The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 isn’t your ordinary fitness tracker or stylish smartwatch. The Ultra 2 is ready to kick down your door, fix itself to your forearm, and drag you off the sofa.

Samsung says this is its strongest, toughest, fastest, brightest Galaxy Watch to date, and it’s tailored to extreme sports athletes. That’s a pretty niche market, but is there a wider appeal outside those whose idea of a quiet weekend is a mountainous trail run followed by deep sea diving? Well let’s take a look.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: In short…

• Built for those who "push limits"
• You can use it as a professional diving computer
• Pro-level sports tracking with real-time guidance and monitoring
• Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 price is £649
• Pre-order July 22nd, on sale August 8th

Cast an eye over the spec sheet and you’ll see the Galaxy Watch 2 is well equipped, with the biggest battery Samsung has ever put in a smartwatch, a 35% increase over the original Ultra.

The larger screen, with narrower bezels, means it’s really easy to read data on the screen, as I found when I went hands-on with the watch at a special Samsung preview event in London.

And that screen gets bright — really bright. It’s the world’s brightest smartwatch display, with the ability to hit a peak brightness of 5,000 nits. That means you should still be able to clearly see what’s being shown in direct sunlight (something which was a little tricky to test in the windowless basement of the briefing location).

There are a host of other upgrades too, including more power, improved GPS, faster loading and a thinner design. While this is still a large watch at 47mm, I didn’t find the shock resistant titanium case overbearing on the wrist. It was actually rather comfortable, which was nice.

So you get a big, bright display, slimmer design, huge battery, and more power. For anyone looking for a feature-packed Apple Watch Ultra 3 rival for Android phones, the Ultra 2 is an obvious contender.

But it’s the pro-level sports tracking where Samsung wants the Ultra 2 to really shine. The new Trail Run mode offers specialized tracking for detailed route and elevation guidance, estimated completion time, climbing progress and also terrain advice.

It even features a real-time nutrition alert, as the watch monitors your sweat and other vitals to calculate the amount of fluid you need to drink to recover safely and avoid dehydration.

Then there’s the diving mode, which is now so advanced you’ll be able to use it as a professional diving computer when an accompanying Mares app arrives on the watch later this year, offering up the ability to track descent speed, monitor your time left at depth, and a safe ascending guide.

It’s waterproof to a depth of 100m (as you’d hope, given the diving credentials), 100% dust proof, and provides real-time tracking of depth, time, and water temperature. And the clever part is, you don’t even need to enable it - the Ultra 2 will automatically detect when you enter the water and switch to diving mode for you.

Of course, if you’re not into your extreme sports - and to be honest, I’m not - Samsung does have another new Galaxy Watch that might be more your speed…

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9: Health management for the masses

Say hello to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, your new everyday health companion. Samsung claims the Watch 9 is the “easiest way to manage your health”, and it’s focused this iteration on improving its health and wellness features.

That means if you already own the Galaxy Watch 8, or are familiar with this wearable, the Watch 9 will look particularly familiar. Samsung even admits it’s done very little in terms of mixing up the hardware design, as it has only just refreshed the look of its core smartwatch with the Watch 8 model last year.

At almost half the price of the Watch Ultra 2, the Galaxy Watch 9 will have a wider appeal, and both devices offer Samsung’s new suite of preventative health features, which combines a variety of sensors and metrics with the power of Galaxy AI.

Samsung says the new watches offer data in a more digestible format, providing hints and tips you can implement in your day-to-day life, helping to reduce illness, recover faster, and prevent injury.

The new Vitals feature kicks in after a week of continuous wearing, monitoring heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, respiratory rate, blood oxygen and heart rate. If any of these metrics fall outside their recommended baseline, you’ll be alerted and given tips on how to restore it.

The Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 might pick up on your skin temperature increasing, which could be a sign cold or flu is about to strike. The Samsung Health app will alert you to this, and provide advice such as eating more fruit and veg, and getting an early night, to help reduce the potential effect of the illness.

Another new feature is Heart Health Score, which gives you a simple daily metric and actionable tips to improve your heart health. The tips include advice to do more cardio and suggesting rest days if it detects you’re overtraining.

For runners, the new Daily Cardio Load feature will be of interest. Using your workout history, it creates training and recovery help based on workout intensity, maximum training load, and real-time heart rate. Samsung says it can help you recover faster and prevent injury from overtraining.

All of this is powered by AI, and Google’s Gemini assistant is literally available at the lift of a wrist. Move your wrist towards your mouth and the Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will detect the movement and automatically wake Gemini. You can then start speaking immediately, without the need to say the wake word.

In the past I’ve found gesture controls like this to be hit and miss, but trying it out on both of the new watches I was impressed at just how accurate it was. Every time I attempted to trigger Gemini, it worked. Plus, a quick flick of the wrist to check the time will illuminate the screen, but the system is smart enough to know I’m not after Gemini.

Samsung’s gone big with health and wellness monitoring on both of its new watches, and while some might be tempted by the bells and whistles of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, I think for many the Watch 9 will be the better choice.

Pricing and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 price is £649. It’s only available in the 47mm size, with two colour options of Titanium Gray Titanium Silver.

Meanwhile the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 price starts at £349 for the smaller, 40mm model, which is available in Graphite and Cream. For those after a bigger screen, the 44mm will cost you £379, with the choice of Graphite or Silver hues.

Pre-orders for both watches open on July 22nd, and they’ll hit stores and land on wrists from August 8th, 2026.

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I’ve been running up the hill from Greenwich Park’s St Mary’s Gate to the breathtaking peak at the Royal Observatory since probably the age of four. It was a local park for my family growing up, and I’d race my younger brother to the top before barrelling down after my favourite Action Man figure in his battle tank on the way back.

It was always great fun — even the time said tank flipped behind me causing me to roll and scrape most of the way back down — and always a healthy challenge, leaving you rewarded with a still-breathtaking view over the Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum, and into the financial heart of the Docklands beyond.

Closer now to age forty than four, that hill has a bit more bite to it, and years parked at my desk rather than in the park mean that I’d rather be listening to the Kate Bush song than actually running up that hill.

But a new gadget torn straight from the pages of a Marvel Comic has just made that hilltop challenge not only a breeze, but gives its users the confidence to take on even tougher outdoor goals.

The new Hypershell X Series is one of the first consumer-focused powered exoskeletons to hit the UK, and while it might look like something borrowed from a cyberpunk film, its ambitions are much more practical. It's designed to make walking, hiking and climbing hills less physically demanding, helping users go further while feeling less fatigued.

So I strapped in and set my sights on that good old hill to see what the fuss is about.

An electric boost for your legs

The Hypershell X Series straps around your waist and thighs, weighing around 1.7kg (which is distributed so evenly across your lower back and thighs that you hardly notice it), and uses a pair of electric motors to assist your hip movement as you walk. Rather than dragging you along, it works alongside your natural stride, giving you an extra robotic push with every step — think of it less like an electric bike and more like power steering for your legs.

The idea isn't that you stop putting in effort — the Hypershell X doesn’t do the walking for you. Instead, the exoskeleton reduces the amount of energy your muscles need to expend, particularly when you're climbing steep hills, carrying a heavy backpack or covering long distances.

According to Hypershell, independent testing found the gear can reduce oxygen consumption by up to 39% and lower heart rate by as much as 42%, potentially making demanding walks significantly less tiring, its motorised joints working with your legs’ own muscles to give an extra boost to your stride.

AI to help you do your job instead of stealing it

Almost every gadget launches with an AI story these days, but the Hypershell X literally couldn’t exist without some artificial intelligence help.

The company's new HyperIntuition system constantly monitors how you're moving using an array of sensors, analysing your speed, stride, the terrain you’re traversing and body position, thousands of times during your walk. Instead of waiting for you to struggle before reacting, it predicts your movement and adjusts the motor assistance almost instantly, using AI to anticipate when you’re going to need that extra bit of support most.

Hypershell says the system responds in just 0.31 seconds while synchronising with your gait 97.5% of the time, creating an experience that's designed to feel far more natural than previous generations of its exoskeletons.

It’s certainly a strange sensation initially. Your movements with the Hypershell X have to be intentional and controlled or the added oomph you’re given can come as a shock. But there’s no denying the extra support it offers, putting a spring into your step that makes more strenuous activity easier to manage. And that’s before you dial up into its super-powered mode...

App control — and a rocket boost mode

Yep, you read that right — the Hypershell X can be put into a ‘Rocket’ boost mode that sees its motors firing on all cylinders to give you a brief window of super-charged power. This is controlled from the Hypershell+ companion app, which acts as the control centre for the X Series, letting you fine-tune how much assistance the motors provide to match your walking style and the terrain ahead.

Though it can only be activated for a short period of time, the boost mode makes it feel as if a few litres of Red Bull have been injected straight into your legs. It’s got to be used cautiously as the jolt of power it gives every stride is substantial. But when the going gets particularly tough, it’s a welcome feature.

The app also offers workout tracking, performance insights and a quick-start guide to help you get everything fitted correctly before you head outdoors. During setup, the app recommends the correct fit adjustments based on your height and weight, while future firmware updates can add new features over time.

Hypershell is also introducing Shelly, an AI-powered assistant that can be controlled by voice or text, allowing users to ask questions about the exoskeleton, tweak settings and personalise the experience without diving through menus. It's still in beta, but you can imagine a future when you’re able to speak to the app conversationally about the effort you’re putting in, and see the Hypershell’s motor systems adapt accordingly.

More than just hiking

Mountain hikers are the obvious audience for the Hypershell X, but they're far from the only people who could benefit.

Anyone who regularly carries heavy camera gear, works outdoors or spends long days on foot could see the appeal. Search and rescue teams are already testing the technology through Hypershell's HyperLIFT programme to see whether it can reduce fatigue during demanding operations.

The company also believes active older adults will benefit from wearing the exoskeleton. A dedicated assistance mode is designed for slower walking speeds, aiming to reduce muscle fatigue while making longer walks feel more comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

It isn't intended as a medical device or rehabilitation aid, though. Instead, it's aimed squarely at healthy people who simply want a little extra endurance outdoors.

Urban adventures (or just an easier commute)

For Londoners, the appeal is perhaps less about conquering Everest and more about making everyday tasks and journeys feel easier. If your commute involves multiple Tube changes, endless station staircases or a brisk walk across the City, the Hypershell X Series could help take some of the strain out of the journey. It's also an intriguing option for anyone who spends all day on their feet – photographers covering events, delivery riders, tour guides or festival staff, for example, where shaving a little fatigue off every step could really add up by the end of the day.

It could also be a useful bit of kit for the capital's weekend adventurers. Whether you're tackling the steep climbs of Primrose Hill, spending hours wandering Richmond Park, or heading out of London for a hike in the Chilterns or South Downs, the exoskeleton is designed to make longer walks feel less physically demanding without doing the work for you. Rather than replacing the satisfaction of reaching the top of the hill, it's intended to help you arrive with a bit more energy left to enjoy the view (or make it back to the pub afterwards).

Would I want to wear it all day every day? Probably not — though it’s about as discreet as a set of robot leg aids can be, the Hypershell X definitely caught the attention of passers-by as I was wearing them. If you’ve got a load of hiking gear on nobody will bat an eyelid — but if you’ve got your pressed shirt and city slacks on, that might be another story.

Still, I managed to get served in the pub while wearing them without raising too many eyebrows. So if the next round is a twenty-pinter, popping on the Hypershell X might help you keep that much-needed balance without spilling a drop.

Harder, better, faster, stronger

Interestingly, the Hypershell X Series isn't just designed to make exercise easier – it can also make it harder. Alongside its various assistance modes, the exoskeleton includes a dedicated Fitness Mode that deliberately adds resistance to your movement, turning walks and runs into a wearable strength workout. Though it’s not the core offering of the product, I’d go as far as saying it was the area I thought it worked most effectively.

As you increase your pace, the motors apply greater resistance to challenge your leg muscles, while a separate Static Training Mode provides consistent resistance for lower-body exercises, offering a gym-like training experience without traditional weight machines. It's a clever twist on the concept: instead of simply helping you climb the next hill, the X Series can also help build the strength needed to tackle it under your own steam.

In the days and weeks following that initial Greenwich trek, it’s this way that I’ve used the Hypershell X most of all — around the house, almost passively working to help build my leg endurance and strength.

The price of robot legs

Note that the Hypershell X Series isn't a single product.

At the top sits the £1,699 X Ultra S, built for serious expeditions and the toughest terrain. It’s this model I’ve been testing, but the differences further down the pricing chain aren’t such that you’ll be massively missing out by saving some of that dough.

The £1,299 X Max S targets regular hikers who want strong assistance without paying flagship money — it’s essentially the same as the Ultra S, but has a smaller battery, reducing its walking range from 60km to 30km per charge, and slightly fewer tracked movement modes. The entry-level £899 X Pro S is aimed at lighter outdoor adventures and everyday walking, with a 17.5km range and a slightly weaker motor, meaning its assistance maxes out at 20km/h instead of 25km/h.

All three models feature multiple modes, including an Eco mode for longer battery life, a more powerful Hyper mode for steep climbs and even a downhill mode that cushions your knees when descending slopes.

The future of outdoor gear?

For years, outdoor technology has focused on lighter backpacks, better boots and smarter GPS watches. The Hypershell X Series takes a much bolder approach by enhancing the person wearing the equipment.

It's still undeniably an expensive gadget (we’re not quite at the Iron Man dream just yet), and plenty of hikers will argue that the challenge is the whole point of climbing a mountain in the first place. Others may see it as no different from using an e-bike instead of a traditional bicycle — technology making outdoor adventures accessible to more people rather than replacing them.

Either way, consumer exoskeletons are moving beyond lab demos and into real-world use. Hypershell is delivering on its promise of making long walks easier without making them feel artificial, making the X Series one of the most intriguing outdoor gadgets we've seen in years. Now excuse me while I go make mincemeat of my hill-climbing PB.

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You can barely exist in London without someone mentioning they’re training for a Hyrox. Whether you’re in the pub or the park, someone will casually bring it up, or be donning merch items from competitions they’ve completed, or you’ll be scrolling through a dating app and seeing it as a woeful prompt. Either way, it’s a growing epidemic, and the obsession just got yet another unofficial spin-off.

FLATOUT is not just how you feel once you’ve competed but the name of London’s latest “Hyrox-style” fitness race. It’s a full race-day challenge that’s built to test pace, power, and mindset. Similar to Hyrox, it combines running and functional workout zones into one full race. All of this will be coming to the Old Billingsgate Market in Tower Bridge in September.

Across the race, competitors will take on 4km of running in total, all broken down into 8 x 500-metre runs. The zones include: SkiErg, Goblet Squats, BikeErg, burpees (CTFs), Row Erg, Farmer Carry, lunges and GTOs (Ground to Overheads, i.e. you’ll be lifting a weighted object like a barbell or weight plate). Similar to Hyrox, the race format varies depending on what type of entrant you are; as well as the standard solo or doubles (both mixed and single sex), FLATOUT offers Elite, Relay, NextGen, and Sidekicks. Elite is essentially a pro-level, “built for those who want more from their training”, whilst NextGen is built for athletes aged 8-15. Sidekicks is a mix between the two, where one adult and one junior participant race together, sort of like a parent-child bonding for people who take communal electrolytes and green powder in the mornings.

It’s possibly one of the most scenic venues to be puffing away in, looking out over the Thames as you hide your red face. Also, FLATOUT is built around local gyms, with each zone being run by a local gym, meaning a qualified person will be overseeing each wave of competitors and making sure racers get through it properly and safely. Also, unlike most Hyrox arenas, the running sections will be outside, with racers being able to take in historic views of London’s sweeping skyline as they plod.

Tickets are still available for the London competition at Old Billingsgate, which is taking place on the 25th and 26th September. The ticket prices depend a little on what you're going for, but a solo entry is around £99, which will not only give you access to the comp, but a free spectator entry for any patient family members or friends, free professional pics, merch, and a medal, which is what it's all about really, isn't it?

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You are never too far away from a gym in London, but what about one where you don’t get onto the gym floor and wonder what equipment you can get on? Truly private gyms are starting to appear across the capital, letting you get to the machines when you want to and concentrate on getting fully into the zone without someone tapping you and asking you how many sets you’ve got left.

If your current gym spot is starting to feel a little crowded or you like the idea of being able to squeeze in a workout with minimal admin, these are the gyms you can book into that hand you the digital keys to your very own fully stocked workout domain.

Solo60

Various locations

Solo60 now has private gym spaces dotted across London, including its latest in Moorgate. Once you’ve downloaded the Solo60 app, you can book a session, which needs to be a minimum of an hour.

At each location, you can see what equipment is available to make sure it’s suitable for your planned session. You can also book in available treatment rooms if you need to grab a massage or a massage gun to deal with your DOMS. You pay for credits to make bookings and can even bring a +1 at no add

GYMPODS

Putney and Dalston

A private gym currently with two London locations, GYMPODS lets you train solo or bring a training partner with pods dedicated to different types of workouts. You can lift and squat in the strength pod or hit some cardio on a Peloton or the stairmaster.

Holistic and Treatment pods can be booked to work on any niggles. Booking is done through a credit system where you can choose to pay monthly or stick to using credits per session. 30-minute or 60-minute slots are available, and you can try 2 sessions for £15 to see if these workout pods are fit for you.

Paddington Gyms

Various locations

If you find yourself in the Paddington area looking for a healthier way to kill some time or need to tick off a Hyrox training session, Paddington Gyms gives you access to its private workout spaces day and night.

With locations in Talbot Square, London Street and Praed Street, every gym includes both cardio and strength machines, TVs are included to provide a distraction during your treadmill pounding, with towels available to wipe the sweat from your forehead and machines. As the gyms are set inside hotels, you also get special rates in rooms if you’ve gone so hard that you need to take a lie-down after.

My Fit Pod

Kingston and Hackney

As well as offering private gym spaces outside of London, MyFit has two spots in London to train solo too. Each location offers equipment including a treadmill, Peloton, squat racks as well as yoga mats and foam rollers.

There’s places to get changed and shower off with rates included to let you bring a friend or a group of friends to work out with. Solo sessions start at £15.99 or you can subscribe to unlock credits that also let you book multiple sessions in advance. So you can lock in those sessions and make sure you’re committed to that training regime.

Elysium

Aldgate and Seven Dials

Elysium currently has two London locations where you can book hourly sessions and just use your smartphone (and the Elysium app) to get in and start getting to work. Each location is fully kitted out with strength equipment from gym-grade equipment from Blk Box as well as

cardio machines from Concept2. You’ll also find a massage gun to warm up or start the recovery process before you head off. Sessions can be booked in the Elysium app with prices currently set at £25 an hour.

DropGym

Various locations

DropGym doesn’t actually give you a gym to yourself. What it does do across its locations in North West London is limit the number of people who can train during your booking. The capped capacity differs across locations, with numbers varying from 8 to 15.

Those small numbers of fellow gymgoers should still mean you’re not having to join a queue to get on your preferred gym equipment. You'll find weights, cardio equipment, as well as dedicated stretch areas in all locations. You can also pick up a post-workout snack once that hard work is done. Memberships are not cheap, however, starting at £125 a month or £1,200 for the year.

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The idea of doing exercise, especially in summer, falls into the same category as volunteering or homecooking – something that works far better in theory than in reality, and is usually thought about with most vigour right before you fall asleep on a Sunday evening having spent the entire weekend horizontal. But by the time you Google "London gym membership prices" and see the gallery of impressively fit, somehow attractively sweaty people splashed across the website, it all gets a little off-putting.

Enter the BON CHARGE method, a new series of expertly crafted workouts that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

BON CHARGE is the wellness company behind the kind of red light products that look like they could have fallen out of a Steven Spielberg / Gore Verbinski set. As well as the red light masks you’ll have seen all over your girlfriend’s fyp, BON CHARGE offer things like red light caps (to help with hair growth, yes really), infrared sauna domes, and EMF-blocking blankets. Their new ‘method’ has been created by celebrity trainer Flik Swan, and it’s all about bringing elite training to busy Brits without them even needing to leave their home.

Rather than a subscription-based model that requires your life savings for the vague promise of lightly visible abs, every workout episode is free to watch (and pant at) on YouTube. Hear the words ‘celebrity personal trainer’ and ‘wellness brand ’, and you might be panicking that you’re about to be subjected to some kind of medieval-style torture via burpees that you’ll end up pausing four minutes in.

However, this workout series follows four different segments: movement, breathwork, performance, and relaxation, meaning the whole thing is less about getting shredded and more about building up a more balanced inner wellness. It's all about helping busy Londoners squeeze in a bit of wellness without needing to sign up for a 12-month boot camp.

The classes include:

• 360 Sculpt: A full-body, high-energy, and calorie-burning session that focuses on strength and resistance. An immersive session that combines body weight movement, light exposure and recovery.
• Sound Bath Meditation: Guided recovery experience blending sound, breathwork and deep rest. Best utilised for evening wind-down rituals to support moments of calm, relaxation and reset.
• Sculpt & Stretch: A restorative new category of wellness exploration combining performance and recovery. Specifically designed for time-poor Brits, this daily wellness ritual focuses on light, mobility, flexibility and movement.

Each class is designed to use a different Bon Charge tool, from the red light panel to the infrared PEMF Mat, red light face masks and blankets. Whereas you can often buy a wellness product and end up tugging at a few buttons and hoping for the best, the sessions are meant to help Londoners get the most out of their existing wellness toys tools so just maybe, you can justify that Black Friday purchase which has been used approximately twice.

It’s a demystifying-the-wellness-and-fitness-scene kind of series which has been created around science, and executed by a professional trainer, which makes a nice change from vaguely trying to copy something you saw a part-time fitness influencer post on Instagram.

You can find The BON CHARGE method workout series, on their YouTube channel.

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Probably one of the very last things on your mind right now, as Storm Goretti wields its icy fist, is jumping into some ice-sheeted wild water. However, open water antics as an everyday activity have seriously surged in popularity in London, over the last few years, with a new floating Lido announced for Canary Wharf’s Eden Dock, and a potential Hackney beach in the works. Joining the love for water-based lounging is Hampstead’s beloved mixed pond, which could soon be open all year round for the first time ever.

Usually open from April to October for public swimming, the team behind Hampstead’s mixed pond - City of London’s Corporation Committee - is assessing the pond’s seasonal use. Currently, the single-sex ponds - the Kenwood Ladies’ and the Men’s ponds - are open all year round.

The plans state that opening the mixed pond throughout the year would contribute to the Corporation’s priority of improving physical health and emotional well-being for its visitors. Whilst we don’t currently have a date set for the review, judging by the draft five-year business plan, it looks as though this change-up could happen in the 2026/7 financial year.

As well as extending the time period that the mixed pond is open, the wider plan also includes propositions to re-landscape the area around the mixed pond itself, and improve accessibility at the Kenwood Ladies’ pond. This would include an expansion of the accessible changing space, a provision of additional outdoor showers, and improving the outdoor space, which could mean a review of the meadow area which lies adjacent to the Ladies' ponds.

Continuing the UK’s obsession with saunas, there is also a section in the plans to review saunas at Parliament Hill Lido, potentially adding additional saunas to other spaces within the Committee’s portfolio, like the Heath ponds.

Gregory Jones, chair of the committee, said: "Given the increasing popularity of open water swimming, we will be reviewing the current arrangements at the Mixed Pond. This will include looking at access, facilities and opening hours, to bring it into line with Parliament Hill Lido, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Highgate Men’s Pond."

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All the gear, no idea? If you’re looking to do battle with your bulge ahead of the Christmas waistline onslaught, but need to keep some pennies in the coffers for the seasonal wishlists of your loved ones, Lypertek has you sorted.

The Lypertek Soundfree S30 offers road-safe music playback in a lightweight and comfortable package, letting you hit the road with tunes in tow, and money in your pocket.

Here’s 5 reasons why cash-conscious fitness fanatics might want to give the Lypertek Soundfree S30 a listen.

Lypertek Soundfree S30: In short…

• Open-ear headphones perfect for runners that need situational awareness
• Built-in song storage means no need for a phone
• IP68 waterproofing lets you swim while wearing the headphones
• Rear safety LEDs for outdoors night runs
• Up to 8 hours battery for marathon workouts
• Solid sound quality, if not class leading
• Available now, priced £79.95 — almost half the price against comparable rivals

1. Designed for safe outdoors exercise

The Lypertek Soundfree S30 don’t go in your ears — instead, its two speaker units sit in front of your ears on either end of a semi-circle headband, using cartilage conduction to generate sound by making small vibrations on your outer ear and tragus (the inner bit that some people get pierced) to allow you to hear your music or calls.

This means, as the tech’s name suggests, your ears are open to hear what’s going on around you. This is important if you’re exercising out on the street or in a busy gym, as you can enjoy your audio without losing awareness of any obstacles or movement around you. In fact, many outdoor races no longer let you compete with earbuds in your ears so as to avoid any clumsy bumps with fellow competitors and to hear instructions from marshalls.

They’re pretty comfortable too — made of silicone and titanium, the band rests around the rear of your head, with the speaker units hooking over your ears. The Soundfree S30 is light enough (just 23g) to forget you’re wearing it most of the time — though those with smaller heads might feel the band bounce around a bit.

IP68 waterproofing — good for submersion up to a 10 metre depth — makes them good for swimmers, with control buttons in easy reach under the left arm and on the edge of the left arm, letting you jump tracks, adjust volume, take calls and move through EQ modes.

One final safety feature — a little array of LED lights sit on the rear of the arms, and pulse when in use. Like taillights for your head, they're useful for anyone running along country lanes at dusk. Neat!

2. All the audio, plus your surroundings

With open-ear headphones, you’ve got to keep your expectations in check when it comes to audio quality — these aren’t going to compare to the sound quality you’ll get from in-ears like the AirPods Pro 3, let alone premium over-ears like the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 S2. They serve a different purpose than what you’d expect from an audiophile-aimed listening experience.

And that’s fine! The Lypertek Soundfree S30 put on a good show with your tracks and podcasts, while letting you keep aware of your surroundings. The audio profile favours higher frequencies and mid-range sounds — it's here where the most detail and clarity lives. There’s a bass-oriented EQ setting, but things get a bit muddy, so you’re better off leaving it on Lypertek’s balanced preset. If you like to jog to a podcast or rock music, these will be great — it’ll do a fine job with a thumping beat, but don’t expect clubnight levels of bass for dance and electronic fans.

Even at loud volumes, there’s essentially no audio leakage for those around you too, thanks to the technique employed here. It may take a little while to get used to the tickle of the vibrations, though.

3. Your tunes, built in

As you’d expect from wireless headphones, the Lypertek Soundfree S30 has Bluetooth built in (6.0) for connecting to phones and music players and streaming your tunes. But in a useful move — especially for those that want as few devices as possible with them when they’re exercising — there’s also built in storage for onboard playback.

32GB will give you enough room for around 8,000 tracks, with support for MP3, WAV, FLAC, WMA, APE and M4A file types. Plug the headphones into your computer and it’s then a simple matter of dragging and dropping your tracks onto the device.

4. Marathon-ready battery life

Despite being lightweight, the Lypertek Soundfree S30 offers up to 8 hours of battery life per charge. If you’re looking to maximise your battery life, you’re better off streaming from a device rather than playing onboard tunes, which will drain the battery faster.

8 hours of battery is plenty of time for a slow-paced marathon, and should be enough for a week’s worth of daily hour-long workouts between charges. That’s important, as the Soundfree S30 doesn’t offer any fast charging option, with its adapter taking over two hours to fully recharge the headset.

5. Great value

Available now, the Lypertek Soundfree S30 costs just £79.95. For open-ear headphones, that’s a relative steal. Though there are fancier models on the market, they can cost twice, even three times as much as what Lypertek is offering here. It makes the Lypertek Soundfree S30 a good choice for those unsure whether or not open-ear headphones are for them, or those simply looking to save a bit of dough.

Final Verdict

The Lypertek Soundfree S30 headphones offer a solid package for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts. Their open-ear design puts safety first during outdoor activities, while the built-in MP3 storage frees you from carrying a phone in your gym shorts. With IP68 waterproofing, rear safety LEDs, and up to 8 hours of battery life, they're built for endurance — even if it takes a little while to charge them. While the sound quality is solid rather than spectacular, it's just right for podcasts and most music genres, especially given the affordable £79.95 price point. For those seeking a comfortable, feature-rich, and safe audio solution for their workouts without breaking the bank, the Lypertek Soundfree S30 is an excellent choice, proving that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy your tunes and get ripped at the same time.

Raise your hand if you got peer-pressured into doing some kind of half-marathon / full monty marathon after seeing everyone running in Battersea Park. Yup, thought so. Clearly, the days of being lapped by sweaty and smug runners at some ungodly hour in the morning whilst you’re trying to enjoy a little hot girl walk got to you, too. And now, you’re probably faced with the prospect of an upcoming marathon, which all you’ve done to prepare for is download Strava, buy a cute running vest, and do a couple of laps of your local common.

Well, there may be sunlight at the end of the park run yet, as Omar Mansour, Personal Trainer at elite London gym KXU, has shared ten tips on how to prepare and smash your marathon - although it definitely works for any race. After all, for some of us, a 5k is the equivalent of a marathon, really.

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1. Build gradually

According to Mansour, by increasing your weekly mileage by no more than 10%, you can avoid those dreaded injuries which seem to crop up at the worst times. Add a deload week - an easier week in layman's terms - every 3-4 weeks in your training cycle is key to keeping your training steady.

2. Don’t skip speed work

Probably advice you didn’t want to hear, as speed work can literally feel like the devil’s hopscotch at times, but by incorporating intervals, tempo runs, and threshold sessions, you’ll be able to sharpen your efficiency and race pace.

3. Practice race pace

It’s easy to get a little complacent slash go into denial when training for a race, thinking that your usual 5k plod done six times, it’s basically the same thing as having done the real thing, without tracking pace, speed, etcetera. Mansour recommends adding segments at marathon pace into long runs so your body locks into rhythm.

4. Taper properly

Yes, he’s basically telling you to rest. Well, sort of. Mansour says that by reducing your volume of runs 2-3 weeks before race day, you’ll feel fresh and ready rather than fatigued when that starting gun goes off.

5. Train your gut

As well as the actual running part of training, your whole body needs to get ready - not just your legs. Which essentially means you should practise fueling with gels and fluids during long runs to avoid any surprises on the big day.

6. Hydrate early

It can be easy to skimp on the water during the race, worrying about that horrible sloshing feeling and an early stitch. However, Mansour urges runners to stay well hydrated all race week, topping up on electrolytes if needed.

7. Fuel consistently

Back to the whole nourish-your-body, 360-degree-health-angle of training, one of the key tips is to stick to a balanced diet of carbs, protein, and healthy fats - well before race day. And as tempting as it might be to try out some kind of new diet / foodie treat / chicken and rice only meals, definitely don’t try anything new close to race day.

8. Test your kit

It’s all well and good buying yourself some primo gear - after all, if you’ve signed up to a marathon, you’re definitely a serious runner, and you need serious runner garms. However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saving it all for the actual race day, be it out of superstition or laziness, because you don’t want to do laundry. It may seem like a rogue tip, but Mansour insists that shoes, socks, and race outfit should all be tried and tested ahead of time - nothing brand new on the day.

9. Plan your logistics

There are a lot of elements behind the scenes at race days - after all, it’s a massive group of people crowded together and running at speed, you need organisation. Make sure you know your travel route (including any planned closures), bag drop, start time, and fueling plan in advance, especially if you’re heading to another country where you won’t be as familiar with the local trams, buses, and underground lines.

10. Stay calm

Mansour points out (somewhat annoyingly) that you've chosen to do this - even if you were a little deluded and, ahem, inspired by Instagram fitness influencers when you signed up. Once you get to the actual race, remember to relax and trust your training - enjoy it, if you’re not struggling for breath like the rest of us.

Omar Mansour is a strength and conditioning coach with a track and field background, currently competing at an elite level in HYROX. As a track athlete, he trained under Great Britain Coaches where he developed his skills further both as an athlete and a coach whilst obtaining a sports science degree. Alongside personal training and group fitness, he is an Under Armour ambassador and creator of Track Life LDN, a running crew in London that helps people take their running to an exciting new level.

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A new lido is coming to London, with plans afoot to construct a 50m outdoor pool in Canary Wharf.

It will be called Sea Lanes Canary Wharf and the plan is to open the site for summer 2026.

Sound familiar? The Sea Lanes team currently operates Brighton’s lido, also known as the National Open Water Swimming Centre.

Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will expand upon Eden Dock's current outdoor swimming sessions as a place you can swim out in the open in this heavily built-up area.

Dinner, drinks and a dip

Plans for the lido are being submitted to the relevant bodies this month, and there’s more going on here than just the pool.

Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will offer saunas, a “community clubhouse” and spots to buy something to eat and drink. And unsurprisingly, there will be fitness classes too.

It’s going to float in Eden Dock, and thereby take up a good chunk of it, as shown in the preliminary concept drawings. Much like Sea Lanes Brighton, the Canary Wharf lido will be 1.3m depth across its full length. There’s no deep or shallow end here.

Sea Lanes director Ross Gilbert says the plans are “building on the fantastic work already accomplished in the neighbourhood to open up Eden Dock for everyone to enjoy.”

“Our vision is to bring people and nature closer together by offering a fully accessible floating freshwater pool, lifeguarded and open year-round, supported by a hub of health, wellbeing and food and beverage businesses,” he says.

The lido will be open year-round. And as Eden Dock is separate from the river Thames, you won’t find yourself dysentery-dodging each time you take a dip.

Seasonal Eden Dock outdoor swimming was on offer this Summer (and still is), and this lido will effectively become a permanent — if more rigid — take on the idea. You can currently book a swimming slot for £9.50, although with depth of at least 3m it’s not as approachable for less confident swimmers as the lido will be next year.

Eden Dock open water swimming also requires a MOWCA membership, which costs £20 a year.

A look at Sea Lanes Brighton may give us a better idea of how the Canary Wharf lido will eventually operate, though. There you’ll pay £60 a month on a rolling contract, or £55 a month with a 12-month contract.

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Autumn might be one of the few periods in the year which isn’t dominated by some kind of diet messaging, as the dreaded “beach body” slinks into the distance - probably clutching a Mars bar and some kind of Pumpkin Spiced drink which is at least fifty per cent whipped cream. But whilst diet culture isn’t welcome any time of the year, nifty fitness equipment with a cool design is always going to get our attention.

Toner is a new-on-the-scene company who have designed the coolest, sleekest at-home equipment gear we’ve ever seen — the TonerBox. No clunky benches or barbells over here, no trademark ugly black rubber cladding, no gear taking up more space than even exists in your London box room.

The TonerBox instead is beautifully designed and seriously compact; the whole idea is that when folded, it only takes up a mere corner (W49 x H48.5 x D38 cm) of your chosen room and blends in seamlessly with its surroundings (aka, the IKEA-tastic neutral living room)

But, it’s definitely not falling under the style over substance category either; when unfolded, the box becomes a toner bench (35cm high), a weight rack, weight plates (up to 37kg) and Olympic bars and collars. All this gear means that you can do bodyweight training, core and stability workouts, mobility and balance and plyometric training. That includes strength training like: squats, deadlifts, shoulder presses, chest presses, rows, bicep curls, tricep extensions, push-ups, dips, planks, leg raises, crunches, yoga flows, static holds, HIIT, circuits, jump squats, box jumps, glute bridges - almost anything, pretty much. Basically, with one of these, you have zero excuse not to work out.

Forget the days of assembling flatpack furniture, as the TonerBox doesn’t require any tools or fussy arrangement, just unfold and go. And if you’re worried about it snapping and breaking under your weight as you attempt a box jump (as every Brit would), it supports up to 150kg of user weight, so you’ll be covered. Plus, it’s built with a reinforced aluminium frame and non-slip feet so it stays in place even during high-impact workouts. And according to the team, it doesn’t make any noise when in use either — unlike when your partner tries to pick you up.

The box includes:

• Toner bench
• Weight rack
• 4x 5 kg rubber bumper weight plates
• 4x 2.5 kg rubber bumper weight plates
• 4x 1,25 kg rubber bumper weight plates
• 4x 0.5 kg rubber bumper weight plates
• 2x olympic dumbbell bars
• 4x quick release collars
• 3x resistance bands (5, 10 and 15 kg)
• 5mm exercise mat

Hold that cheque book though — it's not on sale yet, as the TonerBox is going through a final prototype development stage before going into mass production. However, you can sign up via its site to receive updates and exclusive early bird access.

So, if you feel like the thing that’s really holding you back from exercising is your at-home gear, but also don’t have room for a full-blown home gym, this could be your answer. Or at least, it will look cute and be an ideal spot to rest your coffee and book on.

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You may know Gymbox for its numerous classes, bougie cold plunges, and serious nice facilities which makes it feel more hotel than gym, but now they’ve gone green. Gymbox has launched Nike Strength, making it the first UK gym to introduce Nike’s range of workout equipment made from scrap.

Nike Grind consists of manufacturing scrap, unused manufacturing materials, and-of-life footwear. They repurpose this - think rubber, foam, fibre, leather, and textiles - collecting and separating it to be reused or processed into the Grind products. The Grind products include things like squat racks, rubber bumper plates, power and strength bars.

Nike has been innovating its Grind range for years, experimenting with different waste materials to innovate 100% recycled products that stop products going to landfill. 122 million pounds of Nike Grind have been recycled into products since 1992.

Previously these products have been sold exclusively through Nike’s website for private at-home gym use (cause so many of us have home-gyms that are begging gor equipment). But now Gymbox is bringing them to the capital, starting out in its Farringdon outpost. It’s a pretty cool way to see how a traditionally fast and wasteful industry is closing the gap IRL, rather than the faraway, hard-to-quantify land of carbon offsetting and similar. And for anyone wondering if they feel any different, the equipment is just as heavy and high quality as your standard stuff.

New Nike strength training equipment includes:

• Half Racks
• Rubber Bumper Plates
• 1972 Power Bar
• Strength Shield Barbell (15kg)
• Strength Barbell (15kg)
• Plate Tree & Barbell Holder
• Grind Bumper Plates

Gymbox is known for being a more unconventional gym, as they offer not only one of the

biggest ranges of classes, but also because they do day passes and pay-as-you-go classes. So you don’t have to be locked into a contract more concretely binding than your flat tenancy, that you sign with a sweat-induced blood contract for a gym that you barely even go to, you can do a try before you buy and test out to see if it’s the one for you.

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There are many hacks available for getting to sleep - whale music, white noise, eye masks, every lavender product you can think of. Then there are different methods too - some people swear by meditating before bed, box breathing, 30-minute digital detoxes - the list goes on.

But the newest trend - which, like all the best alternative healing methods, is actually an ancient ritual - is something a little more wacky.

According to new research, blowing into a conch shell could help tackle the symptoms of a sleep disorder. Conch blowing - also known as shankh blowing - is an ancient ritual which involves pretty much exactly what you’d expect, namely, breathing deeply and exhaling into the iconic spiral-shaped shells.

The technique is known for improving sleep, especially helping patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, which is typically treated with some Matrix-looking heavy machinery.

Sleep apnoea happens when breathing starts and stops during sleep; symptoms include loud snoring and gasping or choking noises.

The whole conch-shell Little-Mermaid-esque potential treatment comes after research was done at the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, where researchers created a trial involving thirty people living with the disorder aged between 19 and 65.

Half the group were taught how to use the shell whilst others carried out deep breathing exercises. Both groups were told to practise these different breathing techniques for at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week.

After six months, the trial looked at the results from both groups and found that those who practised shankh blowing were 34% less sleepy during the day, had higher blood oxygen levels during the night, and up to five fewer sleep apnoea episodes an hour on average.

At the moment, as anyone whose watched Modern Family circa season 7 will be familiar with, the current most common form of treatment for sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure machine) which involves the patient wearing a mask which blows pressurised air into the nose and throat while the patient is asleep. It is rather, ahem, cumbersome. And loud.

This isn't the first unorthodox method that’s been used to help sleep apnoea - previous research found that playing a woodwind instrument could also help with the condition. Although that is probably just as annoying to other halves as the noisy CPAP machine. At least the CPAP machines are always in tune…

Whilst the machines are effective, they are usually pretty uncomfortable for those suffering, so this deep-sea alternative could be pretty effective. Following the success of the trial, they are rolling out a larger trial involving several hospitals to see if the results are just as promising.

Imagine getting a conch shell prescribed via the NHS... Pretty cool, right?

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It seems like barely a day goes by without some kind of fitness trend rearing its impressively toned body, and making us feel incredibly lazy. Although in fairness we’ve definitely succumbed to peer pressure, having most recently jumped on the Hyrox trend, tried our hands at Padel and tested out hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Our latest adventure? The world of METRIX. Imagine Hyrox, but more friendly. METRIX is the brainchild of former Royal Marine Will McClaren, and sports scientist Toby Spooner. It’s a 360 fitness experience that fuses high-energy workouts with club-quality music, with a dash of run-club romance thrown in for good measure. The pair wanted to transform the competitive workout scene from a testosterone-fuelled space to an inclusive, fun, and relaxed environment.

Sound like the muscle-testing scene for you? Here's 6 things you need to know about METRIX.

METRIX: In short...

• Club night music and lighting meets workout competitions
• Focused on the socialising as much as the exercise
• Similar to Hyrox but more accessible, and more social

1. What exactly is METRIX?

METRIX is a full day experience where fitness meets music and wellbeing in a community focused event. There’s a £5k prize fund up for grabs too, in case you needed some motivation. As well as the actual workout zones, it has been designed to be a whole day experience where you can meet other competitors, so essentially you have a built-in afterparty once you’ve finished. There are loads of places to get good food, even to have a drink, ice baths, saunas, showers and more.

They have all-day DJs and Club Level sound production meaning that you basically feel like you’re at a club - you’ll definitely be sweating just as much.

2. What exercises do you do?

Similar to Hyrox, the competition consists of five different workout stations: ski erg, burpees, row erg, bike erg, and a final sled push & shuttle run. You have 10 minutes at each station to accumulate as many metres as possible. You do METRIX with a partner, and like Hyrox you can spit these stations however you like, within the classic you-go-I-go format (with one person doing the station and the other resting).

Crucially, there are no wall balls. Thank them later.

3. Why did they create it?

“I think a lot of people do exercise for fun now,” founder Will McClaren told Shortlist.

“I know people who played sport professionally at the highest level but when they do fitness now, they just want to have a laugh. But, I think people still want something to work towards, a goal of some kind to give their workouts a focus.

"We wanted to promote serious and genuine athleticism and fitness but at the same time, we want people to enjoy themselves. That’s been taken away in a lot of other competitions; we wanted to bring that fun element back, one that wasn’t just about fit people from the gym, but about everyone.”

“When we do the competition,” he added, “it’s a dark environment so people aren’t looking at you and it’s not quite so intimidating. Also we don’t emphasise running - a lot of people can’t run 8km [like you do in Hyrox] - it’s too long for someone who doesn’t enjoy running. And, your technique can start breaking down.”

Plus, there's been a huge increase in the number of people meeting their partners through fitness related activities - especially the rise of run club romances. METRIX may just be your new wingman… In fact, at their very first event, they actually had a matchmaker ticket, where you bought a ticket for yourself and you would be partnered up with someone who had done the same - sort of like a cross between a blind date and a teammate. Whilst they’ve put that on hold for the next couple of events as they hammer out the logistics, rumour has it they’ve been talking to dating-app Bumble about creating something similar once more…

4. How does it work?

METRIX is very tech driven; you and your partner have your own unique login code, and at each station there’s a tablet which you punch this into which allows everything to be tracked. They don’t have judges in the workout space because they didn’t want to take away from the relaxed environment that’s created through the loaction, the lighting, and the music.

5. What's on offer?

Despite having launched only a year ago, the METRIX team already have some seriously cool partnerships lined up, with the likes of Swiss Sports company On, Prime Time, and Exhalt. There are a load of different refuelling options, a recovery zone, and even physios offering massages as well as the saunas, and ice baths mentioned above. Basically, they have everything covered, from your wellness to your fun.

6. How can I participate?

METRIX tickets cost £120 for a standard entry ticket. However, as you have to enter with a partner, it’s £240 total for both of you. Whether you enter as a mixed double or a single sex duo, it’s the same price. For context, a Hyrox entry will cost around the same, clocking in at around just over £100.

The next METRIX London event is kicking off on 28th September and there is still a chance to sign up and compete. If you fancy an excuse to have a holiday, they're also holding one in Cyprus on 18th October. Their Manchester METRIX has just wrapped, having kicked off on Saturday 2nd August. You can head to their website to read more and get involved - either as a spectator or a participant.

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Actors often feel like a different breed - from the red carpet walks to constant paparazzi and famous friends, they’re really a completely different specimen. Plus, it seems like hardly a week goes by without hearing about something crazy an actor has done for a role - think Kate Winslet learning to hold her breath for over seven minutes or Meral Streep learning Polish - Daniel Day Lewis even worked as a cobbler for his role in Gangs of New York. Crazy. And to think you have Friends on in the background has you work from home, wiggling your mouse to keep Teams “active” as you crack on with some chores that have been on your to-do list all week. Pathetic.

Sacha Baron Cohen has been in the headlines recently thanks to his new super jacked physique. The comedian-slash-actor joked that he was “hard launching [his] mid-life crisis”, and that his “new character was: Middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes”. Using a combination of Ozempic, private chefs, and personal trainers, (including Matthew McConaughey’s fave), Baron Cohen didn’t get in shape for a specific role, but just to keep as healthy as possible. Although, he is set to take on the (recurring) role of bad-guy Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he’s definitely not the first to up the workouts for an MCU character. It got us thinking about some of the other incredible transformations fellow actors have undergone in the name of work commitment.

J K Simmons

One of the most accredited actors of our generation, JK Simmons has been on screens for over 50 years, but it was on our phone screens where he most recently (okay, 2016) went viral. Showing off some bulging biceps, Simmons’ trainer Aaron Wilson shared a picture of Simmons mid-curl and the internet predictably went into a tailspin. As well as generally keeping fit and healthy, he famously went on to deliver a memorable performance as a buff Santa in Red One.

Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney’s appearance is often in headlines, but it was her transformation into boxing icon Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic which really made a splash. Sweeney did grappling and kickboxing from ages 12-19 and said that prior to training for the film, she had been "itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform [her] body.” Boxing is incredibly physically demanding, combining elements of strength training and cardiovascular training, enhancing coordination, balance, and endurance. Basically, we’d definitely not want to get into a fight with any boxer - or Sydney Sweeney.

Kumail Nanjiani

From going from comedy nerd to buff action hero is a trajectory many of us dream of - although for most of us, it remains a tragic-tory. For Nanjiani though, it was a viral sensation, shaping up for his role in Marvel’s Eternals. Nanjiani claimed there was another reason to level up the workout regime, his superhero’s secret identity was that he is a Bollywood movie star - and those guys are super-jacked, so he “had to” really get into shape.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron’s Baywatch bod was a crazy enough transformation - after all, it’s practically an impossible task to stand next to The Rock and look like anything other than one of those blow-up tube guys outside a car wash, but Efron really held his own. However, it was his Iron Claw routine which is most memorable. We’re back to the boxing/MMA/wrestling ring for Efron’s portrayal of Kevin Von Erich for 2023’s pro-wrestling drama flick. His transformation involved a combination of working with a trainer who implemented a complex system of bulking and cutting - in lazy person’s terms, eating a lot and removing fat from your body.

Ralph Fiennes

Hitting our screens only recently, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later was a hit film for many reasons, but one of the main things that had people talking was Ralph Fiennes’ appearance. Aside from the blood-soaked, ragged garms, it was the 62 year old’s incredibly fit physique that caught people’s attention. Fiennes worked with trainer Dan Acasilcai - former bodybuilder and wrestler - to help get in shape (although the pair have been working together for decades) and his schedule involved five heavy workouts per week, following by up to 45 minutes of hill running each evening whilst filming - oh and a pretty strict diet. I think we’ll stick to our friday night pint.

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There are a few things that unite the nation - The Traitors, a love for David Attenborough, and thoughts on meal deals aside. But one of the things that’s pretty much omnipresent across all Brits is a worry about health. Whether it’s the looming fear of an illness that runs in the family, or the fact that you Google your symptoms every time you have a headache and self-diagnose a subdural haematoma, even the healthiest of folks are keeping an eye on it.

So, it’s no real surprise that people are investing more and more in health trackers like smart watches, high-tech sleep-aids, techy rings, collagen lip balms, cortisol nasal strips - you name it, Holland & Barrett probably sell it. But what about maximising the gadgets you already have in your pocket? We headed down to Apple's London headquarters to find out more about how to optimise using the Apple Health app on iPhone alongside Apple Watches and AirPods.

1. It prioritises baseline health

Apple’s Health app is centred around the idea that health and disease are not binary, encouraging users to build a picture of their own health, to work out what is healthy for them, so that you can maintain your health before you’re even in a state of ill-health.

By monitoring things like your heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, amongst others, the app builds a sort of personal health passport, making it easier to spot abnormalities that are specific to you. This is useful because when you visit your local GP with a concern, you already have a picture of your health, rather than having to wait for tests to find this out, meaning you can usually get an answer more quickly.

2. You can do an entire ECG from the Apple watch

This is where it starts getting cool. You know an ECG? Those heart monitor tests that you used to have to wait months to get? Now, you can do one just with your Apple Watch. An ECG records the timing and strength of the electrical signals that make the heart beat.

All you need to do is use the ECG app on the device. First, put your index finger on the watch’s crown - this creates a complete circuit from your wrist.

The circuit goes all the way up your watch-wearing arm, across your chest, down the other arm, connecting back to the watch, taking an ECG. In just 30 seconds. Pretty revolutionary, right?

3. It monitors whether your heart is in a-fib or sinus rhythm

These might be phrases you’ve only heard in medical procedural dramas, but in layman's terms, a sinus rhythm means the heart is beating in a uniform pattern between 50 and 100 BPM. A-Fib - short for Atrial fibrillation - is essentially an irregular heart rhythm, and the most common form of serious arrhythmia. It can often be asymptomatic, so being able to monitor this yourself means it can be easier to discover and do something about. Version 2 of the ECG app can check for AFib between 50 and 150 BPM.

4. You can do a hearing test at-home

Anyone else permanently worried they’re heading towards deafness every time they subject their ears to the brutal screeching of the tube? Especially if you're stuck on the Jubilee line?

To help ease your worries, Apple’s latest health app has a handy hearing test you can do whenever you like. The hearing test can identify if you have hearing loss, just by measuring your hearing ability at different frequencies, measured in decibels. It’s just another feature that can help you get ahead of any potential problems sooner rather than later.

5. You can share your health data with chosen family members (including seeing your partners menstrual cycle, so you don’t have to ask)

If you have an elderly relative who lives by themselves or far away from you, their health can be a constant worry, especially if you’re not sure what’s going on. However, the Health app allows you to share data with certain friends and family - including sleep, heart rate, falls, and hearing.

Also, and we know this might not sound as revolutionary as the ECG thing, but stick with us here — you can also share your menstrual cycle with your partner. Apple’s health app tracks your menstrual cycle anyway, as you can input data about bleeding, symptoms, and pregnancy, and then the app will pretty much do the rest - predicting when you’ll be most fertile, ovulating etcetera. Super helpful if you’re trying to start a family, or simply be a supportive partner.

But, even better, it means you can subtly check if your partner is on their period without having to ask. (Trust us, it’s the most annoying question to be asked whether you’re on it or not - never a good time to ask). Apple, doing its part for the relationship statuses of the world.

6. You can export all your health data into a PDF and send it straight to your doctor

All the data collected can be shared with your doctor with a couple of simple clicks. Export to a PDF will appear as a button at the top of each segment, tap it, and email it straight to whoever you want - although, maybe don’t send it to your boss.

It keeps things super simple, but it also gives you autonomy and agency over your own health data. Which incidentally is encrypted, so even Apple can’t access its details.

7. It can input data from third-party apps

Most of us have other apps outside of the built-in Health app to track various bits and pieces. Whether it’s a sleep app, food diary, water tracker, Strava, or Runna, rather than keeping track of these separately, you can choose to import their data and centralise it with the Health app, meaning you can get a more streamlined, overall picture of your health.

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Apple Fitness+, the health-and-fitness subscription service for Apple’s devices, has got a major new update just in time for its subscribers’ ‘new year, new you’ fitness goals.

The biggest addition is a deep integration with leading fitness tracking app Strava. The two can now share more data, including rich details provided by Fitness+ workouts, which can then be shared around the Strava community, unifying a user's fitness journeys across apps. Strava subscribers can get a three month trial of Fitness+ with the update too, with athletes from the Strava service making guest appearances on Fitness+ throughout the year.

That’s just the first in a series of new additions to the platform. A brand new progressive strength program will help users build and maintain strength growth. It’s a three-week guided program targeting every major muscle group with 12 30-minute workouts: Progressive Overload (Week One), Time Under Tension (Week Two), and Dynamic Power (Week Three). You can then adjust the weight amount to keep building gains with the routine over an extended period of time.

If you’re one of the growing number of pickleball players around the world, you can now use it within Fitness+ training routines to build strength, endurance, and agility with a new program featuring Catherine Parenteau, world No. 1 in pickleball singles and doubles.

A Yoga Peak Poses workshop series focusses on individual poses to build confidence and skill in key moves, including Dancer, Twisted Hand to Big Toe, and Crow, with 10 minute warm ups for the 10 minute sessions.

There’s a big expansion of Fitness+’s Breath Meditation section, with a new Introductory course of five 10-minute sessions, teaching users the benefits of techniques like belly, box, and ocean breathing.

All-star workouts

Rounding off the update is a host of star-studded content. Workouts will put a spotlight on featured artist music including tracks from Janet Jackson, Coldplay, Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar. New episodes of the Time to Walk podcast will kick off with Adam Scott of Severance fame as a guest, with further episodes set to include Steve Aoki, Lana Condor, Daddy Yankee and more. And superstar dance trainer Alex Wong will make a guest appearance as an Apple Fitness+ coach.

The new content will roll out for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV owners from Monday 6th January. Apple Watch owners that close all their Activity rings for seven days in a row in January can unlock a limited edition award badge, too.

• The world's most popular running shoe, according to Strava users

When Carv launched on Kickstarter back in 2016, it was a groundbreaking concept - a digital ski coach that could give you real time feedback based on your actual skiing, using an insole to measure your movements.

As innovative as this was, the insole hardware system needed to collect the data had always been a sticking point for many, with concerns of difficult installation, sizing, fit and boot comfort.

Fast forward eight years, 45k+ users, and 580m turns analysed later, and the launch of the new-and-improved Carv 2 changes all of that.

Shortlist spent two days with the Carv team on the slopes of Stubai Glacier, Austria to find out all you need to know about this next-gen digital ski coach...

1. Simple set up

Moving away from the somewhat intrusive insole sensors and in-boot wires of previous generations, the new Carv hardware is much more accessible and user friendly.

Fitting the new sensors takes seconds — simply clip a sensor to the strap of each ski boot. and you’re ready to go. The in app instructions will make sure they’re in a suitable position, but it really is that easy.

Once the sensors are in place, all you need to do is download the Carv app and create an account; then using low energy Bluetooth, your phone will automatically detect the nearest two sensors to you. Click Pair, and you’re fully set up, ready to start your coaching journey.

2. Your personalised ski coach

The hardware may be one-size fits all but the app certainly is not — and that is one of the biggest strengths of Carv. You can let Carv decide which metrics and techniques you should work on, or you can set these yourself if there are specifics you want to improve, along with being able to change the frequency and detail of the voice coaching (or even completely removing the voice coaching if you prefer to ski without headphones).

This level of customisation means that you can use Carv in a coaching style that suits you best. You can benefit from the gamification of your moves with a ‘ding’ or ‘buzz’ when you hit or miss your measured metric, the intense constant turn by turn ‘Ski:IQ’ update which tells you the score of each turn to push you to match or better it.

Then there is the more casual approach that tracks your full runs in the background and then gives you the coaching advice on what to improve when you’re riding the lift (which was my personal favourite mode, as it let me focus on my skiing in the moment), or the more data-led version of reading deep into your results within the app.

3. Data, data and more data

There is more data than even the most avid of enthusiasts could realistically look through, which is where your Ski:IQ comes in - a simple number benchmark, created by a much less simple algorithm analysing your data.

As you ski, the 6-axis sensors (including an accelerometer and gyroscope) collect the data and feed it into the Carv developed Motion AI - which outputs all of the metrics available to view in the app.

The three core metrics are Rotary (Turn Shape & Parallel Skis), Edging (Early Edging, Mid-Turn Edge Build, Edging Similarity and Max Edge Angle) and Balance (Early Forward Movement, Mid-Turn Balance and Transition Weight Release) - each of which you can view the turn by turn analysis of in the app, along with explanations of what each of these mean, why they are important, how to improve and how your progress is going.

4. Suitable for almost all skiers

Carv is no longer reserved for those confident enough to mess around with boot linings. If you can safely get down a groomer, then Carv is for you. It’s designed for almost everyone, whether you’re a beginner looking to move on from snowplow or an experienced skier working on the finer details of your turns.

With a focus on 10 essential skills, from the relatively simple Turn Shape (helping you move from jagged Z to smooth C shaped turns) to the more intense Turn G Force (measuring the G Force you create during acceleration in the turn) - the advice will vary depending on your skill level, to help you make the right moves to up your score and improve your skiing.

5. Before you go

The Carv app isn’t just your coach on the mountain, it’s your pre-ski trip training companion, helping you to prepare both your body and equipment for better performance.

We found it was packed with a wealth of instructional video content, from yoga flows to improve your mobility and balance, to pre-season workouts that boost your fitness, ensuring you’re ready to hit the slopes and keep your legs from burning out on day one.

You’ll also find expert advice on selecting the right boots and fine-tuning your binding settings, alongside some myth-busting tip breakdowns and real life technique assessments.

Carv 2: Final Verdict

Carv 2 is not for beginners, where the real human interaction of a good teacher is invaluable for keeping you and those around you safe whilst you learn the basics. But Carv 2 is a no-brainer for those who have mastered the basics but want to improve without sacrificing slope time having lessons.

There are two purchase options available on at getcarv.com: Season Pass costs £199, which gives you unlimited access to coaching for 12 months and includes the hardware ‘free’. The 6 Day Pass costs £99 and this is aimed at those taking shorter trips and allows for six days of coaching (can be non-consecutive), but you will also need to purchase the hardware for £99.

Neither of these are a low-cost option (£199 being the entry point whichever option you go for) but the level of the personalised coaching you receive makes it great value for money when compared to individual on-mountain ski lessons.

The option to adapt the coaching to suit your learning style, along with genuinely useful instruction (supported by examples and explanations of terminology within the app) and visible benchmarks of your improvements with Ski:IQ, make Carv 2 a game-changing piece of technology that will take your skiing to the next level.

Running is a fantastic form of exercise. It’s cheap, accessible and a great way to get a huge hit of endorphins. It’s also a good form of exercise to ease yourself into because there are many different apps that’ll help you train. That’s why we’ve created this guide to the best running apps around right now.

Each of these apps become your running coach. Some are created for serious runners, whereas others are designed for those dipping their toes into the running waters for the first time.

The best running app for you depends on what you’re looking for from your training. Long distance runners interested in marathon training might choose an app with social capabilities to share splits with fellow runners, like Strava and Runkeeper.

Those who have recently taken up running for health reasons or as part of a 5km challenge might prefer an app with streamlined features, such as Nike Run Club or Pacer.

And if you’re a complete beginner there are plenty of apps to ease you into the running lifestyle, like Couch to 5K, which does what it says on the tin – transforms you from a coach potato to a 5K runner in a matter of weeks with the help of a structured programme.

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve selected the best running apps around right now in our list below.

• Keen to get into long-distance running? Read our how to run a marathon guide.

Best running apps

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Garmin has officially unveiled its two latest smartwatches built for training and serious fitness, the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro.

These aren’t brand new watches, but Pro versions of the popular Fenix 7 and Epix ranges with a few notable upgrades and new features, including training metrics and an adjustable LED flashlight for running in the dark.

Unlike the regular watch ranges, both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro will be available in three sizes, including 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. As well as offering the same range of sizes, both of the new watches look similar with titanium casing and bezel. But there are a couple of key differences.

The main difference between the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro is their screens. The Epix Pro has an OLED display and the Fenix 7 Pro has a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, which supports solar charging. So while you’ll get a clearer and brighter experience with the Fenix 7 Pro, there's none of the cool sun-powered tech to extend your battery life.

Both fitness watches have a built-in, hands-free LED flashlight. This sits within the watch’s bezel and you can set it to a red light, a brighter, white LED light or a strobe mode. This isn’t the first time that Garmin has put a flashlight in one of its watches – you can also find one in the 51mm Garmin Fenix 7X Solar. But it’s good to see that it’s being rolled out to more models as we imagine it'll prove to be incredibly handy in any low light conditions.

There are a few interesting new fitness metrics in the watches, too, called Endurance Scores and Hill Scores. Your Endurance Score measures your ability to complete long exercises, like long runs, using Vo2 Max data. Hill Score rates your ability to run up hills based on similar Vo2 Max info and your training history.

Both watches also have updated heart rate sensors, as well as new topographical map overlays, which can be used to show weather patterns, so you know what’s ahead of you while you’re running.

These new Garmin smartwatches don't come cheap. They're packed with high-end tech and features that would best suit those serious about fitness, especially anyone who runs or hikes trails or trains on rough terrain. Think of them as a competitor to the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra.

The Epix Pro is available to buy now and starts at £829.99 for the smaller 42mm and 47mm models. The larger 51mm model is £929.99. The Fenix 7 Pro is also available now and starts at £749.99 for the 42mm and 47mm models, whereas the larger 51mm version is £829.99.

• If you prefer working out at home rather than hitting the trails, take a look at our best home gym essentials guide.

Making an actual meal every lunch time? Who has time for that? That's where this 'best meal replacement shakes' list comes into play.

Meal replacement shakes - and other meal replacement foods - get a bit of stick in popular culture, but they are healthier than a cheese sandwich, cheaper than a deli salad. And making one takes a couple of minutes rather than a whole lunch hour.

• These are the best protein bars to give you that snack fix.

The most famous of the meal replacements is probably Huel. It's the classic pick and, sure enough, years down the line it is still one of of favourites. However, it is not the meal replacement we're using right now and isn't the cheapest option out there.

We’ve picked out some of the best options on the market, helping you cut down on hour after hour of meal prep every week.

You may also want to pay attention to a trend that has sprouted up over the last few years. Companies lie Huel and Jimmy Joy also make the equivalent of healthy ready meals, and all you need to prepare them is hot water.

Upvote your favourite. And add any meal-replacers at the bottom you think deserve a fair shake.

The best meal replacement shakes

Author Bio

Tom Victor

Tom Victor is a former ShortList staff writer. He is an expert on all things sport, nutrition and entertainment - with a particular interest in football. He is the author of the brilliant What Would Jurgen Klopp Do?

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Amazon Prime Day 2021 is one of the best times of the year to nab yourself a wearable bargain.

A good fitness tracker is the best way tech can help you get out to exercise more and Amazon Prime Day has loads of wearable deals for you to choose from.

We will have all the hot picks for beginners, and those after a "pro" style runner's watch should be happy too when the deals flood in June 21-22.

There are lots of discounts on Garmin's watches, Galaxy watches and even Apple Watches. If you want to see all the Prime Day deals, then head to our Amazon Prime Day hub for a curated selection.

The best Amazon Prime Day wearable deals

It’s that time of the year when you take a look at your Christmas list and wonder just what to get everyone. Let’s face it, while we're all getting a little more comfortable with being at home, another pair of socks is probably not at the top of our ‘want’ list right now.

But gadgets that help us get fitter, interact with the great outdoors like never before and provide us with much needed contact with our loved ones, definitely are. They've become an essential part of this new normal. Whether it’s a rugged smartwatch to take on a trek, or a long-lasting laptop for those all-important video calls, HONOR has a bevy of technology that will cater for even the hardest to buy for.

When buying an HONOR device, you're buying something made by a company obsessed with design and creativity, that makes products that fit perfectly into TechChic lifestyles. These are products are for those who are connected, innovative, and open-minded.

Here are 9 amazing HONOR gadgets that should be at the top of anyone’s Christmas list…

9 HONOR gadgets that would make the perfect gift:

Football, we miss you. Watching it, playing it. We’d even go as far as to say we pine for the time we can start lambasting VAR decisions again.

Hopefully, it won’t be long until service resumes (whatever that looks like). But if all the football documentaries and films in the world one can’t fill that void, Adidas can help.

Launched last month, Adidas GMR aims to bring gaming and physical football worlds closer together through insoles fitted with a smart tag made by Google. When placed inside of whatever you normally kick a ball around with, the insoles track movement and log when you connect with the ball. Complete GMR's weekly challenges and you’ll unlock rewards in FIFA Mobile to bolster your Ultimate Team.

Despite current events making it a bit trickier to get outside, Adidas has added a series of ‘home’ challenges so you can have a kickaround without leaving the house.

We were fortunate enough to have some garden space to put the GMR to the test, to find out what it’s made of. Here are five things you should know before you buy.

The Adidas GMR insoles are available to buy now for £29.95 directly from Adidas

• Need another football fix? Here's our pick of the best football books to read right now and a run down of the 5 most intense football matches of all time

Not just for boots owners

One of the nicest things about the GMR insoles is you don’t have to own a fancy pair of Nike Mercurials to put them to use. The EVA foam insoles come in sizes suitable for shoes ranging from size 3 all the way up to 13. There should be an ideal fit for most.

If your go-to shoe has removable insoles, you can swap-in the smart insoles, but you do have the option to sit them on top too. When they get a bit sweaty from your footballing sessions, you can give the insoles a wash in cold water. Just make sure you remove the tag that does all the smart work first.

Powered by Google

The small tag inside the GMR sole tracks stats like distance, speed, shot speed and number of kicks, and makes use of Google’s Jacquard technology.

There’s just one of these tags provided and it should be placed inside of the insole of your dominant foot. Housed inside that tag are accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensors, commonly found in phones, smartwatches and sports watches.

There’s also a small processing brain that uses Google’s artificial intelligence expertise to recognise the different football movements. This tech is similar to what Google has already put inside denim jackets made by Levi’s and a YSL backpack with connected features.

You can expect that tag to last for three 90-minute matches before you'll need to plug it back into the charger. It looks like this:

Have a Dybala

GMR hooks up to EA Sports’ FIFA Mobile game (not the console version) where current Ultimate Team players can start unlocking rewards to bolster their teams. Or you can just start from scratch.

If you’re delving into the realm of FIFA Ultimate Team for the first time, picking up the GMR will instantly give you some added firepower. After the setup, and completing some in-game training drills, you are presented with a gift in the shape of the diminutive Argentina and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala to spearhead your attack.

Football’s coming home

There are no restrictions on where GMR works. If you have a ball and somewhere to kick it, that’s all you need. You don’t have to play in your weekly 5-a-side game, as it also works for solo play.

Struggling for space? FIFA Mobile hosts weekly GMR challenges based around your home. So passing the ball against a wall 75 times or taking out the rubbish with a 40m sprint will score you points to give your Ultimate Team an extra skill boost.

Climbing up the table

Along with bolstering your Ultimate Team squad with big name players, there’s also the small matter of topping the weekly leaderboards. There aren't just global leaderboards either.

You can also choose to compete against other GMR-owning friends in your own league leaderboard, and smaller group leaderboards, to increase your chances of cementing top spot. If you are sitting pretty in the silverware spot, you’ll be rewarded with more goodies in the mobile game.

Final Verdict

The Adidas GMR does feel like something made for younger football fans, simply because it works on FIFA Mobile and not the full console game. There are some question marks over accuracy of tracking and there’s a bit of back and forth between apps to sync. It would also be good to be able to view your stats outside of FIFA Mobile.

Still, there’s nothing else like it out there. And at £30 GMR won't break the bank. The ability to wear the sensor in any footwear is a big plus, while the home challenges are definitely welcome given current events.

If you like the idea of racing to your fridge with a ball at your feet, to earn enough points to snap up a Sancho, the GMR is a good bit of footballing fun.

The Apple Watch is probably the first smartwatch that springs to mind. However, Huawei stepped things up big time with the launch of the Huawei GT 2 towards the end of 2019.

Huawei’s premiere watch has now undergone a bit of a facelift - enter the Huawei Watch GT 2e.

It's sleeker and sportier than its predecessor. However, there's more than just looks to set this newer model apart from last year's Watch GT 2.

The Huawei Watch GT 2e has a host of tweaks and upgrades across the board, including more RAM and a £20-lower price. A sensible price was always a major selling point for the GT 2 and now the GT 2e has followed suit, considerably undercutting some of its smartwatch rivals.

However, app compatibility remains a bit of an issue for this smartwatch. The GT 2e runs off Huawei’s own LiteOS operating system, which links up to the Huawei Health app on your phone. There are definite pros and cons to this, first and foremost when it comes to using some of your favourite non-Huawei apps.

Anyway, more on that later. For now, these are the five things you should know about the new Huawei GT 2e.

1. Sportier look

Huawei has added Icy White, Lava Red, Mint Green, and Graphite Black versions to the range. There are six Huawei Watch GT 2e colours to choose from.

Gone are the two round and somewhat rugged control buttons seen on the side of the GT 2. Instead, the GT 2e has sleeker, flatter rectangular buttons to the side of the 46mm face.

The simpler stainless steel trim gives this model an altogether sharper finish than its predecessor too. Huawei has taken the Marie Kondo route, throwing out etched-in numbers around the dial for a minimalist, refined look.

Two-tone rubber straps can add a bit of visual punch if you want it, but Huawei has kept seams and bezels to a minimum this time around, making it a great looking piece of kit.

2. Impressive battery life

If this watch has kept one important thing the same, it's impressive stamina. A 455 mAh battery gives the GT 2e the same "two week" battery life as the GT 2. Having used the watch moderately for a number of hour-long workouts, alongside the occasional time and heart rate check, it easily went ten or so days without requiring a recharge - although Huawei claims it can last up to 14.

It’s pretty impressive given the screen quality and brightness. Naturally, GPS is going to zap the battery, so the more workouts you do, the quicker it will deplete.

There were a few niggles when it came to picking up the wrist movement required to activate the watch face, though - something that may well have contributed to the great battery life.

To charge you use a two pronged magnetic charging plate that attaches to the back of the face. It’s compact and bright white - which isn’t the most attractive when most of the range consists of muted tones - but it’s a pretty minor flaw in the scheme of things.

3. More RAM for less buck

Priced at £159.99, the Huawei Watch GT 2e is cheaper than the Huawei GT 2 was when it first launched at the end of last year. You’ll also notice you’re getting more bang for your buck with the new GT 2e model, first and foremost in the RAM department.

It uses Huawei's Kirin A1 processor, and the GT 2e now has double the RAM of its sibling, upped from 16MB to 32MB. You read that right: Huawei's LiteOS hardly needs any memory. But it’s a noticeable improvement. The watch feels that bit faster when zipping between workout modes and apps. That being said, it’s worth noting that there’s still no 4G/LTE version of the smartwatch.

And like last time, the GT 2E has 4GB storage, enough for around 500 songs.

4. Huawei Health app update and syncing

The first major Huawei GT 2e stumbling block we came across was the Huawei Health app. In order to operate, the watch requires you to install the Huawei Mobile Services and Huawei AppGallery if you have an Android phone, alongside the Huawei Health app that syncs and runs the watch. That’s three apps for one device.

Once working, though, it seemed to be a pretty smooth process, despite the initial setup feeling a little convoluted.

5. 100 workout modes

The Huawei Watch GT 2e has modes for stacks of different kinds of exercise, over 100 activities in total. There are 15 sports modes - including 8 outdoor and 7 indoor options for essentials like running and cycling - alongside 85 other modes capable of tracking things like ball games and aquatics.

The sports mode also allows you to capture 190 different types of data - which is great if you’re looking to analyse your performance. We might just stick to checking our heart rate and ensuring we’re still alive.

That being said, the lack of connectivity to Strava is disappointing. If you’re buying a smartwatch to monitor your health, chances are you’re regularly exercising and using one of the main tracking apps. Strava is the one we missed most. You can hook up to Google Fit and MyFitnessPal if you don't like Huawei Health, but that's it.

Overall

The Huawei Watch GT 2e is a snappy piece of kit that is excellent value for money at £159.99. Great as a mid-range band, but it’s probably not ideal for those looking to intensely track and sync activities with apps like Strava. But if you’re happy to use Huawei’s built-in apps, you're good to go.

Still, you can't connect to stacks of fitness platforms, or use the kind of smartwatch apps available to Apple Watch and WearOS owners. But lots of fitness features are baked-in. Bearing that in mind, it’s a device that will work well for those looking to track slightly less straightforward activities like surfing and rock climbing due to the wide range of activity options.

You can order the Huawei GT 2e now for £159.99 from the Huawei webstore.

• You might also want to take a look at the best hybrid smartwatches and the best fitness trackers around

If there's one warning to give before you buy the best exercise bike for you, it is: are you sure you'll use it for more than a week?

UPDATE: There's a new exercise bike on the scene in the form of Apex. This new premium at-home spin bike promises to bring your favourite spin class to you thanks to a team up with London spin studio Boom Cycle - who describe their classes as a 'party-on-the-bike'. There are four colour options available - black, navy, white, sand - and Bluetooth enables you to connect the bike to your iPad or phone. And while no exercise bikes are cheap, Apex is relatively affordable. The bike itself costs £1,200 with an extra £30 per month for a subscription to take advantage of that exclusive Boom Cycle content.

Our top tips for keeping the habit up include setting times when you'll get on the thing. Don't even think about it, just do it.

Exercise bikes can also be quite dull to work out on, so make sure you have a tablet at the ready. An episode of Queer Eye makes 30 minutes on the bike far more enjoyable.

And, best of all, consider getting an exercise bike that supports one of the top bike-tracking platforms. These are iFit, Zwift and Peloton. They offer video classes and visualisations of routes that let you look at more than just the blank wall of your spare room.

Still motivated to get fit with a static bike? Here are some of the best options around, from basic bikes you can use while watching the TV, to "pro" style ones great for training when you just can't get out on the road.

Upvote your favourite, and let us know of any other exercise bikes that should feature using the form at the bottom.

• Ride a real bike, too? Check out the best bike lights, tested by our expert. And here's a guide to the best bike turbo trainer.

Best exercise bike 2020

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Having the best sleeping bag is important whether you’re out in the wilderness of your back garden, or somewhere a little more treacherous. That doesn’t mean a good sleeping bag is easy to find - especially if you’re shopping within a budget.

The ideal sleeping bag will all depend on what sort of climate you’re sleeping in. If you’re sleeping in a campsite in Cornwall, you’re probably not going to need the same thickness as someone hiking up Everest.

UPDATE: We've added the Kathmandu Comet Sleeping Bag to our list. As we head into the warmer months, this mummy-shaped sleeping bag is especially designed for use in warmer climates. Weighing as little as 0.61kg, it's a great trekking companion and comes with a water-repellent, natural down fill so that it maintains its insulation even when wet. A fantastic option if you can afford the higher price point.

If you’re trekking, you’ll also want to consider how heavy a sleeping bag is. A lightweight option is probably going to be a lot more beneficial if you’re spending day after day lugging it around. On the other hand, if you’re simply driving to a campsite, you don’t have to worry as much and can afford to get a heavier sleeping bag.

Below you’ll find an array of options, ranging from premium to the more reasonably priced - along with a variety of shapes, materials and sizes thrown in for good measure.

As always, upvote the ones you like the look of and be sure to comment below to have your say.

• Planning a trip? Take a look at our best tents review to find out which survived our rigorous testing

Best sleeping bags

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Yoga has become one of the most popular forms of fitness in recent years, probably due to its accessibility - and as these best yoga mats show, it can be done on pretty much any budget.

Just about anyone can enjoy yoga, no matter their level of fitness - from complete beginners wanting to kick off their yoga journey as a means to start moving, to the more advanced yogis who love throwing themselves upside down.

UPDATE: This week's addition to our shortlist is Meglio. With a 8mm thickness, the Meglio Pro Yoga Mat is designed to make your comfort a priority. It's also slightly longer than the usual mat measuring 183cm x 61cm so you can use it for pilates, core workouts and meditation as well as your typical yoga routines. And, Getting a good amount of exercise at the moment is definitely an uphill battle so we've put together a round-up of the best online workouts. If you want to focus on yoga, we'd suggest investing in Alo Moves. Not only do they offer a 14-day free trial, these classes will challenge even the most advanced yogi. If you're less of an expert though, don't worry, you can filter the online workouts by everything from style to difficulty and length.

More and more people are therefore beginning to take their practice more seriously, and even buying their own mats so they can practice at home or while on the go.

Finding the right yoga mat for you is all about preference - as well as the type of yoga you practice. From more cushioned offerings for Yin yoga to the stickiest mats for a better grip in more sweaty situations, such as hot yoga, these mats have it all depending on your yogi needs.

Upvote the one that has a place in your practice.

• Best bike turbo trainer: smart cycling trainers for indoor riding
• Best yoga blocks: transform your yoga with these blocks.

Best Yoga Mats 2020

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Want to get fit but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re a yoga pro but your equipment needs an update. No worries, we’ve put together a list of the best yoga blocks, so you’re ready for whatever that routine throws at you.

When you’re first starting out yoga blocks may seem like an unnecessary purchase, but in those first few weeks they’ll become your best friend.

UPDATE: Most of us are currently unable to get to our usual gym or fitness class, so we've put together a round-up of the best online workouts that you can do at home. While most of them are available on subscription, many have decent trial lengths so that you can try out some classes for free before committing. If you're looking for something completely free, we'd suggest subscribing to the extremely popular Yoga With Adriene on YouTube. The weekly routines tend to be about 25 minutes long and focus on a different theme each time. Previous themes include upper body strength, breathing and centring the core.

They’ll provide you with more stability or help you reach the floor when you’re stretching - which is perfect for when you’re starting out and feeling a bit self-conscious about your ability.

And, it is easy to think all yoga blocks are the same - after all, they’re just a big block of foam or cork, right? - but, actually there are probably some things you should consider.

For example, cork blocks tend to be hard so they’re great for helping you with balance, but foam blocks are better for “restorative” classes because they tend to be lighter and squishy.

Also, you might want to consider size and shape to make sure you can reach the floor with the blocks no matter what position you’re holding.While most are the typical rectangle shape, you can get those that are egg-shape or a little slimmer making them more portable for when you’re running straight to class after work (handy right?).

Remember to vote for your favourite block, and let us know if we have missed any must-haves. Oh, and, if you haven’t already, you need to find time to watch Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator. The Netflix documentary by Oscar- and Emmy-winning director Eva Orner charts how the pioneer of hot yoga Bikram Choudhury built his empire and the allegations of rape and sexual harassment that followed.

It’s compelling, heart-wrenching and infuriating - so much so that we added it as one of our best Netflix documentaries.

• Need a snack after that workout? Try one of our best protein bars to keep the hunger at bay. And if you after the best yoga mat then this list is for you.

Best Yoga Blocks 2020

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As the new year rolls in, you’re probably been inundated with gym membership deals, ads for every possible fitness brand and a bunch of ironic ‘new year, new me’ Twitter posts.

Which is all well and good, but if you’re new to the fitness game, it can actually be pretty difficult to know where to start. After all, when you’re being bombarded with discounts left, right and centre, how do you know which brands are actually worth it.

That’s where this guide is here to help. Whether you’re entering a marathon or simply just hoping to get as far as signing up to the gym, this is all the fitness gear you need to get started.

From fitness trackers to football boots, we’ve got you covered. All of the below have been crowned ‘best of the best’; either because our readers deemed it so, or because it’s been rigorously tried and tested by one of our experts.

This is everything you could ever need to get your fitness journey started.

• Need a fitness goal to aim towards? These are best London Marathon alternatives that don’t require you to enter a year in advance
• And here are the 10 home gym essentials you need if you're working out at home

Best fitness app for the living room

If you want to get fit but don't want to leave your house, then this exclusive Amazon Fire TV app is for you. Peloton - of subscription cycling fame - has gone beyond the bike and teamed up with Amazon to offer a series of exercises that you can do in the home.

If you do have a treadmill (head to our best treadmill guide, if you are thinking of buying one) then this app offers exercise routines that use your own gear. But there are also some great exercises that focus on things like yoga and building up your core strength.

Currently the app is available for the Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV (3rd Gen Pendant design), Fire TV Cube (1st Gen) and the all-new Fire TV Cube.

You do need to cough up $13 for membership (although there is a 30-day trial). The subscription does mean that you get to do classes with the rest of the Peloton community, which is great for those who don't want to venture out but do want to feel like they are partaking in a class. Classes range from 10 minutes, to an hour.

If you do have an exercise bike, then this is a great way to join Peloton, without having to pay for one of its expensive bikes - as you can cycle to the classes in front of your TV.

Read: Best online workouts: get moving with these fitness streaming platforms

Best Fitbit

The Fitbit Charge 3 is a reader favourite thanks to its iconic, slim design. It has everything you’d want from a Fitbit; a heart rate tracker, message notifications and a waterproof body. Not only is the display touchscreen, but it’s also 40% larger than the previous Charge, which is ideal for when you’re trying to check it on the go.

Read: Best Fitbit: which is the best Fitbit fitness tracker for you?

Best fitness tracker

Fitbit also dominates the wider world of fitness bands, too - the Fitbit Versa 2 was crowned ‘Best Overall’ in our review of the best fitness trackers. It has built-in Alexa so you can set alarms, control smart home devices and hear news bulletins all at a simple voice command. You can also control Spotify, has a battery life of nearly a week and use Fitbit Pay to pay quickly when you can’t reach your wallet.

Read: Best fitness tracker: track your activity, heart rate and more

Best running watch

The Coros Apex may not be a watch you’re familiar with, but with a 46mm display and optical heart rate sensors to provide information on activity like your stamina and recovery time, it’s one worth investing in. Plus, at £269.99, it is pretty affordable in comparison to many running watches out there.

Read: Best running watches 2019: for beginners, marathons and ultras

Best running app

Strava is a great option for runners (and cyclists) who want to see a detailed breakdown on their workout. It works with both iOS and Android, and there’s also a safety function called Beacon, which can be turned on to share your location in real time with friends or family members in case of an emergency.

Read: Best running apps: from big name brands to stride tracking tech

Best running headphones

There’s nothing worse than a pair of headphones that won’t stay in your ears during a run, except maybe getting your hand continuously tangled in the wire. That’s why investing in a good pair of running headphones is so important. The Jaybird Tarah Pro topped our review of the best running headphones because they would not budge, had a decent battery life and a great sound quality, too.

Read: Best running headphones

Best smart scales

Smart scales now do a lot more than simply telling you your weight. The Withings Body+ scales are a winner with our readers because they’re easy to use, and monitor water and bone mass as well as the usual weight readings. They are a number of colour options to choose from including pastel green, grey and black.

Read: Best smart scales: watch your fitness soar with these great gadgets

Best folding bike

Cycling around a big city can sometimes be a logistical nightmare, especially when it comes to maneuvering it onto the train. So, perhaps it is time to invest in a folding bike. The B’Twin Tilt 500 is a bargain at just £269.99, and a great option for your first foldable bike. It folds up in 30 seconds and unfolds in even less. Three colours available; snow white, fluo yellow and iris blue.

Read: Best folding bikes 2019: 8 brilliant bikes for your work commute

Best treadmill

Let’s be honest, the weather in the UK is miserable 97% of the time, which means going for a run is probably the last thing you want to do. Buying a treadmill is a way of limiting the excuses. Reebok’s treadmills are certainly some of the most affordable, with the ZR8 and ZR10 models the ones to keep an eye out for. The ZR8 has a maximum speed of 10mph, 12 levels of incline and the running deck can be folded up when not in use.

Read: Best treadmills for your home

Best exercise bike

Buying an exercise bike can be a great way to get fit, just make sure you’re actually going to use it before spending the money (they’re certainly not cheap). The Wattbike Atom works with the bike-tracking platform Zwift and will automatically make changes to the resistance based on the exercise happening on Zwift (which is pretty cool). Zwift allows you to ride through 3D rendered environment on your TV, phone or tablet so you’re not just blankly staring at a wall while you ride.

Read: Best exercise bike

Best bike turbo trainer

If an exercise bike feels like a bit of a waste of money, when you bike is gathering dust in the garage, you might want to consider getting a bike turbo trainer. The Wahoo Kickr Core allows you to ride your bike indoors, is compatible with bike-tracking platforms like Zwfit and TrainerRoad, and Bluetooth-enabled. It’s also pretty quiet and has a maximum resistance of 1800W.

Read: Best bike turbo trainer 2019: smart cycling trainers for indoor riding

Best football boots

Originally released in 1994, the Predator had a bit of a redesign for its 25th anniversary. The Zidane Accelerator is a new, limited-edition version of the boot worn by the World Cup winner in 1998, and the gold design is definitely going to get you noticed.

Read: Best football boots 2019: for all skills and budgets

Best running shoes

Having the right pair of trainers is so important when you start out running if you want to avoid injury. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 came out on top in our review because it’s a great option for beginners and marathon runners alike. The super comfortable shoe should adapt to most people’s running style and help prevent your feet from rolling inwards.

Read: Best running shoes 2019: perfect footwear for every kind of runner

Best walking boots

The UK has some pretty beautiful countryside, but if you want to explore it properly then you’ll want to pick up a pair of walking boots. After some rigorous testing, the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX were crowned the best. These boots are big, sturdy and ready to tackle any mountain you put in their way. Their outsole will stop you slipping no matter the terrain and they also do a pretty good job at repelling water.

Read: Best walking boots: the best hiking boots for outdoors adventures

Best sports bra

After putting eight different sports bras to the test, the Pour Moi Energy Underwired Bra was deemed the best thanks to its breathable material, thick straps and a three-hook clasp (much like a standard bra), which offers firm support.

Read: Best sports bra

Best cycling bibs and shorts

You won’t find another set of cycling bibs and shorts quite like the Kymira Sport Onyx kit. According to its makers, the kit can improve the wearer’s performance due to the ‘Kynergy’ technology in the material. It converts heat admitted by the wearer into Far Infrared Radiation, which is said to increase the production of nitric oxide (and therefore, distribute oxygen more efficiently thanks to increased blood circulation). The material itself is also pretty breathable and the shorts have grip bands to keep them in place.

Read: Best cycling bib shorts and jerseys: for ultimate comfort on the go

Best bike helmet

It’s never worth scrimping on your safety, so knowing which bike helmet is worth it is important. The Kask Mojito, which was previously used by Team Sky, is aerodynamically designed with 26 ventilation holes. It may be more than you usually spend but with a dual-layer padding inside the helmet, it’s comfortable as well as protective.

Read: Best bike helmets 2019: 8 great helmets to get you out on the road

Best yoga mat

Liforme’s mat may not be the cheapest, but if you’re planning to do yoga a few times a week, it’s worth investing in a mat that will last. The Liforme mat is longer and wider than most giving you more space to move from pose to pose. The mat is also PVC-free and biodegradable. There are five colours to choose from including pink, purple, blue and green.

Read: Best yoga mats 2019: for beginners and pros - all budgets considered

Best Yoga Blocks

Lululemon is ~the~ yoga brand, but it also usually comes with a bit of a price tag. However, this Lift and Lengthen Yoga Block from them is surprisingly affordable. There are five colour options to choose from including marvel/smoky blush, northern blue/white and a simple black option.

Read: Best yoga blocks 2019: perfect for pros and novices alike

Best foam roller

The Osteo Anisha Foam Roller's design is one of the sleekest we've found. Available in black and white, the foam roller also comes with a free six-minute foam rolling routine so that you get the most out of your purchase.

Read: Best foam rollers in 2020: for post workout muscle massage

Best running leggings

All we really want from a pair of running leggings is for them to be comfortable and not to fall down every five minutes - the TCA Relentless 7/8 leggings deliver. Not only do they have a handy side pocket, the waistband is high and they come in two colourways; black and a dark turquoise colour called Atlantic Deep.

Read: Best running leggings for women: great ladies running tights

Best alternative fitness classes

Pets Yoga is one of the more laidback fitness classes available but any exercise is beneficial and being around these adorable dogs is certainly going to brighten your mood. The classes are designed to be stress-relieving and used as a way of teaching the baby animals how to socialise with humans before they get to go to their forever homes.

Read: Best alternative fitness classes: 6 that don't feel like exercise

Best bike light

If you’re riding your bike in winter, you need a decent bike light. We’d suggest the Ravemen PR1200, which beat all the other tested lights to be named ‘Best Overall’. It has a good range of light beams, including a pulsing mode designed to make you be seen in traffic. The battery life is pretty decent, too, lasting up to 8.5 hours.

Read: Best bike light 2019: ultimate LED front lights for road cycling

Best reusable Water bottle

A reusable bottle is a get option if you’re always at the gym and want to think about reducing how much single-use plastic you use. Chilly’s Bottles will keep your water cold for 24 hours and your tea hot for at least 12 hours thanks to its double-wall insulation. It’s a firm favourite among our readers, and we never go anywhere without ours.

Read: Best reusable water bottles 2019: save on plastic with these brilliant bottles

Best sun cream

One application of Riemann P20 SPF30 Continuous Spray provides 10 hours of five-star UVA and UVB protection. It’s also water-resistant, paraben-free and has no added fragrances or preservatives. It also has a twist lock cap to avoid any unfortunate leakages.

Read: Best sun cream 2019: great sunscreen for ultimate protection

Best meal replacement shake

Having a decent homemade meal is always the ideal, but not always the reality. This is where meal replacement shakes can come in handy (if used sparingly). Huel describes its powder as “nutritionally complete” and contains “an ideal balance” of protein, carbs, essential fats, fibre, 26 vitamins and minerals, kombucha, and pre- and probiotics. There are a range of flavours to choose from including coffee, mint-chocolate and berry.

Read: Best meal replacement shakes: from Huel to Soylent, tried and tested

Best protein bar

RXBAR prides themselves on using as few ingredients as possible; there are only three or four ingredients in each bar, The design is also minimal, as the front of the packet simply lists the ingredients followed by the phrase “No B.S.”. There are five flavours: Blueberry, Chocolate Sea Salt, Coconut Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter Chocolate.

Read: Best protein bars: fuel your fitness or power through paleo with these snacks

Nothing screams new-year-new-you quite like investing in a new workout wardrobe. But with so many options available, how do you figure out the best running leggings for women?

It’s a constant struggle to find ladies running tights stretchy enough to sculpt to any body type, that don’t sag, shrink, become semi-sheer when stretched or slowly slip down over the course of a short jog around the block. Also, we all want running leggings with pockets!

We understand there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to withstanding the wear and tear that both competitive and non-competitive sports create. But the truth is, no one likes paying big bucks for well known designer offerings, only for them to become unwearable after a few months.

Update:We've added adidas' 7/8 leggings into the mix - a design that forms part of their new Believe This 2.0 range. Ideal for those who prefer shorter workout leggings, this is a design that doesn't slip down, move or end up a little translucent across the bum area mid quad stretch. They're made using lightweight, moisture-absorbing Aeroready fabric - sounds fancy - meaning you can worry less about becoming a sweaty mess (from the waist down at least). Featuring adidas' classic 3 stripe design down the length of the leg, there's a range of matching bras and bralettes if you're looking to co-ordinate your outfit for the gym and complete the monochrome look.

Which is why we’ve taken to trying out some of the best designs on the market from brands big and small. Now it’s your turn to let us know what you think by upvoting your favourites and downvoting those that just aren’t up to the job.

So whether you’re in it for the long-haul (hello marathon runners) or are simply attempting to dip your toe into the more often than not intimidating jogging pool for the first time, these are the running leggings you should consider.

• On the look out for some new trainers? Discover our pick of the best running shoes around.
• Looking for the best sports bra? Then you have come to the right place.

Best running leggings for women

Foam rolling has become quite the customary thing to do at the gym. Having the best foam roller is tipped to help relieve muscle tightness and soreness after a workout.

Foam rollers are used by fitness enthusiasts and athletes across the globe. The action of throwing your achy limbs over a bumpy tube has quickly become a very popular form of manual self-therapy for anyone remotely into fitness, overtaking other techniques such as self-massage and self-trigger point therapy.

The benefits? London PT and founder of Lunges in Leggings Matt Feczko says foam rolling “encourages better movement in the body’s fascia networks”, the biological fabric that holds us together.

“This myofascial release also helps improve range of motion to get you fitter, stronger and healthier,” he adds, accelerating recovery, saving time and significantly reducing the risk of injury.

Now that people are aware of the benefits, more of us are looking to get their very own roller for the home. But which are the best out there? Here’s our list to help you figure that out...

• Next, read our test of the best running shoes

Best foam rollers

Running is one of the cheapest and most accessible types of exercise. You can set your own pace, distance and incline depending on the kind of workout you’re after, and planting one foot in front of the other makes for the ideal lunchtime escape. It’s also a great way to outrun bumper-to-bumper traffic, which is why the popularity of run-commuting has rocketed in recent years.

Given the amount of clutter we tend to drag to and from work (clothes included), there comes a time when investing in one of the best running backpack really pays off.

But with so many shapes and sizes on the market, how do you choose which to get? The only foolproof way is to don a pair of trainers and hit the pavement with a bunch of them. And that is exactly what we did.

Want the short version? The best running rucksacks for value is the The North Face Chimera 24. The best running rucksack overall for women is the Sweaty Betty Icon Running Backpack and our top pick for men is the Gregory Miwok 18.

• In the market for the best running headphones around? Take a peak at the best running headphones around.

• Best Buys
• Our expert
• The Shortlist
• test selection
• how we tested
• test results
• best overall
• best value
• the rest compared
• one to avoid

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Best running backpacks: best buys

The North Face Chimera 24's vibrant colour means you’ll be visible whatever time of day you run, while the Flashdry back panel and sweat wicking fabric avoid leaving you with a clammy back. It has fewer internal pockets that some, but there are several external ones, alongside elasticated elements for added carrying power. Padding is thinner than the Sweaty Beatty Icon's, but sliding chest straps mean it’s one of the easiest to adjust, whatever your chest size.

Sweaty Betty’s Icon Running Backpack is the perfect blend of style and substance. It is sleek and has added padding across the shoulder straps and back. The hip and chest straps are easily adjustable too, ideal for all heights and body shapes. There's space for a hydration pocket if required, and pockets - plenty of pockets! It’s ideal for anyone looking to run-commute. And there's no need to hide a rucksack this smart under your desk when you reach the office.

The Gregory Miwok 18 is light has enough padding to make a marathon run with a full pack feel like a breeze, for your shoulders at least. Its neutral colour scheme should appeal to just about everyone, and 18-litre capacity means it can fit everything you’d need on a run-commute (and then some). At £80 it’s relatively affordable, and the 3D back panel ensures decent airflow so your pack won't require peeling from your sweaty back when you arrive at your destination. It’s pretty much the ultimate multi-tasker.

We also tested bags from big brands like Lululemon, Osprey and Nike to name but a few. Read all about them below.

• Looking for some trainers to go with that? Discover the best running shoes we’ve tested.

Our expert's view

65

hours of testing

18

products considered

3

Experts consulted

3

best buys

Author Bio

Danielle de Wolfe

As Shortlist’s Staff Writer, Danielle spends most of her time compiling lists of the best ways to avoid using the Central Line at rush hour. A brief and perplexing career detour via the music industry led her into the equally strange world of journalism, arranging and then re-arranging words for publications including the Evening Standard, Time Out London, Dazed & Confused and Esquire. At Shortlist Towers you’re likely to find her scribbling away about tech and music, with some booze and lifestyle-related bits thrown in for good measure. Life's all about balance.

We tried to cover a wide range of prices in this test, with rucksacks from £19 to over £140. And we looked a little beyond the runners in ShortList's staff too. We consulted two marathon runners - one who regularly uses a running backpack and a second who doesn't normally run with a pack. Our aim was to get you advice and recommendations from the people who might actually use them.

Best running backpacks

how we selected our running backpacks

With so many function, size and design variations from backpack to backpack, we first looked into which features you'd want in the perfect running rucksack.

We began by checking out several of the most popular brands on the market. Major names line the shelves of big high street running stores like Runners Need and Decathlon, while online outlets tend to also offer niche brands you might not find elsewhere. We tested both kinds, including those with specialised equipment such as hydration packs.

This means the backpack has space for a water bladder, with a drinking nozzle that's easy to reach while you run. Not every commuter requires one of these "hydration systems", but those who want to use their backpack for both short and long runs may find one useful.

You can spend anything from £19 to £200 on a running backpack. It was important to ensure our selection included both low-cost models and top-tier products. After all, not every first-time runner wants to fork out on a top-of-the-range bag that may be relegated to the cupboard after a few outings.

We also tried to ensure all our test rucksacks had similar overall storage capacity. Weight distribution plays a vital role when it comes to comfort, and by levelling the playing field we could tell the great designs from the duds.

Only dedicated running rucksacks were allowed in our test too. Don't miss our best travel backpack test if you want an all-rounder bag.

Those that made the cut include backpacks from Lululemon, The North Face, Sweaty Betty, Osprey, Proviz and Karrimor.

how we tested the running backpacks

We went the extra mile with these backpacks. And a little more than that, actually. Each pack was worn for at least 20km as part of our testing process.

Each of the key test categories - comfort, capacity, functionality and price - were scored out of 10. The backpacks' aesthetics were scored out of 5, as looks play a less vital role than ease of use.

We understand not everyone runs a solid 10km in one go, so alongside a 10km run with each pack firmly secured on our backs, we wore them for separate 7km and 3km runs.

This mixed things up and allowed us to see how each bag fared over shorter distances. And the differing lengths let us see how easily accessible items were, how easily adjustments could be made and whether accessing our phone to check the route was a feasible feat.

We also looked at storage. Although we chose models with fairly similar capacities, some bags' storage is split into multiple interior sections, where others have one main internal compartment and multiple external pockets. We tried to keep things simple by sticking to the same contents with each run to see what each rucksack could hold and how easy it was to access the contents.

What did we carry around? A single light coat, pair of shoes, wallet, laptop, water bottle and keys. The laptop was a standardised 12.3-inch Chromebook: fairly light and not too large. These are everyday items we’re likely to carry to and from work, and several often need to be accessed quickly mid-run for hydration or functional reasons.

The Chromebook? Not so much.

We also ensured all routes were pavement-based. We love running cross-country, but sticking to pavement-pounding was a reliable way to ensure an even playing field when it came to movement, impact and overall comfort and stability.

Last, but not least, we considered looks. If this bag is something you’ll wear from street to boardroom, chances are it needs to be minimalist. However, given not everyone will be so focussed on aesthetics, this element was scored out of 5 rather than 10 to ensure fair weighting.

Best running backpacks: the test results

The backpacks tested all have a wide range of features, but some stand out.

Certain designs, like the Sweaty Betty Icon Running Backpack, excelled in terms of capacity. Not only did this bag store all of our contents easily (and with room to spare) courtesy of its main interior compartment, it looked the part doing so.

The padded black and rose-gold design looks less sporty and aerodynamic than others, but a simple colour scheme means it is the ideal bag if you’re looking to run direct from the pavement to the board room while retaining a smart edge.

TheLululemon Fast and Free rucksack came in close behind in terms of aesthetics. Its aerodynamic shape and simple block colour scheme keeps things smart and sleek.

However, having tried the bag's previous incarnation in the past, which was ideal for commuting, this new version seems to have been made narrower (or at least feels that way). Fitting items like a laptop becomes that bit trickier. It did fit, but only just.

That being said, the Lululemon Fast and Free did have among one of the best internal pocket layouts of any backpack we tried, featuring plenty of smaller elasticated pockets for stashing keys and wallets.

The North Face Chimera 24 excelled in terms of capacity, with 24 litres of storage space. However, an angled zip (as opposed to all-around zip) made inserting larger garments like coats and laptops a little harder.

Its bright blue block colour design either a draw or a little off-putting depending on what it is you’re looking for. If incognito, ninja-mode running is your thing, this might not be for you. However, if you’re looking to be seen during those night runs, consider this alongside the likes of the smaller capacity Proviz Reflect 360.

Most designs tested, like the Proviz, Sweaty Betty and Lululemon, have one main internal compartment and several pockets, accessible via an all-around zip.

This is useful for removing and inserting larger items. Bags like The North Face Chimera 24 have an internal compartment accessed through an angled zip, rather than an all-round zip, and the Osprey Duro 15 has a somewhat reduced capacity thanks to the built-in hydration pack (useful in its own right).

The reflective finish of the Proviz Reflect 360 is ideal for those regularly running at night and during winter. It is great for those on a budget too, or new runners who don’t want to spend a small fortune in order to cart around their items.

That being said, if comfort or capacity are your priority, it’s probably worth going for one of the other models tested - notably the Gregory Miwok 18, the Sweaty Betty Icon Running Backpack or the North Face Chimera 24.

The Osprey Duro 15 was a bit of an anomaly - primarily due to its specific run tailoring and that hydration equipment is in-built into the design. The padded back panel is a definite selling point, and - much like the Gregory bag - air circulation is a key priority. Not to mention a decent level of comfort across the shoulders.

In terms of padding, the Sweaty Betty Icon Running Backpack came up on top - only slightly ahead of the Gregory Miwok 18 and the Lululemon Fast and Free.

The Icon’s padded straps ensured little-to-no movement that could result in chafing during the warmer, summer months when we all get that bit more sweaty.

That being said, Gregory Miwok 18’s heavy padding was among the most comfortable tested - and paired with the Airwave back panel, which adds breathability, this backpack is a joy to wear. And let’s not forget the Lululemon Fast and Free Backpack, which fits the curve of your back seamlessly. We could not fault its fit, which causes minimal movement.

The best mens and womens backpacks reviewed:

Best overall for women: Sweaty Betty Icon Running Backpack (RRP £90)

With its sleek, quilted design and added padding across the shoulder straps and back, Sweaty Betty’s Icon Running Backpack is the perfect blend of style and substance. It adapts to the shape of the back well, so pressure placed on the lower back is minimised and your shoulders don't feel overloaded. Its sleek shape almost makes it look part of your clothing.

The adjustable hip and chest straps are another selling point. There are three height options across the sternum, and it's easy to adjust and personalise - even while on the move. This adjustability is handy for different heights and body shapes. After starting a test run we decided to change up the height of the strap, something that was easy to do without the need to even take the backpack off.

Sweaty Betty’s Icon does come in at the top end of the price scale, which gave it a mid-range value score. However, the host of integrated features (including a useful top handle) boosted its final points tally.

And while Sweaty Betty is not a brand always associated with running (it's a favourite of gym and yoga fans), the integrated space for a hydration pocket, alongside magnetic side pockets capable of holding both water bottles and keys, made it practical. It’s an ideal bag for anyone looking to run-commute - ensuring you arrive in the boardroom looking smart and with no need to hide your backpack under the table.

Comfort 9

Capacity 9

Functionality 7

Price 6

Aesthetics 4

Best overall for men: Gregory Miwok 18 (RRP £80)

Lightweight and with enough padding to make a marathon run with a full pack feel like a breeze on your shoulders, the Gregory Miwok 18 is the perfect blend of form and function.

The shoulders aren't quite as padded as the Sweaty Betty Icon's but are still a more than adequate for a good running pack. High levels of comfort are sustained when the bag is fully loaded too. The reason this particular model was chosen as the best for men is we noticed it slipped upwards slightly mid-run for women (there are specific models for women that navigate this issue).

Decent padding and a mesh Airwave panel on the back make this design comfortable in terms of both weight distribution and breathability. The air circulation element really does make a difference - similar to the Osprey Duro 15 - and it means you don’t end up stuck to your pack when you come to arrive at your destination.

A variety of colour schemes ensure it appeals to all, while its 18-litre capacity means it can fit everything you’d need on a run-commute (and then some). There's one central compartment, which is ideal for bigger coats during colder months, and the pockets are virtually limitless - the waist straps also provide space for keys and wallets. At £80 it’s relatively affordable for those looking to undertake regular runs. It’s pretty much the ultimate multi-tasker.

Comfort 8

Capacity 8

Functionality 8

Price 7

Aesthetics 3

The best value backpack reviewed: The North Face Chimera 24 (was £110 now £55)

The Chimera 24's vibrant colour scheme means you’ll be seen whatever time of day you run - great for some, but not ideal if you’re looking to rob a bank and get away with it anytime soon. Given the length of the British winter, however, the bright colours of the North Face Chimera 24 will definitely come in handy.

The air circulating Flashdry back panel - similar to the Airwave concept seen on the Gregory Miwok 18 - is a functional feature worth noting. Its sweat wicking fabric is also ideal for those not wanting to end up a clammy mess at their destination.

First and foremost, this bag (if purchased in the sale) comes in at a pretty affordable price. Although it has fewer internal pockets than some of its competitors, there are a number of external pockets and elasticated elements for adding items when needed.

It does, however, have thinner padding than bags like the Sweaty Beatty Icon Running Backpack and Gregory Miwok 18. That being said, this model’s sliding chest straps mean that it’s one of the easiest to adjust - whatever your chest size.

Comfort 7

Capacity 8

Functionality 6

Price 8

Aesthetics 2

The rest compared:

Each of the remaining backpacks excels in its own areas - making them great for someone, if not everyone.

Starting with the Lululemon Fast and Free Backpack, the price of £98 is on the higher side but it’s a quality piece of equipment. It ranked highly on looks, with a simple, sleek exterior. However, it fell down on functionality.

External pockets are kept to a minimum, meaning keys, wallets and phones aren’t the easiest to access. The chest strap is a little fiddly too. Unlike the Sweaty Betty Icon, whose chest strap height can be adjusted on the move, this model has to be taken off entirely due to the clips hooking around the shoulder straps in a rather specific way. Once changed it's a dream, just not ideal for on-the-move adjustment.

The Osprey Duro 15 is the ultimate distance running back, that much is for sure. Its padding makes comfort a priority and its mesh aerated back panel means that if you find yourself a hot mess, it’s more likely to be down to your running than the backpack.

Storage isn’t the greatest, as some space is taken up by the build-in 2.5L hydration equipment - something you might find a little annoying on shorter run-commutes due to the additional tubes and equipment getting in the way.

The Proviz Reflect 360 was the cheapest of the test picks. While less comfy and less capable, it shouldn’t really be called a "one to avoid". It is ideal if you’re looking to get into running for the first time, don’t run that often or are worried it’s likely to be relegated to the cupboard.

We like the price, and the built-in high-vis element is ideal if you will run during nights or those dark winter late-afternoons. The pockets around the midsection are also extremely useful. That being said, there are definitely comfier backpacks on the market. The Proviz Reflext 360 feels thinner and more rigid than the other bags on test.

One to avoid:

We wouldn’t tell you to avoid any of those tested because each is a solid option for at least one kind of rucksack shopper.

The Proviz Reflect 360 was the weakest of the lot, but this is offset by the lower price. As mentioned, there are definitely comfier offerings on the market, the Proviz Reflect 360 feeling a little thinner and more rigid than the other models we considered.

It didn’t feel as though it adapted to the contours of your back as well as competitors, but as we say, for under £50 this is a sound budget buy.

For some people, one pair of trainers is simply not enough - and it’s these trainer fans, we had in mind when we found this book by TASCHEN existed.

The German publishing house has just revealed a book dedicated to telling you the story behind your adidas trainers - including 357 shoe silhouettes.

Inside The adidas Archive: The Footwear Collection you’ll find designs of one-of-a-kind originals, vintage models and never-before-seen prototypes (that you’ll probably wish made the cut).

The archive came to be after Founder Adolf Dassler and his brother Rudolf used to ask athletes to return their footwear when they were no longer needed to further their development.

Athletes still continue to do this to this day, and the adidas Archive is now one of the largest collections of sports goods in the world.

The book’s imagery is all provided by photographers Christian Habermeier and Sebastian Jäger who have been documenting ‘in extreme detail’ for years.

The adidas Archive: The Footwear Collection is available to pre-order now for £100 and will be shipped out next month.

• For more trainers, take a look at our best adidas shoes round-up and best trainers shortlist

Three golden rules to live by: always drink eight glasses of water a day, don’t stress out over your email before 9am, and if a Schwarzenegger gives you workout tips, well, you listen.

Fortunately, that very occasion came up when Shortlist spoke to actor Patrick Schwarzenegger to celebrate his new movie Daniel Isn’t Real. It explores themes of mental health and childhood trauma in a delightfully watchable horror movie package. Schwarzenegger revels in his role as an over-the-top, villainous imaginary-friend-gone-bad.

Perhaps it’s no surprise Schwarzenegger is always in peak, Michelangelo’s-David-league physical condition: he’s also a model, starring in the campaigns for the likes of Tom Ford and Calvin Klein. And he’s the son of Former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, the most famous body builder in history. Yes, there’s that.

So naturally, Schwarzenegger, who also invests in a gym in LA, didn’t need to do any particular prep for his shirtless scenes in the new film, “It’s my ritual to work out every day. So I just stuck to that. I didn't even know that I was going to have a shirtless scene in this movie until the day of, actually,” he told us, “If I’d have known that was going to be happening maybe I would have tried to get into a little better shape!”

Even so, he continues, he has a dedicated workout regime: “Yes, I get up at 5am to go to the gym. I’m that guy.”

This isn’t movie magic, this is just what this guy looks like all the time. Naturally, we had to know his secrets. Here, Patrick Schwarzenegger reveals his top 5 fitness tips to get a body just like his. You will get your money’s worth out of that Fitness First membership, after all…

Daniel Isn’t Real is out in cinemas, and available on Blu-ray and Digital HD now.

1. And if you are feeling like a workout, head to our ultimate fitness guide.

1. Use group workout classes

“People tend to go to the gym and just hang around on their phones for 45 minutes, walk on the treadmill, and then they call it a day. They say they ‘went to the gym’, but they’re not seeing any results. So, I’m a big believer in group workouts: When you're in a group workout class, you're committed to being there for an hour without any phone, and other people's energy, and the trainer’s energy, is contagious.

"Your subconscious realises that you want to work out harder, and you want to work out more. You want to become better and it creates that aspect of community. When there are other people around me, it makes me want to perform.”

• Best alternative fitness classes: 6 that don't feel like exercise

2. Make like Arnold and commit with your body and mind

“My dad has always been a believer in committing to a plan: he always used to wake us up really early in the morning. He always makes sure that it goes back to that mindset, and that mindset relates to business and much as it relates to the gym. When you're in the gym, and you're committing to working out, it's really one of the only things that you do in life that's committing your mind and your body towards the activity.

"When you're getting up at 5.30am to go to the gym, and you start pushing around the weights, it's not only a physical strain but it's a mental strain. And that's one of the biggest things that he’s a believer of in working out, and why he tries to get people to work out, because it's really testing both your mind and your body at the same time.”

3. Even if you don’t want to go - think about the after

“Sure, there are times when I'm really tired and I'm dreading going to the gym. But I'll tell you, there's no better feeling than when you're done with the gym and you feel the blood flow, and you’re feeling pumped. It’s the best feeling. You can't listen to the voice in your head before you go, it’s always about really trying to soak into that feeling of the after. Because there is no better feeling than after working out; the rest of your day is totally changed.”

4. Switch it up and keep it fresh

“I like to do everything: I like to do hikes, I like to do walks, I like to do swimming, I like to be in the weight room. It just depends on the day. I always like to switch it up. I go to a strength and cardio class, going back and forth from the rower, to weights, to bodyweight stuff, and that's the majority of what I do. That kind of gets that cardio aspect, and the weight part. It’s multifunctional.”

5. Fitness is a marathon, not a sprint - so stay away from the diet tea

“It's a longer process than people hope for. You can't just want to go to the gym for a week and then want to see results, and just expect to lose a bunch of weight. It takes time and it takes patience and you have to know that going in.”

“You have to have a ritual. You can't always try diets, like, ‘Take this booty tea!’, ‘Take that apple cider vinegar!’, ‘Don't eat today!’, ‘Eat only watermelon for the first 10 hours of the day!’ People like to buy into all those different quick ways to lose weight, and then they get so annoyed with that process that they end up quitting, and then they're back to where they started out.

"The best advice I can give is just to stick to a routine, and a ritual, that lets your body have those treats and that fun, but also that you stay dedicated and determined during the week.

BONUS: But also… give yourself a break and have an ice cream on the weekend

“I'm a big proponent of ‘work hard, play hard’. If you stick to being committed and good during the week, then why not give yourself the weekend off? I don't drink any alcohol Monday through Friday. I do 10 to 14 hours of fasting from 7pm until 9am. I eat really clean during the week, because that allows me to go and do whatever I want on the weekends: not work out, eat, drink and binge, if I want to.

"My favourite cheat meals are banana pie and ice cream. I love to eat two pints of ice cream on a Sunday night. Actually, just last weekend, I got a new flavour at my local ice cream shop called Banana Cream Pie, which was really a two-in-one for me.”

• These are the best running shoes, which are also perfect for the gym.

Whether you want something to wear when walking the dog, hate getting wet feet in winter, or plan on tackling the north face of the Eiger, you need the best walking boots,. The choice of the best hiking boots on offer is beyond extensive, but we’ve whittled that choice down to avoid confusion and offer something for every level of activity.

UPDATE:It may only be February, but many people are already setting their sights on which walks they'll be completing in spring and which hiking holidays to book for summer. Until then, make sure you've got everything you need to go along with your fancy walking boots, including one of our best fitness trackers and best backpacks.

The type of boot you need is dependent on the terrain. Before picking a pair, think carefully about the type of ground you are likely to encounter. If you’re sticking to marked paths, lightweight, flex and comfort are key, and all walking boots offer more support than a standard shoe.

If you will be walking over rocky ground, across scree slopes, or are considering some scrambling, you need something with a stiff sole and good ankle support. The stiff sole allows you to confidently balance on small edges, while ankle support keeps everything in place.

Of course, many walks include lots of different types of terrain, so a bit of both is often a good idea.

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX are excellent all-rounder boots, sturdy and exceptionally comfortable. A layer of Gore-Tex also keeps your feet dry even during long, wet hikes.

Occasional walkers and those new to the hobby should also consider the Quechua MH500 Mid. They may not have the same grade of water resistance as the Salomon, but are superb value at just £54.99.

• Going away for the weekend? Don't miss our test of the best tents.

• best buys
• Our expert
• The shortlist
• Test selection
• How we tested
• test results
• Best overall
• best value
• The rest compared
• one to avoid

PreviousNext

A superb option for the beginner/intermediate hiker who wants a boot that’s comfortable all day while still offering good grip and dry socks. They’re not as sturdy as some, but for the price it’s impossible to grumble.

Our top pick thanks to their secure fit, long-lasting build quality and instant comfort, this traditional style boot will give you confidence when traversing uneven terrain. The deep, aggressive outsole will power you up the hills while the Gore-Tex layer shrugs off water.

The expert's view

6

Weeks of testing

15

Pairs considered

2

Best buys

2

Best buys

Before we head into the test proper, a couple of boot-buying tips. Take the time to get your feet correctly measured, as sizing differs between brands. It doesn’t matter how good your boots are, if they don’t fit properly you’ll hate them, the walk and everyone around you!

And please don’t scrimp on socks as they can make a big difference on a day’s walk. Spend more than you think you should on a pair that won’t bunch up or cause friction. Your feet will thank you for it.

Author Bio

Chris Haslam

Chris Haslam is an experienced consumer tech journalist with over 15 years’ experience. He’s currently Contributing Editor for Wired UK and writes for, amongst others, BBC Music, T3, Stuff, Grand Designs, Ideal Home, and John Lewis. He specialises in audio, smart home, sports and outdoors, and there’s not much he hasn’t reviewed.

Best walking boots: the shortlist

Best walking boots: how we selected to test

Leading outdoor retailers such as Cotswold Outdoor, Blacks and Millets sells hundreds of walking boots, shoes, trail running shoes, mountaineering boots and wellies. It’s a daunting selection for the inexperienced but we’ve chosen our top 10 based on a number of criteria.

We’ve kept clear of the most advanced mountaineering boots. Our reasoning is that anyone looking to climb Everest will already be an experienced hiker. But we have chosen boots from professional climbing brands such as Salomon, AKU and Mammut that all have features that will - if you’re so inclined - help you progress from foot paths to scrambling and climbing.

We also looked for technically innovative boots from brands such as Hoka One One, which combine trail running tech and lightweight construction methods. These types of boots could well be the future, and while unquestionably expensive and a bit ‘different’ they are impossible to ignore.

Similarly, the new hybrid street style boots from brands like Adidas and Columbia are designed to appeal to the young urban dweller who wants to get out more. We may not be quite so young, but the combination of grip, comfort, style and waterproofing make these hugely practical.

And finally, we chose two boots from Decathlon as they represent the largest outdoor brand on the planet and as a result manage to keep costs remarkably low. Obviously, cheap rarely means good, but we were keen to find out if they could be the exception, and help everyone explore the great outdoors a bit more.

Best walking boots: how we tested

Testing walking boots when based in London is trickier than you’d imagine, but with Epping Forest on our doorstep and a very athletic dog to walk for hours a day, we had plenty of opportunity to get off road.

We also took our potential best buys to the Lake District to make sure they could handle rougher terrain across longer all-day walks both with and without backpacks.

We also wore boots around the office. No, we appreciate they're not designed for smart casual lunch meetings, but a few hours in each boot, whether walking around or sitting at the desk tells you a lot about the overall comfort, and quickly proves if a boot requires breaking in.

image credit: DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0 / visiteppingforest.org

Best Walking Roots Reviews: The test results

During our test trip to the Lake District we had to limit our time wearing the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX in order to get enough walking time with the rest of the boots. But we didn't want to. They just feel good, with a secure but comfortable fit and a sole that loved mud, rock, streams and paths.

We swapped boots mid-walk - to the Quechua MH500 Mid - and while there’s a lot to like about this bargain boot we instantly longed to be back in the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX. Side by side the gulf of difference between the two instantly justifies the higher price.

You might find the same level of hiking nirvana in any number of the boots on test because they all offered an unexpectedly high level of comfort. Even the stiffer Mammut Kento High GTX and AKU Trekker Pro GTX pairs didn’t once feel like they were rubbing.

Both these boots are ideal for a more experienced hiker looking to tackle steeper ascents while carrying a pack. But if you’re going to be walking on more tow paths than glaciers the Merrell MQM Flex Mid or Danner Trail 2650 GTX MIDoffer grip, support and waterproofing without the weight.

And speaking of weight, the Hoka One One Sky Kaha, while not the lightest on test, certainly feel it, with a huge sole and sci-fi worthy construction.

You feel like you’re wearing pillows on your feet, and while that’s not going to keep the traditionalists happy - or be as reliable on technical terrain - if you’re looking to add a spring to your step, they’re ideal. The curved rocker sole does feel a little bit odd to begin with, but once moving you’ll barely notice.

Walking boots are far from fashion items, but the new breed of hybrid trainers are finally bringing a bit of street style to the country stile. Of the two designs tested, the Adidas Terrex is the closest to being a traditional walking boot, with a nice high ankle and reassuringly grippy rubber sole.

The Columbia SH/FT have a similar cuffed design, albeit lower, but both are hugely enjoyable to wear. We found ourselves putting them on instead of a traditional pair of trainers, especially in wet weather, and nobody ever accused us of wearing walking boots in the pub. Great for active lifestyles and anyone who doesn’t want to be scared of hills or muddy puddles.

And finally the Quechua NH100 Mid from Decathlon, a laughably cheap pair of boots that give your ankles support, are reliable underfoot. And while extended sojourns through long grass will leave you with soggy feet, they remain an ultra-affordable option to kickstart your outdoor adventures.

The best walking boots reviewed:

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX - £180

Compared to the sneaker-like fit of the new breed of hiking hybrid boots, pulling on the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX can feel like you’re wearing ski boots, but don’t confuse squishy comfort with all-day support. It took less than a kilometer to know these boots were brilliant.

They’re a traditional style boot, and while attractive compared to many similar models, they’re not a hybrid, so hardly right for the pub. But forget about aesthetics, this boot is built for walking. Stomping along flooded pathways, scrambling over tree roots, climbing steep rocky sections, this boot filled us with confidence.

The high sided design won’t stop you twisting your ankle, but provides an added dimension to your footing, which combines brilliantly with the deep, aggressive outsole that refused to slip, even on wet tiles back at home.

The all-metal lacing system grips the laces securely, and once tightened only the top two eyelets can come loose - which is probably your fault for tying a terrible bow.

While nowhere near as bouncy as some, the thick EVA foam midsole design still offers plenty of shock absorption in the heel and the ball of the foot. This isn’t a ‘stiff’ boot in mountaineering terms, and will take a little getting used to if you’re upgrading from wellies, but the support and stability will soon become addictive. If you walk with a rucksack - or small child in a sling - you will appreciate the build quality and performance.

Finally, the suede nubuck leather and a rugged fabric upper looks and feels like it will last for years, and the rubberised toe cap means stubbed feet won’t instantly mean scuffed boots. The leather does a good job repelling water, but it’s backed up brilliantly by the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane that shrugs off streams. Unless you let water in the big hole where your foot goes your toes will stay warm and dry in even the worst conditions.

The best walking boots for value reviewed:

QUECHUA MH500 Mid, £54.99, decathlon.co.uk

A superb option for the beginner/intermediate hiker who wants a boot that’s comfortable all day, offers trustworthy grip and waterproofing. It’s a minor miracle they cost £55, but trust us, they happily held their own in this test against boots triple the price.

Let us start with the aesthetics. They look great, with stylish colour combinations and all the right accents and accoutrements you’d expect from a good pair of boots. The padded tongue is sealed with a generous amount of material to help keep water out and the sole is the right side of chunky. They’re eye catching in a good way, and we even received compliments from people who couldn’t believe the price.

The sole design really impressed and felt good on rocky paths and gripped well on wet rock and muddy paths. The toe is covered in an extra thick layer - typically known as a stone guard - that helps the boots survive the odd scrape and stumble.

Decathlon uses something called EVOFIT, which it claims adapts to the shape of your foot, helping personalise the fit. We’re not totally sure what they mean - all shoes do that to some extent - but they were very comfortable over a 9km hike.

It’s worth noting the laces never needed tightening, but the toe section of the boot was quite large, so - as always - it’s worth trying on, as slim footed folks may appreciate dropping by half a size.

They’re also waterproof. It was with some trepidation we stepped into a small stream to test this theory but the water ran off with ease. Don’t expect it to do this forever, and after a long walk our toes were a little compromised, but it performs superbly for the price.

Our only issue with these boots was that they did get quite soft quite quickly. The new boot rigidity that lasted so well with the Salomon or Mammut isn’t here. They’ll not turn to slippers overnight, but the material will stretch and soften.

Comparing the rest on test

While the Salomon and Decathlon take the two top spots, all of the boots we tested have plenty to offer.

Looking at the most ‘serious’ boots, there’s a lot to love about the Salomon, Mammut and AKU designs, especially if you’re looking to spend a lot of time in the hills.

These stiffer boots are ideal if you’re going to be walking for hours with a heavy backpack. They don’t have the bouncy soles of the Hoka One One or Adidas design but this is a good thing if you’re fully loaded and scrambling on uneven ground. The hard edge sole helps you feel more confident on edges, ledges and rocks in general.

These designs are worth trying before you buy, and remember they will take a bit of getting used to, but in all the hours of testing we didn’t get a single blister. In the past walking boots needed breaking in, but none here needed more than half an hour to feel comfortable. All feet are different however, so please check first, and wear proper walking socks.

The Merrell are an excellent value boot with loads going for them, and if you want maximum performance and reliable features like Gore-Tex you won’t be disappointed. One of the lightest and comfiest straight from the box with a forgiving fit and squishy insole, and the mesh toe section aids breathability, but you might feel the chill in winter.

The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX are another Gore-Tex pair that will keep you bone dry but your feet may well get cold quicker than most. That said, the trainer-like fit - as with the Columbia SH/FT - and bouncy sole means breaking into a jog feels almost inevitable.

These trainer hybrids also look great so you’re likely to wear them more often instead of leaving in the boot of the car. You’ll need to be quite sure-footed to try any tricky trails in them, but for dog walking, urban adventures and getting out and about without wet toes they’re highly recommended.

Arguably, if you want a boot that’s good-looking and comes with good levels of support the Danner Trail 2650 GTX MID tick the right box.

Also available in a trail shoe, they are reliable, waterproof and supportive and just a bit more grown-up than the Adidas and Columbia.

The Hoka One One Sky Kaha are a bit of a left field entry here, combining trail and road running tech into a brilliantly light boot. The huge sole did make us feel a bit self conscious, but once we started overtaking all comers on the footpaths we started to love them.

They’re quick, comfortable and as fun as a walking boot gets.

And finally a word about the £15 Quechue NH100 Mid from Decathlon. Yes they’re laughably cheap, but if you want a pair of boots with a good grippy sole and ankle support and have almost zero budget these will do you proud.

We would recommend you push the budget up a bit - the Quechua MH500 Mid are only £50-odd - and look for something with better waterproofing and a more robust fit, but they’re still a better option than hiking in your Brogues.

Any walking boots to avoid?

We’ve not come across any truly awful walking boots during this test, but we have read plenty of negative reviews for almost every brand. But read between the lines and you soon realise that many people have simply bought the wrong boots for their needs.

It can be tempting to choose a super-rugged pair of mountain boots because they’re flashy and full of tech, but you’ll soon find they’re completely unsuitable for walking the dog.

Likewise, the latest ranges of comfortable rugged trainers are great for being on your feet all day and walking off-road, but you wouldn’t want to rely on them if you have a wall of scree to scramble up. If you do your research and head to a decent outdoor retailer to try on as many pairs as you can you feet will thank you for the effort.

Any cyclist will admit that roads are a precarious place for anyone on a bike. After all, there’s no bigger rivalry than between the bike and the car.

And while road rage may make a good viral clip, with more than 2,000 cyclists being killed on Europe’s road, a ceasefire needs to be called.

Car manufacturer Ford seems to think it’s up for the job and reckons it has found a way to bring harmony to the roads - in the form of an Emoji Jacket.

This prototype jacket allows a cyclist to share how they’re feeling (no rude gestures allowed) along with indicating when they’re about to turn or slow down.

The chosen emotions are displayed on a large LED panel on the cyclist’s back in a very ‘in your face’ way, so there’s no way a driver can say they didn’t see you.

The emojis are a little limited for now but we’re not sure what a monkey with hands over his eyes translate to in the highway code, anyway.

So far, they include a smiley face to show you’re happy, a frowning face to show the opposite and arrows to show you’re turning - all of which are controlled by a wireless remote on the handlebars.

Emoji expert Dr. Neil Cohn PhD, who may have the coolest title ever, and he’s also naturally quite fond of this idea.

“Emojis have become a fundamental part of how we use language,” he explains. “Whether used to convey facial expressions, humour, or sarcasm, they have become integral to our ability to express ourselves and quickly.

“This jacket created in partnership with Ford Share the Road allows riders to express their feelings and creates an important emotional link between them and other road users.”

Unfortunately as the jacket is still a prototype, it may be a while before you're lighting up the roads in this fetching number.

• Feel like you could be safer on the road? Here are our best bike helmets
• For a new bike try our best folding bikes, and for new gear, pick up something from our best cycling bib shorts and best gifts for cyclists

It’s a new year, a new decade in fact. There’s really no better time to dust off your trainers and get your health and fitness back on track. But it’s not always that easy, is it?

The problem gets worse if you're disillusioned with the gym and barely manage to knock out 20 minutes of hard work without taking a break to scroll throughout Instagram.

We've spent the last few months doing exercise classes instead. And it's the most fun we've had exercising since playing basketball at university.

UPDATE: We've added Pets Yoga to the list - because no relaxing workout would be complete without a few fluffy kittens and playful puppies for good measure. It's a truly relaxing experience, available from a number of companies across the country - we tried out Wheyhey's yoga collaboration with Pets Yoga which we'd definitely rate.

When you play sport, you’re so focused on the moves and the plays, exercise becomes a byproduct of your enjoyment of the actual game. And when you have a coach or instructor telling you what to do you’ll more likely work harder for them than the voice in your head saying "do another ten burpees".

Fancy shaking up your fitness routine for January? Here are a few classes you may want to try to get you back in the healthy habit.

• Get tooled-up for these classes with our group test of the best running shoes, also perfect for the gym

Best alternative fitness classes

SOMETHING MISSING FROM OUR SHORTLIST?

Tell us about it, and if enough people agree we'll add it in.

The Nike Air Max 97 is one of the brand’s most iconic running shoes, with it sleek lines and full-length ‘Air’ cushioning, it provides comfort and style in equal measure.

But, the shoe has now been redesigned for a new home - the golf course.

And, while the original 1997 shoe took inspiration from the futuristic Japanese bullet trains, the new golf version is influenced by something closer to home.

The Nike Golf Air Max 97 ‘Grass’ (yes, that’s really what they’re called) is covered in what’s meant to look like green turf.

Though, if you do look past what could be the floor of a crazy golf course, the trainers still have the classic ripple-line design and the full-length Nike Air unit running along the shoe.

They also have an outsole designed especially to provide extra grip when you're going round the course.

There’s definitely no hiding in these trainers though, as the green is then accentuated with a bright yellow trim and embroidered Swoosh.

The Nike Golf Air Max 97 ‘Grass’ will be available for Nike members from 27 January on the brand's website.

If you prefer your shoes to be a little more understated, Nike do also have the same shoes in the original 'Silver Bullet' colourway, for £144.95.

• Looking for some new footwear, take a look at our picks for best trainers

Michelle Obama just exudes coolness - who else hangs out with Beyonce and Jay-Z at the weekend? - and she’s definitely got her life together. Essentially, she’s the adult we wish we were.

However, we can now feel one step closer to realising that dream thanks to the former First Lady sharing her workout playlist on Twitter.

The now best-selling author wrote: “It’s about that time when New Year’s resolutions get a bit harder to stick to. To offer a little inspiration, I want to share my go-to #WorkoutPlaylist with you.

“These songs always seem to give me that extra boost to get through my toughest workouts.”

Now, let’s be clear, listening to this playlist is not going to give you Obama’s physique - you still have to actually attempt to go the gym - but it might just give you the motivation you need to get there.

The playlist contains 27 tracks including songs from Childish Gambino, Lizzo, Destiny’s Child and Calvin Harris.

There were even nine extra tracks to cool down so you don’t go injuring yourself. The likes of Frank Ocean, John Legend and Alicia Keys will help your heart rate return to normal.

Main image: Photo by William Choquette via Pexels

• Want more Michelle Obama in your life? You’ll find her on our best audiobooks shortlist, too
• If it’s more music you’re looking for, check out the best Spotify playlists
• Otherwise just get your butt to the gym with our ultimate fitness guide

There’s a new fitness app in town, launching just in time for you to board the ‘new year, new you’ train this January.

Created by Ollie Ollerton and Jason Fox from hit Channel 4 show SAS Who Dares Wins, Battle Ready 360 is ready to transform both your mind and your body - or so believe its creators.

Adopting some of the military-inspired workouts seen in the show (minus the bit where they try to mentally break you), the new workout app is a must for those looking to boost their all-round health and fitness.

Taking into account both nutritional needs and physical exercise, the app combines a range of workouts with healthy, easy-to-make recipes and snack ideas.

And then there’s the app’s mental profiling feature. According to the website, Battle Ready 360 is the “Fitness App that Knows You…Better Than You Know Yourself”. Quite a claim.

Using an online mind mapping tool known as PRISM (we know, it sounds like some scary, sci-fi military tech), the app tailors workouts to the mindset of the user, identifying what pushes them and makes them tick.

The collaboration means workouts are fundamentally tailored to the behaviour of users, adopting knowledge from neuroscience rather than psychological theory.

Described as "a 360 solution for preparing you to take on difficult challenges with professional mentors", the app also features progress trackers that allow you to track your progress, alongside updates and offline meetups with the founders.

The app is available as part of a 7-day free trial, followed by 1 month, 3 month or 12 month subscription options starting from £10.99.

You can download the app now from the Battle Ready 360 website.

• Got the idea but need the workout gear? Discover our ultimate fitness guide 2020.
• Want more fitness apps? Then our best running apps guide is for you.

Not so long ago, it would have been strange to see a sports company like ASICS at such a huge scale technology event like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). But due to the booming health and fitness industry and growing use of technology in the sporting world, an increasing number of athletics brands are finding greater relevance in the tech sphere.

This year marks the first time the Japanese footwear firm has made an appearance at the colossal tech event set on the Las Vegas strip - and it was with good reason. The company came to reveal its brand new smart shoe prototype, which makes use of AI to closely analyse your stride and coach you into running better.

Not so many mass market trainer brands have attempted to integrate such complex tech into their usual designs. Here are six things you should know about ASICS’ new smart shoe…

1. Runs are analysed via sensors to give actionable feedback

Packed with a bunch of multi-dimensional sensors, the smart shoes come in the form of ASICS’ EvoRide trainers but with an added bonus: they track a range of inputs of whoever wears them, including kick strength and stability, among others. This gives runners real-time feedback and actionable insights that will help them perform better and more efficiently.

This feedback is matched against datasets in the cloud, which ASICS’ CEO of the firm’s Institute of Sport Science (ISS), Kenichi Harano, said comprises data garnered from over 10,000 runners. Here, it cross references your output and gives you a score based on your running style and posture as well as which type of runner you are. It will also offer recommendations on how to improve and better your technique.

2. The sensor is self-contained and hidden

Called the Orphie Core, the sensor - which is responsible for measuring your running output - is actually a self-contained piece of hardware which is slotted into a specially-designed hole in the sole of the firm’s new EvoRide shoe. This means it’s not only hidden from sight, but it can be easily applied to future generations of ASICS footwear. It also means the smart trainers look exactly like standard Asics shoes as designs haven’t had to be drastically changed to cater for the new tech.

3. Asics didn't do it alone

ASICS have been very transparent about how they came to produce its new smart shoe. Not being experts in sensor and wearable technology, they partnered with a fellow Japanese company, a third-party startup called No New Folk Studio who are responsible for building the sensor technology and adapting it to ASICS’ needs.

4. There'll be a smartphone app coming later

While it won’t be available at launch, No New Folk Studio CEO, Yuya Kikukawa told Shortlist that a smartphone companion app is likely to be launched at a later date which will store all your run data among other cool things. At present, your output data is available as an evaluation via an infographic-style web portal. However, we were shown an idea of what the app will look like when it is up and running, and while only a prototype at the moment, is displayed all the stored data as a profile, with running maps, progress of improvement and many other insights. There was even a virtual reality speedometer which shows you how fast and far you are going, and can glance at it while you're on your run.

5. It's not Asics only new tech

ASICS’ smart shoes were unveiled alongside the company’s new Run Analyzer. This involves a piece of AI camera tech which analyses your run via a camera which is aimed adjacent to a treadmill. Taking a reading of your limbs as you run, the Run Analyzer tracks the movement of your limbs to see what the angle your ankle hits the ground and how changing this with ASICS footwear could better increase how efficiently you run. This is based on ASICS’ research that the lower the angle, the less energy is exuded during a run. It will then recommend the best type of footwear based on your results.

6. They'll be available by the end of the year

The EvoRide smart shoes will be available to consumers at some point this year, although when asked about pricing, we were told that this couldn’t be disclosed just yet. ASICS also noted that the EvoRide smart shoe showcased is a prototype and the sensor will be launching in a different shoe design.

• These are the best running shoes around right now
• Want to get fit? Then head to our ultimate fitness guide

Whether you’re racking up the miles in the wet and windy conditions of the great British outdoors or jetting off to do a cycle sportive in slightly warmer climes, you'll need the best bib shorts and a decent jersey to match. 



While they can feel a little strange to put on if you’re new to them, bib shorts are handy for holding your bits and bobs in place, allowing for more comfort and reducing chafing.

Since there's no waist band or uncomfortable drawstring, bib shorts stay up thanks to lightweight breathable shoulder straps and thus are more comfortable than regular cycling shorts, helping you stay in the saddle for longer.

A matching jersey isn’t essential but it does help make you look the part. It will also keep you warm and dry as well as provide lots of pockets to store race necessities, such as energy gels and water, at arm’s reach.

Here are our some of our favourites for the ultimate comfort and streamlining, wind-defeating qualities.

• Fancy some more? Check out our best gifts for cyclists shortlist

Best bib shorts 2020

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Few things beat a summer bike ride out in the country. But riding in the freezing rain, or on smoggy streets packed with cabbies and BMW drivers who think cycling should be punishable by death? They are certainly experiences, but not necessarily fun ones - which is why you need the best bike turbo trainer.

A turbo trainer lets you ride your bike indoors, without needing to go anywhere.

There’s a lot more to turbo trainers than there used to be. Nowadays we strongly recommend buying a “smart” turbo trainer if you can afford one.

These let you use software like Zwift, Sufferfest and Trainerroad. They record your performance across the weeks and months, so you can track your progress. Others go further. You could call Zwift a massively multi-player online game as it lets you race in real time against other people in a rendered 3D world.

Bike training at home can be boring, and this is a great way to make it fun. But, hey, if you want to spend as little as possible you can buy a basic non-smart trainer instead.

Here’s a selection of the best bike trainers you’ll find online today. Upvote your personal favourite and submit your own suggestions below.

• Read about the best running watches, which also track your rides outside, and you heart rate indoors
• Plus, take a look at our best smart scales if you fancy measuring everything from muscle mass to your body's water percentage.

Best bike turbo trainer 2020

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Plant-based has become something of a buzzword recently. But swapping meat for greenery ahead of the new year goes beyond diets - as the team over at Reebok can attest as they launch the brand’s first pair of plant-based performance shoe.

Yes, you read that correctly. Created using ingredients including algae, eucalyptus tree and castor beans to name but a few, the trainers are set to be the brand’s most environmentally friendly offering.

Set to launch in the autumn of 2020, the shoe is set to replace Reebok’s Forever Floatride Energy.

The brand claims the new design “rivals the best performance running sneakers on the market” - something that’s sure to be news to the ears of environmentally conscious runners everywhere.

It’s the brand’s latest effort to swap out petroleum-based plastics for naturally occuring crops that are more sustainable. It’s also the first trainer to feature rubber from real rubber trees - we know, it’s ridiculous it hasn’t been tried already.

Offering a highly-cushioned midsole, the sneaker’s upper will also naturally biodegrade if left outside because of the eucalyptus used to create them.

“With Forever Floatride GROW, we’re replacing oil-based plastic with plants. The biggest challenge in making a shoe like this was developing plant-based materials that could meet the high-performance needs of runners,” said vice president of Reebok Future, Bill McInnis.

It’s a sleek looking offering - one that’s been a long time coming for the renowned sportswear brand.

So, if you want to hear more about the trainer and the potential launch news, you can sign up here to find out more.

The original article noted that it was Adidas going plant based but it is in fact Reebok. Doh.

• On the lookout for some new trainers? Take a look at our pick of the best trainers around.

Peloton is trying hard to lure in new customers ahead of the new year (yup, Peloton Wife is still hanging around) but competition is stiff - particularly given there’s a new cycling app on the block in the form of Echelon Fitness.

Having launched across the UK in time for the New Year, the concept follows the trend of bringing live studio fitness experiences into your home.

The company aims to conquer the fitness world ‘through smart innovation at affordable prices’ which suggests that the price point might well be lower than rivals like Peloton.

The press release states ‘The partnership will prove that good design isn’t determined by price and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It is an exciting opportunity to soon deliver the best possible user interface experience.’

Echelon Fitness says its entry-level bike - the new Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX3 Max - starts at £1,238.99 (alongside a monthly subscription).

The package then allows users to access live classes led by instructors via the app, alongside having the bike delivered direct to your door (as opposed to some other obscure location, we’re assuming).

The brand recently launched the Reflect 50” Touchscreen, which is said to be the industry’s first touchscreen fitness mirror bringing personal training into your home for everything from boxing to yoga.

There’s even a leaderboard - which we feel we might get a little too competitive about - to battle it out during workouts.

There’s also an upgraded EX-5S model that features a 21.5” HD touchscreen that can be rotated 180 degrees for off-bike exercise.

It’s all a little incestuous really, given that Echelon Fitness has also recently confirmed a partnership with Eric Villency - a design group that has also worked with both SoulCycle and Peloton.

Whether the concept takes off? Well, it might all depend on dropping another viral advertising ploy.

• In the mood for a cycle-based workout? Discover the best bike turbo trainer.

It’s well documented that Tyson Fury - the lineal heavyweight champion of the world - is a man who doesn’t mince his words.

His outspoken views have understandably ruffled more feathers than we care to count, while his confidence, it seems, remains at an all-time high.

“I don't feel pressure anymore,” Fury states. “When you've achieved everything in the game, there's no pressure anymore. The pressure for me is to find happiness on a daily basis.”

It’s a far cry from the Fury depicted in the pages of his new book, Behind The Mask: My Autobiography, in which the fighter opens up about his mental health battles and the suicide attempt which took place during his darkest hours.

“I hope more high-profile sports people come out in the open and get the help that they need. I receive messages on a daily basis from high profile sports athletes from all over the world asking for advice on mental health.”

It was his win against Italy’s Francesco Pianeta back in 2018 which marked his competitive return to the ring - a fight which has since been usurped by the historic draw against the USA’s Deontay Wilder.

“You can either get all fired up or you can quit - but the word quit doesn't exist in my vocabulary,” Fury asserts.

So, how exactly does a fighter like Fury get his head in the zone ahead of a bout like his upcoming February 22 rematch against the American?

“There are no conversations before a bout, we just wing it, basically,” he says. “My changing room is very weird compared to other fighters - it’s always full of people singing and dancing. Music is playing on full blast - we have a large playlist full of anything from hip-hop and R&B to Elvis Presley.”

2020 Wilder bouts aside, the fighter’s current list of boxing aspirations appears to be a little on the sparse side.

“I’ve practically completed boxing,” he declares triumphantly. “Like you can complete a computer game - I've completed boxing for sure.

“I've got no regrets. I’ve achieved everything in the game. There's no more awards I could win.”

So what does an undefeated heavyweight world champion do when they feel they’ve achieved everything worth achieving? Try his hand at the other major combat sport, naturally.

“McGregor has offered to train me for an MMA fight, so that might be coming up soon in the future,” he states. “I like being an underdog because I’ve got more of a point to prove and it means more when you win.”

It turns out there’s also another bout-based fantasy taking up room on the boxer's future fight list.

“Hulk Hogan” he asserts. “He’s always been a massive hero of mine. So if he was a bit younger, y’know, and contracts didn't exist and we were in different sports then yeah, that’d be the one.”

Fury’s book, Behind The Mask: My Autobiography, is available from Amazon and all good bookshops now.

Photos: courtesy of Tyson Fury

• Looking to add a little more zen to your life? Discover our pick of the best mindfulness and meditation books.

Another year, another few hundred thousand rejections for runners desperate to take on the London Marathon.

People wait years to tick London off their bucket list – but if you got an email rejection this week don’t despair – there are plenty of brilliant spring marathons worth training for.

Fitness and travel website Get Sweat Go has revealed its guide to the best marathons on offer.

From beautiful hills in Scotland to fast and flat events perfect for getting that PB – get over the rejection of London with these superb alternative races.

• Looking for the best running shoes around? Our guide is for you.
• These are the best running smartwatches: for beginners, marathons and ultras

1. Brighton Marathon

If the draw of London is the atmosphere, Brighton is one of the most supported marathons you’re likely to find. Add to that some of the most impressive coastal views of any road marathon and you’re onto a winner.

Don’t expect it to be easy though. The main section that everyone knows is the long stretch down the seafront which is by far one of the most enjoyable marathon locations in the UK. Outside of that, you’ve got a fair few miles that cover the outskirts of the city. That includes winding streets, hills and a few crowd-free areas.

Still, there’s nothing in London that will match the satisfaction of eating fish and chips on the beach after tackling 26.2 miles.

When: 19 April 2020

Number of runners: 12,000

Price: TBC - Register your interest to receive updates

2. Greater Manchester Marathon

Manchester is famous for many things: Coronation Street, The Hacienda, two football clubs, Oasis and, most importantly for us runners, one of the flattest marathons in the country.

What’s more, the route has been amended for 2020, with more time in the city centre, which should help match up to London for throngs of spectators.

The lack of elevation is by no means the only reason to take part. Expect fantastic support as you pass Old Trafford, the Manchester Opera House and the Albert Memorial Hall – and a cracking night out afterwards.

With around 20,000 runners it’s one of the biggest on our London alternatives list. So if you’re looking for something large-scale like London, it’s well worth a look.

When: 5 April 2020

Number of runners: 20,000

Price: £55 - Head to the website for more

3. Edinburgh Marathon

Edinburgh Marathon may well be a little bit further afield than you were hoping to travel for a marathon. But trust us, a trip to Auld Reekie is much more than just a Sunday morning desperately trying to get to the end of 26.2 gruelling miles – and it’s currently offering a place to anyone that fails in the London ballot.

In terms of elevation, Edinburgh is a surprisingly flat marathon – which may come as a surprise to those that have visited the city before.

What’s more, the first 5k of the route is all downhill from a starting altitude of 100m - so as far as we’re concerned it’s a 37k race.

We probably don’t need to tell you about the historical and scenic joys of a trip to Edinburgh, but if you’re going to turn your 2020 marathon into a tourist trip you’re not going to pick a better place - and there’s always the option of a deep-fried Mars bars after the race as well.

When: 24 May

Number of runners: 16,000+

Price: From £62 - Head to the website for more info.

4. Liverpool Rock and Roll Marathon

The Rock and Roll marathon company is famous for putting on races in cities with a reputation for rock, so it’s not really surprising that Liverpool has been chosen alongside Las Vegas, Nashville, Seattle and more.

The Liverpool route takes in some of the most famous landmarks around Liverpool including the football stadiums, Stanley Park, the John Lennon statue and the Kings Parade waterfront. And as you might imagine, there’s plenty of music along the route to keep your mind off the miles.

There are a fair few hills dotted across the route though, so don’t get too comfortable as you’ll need to dig a bit deeper to get across the finish line before heading down to the Cavern Club to celebrate your achievements.

When: 24 May 2020

Number of runners: 20,000+

Price: From £42 - Head to the website for more info.

5. Paris Marathon

Okay, we know it’s in another country, but thanks to the handy invention of the Eurostar traveling to this marathon is easier than getting to most of the UK marathons in the list.

If you’re looking for an event that has the same sort of lure as London, takes place around the same time, and has a similar spattering of beautiful landmarks – Paris is just about worth the steep entry price.

There’s something special about big city marathons – 50,000 runners descending on one place – that offers a sense of occasion that smaller events just don’t seem to possess.

But it’s not all rosy as a London alternative. It’s slightly more undulating than London (but not by much), and there are large sections with minimal crowds, something that’s pretty much unheard of at the London Marathon these days.

But if you’ve got your heart set on a marathon weekend city break in spring, Paris tops the list for us.

When: 5 April 2020

Number of runners: 49,000+

Price: From €110 - Head to the website for more info.

6. Milton Keynes Marathon

If your heart was set on running London then Milton Keynes isn’t going to cut it. But hear us out. If, however, you’re a Southerner desperately looking for a spring race to focus on then this may well be just what the running coach ordered.

Although Milton Keynes may not have the scenic value of London, the route actually passes through a large area of the Buckinghamshire countryside which includes some quite impressive landscapes and lovely villages. It’s actually one of our favourite 26.2s in the UK.

And when it comes to racing it’s extremely flat, so if you’re PB hunting it’s a prime candidate. And given the mere 35 minutes on the train from London, so you can be sat happily on the sofa eating pizza as your new medal hangs on the wall.

When: 3 May 2020

Number of runners: 1,800

Price: £46 - head to the website for more info.

7. Shakespeare Marathon

If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, set your sights on Stratford Upon Avon. While Shakespeare wasn’t known for his endurance running, that hasn’t stopped the marathon being dedicated in the Bard’s honour.

And much like a rendition of his sonnets, the route is far from easy to tackle. The race starts and end in the narrow streets of Stratford, but quickly head out into the Warwickshire countryside along the Greenway, where things get hilly pretty quickly.

The final part of the route is the most enjoyable as runners head back alongside the river before heading back through the town for medals and mead.

When: 26 April 2020

Number of runners: 3,000

Price: £36 - Head to the website for more info.

• You really need the great outdoors to get Marathon fit but when you are stuck indoors, these are the best treadmills we've tried in the home.

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With Amazon Prime Day now officially set for 15 July, a number of brands are feeling in the discounting spirit.

Reebok is the latest one, with a decent (up to) 50% off of its current ranges. Among the products discounted is a decent trainer selection - including the Reebok Royal Classic Jogger 2, Crossfit Nano 2.0 and Classic Leather - as well as some hoodies, socks and hats getting heavy discounts.

And that's not all, if you add EXTRA20 into the basket, you get a further 20% off your order, which takes the sting out of the £3.99 delivery charge.

If you don't want to pay the delivery charge then push your order up to £50 and that charge is taken off the order.

Our pick of the discounts are below, with the price including the extra 20% taken into consideration.

• If you don't fancy anything here, then head to our best trainers guide.