Active for Life activities for adults

Being physically active is an important aspect of maintaining health and wellbeing. It can help prevent illness and manage existing health conditions and is a great way to spend time with others or enjoy me time.

Simply moving more can have a big impact on our health and make us feel better. Being active as we age can help keep us:

• mobile
• independent
• connected with our community 

What we should try to do

Adults should try to be active for 150 minutes a week. However, this doesn’t have to be all in one go. It can be in small chunks throughout the day. Every little counts. We should aim to move in a way that makes us feel warmer and increases our heart rate slightly.

For example, try a walk with a friend. Walking briskly is key but you can still chat as you go for it to count towards your weekly minutes. More vigorous activity such as a team sport is also good and a minimum of 75 minutes per week is recommended.  

Adults should also try to do some muscle strengthening exercises every week and older adults should try to do activity that helps improve strength and balance. Simple balance exercises or more organised activities such as the following are effective:

• Tai Chi
• dancing
• racquet sports

View the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendations for Physical activity for adults and older adults: 19 and over 

Additional guidelines are also available for the following groups: 

• Physical activity for disabled adults 
• Physical activity for pregnant women 
• Physical activity for women after childbirth: birth to 12 months 

 In the following sections you can find information about the activity sessions that are available to you.

Who the Active for Life adult sessions are for

Our sessions are for anyone wishing to get and stay active. They are suitable for adults of all abilities and experience and those living with health conditions. Our participants range in age from 20 to 80. Everyone is welcome.    

How to join

Most of our face-to-face sessions are drop-in so you are welcome to just turn up.  

For courses that are advertised as booking-only, contact the team directly. 

To join our online sessions, you also need to register. You need to fill in a registration form.

We'll then be in touch with joining instructions. Please note if you have already attended a face-to-face session your registration also allows you to attend an online class. 

What to expect on arrival  

When you arrive at the venue you'll be welcomed by our friendly instructor. If it's your first visit you will be asked to complete our registration form before taking part. The instructor can help you if needed.  

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start to give yourself plenty of time to register. 

Existing health conditions and injuries

Research tells us that being active when living with health conditions is beneficial and the advice is to try to be active if you can. It can be helpful to talk to a medical practitioner and we recommend this before joining an Active for Life session. 

When you arrive at the venue our instructor will look at your registration form and talk to you about any health issues. They're qualified to adapt sessions when needed and will help you to participate safely and to go at your own pace.  

If you're worried about starting to get more active, we offer the option of a telephone consultation to explore your concerns. We can discuss the suitability of the classes we offer and support you to attend a taster.

If you feel it would be helpful, we can also talk more about how activity can improve your health and well-being and help you set simple goals. Please get in touch if you would like this support. 

What to wear and bring along

We recommend:

• wearing comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and shoes that support your feet
• bringing a bottle of water to drink when you need it
• if you feel it would be helpful you are also welcomed to bring someone along with you 

Our programmes include: 

In shape for life

Activity sessions with occasional healthy living advice. These include working on:

• cardio fitness
• strength balance
• flexibility 

They happen in various locations around the city.  

Active Forever

 A range of sports, activities and events for older people which currently includes:

• Ping and Short Tennis - our popular table tennis/short tennis sessions for those aged 50+
• Fitness MOTs

Get Active Locally 

Low-cost fitness classes and activity sessions in local neighbourhoods including:  

• Couch to 5K
  Our supportive course following the popular Couch to 5K programme working towards completing a 5k run/walk. Booking is required.   
• Dancing for Health 
  Our dance-based session with both seated and upright content; enjoying Latin sounds and music from around the world This is currently an Active for Life Zoom session.   
• Pilates
  A popular session that focusses on core strength and flexibility. This is currently an Active for Life Zoom session. 
• Post Natal Pilates
  Our Pilates session for new mums with babies also welcomed (non-crawlers/walkers)   
• Strength and conditioning
  Our session focusses on improving muscular strength and endurance. Suitable for all levels. This is currently an Active for Life Zoom session.  

Healthwalks

Regular and one-off free volunteer-led Healthwalks are available most days.

See our latest Active for Life and Healthwalks programme of activities for Spring-Summer 2023.

You need to be registered for Active for Life to access our online Zoom sessions. Once you're registered, we'll make the links available to you.

Find out how to register for these sessions.

You can also subscribe to the Healthy Lifestyles Youtube channel which has lots of free videos of physical activity sessions like Zumba and strength and balance exercises.  

There are lots of excellent online resources to help to get and stay active including: 

• Sport England - How to stay active  
• British Heart Foundation - 10 minute living room workout 
• Active Sussex - Active at home  
• NHS.UK - Fitness studio exercise videos 
• NHS.UK - Couch to 5K 
• NHS.UK - Kickstart your health  
• Walking for Health - Information about how walking can improve your health 
• We are Undefeatable (for adults living with health conditions) 

To find out about other opportunities in the city visit our Activity Providers (brighton-hove.gov.uk) directory which will provide you with a list of local sport and physical activity clubs and groups.  

To find out more about the cities leisure facilities and parks go to: 

• leisure centres and sports facilities
• parks and green spaces

Also follow the Healthy Lifestyles Team Facebook page for updates about physical activity ideas and information in the city.  

Send an email to healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

You can also find us on:

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