An engine that only ever idles down to the shops doesn't get an easy life, it gets a shorter one. Bodies work the same way. Why pottering isn't the safe option after 50, and what hard enough actually feels like.

You can tell a lot about someone from how they get out of a chair. You can't tell whether they slept well, laughed this week, or have anyone to ring on a Tuesday. That's the bit the mirror misses.

Strength, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, Dancercise: all of it is yours. Research says variety keeps you strong, steady, and interested. Head to the class you're certain isn't for you. Especially that one.