Don’t pound the pavement in any old shoes. The right exercise footwear will prevent problems, says podiatrist Mike O’Neill. “I regularly see bruised toenails from too-short shoes or compression on joints from too-tight shoes,” says O’Neill. “You must match your shoe to your exercise. Runners should look for hard soles to sustain vigorous use. If you play squash, look for grip laid out in circles for multidirectional movement.”

Find a shop whose staff are knowledgeable about the way feet work. Anyone exercising for five hours a week or more should change shoes yearly. “The shock-absorption compartments and grip will wear and you’ll lose stability and control,” says O’Neill. “And never put shoes in the washing machine. It breaks down fabric and softens plastic. Hose them down outside.”