type of workout to prevent it feeling like \u2018a chore\u2019. <\/p>\n

Indeed, she previously told Women\u2019s Fitness<\/a> how she prioritises variety when exercising. \u2018I have always mixed up my fitness routine,\u2019 she said, \u2018I go through phases of doing things like netball<\/a> and Zumba<\/a>, to running with a child in a pram, to HIIT<\/a> sessions with the kids. Also, I adore cycling, and always take the kids on bike rides. I am lucky to be living in the countryside as it is the best way to get around.\u2019<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s an approach the science suggests works \u2013 one 2023 analysis<\/a> of 28 studies found that adding variety to exercise routines can increase enjoyment, motivation and adherence.<\/p>\n

Related StoryFor the right reasons<\/strong><\/p>\n

As for exercising to avoid frailty, that\u2019s something we are absolutely here for at WH \u2013 so-called \u2018muscle-first medicine<\/a>\u2019 \u2013 increasing and maintaining muscle mass as you age \u2013 is crucial for healthy ageing.<\/p>\n

Helen told Woman & Home that she goes to the gym \u2018for joy, not aesthetics\u2019. \u2018I work out to keep my head clear, not my bum peachy! I like movement and sport<\/a>. I’m not one for those shouty, dark gyms \u2013 I get enough of that energy at home with my kids!\u2019<\/p>\n

In other words, Helen treats her workouts as much of a boost for her brain as her body. \u2018When I exercise, I find I am so much calmer and a better person all round,\u2019 she told Women\u2019s Fitness. \u2018My brain gets an excellent workout and that is what is far more important to me.\u2019<\/p>\n

The power of walking<\/strong><\/p>\n

And while Helen is known to switch up her fitness routine, there\u2019s one thing she will consistently prioritise: walking<\/a>. \u2018I\u2019m obsessed with steps \u2013 my friends tease me \u2013 but I’ve always been like that. I love fresh air. I don’t even mind the rain; it makes me feel alive. I’m lucky living in the countryside, but even if it’s dark, I\u2019ll go for a walk. Movement and fresh air make me feel good. And honestly, if you wrap up right, there\u2019s something so smugly satisfying about braving the rain,\u2019 Helen told Woman & Home. <\/p>\n

In a world full of fancy gyms and conflicting fitness advice, it can be easy to forget just how good walking \u2013 a weight-bearing activity \u2013 is for your health and longevity. And you don\u2019t have to hit 10,000 daily steps either; in case you weren\u2019t aware, that\u2019s a relatively arbitrary figure that can be traced back to an old pedometer marketing campaign. <\/p>\n

Newer scientific studies have identified health benefits from as little as 2,600 steps per day<\/a>, with one recent paper<\/a> finding that walking for at least 15 minutes (which works out at about 1,500 steps) without stopping is ideal and gives your heart a good workout. The study, which looked at 33,560 adults aged 40-79 in the UK, concluded that one longer walk per day outdoes multiple shorter strolls for reducing risk of heart problems. <\/p>\n

Another very recently published study<\/a> also suggested that walking may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer\u2019s disease among people at heightened risk. Researchers found that cognitive decline was delayed by three years on average for people who walked 3,000-5,000 steps per day, and by seven years in people who walked 5,000-7,500 steps per day. <\/p>\n

Related StoryThe simple things<\/strong><\/p>\n

Helen also highlighted how her focus was on \u2018the simple stuff\u2019 \u2013 \u2018Move more, eat well, and sleep\u2019, she told Woman & Home. It\u2019s helped family members, she added: \u2018I look at my aunt \u2013 she’s still in the gym three times a week \u2013 and think, \u201cThat’s worked for you\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n

Doing what you can is an approach we can all learn from, and it\u2019s clearly allowed Helen to maintain a very good fitness base, motivation, and openness to trying new things \u2013 she even did a HYROX<\/a> with Morning Live co-host Gethin Jones earlier this year. <\/p>\n

Her commitment to doing some form of exercise daily, even if it\u2019s \u2018just for 10 minutes\u2019 \u2013 which, again, research shows has tangible health benefits<\/a> \u2013 and resting, fuelling<\/a> and recovering well is something we should all take into the New Year.<\/p>\n

Related Stories\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n