Keeping active

Staying active in your daily routine is one of the best things you can do for your health. 

Being active is good for your body and mind whatever your age. It can help you manage stress, lower high blood pressure, ease joint or back pain and boost your energy levels.

What's important is to do what you can within your own ability, the more you move the more you will benefit.  

Many adults in the UK spend around nine hours a day sitting down, either watching TV, reading, using a computer or mobile phone, sitting down for work or travelling by car, bus or train.   

Research shows that sitting down for long periods of time or being inactive is a risk to health as this slows down metabolism, which affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat. 

Speak to your GP if you have any concerns about becoming more active, especially if you have any health conditions or haven't exercised before or for a while. 

  • Start small and build up from there. Even 10 minutes a day counts!  
  • Make being active a habit (just like brushing your teeth).  Getting into a routine and doing something you enjoy will help you stick to it.  
  • If possible, get up and move around your home or workplace every 30 or 60 minutes during the day. Setting a reminder on your phone may help.

All types of activity counts as being active, you'd be surprised:

  • Housework such as cleaning and vacuuming 
  • Getting up to make a hot drink and moving around your home 
  • Parking further away from your destination and walking  
  • Playing with children, grandchildren or pets  
  • Walking, dancing and gardening all count too 
  • Swimming, cycling, fitness classes and going to the gym are great for those who are already active.  

There are lots of ways you can keep active whatever your age or ability.   

Knowsley's Volair centres offer a range of health and fitness facilities, gyms, swimming pools and sports activities for those who are already active.  Find out more by visiting the Volair website. 

Knowsley's parks and green spaces are great places to get active with miles of attractive walking and cycling paths and green gyms. 

Some of the activities on offer include: 

Green Space Ranger activities   

Regular walking sessions with Green Space Rangers  

Regular cycling sessions with Pedal Away   

Wheels for All – adapted cycling  

Knowsley parkrun – every Saturday, 9am at Stadt Moers Park, Whiston, Prescot or Knowsley Junior parkrun – every Sunday, 9am at Halewood Park, Halewood

You can find out more about getting out and about in Knowsley here. This could be by bus, train, car or on foot.  

You could try to be more active by walking, cycling or wheeling to get to work or to the shops rather than using a car or public transport.  

The Activity for Life programme offers 12 weeks of supervised exercise sessions at a Volair centre, for people living with certain health conditions. It's designed to build lasting, healthy habits.

To find out more speak to your GP. 

Further support and health information you can trust 

For local support, call Healthy Knowsley Hub on 0800 0731 202 

Animated arm with phone in hand