Stretch yourself

Joseph Pilates lived well into his nineties. That should be incentive enough to take up Pilates in middle age and onwards, as well as the fact that it’s designed to strengthen and stabilise those key core muscles that help with walking, balance and, well, everything. The new book Pilates for Living: Get Stronger, Fitter and Healthier for an Active Later Life by Harri Angell covers postural alignment, anatomy, and has illustrated instructions for various exercises. All you need is a mat.

Bloomsbury, £16.99, out 5 April