‘Loaded water’ is hyped as a secret to hydration. But adding electrolytes is merely effort down the drain

The average person does not need to be adding anything to their water

I took up paddleboarding in my 60s. Now I feel calm in the water and strong on land

It was a wobbly start. But every time I haul my paddleboard out I feel my balance and confidence improving

‘I lived the life I’ve always dreamed of’: the man who cycled around the world for four years

Andreas Graf lived without screens and no idea of the date or time. The conditions were often brutal – but he found kindness and friendship as he rode

The best walking pads to turn your workday into a workout, tested

Sedentary lifestyles are bad for us, but which under-desk treadmills and walking pads are worth the cost? Our expert stepped up to find out

Exercise can be ‘frontline treatment’ for mild depression, researchers say

Biggest improvements seen in young adults and new mothers, with group activities of most benefit

In the decade since my sons left home, walking has brought us together

The exodus of grown children mostly happens without fanfare. For Lisa Walker, hiking the Camino turned into both a goodbye and a glimpse at the future

The best UK treadmills for your home: up your indoor miles with our runner-approved picks

Whether you’re chasing gym quality on a budget or a fancy folding model, accelerate your training with our expert’s pick of the best running machines

‘The best movement is the next movement’: how to really look after your lower back

An estimated 80% of the population will suffer from lower back pain at some point. The good news is that preventing it is a lot easier than treating it

Strong v swole: the surprising truth about building muscle

Traditional bodybuilding advice has been to push workouts to the point of failure, and that soreness is an indicator of effectiveness. But recent studies show there’s another way

A new start after 60: I jumped in the sea for the first time, and finally began to heal

Despite living on an island, David Warr avoided the water for five decades – until a swimming teacher made the link between his fear and a childhood trauma

The spikiness secret: can acupressure mats help with pain, stress and insomnia?

Used in healing practices for centuries, modern versions of these spiky mats are increasingly popular, and many people find them invaluable. Here’s what the science says

‘It’s such a complex little area’: how to really look after your wrists

The structure of wrists mean we have the capacity to do both handstands and neurosurgery. A lot can go wrong

Lajuana is 89, with the body and mind of someone decades younger. What are the secrets of the superagers?

Why do some people age better than others? Five extraordinary individuals – who scientists are studying – share their tips

The best men’s walking boots in the UK for every type of hiking adventure, tested

Whether you’re heading on a multi-day trek or need waterproof shoes for countryside walks, these are the best hiking boots for the job – tried and tested by our writer

The best women’s walking boots in the UK, tested by our expert hiker

Whether you want waterproof or leather, we put women’s walking boots to the test to find the best for every adventure