Keeping active is an important part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.
In children and young people, regular physical activity is associated with improved learning, better mental health and helps to maintain a healthy weight.
In adults and older people, benefits include improved physical and mental health, general wellbeing, maintaining a healthy weight and can help to reduce the risk of many long-term health conditions.
Taking part in regular physical activity is also a great way to help you manage any existing long-term health conditions that you may have. It is also a fantastic way to meet new people, have fun and socialise with others, and can boost your self-esteem, lift your mood, improve sleep quality and increase energy levels.
Keeping active in Solihull
Phase 2 of the So Go! year-long physical activity campaign launched in January 2023, whether you are a resident or a local group, find out more including the wide range of activities you can get involved in.
The amount and type of physical activity that is recommended varies:
- Young children (Under 5 years)
- Children and young people (5 to 18 years)
- Adults and older adults (19 years and over)
- Disabled adults
- Pregnant women
- Women after childbirth (birth to 12 months)
What activities you choose to do will depend on your lifestyle, age, health, what you enjoy and how and when you can fit it into your day.
Solihull has a wide range of gyms, fitness centres, and sports and leisure facilities. There are opportunities for people of all ages and fitness levels - so everyone can start getting active in the borough by:
- finding ideas, opportunities and support to get moving at solihullonthemove.co.uk
- feeling encouraged to ‘move more, more often’ by the new year-long physical activity campaign, So Go!
- taking a walk through our parks and open spaces
- joining in with courses and activities listed in The Solihull Directory
- visiting the Age UK Solihull website
- visiting the AccessAble website
Activities for older people and exercise with a health condition
If you are an older person or have a diagnosed health condition it may be important for you to take advice from your doctor before starting a new exercise regime.
You could also:
- ask your GP surgery for a referral to DocSpot, a supervised exercise programme
- take a look through the NHS seated exercise pages if you have problems with mobility
- consider taking part in local specialist exercise groups, for people with Cardiac conditions, Cancer, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, Respiratory conditions and to prevent falls.
Take a look at the following information if you need to know about healthy exercise advice tailored for:
Diabetes
Cancer
- Cancer Research UK’s advice on physical activity, exercise and cancer
- Macmillan’s information on keeping active
- Mind’s tips to get moving and feeling better
Mental health including depression
Heart disease
Older people
Change4Life
The Change4Life website has information for adults, children and families, it’s Get going section can help you make positive decisions to keep moving every day.
It also has a great range of healthy eating tips to give you the energy to get the most from your exercise.
How are you?
To find out how well you are and get some recommendations on how to improve your health, take the How Are You quiz.