Desperate to get fit but hate doing it in public? Here are seven ways to beat gymtimidation

All those machines, all the mirrors, all that grunting: gyms can be offputting places if you’re just taking your first steps towards fitness. We have the answers …

The one change that didn’t work: I pounded through exercise classes – until my doctor prescribed rest

I was grief-stricken and exhausted when I began high-intensity interval training. Then came a short, sharp scream in my knees and intense thumping in my chest

Ditch gym fees: the best ways to get fit at no (or little) cost

From free parkruns to YouTube videos or apps, you can get active without having to spend much

10 of the best health and wellness retreats in Europe for 2023

Need to rebalance your life? From sunny Greece to snowy Finland we pick the best restorative breaks

The five-minute fix: how to improve your fitness, strength and posture at super-quick speed

In the time it takes to make a cup of tea, you can build your core muscles, increase hip flexibility and stave off the effects of sitting at your desk all day

‘Rather than dodge the puddles, I prefer to run through them’: what makes me happy now

Running through the cold and puddles along the banks of the Birrarung, the Ghost River writer finds contentment

‘Eight hours’ sleep! And you must eat breakfast!’ The truth behind 10 of the biggest health beliefs

Should we really be aiming to walk 10,000 steps a day, or drink two litres of water? Time to sift fact from fiction

I’m an expert in public health. Which is why, aged 38, I’ve qualified as a personal trainer

After working under intense pressure and scrutiny during the pandemic, I’m helping people with the most effective health intervention there is – exercise, says Devi Sridhar, Edinburgh University’s chair of global public health

Why everyday stress could be the key to a healthy old age

Research indicates that low-level stress from moderate exercise or work can enhance our cognitive and physical abilities in later life

‘I sleep better, I feel incredible and my energy levels are through the roof’: the one exercise that finally worked

A 75-day six-pack programme, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, women-only weightlifting and Couch to 5k: four writers on finding their perfect route to fitness

Stop tying yourself in knots: what stress does to your body – and how to beat it

From migraines to IBS, back pain and hair loss, millions of us suffer health problems triggered by stress and anxiety. Here’s how to deal with them

Are you bored yet? Kickstart that new year fitness regime ahead of the pack

From yoga to weight training, here are five quick ways to start getting back into shape

‘I would get out of breath running five metres – it’s time to get fit’: the thing I’ll do differently in 2023

I’d do anything to get out of PE lessons at school. But now I’ve turned 30 and I need to get over my fitness-phobia

Strengthen your heart, bones – and maybe even your brain: a beginner’s guide to weight training at any age

A resistance workout is not just about adding muscle: it can bring a host of other proven benefits as well. So what is stopping you?

Break a sweat without breaking the bank: 26 of the best free or cheap fitness apps, sites and podcasts

Whether it is yoga, running or strength training you are after, there are plenty of affordable options to keep you moving