What is it? Hurling balls at other people as hard as you can. It’s a real sport, with a governing body and everything.

How much does it cost? There are clubs all around the country, operating various leagues and tournaments and one-off events. The average cost at any level seems to be about a tenner a session.

What does it promise? Given that it tends to be something primarily practised by hungover stag parties, a surprising amount. It’s a fast, full-velocity competitive sport that improves balance, reflex, coordination and strength. All that, plus you’ll find yourself sprinting over short distances so often that a game ends up doubling as a kind of impromptu HIIT workout.

What’s it actually like? There’s a good chance I underestimated dodgeball. I’d seen the film and assumed it was just a larky way to spend a couple of hours with mates. It’s anything but: the game works with two teams of five people standing at opposite ends of a room, separated by a line of balls. You run at the balls, grab as many as you can and throw them at the opposite team. If you hit them, they’re out. It sounds easy but, God, it’s exhausting. Just throwing a football-sized ball 30ft with enough force to surprise an opponent takes much more strength than you’d expect. Combine that with several intense bursts of speed and you’ll quickly find yourself doubled over and gasping for breath. Do it regularly enough and I expect you’ll tone right up. Dodgeball. Who knew?

Best and worst bits Dodgeball is so much fun that you won’t realise you’re exercising. Expect a sore arm the next morning, though.

Is it worth it? Yes.