PEOPLE WHO EXERCISE REGULARLY HAVE A LOWER RISK OF DEVELOPING MANY LONG TERM (CHRONIC) CONDITIONS SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, TYPE 2 DIABETES, STROKE AND SOME CANCERS
There are guidelines produced by the Chief Medical Officer UK regarding specific groups of people. Click on the links below for recommendations for specific groups.
How much activity is right for you depends on your age, and what you want to achieve.
The guidelines below are for general health benefits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity.
You also can do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Moderate intensity activity includes cycling, swimming or brisk walking.
Physical Activity For Early Years
Physical Activity For Children And Young People
Physical Activity For Adults And Older Adults
Physical Activity For Disabled Adults
Walking
Brisk walking is a perfect form of exercise as it is low impact, costs nothing and most people of all ages can manage to walk even a short distance. A ten or fifteen minute walk can even be fitted in during your lunch break.
Be inspired about great walks in your local area:
Running
Even if you have never run before, with a short training plan and a bit of encouragement you could be running 5 K in as little as 10 weeks. With lots of beautiful parks and open spaces in Belfast, you don’t need to be pounding the pavements.
Here are some links to help get you started:
- Join the Couch to 5K phenomenon
- Jog Belfast – free 10 week programme
- Parkruns in Belfast parks
- North Belfast Harriers running club
- ActiveNI
Cycling
An activity that the whole family can enjoy together, cycling is a great way to increase your activity levels and have some fun together. With an ever growing network of cycle paths, Belfast is the perfect city to get on your bike!
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:
- Purchase a bike through the Cycle to Work Scheme
- Sign up for Better Bike Training – coming soon as part of the Here4U programme of free activities
- Bike between sites for meetings – Find out more in the Trust’s Active Travel Policy
- Make use of the BelfastBikes network if the route suits