Act Now, Age Better

Older adults enjoying gentle exercise outdoors, promoting healthy ageing

Published on 23 June 2025 12:07 PM

Adding more physical activity to your day-to-day routine can help you do more and stay well in later life. It can also be a great opportunity to socialise and meet new people.

Being more active shouldn't feel like a chore, so it's important to find something you enjoy.

How do I get started?

Getting active can seem daunting if you don’t currently move much – so start small. It’s always a good idea to build up your activity levels gradually. Lots of everyday activities count as exercise, so look for simple ways you can begin to move more that fit in with your daily routine.Remember that every step counts – even if it’s just a few extra here and there. It’s about moving more each day, in whatever way works for you.

You could start by:

Getting up and stretching if you've been sat down for a while
Walking to the shops instead of driving or choosing a parking space a bit further away from the shops if you drive there
Using stairs instead of lifts or escalators
Doing more housework or gardening.

Live in Hastings? Want to get active?

The Isabel Blackman Centre is a health, leisure and wellbeing centre for the over 50's, providing activity classes, an exercise studio, accessible gym and therapy room. We also have a café.

Find Out More

What types of exercise can I try?

There's no specific type of exercise you should be doing as you get older, but activities that work your cardiovascular system are best, as they help keep your heart, lungs and brain healthy. You could try:

Things in your own home, such as gentle chair-based exercises
Doing some gardening or heading out for a walk
Cycling, jogging or swimming
Sports such as tennis, squash or walking football
Joining a local dance class.

The most important thing is to find something enjoyable because this can make it much easier to stick with.

How can I stay strong?

As we get older, it becomes harder to maintain our muscle mass. It's really important to strengthen our muscles, as this helps our mobility, flexibility and the strength of our bones. You could try the following exercises:

Lifting weights – make sure to start small and build up gradually
Yoga
Bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges.

Can I still exercise if I have a health condition?

Living with a health condition can make being active much more challenging – but it doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t ways you can move more.The first step is to find what works for you. There are certain things to bear in mind if you have a condition, including:

There and when you can get active
The symptoms of your condition
The medical advice you've been given.

Speak to a healthcare professional, or the instructor if you're taking a class – they'll help you find the best ways to exercise safely.It's important to remember that some days will be better than others. Some days, your body might be telling you that you need to do less – or do nothing at all, and that's OK. More regular activity, however and whenever it suits you, really adds up.

Local exercise ideas

Walking Football

A popular activity designed to help you keep an active lifestyle and socialise irrespective of their age, as well as getting those back playing football who prehaps stopped due to injury. Running and jogging are not allowed during play.

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Healthy Living Clubs

The Healthy Living Clubs provide a welcoming environment where clients can get involved in activity sessions, receive information on healthy eating and general health. The clubs are for people aged 50 and over.

Learn More