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Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of positively influencing our health. Regular exercise can lower our risk of getting serious conditions, such as stroke, heart disease and certain cancers. It can add years to our lives, but most importantly, it keeps us happy and helps us maintain our independence.
The following exercise materials have been designed to help strengthen the muscles and bones we need to keep us active and prevent us from having a fall in later life.
They are designed to be used on their own at home, but to get the best results, supplement them by joining a class, and speaking to a qualified instructor.
Your GP will be able to advise you on local classes and activities suitable for you. Alternatively, check the fit as a fiddle pages to find out about health and wellbeing projects run by your local Age Concern.
Download our Staying steady guide (PDF 577KB)
There are lots of simple things you can do to help you stay steady on your feet. This guide has information for everyone, whether you’re fit and active, have difficulty walking and getting around, or are worried about falling.
Be Strong, Be Steady DVD £12 + p&p
Be Strong, Be Steady is designed to help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and improve balance. It progresses from chair-based to standing exercises, with clear instructions and demonstrations led by older people.
Step to the Future DVD
Step to the Future progresses through two levels, with a focus on improving endurance as well as strength and balance. The programme includes chair-based, standing and floor exercises.
The programme's presenter, Seona Ross, has over 65 years experience teaching exercise, and is joined by an enthusiastic team of older people.
Available in English or Hindi, with English subtitles.
Strength and balance exercises for healthy ageing£6 + p&p
This A4 work book is a step-by-step guide of chair-based and standing exercises to improve strength and balance. Each exercise is clearly illustrated and described, one per page, within a spiral-bound stand. The pages can be easily displayed and flipped over during a workout.Please note: the contents of this book are for general information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.
You should consult your GP before starting an exercise programme, and you may wish to perform the exercises for the first time in the company of an exercise specialist.
The illustrations are copyright protected.
For more details on any of these publications and to buy your copy, please call 0800 169 65 65.
Downloads
A download is a document (like a research report, a leaflet, or an application form) that can be transferred from our website to your computer. You can download a file, view it on your screen, print it, or save it to your computer.
PDF stands for ‘portable document format’.
Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have set their computer up).
Computers use a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDFs. If you try clicking on a link to download a PDF and it doesn’t work, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer.
The process is quite straightforward and is free.
PDFs cannot be changed. If you need to be able to type into a downloaded document (for example, if we are offering a letter template that you need to put your name on) we will provide it as a Microsoft Word document rather than a PDF. You can then download it, type into it and save it to your computer.
Downloads will open on your computer in a new browser window.
Inside this window (below all your web browser menus), there will be a toolbar with options for you to print or save the document.
Close the browser window to return to the Age UK website.
We have made every effort to make our PDFs accessible to screen readers. Here is an overview of your accessibility options available in Acrobat Reader. Please ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Reader website to ensure that they are included in your version of the programme.
You can use Adobe Reader to read a PDF out loud with the following shortcut keys:
You can also convert a PDF into a web page by following these steps:
You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.
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Keeping mobile is the key to an independent life. This leaflet offers advice on staying fit and active, and looks at sources of help if you do have problems getting around.
Fit as a fiddle is a nationwide programme‚ supporting people aged over 50 with physical activity‚ healthy eating and mental well-being, funded by the Big Lottery Fund well-being programme.
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