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Have you always wanted to be able to do the splits or a backflip? Maybe you’ve watched your kids do a gymnastics class and thought, ‘Wow, that looks so fun’. Adult gymnastics is gaining some serious popularity online, with the TikTok hashtag #adultgymnastics getting over 209.5 million views. Influencers such as Anna Archer – who has over 300,000 followers on Instagram and creates content surrounding lots of different fitness experiments – and stunt woman Corinne Nicewick have shared clips of their experiences of trying out gymnastics as an adult. Nicewick, despite being a talented stuntwoman, has shared clips of how challenging she has found the sport, with viewers finding her attempts both funny and encouraging. Gymnastics has put some famous faces in good stead for other fitness-related challenges, with gymnast Beth Tweddle winning the 2103 series of Dancing on Ice and Ellie Downie, GB gymnast taking on the gruelling SAS: Who Dares Wins reality show in 2023.So, what do you need to know before you get involved? How does adult gymnastics work? Can anyone do it? Classes have been steadily cropping up across the UK encouraging adults of all abilities to get involved in gymnastics, and unless you have a health problem or injury that may restrict you from doing so, anyone can get involved. It is not so dissimilar to exercises you may already do like plyometrics (explosive body weight resistance exercises like box jumps), CrossFit or yoga. “Gymnastics is a series of different exercises that test your strength, mobility, flexibility and agility,” says Sofia Zolobova, instructor and gymnastics expert at Gymbox. “It’s also a lot of fun, incorporating lots of different floor, beam and hoop exercises,” she explains. This element of variety can bring a more fun, playful element to your workout routine. What are the health and wellbeing benefits of adult gymnastics? Gymnastics will give your body a really different workout and improve your strength, mobility and balance. “Strength and mobility are both very important as we grow older,” says Zolobova. “Gymnastics uses your own body weight, so not only do you get stronger, you move better. For example, to be able to execute a hand stand you need great shoulder mobility,” she explains. “With our modern tight shoulders, gymnastics can be helpful in improving our posture.” How do you get past being scared? As a kid, doing a cartwheel and taking a tumble doesn’t seem so threatening, but as adults we are all a bit more scared of getting hurt. Instead of falling into the trap of fear, embrace the playfulness of it. Zolobova says: “It’s a really fun way to exercise. It includes handstands, cartwheels and frog jumps, letting you unleash your inner child. It empowers you to do cool tricks as an adult and work up to a certain goal. It’s also a great fear fighter – sometimes you just have to let go and trust yourself.” What should we be careful of in adult gymnastics? Your fitness and flexibility may not progress as quickly as they might have done as a child. “Children are naturally more flexible than adults, so when undertaking gymnastics for the first time keep this in mind. Take things slow and one step at a time – you can always build up strength and flexibility with consistent practice,” explains Zolobova. How do we protect our backs and joints? Putting your back out or hurting your joints is a very real fear as an adult. Zolobova says: “Stretching should never be skimped on and should be thorough and dynamic [involving movement]. It’s also very important to make sure the body is warmed up before undertaking any gymnastic moves, a light jog and jumping jacks are great ways to get the muscles warm fast.”

The start of the NFL season is not far away. Pro football is always honoring its legends. Here are some who deserve Hall of Fame consideration.

By Gloria Dickie (Reuters) -Hurricane Idalia's arrival on Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday signaled activity in the Atlantic's hurricane alley

President Ali Bongo is under house arrest after being ousted by the army after a disputed election.

The Republic of Ireland are looking for a new manager after opting not to renew Vera Pauw’s contract despite seeing her guide her team to the World Cup finals for the first time. Pauw’s departure brings an end to a four-year reign which has seen the nation’s women scale new heights, but the Dutchwoman’s tenure has not been without controversy. Here, the PA news agency takes a look Pauw’s time at the Irish helm. What is Pauw’s background? A former defender who was capped 89 times by the Netherlands, Pauw’s coaching career includes spells with Scotland, the Dutch, who she led to the semi-finals of the 2009 European Championships, Russia and South Africa, as well as National Women’s Soccer League side Houston Dash in the United States. The 60-year-old was appointed to succeed Colin Bell as Ireland boss in September 2019. How did Ireland fare under her charge? Having finished third in Group I after a 3-1 home defeat by Germany, Ireland missed out on qualification for the Euro 2022 finals. Defeat by eventual Group A winners Sweden in their opening World Cup qualifier did not deter the Republic, who went on to finish second and then, courtesy of Amber Barrett’s lone strike, beat Scotland in a play-off to book their ticket to Australia and New Zealand. Ultimately they did not progress after narrow defeats by co-hosts Australia and Olympic champions Canada, as well as a draw with Nigeria. What place does she hold in Irish football history? Pauw is one of only three coaches, along with Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy, to lead Ireland to the finals of a senior World Cup. Along with Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin O’Neill, who took the men’s team to Euro 2012 and 2016 respectively, they are the only five people to send out a senior Irish team at the finals of any major tournament. Where did it go wrong? Rumours of disquiet within the camp have grown in recent months and several players notably declined to support their manager when asked during World Cup press conferences amid speculation that a conservative approach on the pitch was unpopular in the dressing room. Suspicions of a fracture grew amid a public spat between Pauw and skipper Katie McCabe after the Arsenal winger appeared to call for a substitution during the Nigeria game. The manager later offered a “she’s not the coach” riposte; McCabe responded on social media with a zipped mouth emoji. Pauw had gone into the tournament against the backdrop of a renewed focus on allegations – which she strongly denies – of bullying and belittling behaviour during her time in Houston, for which she was sanctioned by the NSWL earlier this year. How have supporters reacted to the news? Not well. Many fans have taken to social media to claim Pauw has been treated poorly after what she has achieved with Ireland, many pointing out that the men’s team has not reached the World Cup finals since 2002. Who could replace her? The FAI’s head of women and girls’ football Eileen Gleeson has been placed in interim charge for next month’s Nations League openers against Northern Ireland and Hungary and could be considered for a longer-term role. Like Gleeson, Tom Elmes is highly regarded in the women’s game in Ireland, but as a member of Pauw’s coaching team, may suffer if the FAI decide to make a clean break. Liverpool boss Matt Beard has been touted as a potential replacement, as has former England captain and Manchester United manager Casey Stoney, currently in charge at San Diego Wave. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Savannah Marshall would relish rematch with rival Claressa Shields in MMA cage England Women to get same match fees as men after Ashes summer boosts profile Daniel James injury blow for Wales ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia

The draw for the group stage of the Champions League will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday evening. Here the PA news agency explains how it will unfold. When is the draw? The draw is due to start at 5pm UK time on Thursday evening. How will it work? The 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four, with the four seeding pots not set to be confirmed until Thursday morning. The identity of the final qualifiers will not be known until Wednesday evening. Pot 1 will feature European champions Manchester City, Europa League winners Sevilla and six domestic champions. Pots two to four will be based on the UEFA club coefficient rankings. As usual, teams from the same country will be kept apart until at least the quarter-final stage. Pairings and any other restrictions will be announced ahead of the draw. What else do we need to know about the format? September 19 and 20 October 3 and 4 October 24 and 25 November 7 and 8 November 28 and 29 December 12 and 13 The teams play each other home and away between September and December as usual, with the top two progressing to the Champions League last 16. The teams finishing third enter the Europa League knockout round play-offs, where they will face the runners-up from the Europa League group stages for a place in the last 16 of that competition. What else should we expect on Thursday night? UEFA plans to announce the four winners of its 2022-23 awards – men’s player and coach, plus women’s player and coach – during the draw ceremony. There will be particular focus on the women’s awards amid the unfolding crisis in Spanish football – two of the country’s World Cup-winning team, Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona, are nominated for the player award while Jorge Vilda is nominated for the coach award. What else should we look out for this season? This season marks the final year of the group stage as we have come to know it. From next season the 32-team group stage will be replaced by a 36-team league phase, with each team playing eight matches on a seeded basis. It will be worth keeping an eye as the season progresses on the country coefficients, which are based on the collective performance of a country’s clubs in the three UEFA men’s club competitions. One team each from the two best-performing countries will secure additional places in the league phase, under changes agreed at UEFA Congress in Vienna last year. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Savannah Marshall would relish rematch with rival Claressa Shields in MMA cage England Women to get same match fees as men after Ashes summer boosts profile Daniel James injury blow for Wales ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia

As the military seizes power in Gabon, we examine the colourful, contentious life of its ousted president.

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Bob Dylan's lyrics made superfan Post Malone burst into tears.

Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool in the closing stages of the transfer window, according to former Premier League midfielder Jan Aage Fjortoft. The club have repeatedly made it clear they do not have the 31-year-old up for sale however with interest coming from the Saudi Pro League, and club Al-Ittihad in particular, a high bid may tempt Liverpool’s ownership into reconsidering their position. Elsewhere, Wolves are closing in on signing Paraguayan winger Enso Gonzalez on a £5m deal as they look to continue their rebuild under Gary O'Neil and Nottingham Forest are in talks over a deal for Fenerbahce striker Michy Batshuayi after the former Chelsea man missed out on a move to the midlands club late on deadline day last year. Meanwhile, Manchester United hope to solve their left-back issue after both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sustained injuries. With three days left in the window Erik ten Hag is hoping to bring in a short-term replacement. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and done deals ahead of Friday’s deadline below. Read More Football rumours: Chelsea eye late move for Ivan Toney in transfer window Gary O’Neil expects Matheus Nunes to remain at Wolves with no fresh Man City bid Romelu Lukaku, a chessboard and the Jose Mourinho phone call that lured him to Roma

Flights across Florida continue to be disrupted Wednesday as Hurricane Idalia nears landfall on the state.

Raphael Varane has been ruled out for a few weeks as Manchester United’s injury issues pile up ahead of the Premier League trip to Arsenal. Erik ten Hag’s side head to north London on Sunday for their final match before the international break without several key players. Luke Shaw and Mason Mount picked up issues in the first week of the season, while summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has yet to make his debut due to a back complaint. Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Tom Heaton have missed the start of the season and now experienced Varane faces a spell on the sidelines. A club statement read: “Raphael Varane will be missing from the team when Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday due to injury. “The France international came off at half-time in our 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday due to the complaint, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.” The PA news agency understands that United are expecting Varane to be back in less than the six weeks reported by some outlets. The 30-year-old has dealt with a number of injuries since moving to Old Trafford in 2021 and, having retired from the France set-up in February, will have the international break to work towards his return. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live