Although Lycra-clad runners have been taking to streets and parks for decades, they’ve become ubiquitous in recent years. There are now 10.5 million runners in the UK, and the growth in related apparel and apps shows how mainstream it’s become. Why exactly has running gotten so big?

Visit any gym and you’ll find a range of fitness tribes, from CrossFit fans to bodybuilders. Despite their differences, they have one common factor – a device through which to listen to tunes as they get fit. Now, wearable maker Pebble is promoting the power of music with its new Core device.

From the mind-enhancing drug in the 2011 movieLimitlessto doubt-ridding pills in the 2006 novelIndecision,‘smart drugs’ usually occupy the realms of fiction. But can science produce a real life equivalent? Research from Oxford and Harvard suggests modafinil could be the answer.

Amid growing health-consciousness and shifting dress codes at work, activewear is now everywhere. Yet the garments produced by the likes of Nike and Under Armour don’t cut it for many luxury shoppers. What’s the appeal of premium sports apparel for these discerning consumers?