I'd never taken fitness seriously, yet the summer before my best friend got married, I found myself in the gym. I worked out frantically only using the cardio machines – all because I didn't know any better. In hindsight, I was taking a 'get fit quick' approach with little consideration for maximising my full potential - or for what it actually means to be healthy. Seven years on, I'm glad to say my approach to fitness isn't quite so naive. And I can pinpoint the exact moment it shifted: stumbling upon a TikTok by Stef Williams.
In a TikTok posted last year, the make-up artist turned mega lifestyle influencer, personal trainer, and fitness app founder, captured herself mid V-up with some poetic words to accompany: 'POV: you started prioritising your health instead of aesthetics & got in the best shape of your life'. As a professional motivator, perhaps you'd expect no less from Stef but for me, the words certainly hit home. The stars aligned when I met her in person at the launch of her activewear collection, Sefi's Define range, and I became convinced that her highly rated WeGLOW app would support my new outlook on fitness.
And I'm not alone. Founded by Stef in 2020, the app now has over 200,000 downloads and is rated 4.9 in Apple's App Store, making it one of the world’s highest rated fitness apps on the market. WeGlow's success can be put down to its all-encompassing nature. Its impressive exercise library counts over 600 different exercises, more than 1000 different workouts - not including the 26 different guides on offer - and real-time classes ideal for whether you're home or at the gym. There's an option of two different trainers, too, who each provide varying classes from yoga to strength building. Stef's 360º approach also means there's a nutritional section of the app that offers the same type of flexibility that caters to every diet with hundreds of recipes.
Watch: Stef Williams' Full Body Workout
My honest review of the WeGLOW app
The results speak for themselves. Nearly 500,000 workouts have been completed on the app and 14 million minutes have been spent working out through WeGLOW. More impressively, 96% of users say WeGLOW contributes positively to their lifestyle and mood, while 98% say they saw results within 3 months. It's something I can personally attest to. Thanks to the app's easy-to-follow, fully-guided prescribed workout plans, I've been able to maintain motivation and have religiously visited the gym at least three times a week for the last 10 months. Mentally, I'm thriving on new-found dedication, discipline, routine and time spent with myself. Physically, I've challenged myself to lift weights for the first time ever and have pushed beyond my limits, feeling stronger and healthier every step of the way.
When deciding the course of action, AI took centre stage. Instead of manually sifting through the Categories or Target Area sections on the app, I used the 'Find A New Guide' function to generate a recommended workout plan based on my preferences. Filtering in my choices of workout locations, experience level, frequency and focus, the app assigned me a 24-week plan tailored to my specific needs. The full body work outs, based on a mix of strength and resistance training, have not only improved my stamina, energy levels and focus but have helped me to feel lighter on my feet, and while this journey isn't based on weight loss, I have certainly noticed a leaner, more agile version of my former self taking shape.
At £16.99 a month, WeGlow calculates at less than £1 per workout if you used it daily, which seems a small price to pay if you're looking to transform your fitness.
Shop: Sameeha's Workout Essentials
thisissefi.com
Stef Williams' Butterluxe activewear collection is crafted from polyamide and spandex for a premium airbrush feel, which is designed to look seamless, smooth, with subtle contouring to enhance your natural shape. Perfect for low-impact workouts, this antibacterial, breathable and quick-drying essential is lightweight and comfortable all without compromising on functionality.
While I gym three times a week, I refuse to wash my hair more than twice a week. To supplement a fresh-feeling scalp between wash days I generously mist my roots with this post-workout. It's loaded with aloe vera, neroli flower water, lactobacillus ferment, lupine seed extract, and will instantly refresh, balance and deodorise my scalp and strands.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
This potent skin-loving mix of AHAs (shikimic, mandelic and lactic acids) plus peptides, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid has revolutionised my deodorant game. More like a protective serum rather than old-fashion antiperspirant, this supercharged formula nourishes and protects against stains, ingrown hairs and discolouration.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
This viral goody quickly coats any area of the body prone to chaffing with a comforting, protective film that stops friction in its tracks. The balm-like stick is loaded with a nourishing blend of anti-inflammatory aloe vera to soothe, healing pomegranate seed extract, and elastcity-boosting ginger root extract to keep skin in check.
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
