Keeping fit
What are the benefits of keeping fit?
Keeping fit has many benefits from improving your:
- Health by reducing the risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cancer.
- Weight by helping you maintain or reach a healthy weight.
- Muscles around your joints which help support them.
- Energy levels letting you do more.
- Brain activity allowing you to concentrate better.
- Self-confidence as you look and feel better.
- Mood by reducing anxiety and depression.
- Lifespan compared to an inactive person.
- Sleep quality can be improved even if you have chronic insomnia.
Should I do anything before I start?
The older you are the more important it is to see your doctor before you start doing a lot of exercise, especially if you have any health conditions, weight issues or been inactive for over a year.
How do I start to keep fit and where can I go?
It doesn't matter the important thing is you start. You may decide to:
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Walk more, see walking in Eden on the Visit Eden website.
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Start cycling again, see cycling in Eden on the Visit Eden website.
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Join a Penrith Leisure Centre or Appleby Leisure Centre.
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Join a sports club in Eden.
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Go swimming, find a local swimming pool.
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Start playing tennis again, hire one of our tennis courts in Penrith Castle Park.
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Start running, find out running in Eden.
See Walking for health on the NHS website for a good place to start.
How much exercise do I need to do?
See staying active on the British Heart Foundation website to find out how being active can help reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease.
What exercise can I do for free?
If you are worried about the cost of exercise, there are activities you can do for free such as long walks, jogging and cycling. There are various workouts available on the web that you can do on your own for a start see exercise on the NHS website.
How much will it cost me?
The cost of using Leisure Centres vary depending on your age, whether you employed or unemployed and whether you pay as you go or have a membership.
See membership on the Better website for membership that suits you.
What is a GP exercise referral?
An exercise referral, usually from your doctor, is when exercise programme if recommended to improve a particular health condition. Contact your own doctor in the first instance.
Fit4All Scheme
We have a joint scheme with the NHS called Fit4All, which is held in Village Hall's and Community Centre's throughout the district. Fit4All sessions are run by a professionally qualified trainer and involve people of varying levels of fitness with the aim of bringing activity sessions into the community.
Contact the Communities and Well-being Team on the details below to find out more.