Fitness tips: how to get the most out of exercise classes

Have a plan and stick to it

20 of the best activity holidays in the UK and Europe

Lying by the pool not your thing? We’ve got everything from horse riding to multi-activity beach breaks to get your endorphins going

Fitness tips: how to overcome your workout fears

Overwhelmed by that climbing wall? You can train your mind to conquer your fears and gain everyday confidence

Fit in my 40s: ‘Heights are a perfectly reasonable fear’

Climbing is frightening. That’s part of the point. Breaking through a fear barrier, physical or mental, gives you a euphoria afterwards

Rio Ferdinand: ‘I used to drink 10 pints then move on to vodka’

Since retiring, the former England footballer has campaigned against Brexit and knife crime, and made a moving documentary about the death of his wife. Now he has embarked on a health business – but is it credible?

There’s nothing like the full-body slam-dunk of cold-water swimming

It’s the sensation of a sedentary life cracking wide open

Doms away! Is delayed onset muscle soreness inevitable after a workout?

Taking part in any unusual exercise can leave your muscles feeling tender and sore, but can you reduce or even prevent the pain? Experts explain what works and what doesn’t

A vegan yoga retreat in Dracula’s back yard, Romania

In countryside not far from the castle of Vlad the Impaler, an idyllic break offers a gentle route to wellness with five days of yoga and meditation