Bike Doc

Dear Matt, As a recently retired wrinkly, I want to take up cycling again after a 40-year gap. I went to the Cycle Show, with thoughts of spending lots of money on a new lightweight bike. Mmm, things have changed a bit. Can you tell me why all the frames now look as if they're too small for a normal-sized adult? And why is the crossbar no longer parallel to the ground? I want a bike for fitness riding on the road; any suggestions would be helpful. Mike Whittaker, via email

‘He was invading my sanctuary’

More men are doing yoga - but not all for the right reasons. Then again, says Peta Bee, for some the gym has always been about more than just fitness ...

One month of …

Cycling: What I needed was a kind of functional exercise, says Vicky Frost, where a quick blast of activity came wrapped in an activity with a purpose beyond getting fit - stealth exercise, if you will.

Badminton vs squash

Lisa Buckingham: Badminton is the fastest racket sport in the world - the shuttlecock can travel at 200mph when smashed - so it requires lightning-fast decision-making and tactical skill.

Two wheels

Matt Seaton: Even for the most dedicated hardware freak, the choice of cycles on the market these days is bewildering. A good selection will be on show at the Cycle Show at Earls Court, London.

Yoga vs pilates

Yoga postures, or asanas, build endurance in every large muscle group but strength is not the main focus, while pilates uses resistance and weights to build strength and places more emphasis on physical conditioning.

Bike doc

Matt Seaton: Everyone is different: inside leg, shoulder width, arm length etc, all have a bearing on bike fitting. Ideally, you should buy from a shop that will measure and fit you first, then tailor the bike accordingly.

Run for your lives

Kids' exercise levels are even more abysmal than we feared. And, says Peta Bee the repercussions are not just physical - they extend to academic achievement and social behaviour. So what can we do to get them off the sofa?

Bike doc

Matt Seaton: The main difference between a woman-specific bike and a small man's one is that women tend to have relatively longer legs and shorter torsos than men, so the frame geometry is adjusted.

Excess baggage

Forget your fitness regime when you go away and you'll come back more out of shape than ever. Peta Bee finds exhilarating ways to stave off holiday love handles.

Have bump will grind

Gentle exercise while pregnant can prevent a difficult labour and excess weight gain, but there are risks too. So what was hardcore aerobics fan Zoe Williams to do?