Has strong become the respectable face of skinny for young women?

A generation of Instagram stars and personal trainers are challenging old-fashioned notions of femininity, replacing images of thinness or fecundity with brute strength. Whether this is healthy is another matter

Five fantastic mind, body and soul festivals for 2018

Relax, restore and reset yourself at these festivals that feature yoga classes, spa treatments, healthy food, live music – and, yes, occasionally, a little alcohol

Fit in my 40s: who knew buying running shoes was this complicated?

I feel a complete fraud: I have been running four times and pretended to go running a further three

The best yoga, mindfulness and fitness breaks for 2018

Free your mind and body with our pick of inspiring yoga trips, meditation breaks and fitness holidays in the UK and around the world

The best mind, body and spirit breaks: readers’ travel tips

Whether it’s an affordable thermal spa, a yoga break in Ibiza, or something more ambitious, such as a 10-day silent retreat in India, our readers have found wonderful ways to relax

Was Serena Williams unrealistic to try to return so soon after giving birth?

The tennis champion has withdrawn from the Australian Open three months after having her first child. So, when is the right time to come back to sport?

How to get the best out of exercise

Conflicting theories on how to maximise exercise would stretch anyone to the limit. As New Year fitness plans begin in earnest, here’s a scientific response to some frequently asked questions

Star jumps in the buff? No, not even in flesh-coloured Lycra

A New York gym claims that its naked exercise classes promote increased body awareness. Yes, that’s the problem

‘Most of us are too busy to be better’: the lazy person’s guide to self-improvement

If you can really improve yourself in just 10 minutes a day, as the self-help gurus claim, Tim Dowling is all for it

5am ice baths and a strict vegan diet: my year of living (very) healthily

This time last year, I was overweight, out of shape and run down. Could I turn my life around?