11 things you should know about using the gym, from ‘Is everyone watching me?’ to ‘How do I use a squat rack?’

More and more of us are spending time among the barbells and the treadmills – and feeling more and more confused. Here’s some advice from an expert

Walking the Pennine Way put everything into perspective for me, including my right to be here

Inspired by the Manchester Ramblers, who campaigned on exclusion and the countryside, I’m also taking a stand

Good news at last: just a little exercise can reduce the risk of dementia

A recent study shows the benefit of being a middle-aged ‘weekend warrior’ who only exercises once or twice a week, writes Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh

‘Cities trigger our imagination’: why a walk in town can be just as good for you as a stroll in the countryside

Wandering among historic buildings, cemeteries and winding back streets can lift your spirits as effectively as communing with nature, according to author Annabel Streets. Let’s put that to the test …

The one change that worked: I loathed all forms of exercise – until I moved to a big city and walked miles

I’d tried running, pilates, swimming and barre, and hated the lot. Then I moved to London and, having no money, I had to start walking to places. Shockingly, I enjoyed it

New mums are being ‘strongly encouraged’ to take regular exercise and get more sleep. Hahahaha

New guidelines are well intentioned, but as parents of babies know, finding time to look after yourself is impossible, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

The truth about cholesterol: 12 things you need to know – from eggs to weight to statins

What is good and bad cholesterol? Should you remove fat from your diet? And what about shellfish? Experts explain it all

The best Mother’s Day gifts in 2025: 68 thoughtful ideas for £50 and under they’ll love

From a reading light to a gardening knife, a meditation cushion to a birthstone ring, these fun, and often useful, gifts tick every box

I do aqua aerobics with women in their 80s – it’s the most fun I’ve had exercising

A joy from start to finish, doing jump-kicks underwater to classic pop hits has taught me never to think of exercise as punishment

From resistance bands to squat-proof leggings: the pilates kit you need – and what you can do without

Whether you’re practising reformer in a studio or planking in a village hall, here’s the pilates gear that’s actually worth buying, chosen by the experts