A few years ago Bobby White was a goalkeeper for non-league Newport Pagnell FC. John Pearce was realising his dreams of playing professional rugby were over. Seb Prieto was working in insurance. Now they’re gearing up for the London Olympics as part of the GB handball squad – and proving that you should never give up on a shot at glory. With a year to go till the Games begin, Britain’s key players talk to MF about their surprise successes, their hopes for the future and why handball might just be the next big sport in the UK.

The British handballers will be striving for victory alongside more than 500 other Team GB athletes next summer – and if they want to get the scoop on what it takes to win a gold, MF knows a few people they could ask. We’ve quizzed some of Britain’s greatest Olympic heroes, including Steve Redgrave, Seb Coe and Jonathan Edwards, about how they gained the fitness, knowhow and psychological strength to take gold. Elsewhere, world and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis takes MF through the drills she hopes will help her add the Olympic title to her haul.

But even if you’re not aiming for an unlikely late entry to the GB Olympic team, we can still help you achieve your fitness goals. The September issue includes the five best moves for a big chest, a dynamic circuit that will burn hundreds of calories in under 25 minutes, and a comprehensive three-times-a-week muscle-building programme that will turn you into a powerhouse. And as always, our team of experts is on hand to provide tips for everything from getting fit enough to endure a UFC bout to overcoming slumps in confidence. We also take on Britain’s toughest fell race.

So get comfortable and spend some time with MF to find out everything you need to get into your best shape ever. Actually, forget that – don’t get comfortable. Why? Because your chair is killing you. Find out how, and what you can do about it, on p42 of this month’s issue.

BTW, you can get the mag from all good newsagents, subscribe to it or download it. Choices, choices, choices.