Exercise is a great way to improve your physical health
It can seem overwhelming and daunting when starting your fitness journey. It is important to consider both increasing physical activity and improving your diet. Finding something that you enjoy is key to success and happiness as this is a more effective and manageable way to lose weight and keep it off.
Remember, every minute of exercise you do is one more than you did yesterday, and therefore, something to be proud of and build off.
To help you get started we have listed four of our favourite organisations and apps to help you improve your fitness in realistic chunks.
Our Parks - Couch to Fitness
Couch to Fitness is a free 9-week online programme with 3 sessions a week to do from the comfort of your own home. You are able to do the fitness session whenever suits you making it a flexible programme to suit your busy lives.
What we like about them Couch to Fitness videos have three coaches who perform exercises at different ability levels allowing you to pick the suitable one for you.
Couch to 5K
Couch to 5k is an NHS backed programme for beginners to run 5k after 9 weeks. Each week you get given a new run which gradually increases in difficulty from the previous week. If you are struggling you can simply just redo the previous week until you feel able to move on to the next week.
What we like about them You will be joining thousands of people how have started the couch to 5k journey meaning you will be able to find lots of like-minded people to support you. Search ‘Couch to 5k’ to find the Facebook community group.
Image from EXI website
EXI - iPrescribe Exercise
Exi iPrescribe Exercise is an NHS approved app which creates a 12-week plan based on your health information ensuring the durations and intensities of exercise are right for you.
What we like about them Your physical activity will gradually increase over the 12 weeks so that by the end of the 12 weeks you will be meeting the government recommended weekly exercise targets of five 30-minute periods of exercise each week.
Start your 12 week journey now
NHS
The NHS website has a range of activities and resources to help you improve your physical and mental health by exercising more. For example, strength and flex exercises, home exercises, flexibility and gym free workouts!
What we like about them You can choose the right category of exercise by clicking the ‘How Much Exercise’ button or find a range of resources by clicking on the ‘Fitness Guides’ button.
Find an activity to do through the NHS now
THINKING ABOUT GETTING ACTIVE?
Being active is about finding out what works for you. We can help you find loads of great activities to choose from, however fit (or unfit) you think you feel.
SEARCH FOR LOCAL ACTIVITY SESSIONS