Ultramarathon runners train for months, sometimes years. But what happens when they don’t finish a race?

DNF stands for ‘did not finish’ – the acronym no ultrarunner wants assigned to their race result. For amateurs, DNFing is loaded with emotion – but attrition rates are extremely common

From skipping ropes to Swiss balls: personal trainers on the best home gym kit

Exercise mats that don’t slip, easy-grip kettlebells and floor sliders … fitness experts share their best buys for staying active at home

Is it true that … it’s harder for women to do pull-ups?

The differences in body types does mean that, on average, women find the exercise more difficult – but that’s not the whole story

Nipple tape, pickle juice and dinosaurs: how I learned to love running, the unorthodox way

The usual advice was getting me nowhere. If I really wanted to embrace running, I’d need to go off-piste. It was a journey that took me to some very strange places …

‘I lose all sense of time in the hypnotic flow’: five writers on their favourite British rivers

From the source to the sea, our writers share their favourite ways to immerse themselves in nature by paddleboarding, canoeing, camping, walking and fishing

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

‘I spent a week crying. I’ve never had an injury in my life!’ Why do so many fitness fans end up needing surgery?

From the 47-year-old runner who needs a double hip replacement to the 27-year-old CrossFitter with a ruptured ACL, those who push their bodies too hard often regret it. What are the lessons for the rest of us?

Traveling or standing all day? Compression socks will help your feet. Doctors recommend these five pairs

Compression socks provide relief during long flights, hours on your feet or after surgery. Doctors say the best pairs are from Bombas, Physix and Sockwell

The 10 best running vests and hydration packs in the UK for men and women, tested by an ultra runner

Here are our expert’s favourite running packs for everyday plods, all-out races and trail adventures

A Canterbury trail: my pilgrimage from the cathedral to the white cliffs of Dover

After exploring the cathedral city, I battled the heatwave while walking to the Kent coast on the Via Francigena

The truth about migraines: what causes them – and how to find relief

Over the last decade, the understanding of these devastating headaches has grown enormously, as has the understanding of what can be done to treat them

Too hot or smoky to go out? These seven screen-free activities will help you survive summer indoors

Don’t let wildfires and blistering temperatures ruin your fun. Our favorite screen-free activities keep you laughing, relaxing and even working out indoors

The best UK walking sandals for women: 10 comfy and supportive styles for summer

Our writer trekked more than 50 miles to find stylish pairs that can go the distance, whether you’re hiking, sightseeing or commuting

A moment that changed me: I started yoga – and saw my scoliosis in a surprising new light

As a teenager I declined a painful operation to straighten my spinal curvature, and it was a decision I sometimes regretted. But through daily stretching and exercise, my relationship with my body was transformed

My rookie era: I signed up for over-40s football – it’s liberating to spend hours focusing solely on a game

My years of solo running means I’m fit and fast and I can usually get to the ball first. Eventually I’ll work out what I’m supposed to do next