Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is an important part of staying healthy and feeling well. It can help improve your heart health, strengthen muscles and bones, boost your mood, and reduce the risk of long-term conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This page provides simple guidance and practical tips to help you become more active and find ways to fit physical activity into your everyday life.
Exercise is a key part of maintaining good health and preventing disease. Regular physical activity helps manage weight, lowers the risk of heart disease, strengthens muscles and bones and improves mood and energy levels. Even small amounts of daily movement such as walking, gardening or gentle stretching can make a big difference over time and help you stay active independent and healthy.
Practical tips
- ENJOYMENT - Find activities you enjoy, find a friend to get involved, look at classes, get the whole family involved in a new sport.
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.
- Set goals which aren’t about the physical appearance of your body… ‘I would like to be fit enough to walk my grandchildren to the park.’
- Increase slowly to avoid injury.
Please visit the links below to explore some ideas and information.
Physical Activity on referral
Exercise on referral for those who are currently inactive with a low/medium risk health condition. You'll get a personalised exercise programme with a trained referral instructor, based around your health conditions and what you'd like to achieve, even if you haven't exercised before. Referrals made via your GP or suitable healthcare professional.
Advice from BVM physio team
Fitness and Exercise advice
Practice Parkrun
Come and join our Practice Parkrun
Online/at home exercise ideas
Exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing.
South Bristol Groups
Robins Foundation offer a variety of activities https://www.bcfc.co.uk/robins-foundation/what-we-do/health-and-wellbeing/
This Woman Runs beginners running program at Greville Smyth Park, sessions to suit various fitness needs https://www.thiswomanruns.com/
Good Boost personalised water-based exercise program, available at various pools across South Bristol https://www.goodboost.ai/
Strength and Balance Classes A strength and balance class could help you if you're feeling unsteady when moving around, are worried about falling or are less mobile than you'd like to be
Knowle West Health Park Walking Groups https://www.knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk/project/two-three-heart-walking-groups/
Stroll and Chat Southville walking group run by BS3 Community Development every Tuesday leaving from Tobacco Factory. Call 0117 923 1039 for more detailshttps://bs3community.org.uk/about/our-work/stroll-chat/
BS3 Community Development has an array of classes to suit all fitness levels https://bs3community.org.uk/
Redcatch has weekly Tai Chi sessions https://www.redcatchcommunitygarden.com/
Nordic Walking - every Thursday at 11am meeting at Acta Theatre, free of charge, walking poles provided and free drink afterwards https://acta-bristol.com/
Preventing Falls and Staying Well
Whether you're looking to:
Recover after a fall Find local strength and balance classes Support an older friend or family member