Strength & exercise
Exercise is great for healthy ageing! It lowers the risk of falls and disease, improves mental health, strengthens social connections, and improves the function of the brain. And you don't have to run a marathon to feel the benefits!
How much is enough?
Regular exercise has dramatic positive effects on your health and wellbeing. The Department of Health has developed helpful guidelines. It is recommend that older people do 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity most days. Every day is even better.
If you can't do 30 minutes, start with 10 minutes and build up every 2 weeks by 5 minutes. If you can reduce the amount of time you spend sitting, this has huge health benefits too.
Trying different activities is good for your mind and body and keeps it interesting. To find personalised suggestions for strength and exercise classes click the button below!
What are the benefits?
The benefits of regular exercise include:
- Reducing health issues including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, joint and bone conditions, heart disease and some cancers
- Reducing the risk of falls and injury
- More energy
- Better quality sleep
- Less stress and anxiety
- Better mental health
- Improved concentration
- Greater quality of life.
The benefits of regular exercise include:
- Reducing health issues including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, joint and bone conditions, heart disease and some cancers
- Reducing the risk of falls and injury
- More energy
- Better quality sleep
- Less stress and anxiety
- Better mental health
- Improved concentration
- Greater quality of life.
What about health conditions?
Just a slight increase in activity each day can improve your health and wellbeing.
If you have an existing health condition, it’s a matter of taking the time to work out what's right for you. Talk to your doctor or specialist about what activity suits you and your body that also considers your medical history. For example, if you have:
- Heart problems, diabetes or asthma you could try moderate walking or swimming
- Arthritis you could try hydrotherapy or swimming in a warm pool
- Osteoporosis you could try weight bearing and strength activities.
Just a slight increase in activity each day can improve your health and wellbeing.
If you have an existing health condition, it’s a matter of taking the time to work out what's right for you. Talk to your doctor or specialist about what activity suits you and your body that also considers your medical history. For example, if you have:
- Heart problems, diabetes or asthma you could try moderate walking or swimming
- Arthritis you could try hydrotherapy or swimming in a warm pool
- Osteoporosis you could try weight bearing and strength activities.
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What is moderate intensity?
Moderate intensity activities that are good for your heart, lungs and blood vessels include:
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Golf with no cart
- Water aerobics
- Gardening
- Tennis
- Mopping and vacuuming.
Moderate intensity activities that are good for your heart, lungs and blood vessels include:
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Golf with no cart
- Water aerobics
- Gardening
- Tennis
- Mopping and vacuuming.
What else can I do?
Other types of exercise that you can consider include strengthening, flexibility and balancing exercises, all of which will contribute to greater independence and increased quality of life. Try some of these:
- Climbing stairs
- Light weight training
- Tai chi
- Bowls
- Yoga
- Dancing
- Resistance training.
Other types of exercise that you can consider include strengthening, flexibility and balancing exercises, all of which will contribute to greater independence and increased quality of life. Try some of these:
- Climbing stairs
- Light weight training
- Tai chi
- Bowls
- Yoga
- Dancing
- Resistance training.
Find out how to age your way
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