Getting fit and staying active
Being active helps you stay healthy and can prevent problems like back pain, heart disease, and diabetes. It strengthens muscles, reduces stiffness and improves function.
Aim for two and a half hours to three hours of moderate intensity, aerobic exercise per week (or an hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity).
As well as this, perform strengthening exercises performed at least three times per week on non-consecutive days.
The video below outlines the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity:
For more information about the types of activities which we can all do to help improve our strength and aerobic fitness visit NHS Physical Activity guidelines.
Your Health Notts
If you are currently doing less than 60 minutes of exercise a week and want to get fitter, Your Health Notts offers free tailored exercise programmes to help start you on your fitness journey. They can also help with other aspects of your health including, diet, weight loss and stopping smoking.
You can also enrol in specialist health sessions which include Otago balance and strength groups, cardiac rehab, and stroke ability classes.
Gym membership
If you are interested in improving your health and joining a gym speak to your health professional about discounted gym referral schemes, including Everyone Active and Active for Today in the Newark region and the Healthy Life Initiative in Mansfield.
These programs offer a 12-week discounted membership to your local gym and access to an instructor who can work with you to develop a fitness program, which can incorporate activities such as:
- Sports or groups
- Chair based exercise
- Swimming
- Group exercise classes
- Water based activities like Aqua Fit
- Gym-based exercise.
You can find more general information about gym memberships and classes offered in your local area below:
- Newark leisure centre including Southwell, Dukeries and Blidworth)
- Kirkby leisure centre
- Mansfield leisure centre
The NHS has an online library of exercise videos covering aerobic and strength training, including activities like Pilates and Yoga.
View NHS Fitness Studio exercise videos.
For simple ways to get active, the NHS Better Health website has great tips, including beginner running programs and activity trackers.
If you’re looking for local groups and classes, Notts Help Yourself has a searchable list of local activities.
Visit the Notts Help Yourself website.
Finally If you enjoy walking, you might be interested in joining a walking group through Walk Notts.
