Extreme sensation seeking is going mainstream. In just two years, nearly half a million people have signed ‘Death Waivers’ with experience company Tough Mudder. How can brands tap into this desire to feel alive?

Surveys show that vanity motivates people to exercise more than health benefits, so it’s no surprise that many worry that they look stupid during exercise or are doing it wrong. Now, Fitness First is alleviating that pressure with its ‘Team GB Pro Athlete’ work out classes.

Whether swooping over sprawling landscapes or careering through space, an hour spent on Icaros – a virtual reality at-home gym that claims to exercise both mind and body – promises to be a truly holistic workout. Is this what the future of fitness looks like, or is it just another VR gimmick?

Whether it's headbands that help you meditate or apps that claim to stretch the memory; we're increasingly looking to technology to train our brains. But what's the real science behind this growing industry? And why are so many people turning to technology to get their heads in the right space?