Is it ever too late to learn to swim?

Nearly 30 and terrified of the water, Bim Adewunmi finally takes the plunge

Trail running in the Alps

Stretch your legs – and your concept of running – with a trail-pounding camp in the shadow of Mont Blanc, says Susan Greenwood

Forget nightlife, Tenerife is the island for a workout holiday

Tenerife's sunny climate and rugged terrain make it a favourite training base for many Olympic athletes. Rachel Dixon finds out why on a boxing break

Whitewater kayaking in Wales

On a cold river in Wales, Kevin Rushby wonders whether the right tuition and 10,000 hours' practice could ever be enough to master the dark art of whitewater kayaking

Emma’s Eccentric Britain: archery in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

Emma Kennedy always suspected she had a hidden talent for archery – and then she scored a bullseye with her first arrow in Sherwood Forest

Where to try Olympic sports

From BMXing in Manchester to diving in Acapulco or taekwondo in Korea, Rachel Dixon has found great places to try an Olympic sport – or even get in training for 2016

Can you get fit in five minutes?

HIT, high-intensity interval training, is a new fitness fad, but can the possibility of less pain (and time) really equal more gain?

How I use exercise to deal with my depression

After about 20 minutes the pain gets so intense that I stop thinking. I can't tell you how good that feels

Rowing: the sport of masochists

Rowing is a punishing physical and mental workout. But you've got to enjoy the pain

Cycle Style by Horst A Friedrichs; The Enlightened Cyclist by Bike Snob NYC – reviews

Two new books provide fresh perspectives on the rising popularity of cycling, writes Martin Love