Stretchy, supportive and completely chafe-free: the sportswear real people swear by

From leggings that don’t roll down to bras that keep everything in, keen amateur cyclists, weightlifters and swimmers reveal the bits of kit they can’t do without

The best pickleball equipment for beginners: paddles, balls and more to hit the court

We asked the experts for their picks for the best pickleball paddles, balls, running shoes and more to improve your game as a beginner

Eye masks, cherry gel and an afternoon kiwi: Ezri Konsa, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and other top sports stars on how to get a good night’s sleep

The England defender wears a tracker, the heptathlete is experimenting with kiwi fruits – and world champion swimmer Adam Peaty swears by hours and hours of history videos …

This $380 foldable kayak fits in my Prius and goes from backseat to lake in 10 minutes

The Tucktec 10 Pro is compact enough for a small car, quick enough for spontaneous trips, and inexpensive enough to open boating to everyone

A moment that changed me: A WhatsApp message about a little-known sport made me an unlikely celebrity in Japan

I’d always wanted to represent my country at something, so when I learned about Mölkky, I got a team together

My rookie era: As a working mother, I had forgotten how to have fun. Then I played my first floorball match

I assembled a women’s team of seven players. The minute the game began, it was obvious we had no ball-handling skills or strategy

The best padel rackets in the UK for every player, from beginner to pro

The sport is booming, but which racket will boost your game? Our expert enlisted the help of a padel coach to round up the aces

‘Watching my six year old deadlift 35kg was pretty cool’: meet the children who work out

A growing number of parents are letting their young children train with weights. But is it a good – or safe – idea? We ask the experts to weigh in

‘I was bullied in school for being different. At 16, I hit a crashing point’: the awkward kid who became the world’s strongest man

As a boy, Tom Stoltman was diagnosed with autism and bullied at school. When he became depressed in his teens, his older brother, a bodybuilder, suggested a trip to the gym

‘It felt amazing to be on the start line again’: the rugby pro who became paralysed – and is aiming for the Paralympic Games

Aged 20, Taylor Gough had a car accident. Five years later, he’s hoping to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. How did he do it?