Being active

We should all try and move more in our daily lives. Whatever your age or ability, there are lots of easy ways to be active.

Moving is good for your body and mind. Being active can help reduce the risk of many illnesses, help us feel better about ourselves and improve our physical and mental wellbeing.

It's recommended that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity across the week. For example, you could exercise 20 minutes per day or 30 minutes each day for 5 days. During moderate activity, your heart rate will rise, you may feel sweaty and short of breath. You should still be able to hold a conversation.

You can achieve this through:

• a brisk 10-minute walk to work or at lunchtime
• vacuuming and cleaning
• gardening
• dog walking
• dancing in front of the TV
• climbing the stairs

Get active with Northamptonshire Sport

Northamptonshire Sport offer a huge range of activities for all those who live and work in West Northamptonshire, from gentle walks in the countryside to extreme sports.

Whether it be walking, running, cycling, swimming or classes like yoga, there is something for everyone.

Visit the Northamptonshire Sport website.

Visit a country park

Exploring nature is a great way to keep active. Evidence also suggests that regular access to parks and green spaces helps our mental health and wellbeing.

Find out more about country parks.

Volunteer for a local club or activity group 

You might also want to volunteer for local clubs and activities - explore opportunities with Northamptonshire Sport.

Keeping active as we age

Keeping the habit of being active has lots of benefits as we age. Being physically active can improve our mental wellbeing, as well as maintain our independence and quality of life. It is recommended that we should include strength and balance exercise into our daily activity routines.  

Northamptonshire Sport have details of local Get Up and Go sessions that are led by experts and provide a fun and effective way of improving strength and balance. 

Steady On Your Feet, a dedicated local website, offers lots of great ideas about how best to stay safe and well at home.  

Keeping active with a disability 

There are plenty of ways to keep active across West Northamptonshire if you have a disability. Find local information through Northamptonshire Sport. 

Activity Alliance have information on being active for people living with an impairment or health condition. Find out more on the Activity Alliance website. 

Scheme for adults with a health condition 

If you are an adult with a health condition, you may be eligible for the Activity on Referral (AOR) Scheme. This is a countywide programme specifically aimed at inactive adults (16 years plus) who are overweight or living with a health condition. 

The scheme provides a positive introduction to an active lifestyle by providing 3-month concessionary gym membership with a tailored exercise programme allowing you to start on your exercise journey in a safe and supervised environment. 

Find out more about the Activity on Referral scheme and ask a health professional at your medical practice whether they can refer you. 

NHS initiatives 

To find out about Couch to 5k, Active 10 and other national initiatives, visit the NHS - Get active website. 

Other local initiatives 

Northamptonshire Walks is a free walking blog created to encourage families and individuals to enjoy the Northamptonshire countryside. This blog features hundreds of walks across the county. The routes vary from 20 minutes upwards and are fully mapped.  

Sensory walks are made with complex disabilities in mind but can be enjoyed by anyone. No specialist equipment is required and can be enjoyed independently or with a group. The walks can be any length you like. You can go on foot, use a wheelchair or walker. Find a sensory walk near you. 

Parkrun events are free to join for people of all abilities to walk, jog or run a 5K every Saturday at 9am. Find out more about the various Parkruns across Northamptonshire. 

There are many friendly jogging groups throughout Northamptonshire, perfect for people that are new to running or aren’t sure how to get started. Jogging groups normally cost a small fee, usually starting from £3 to £4 per session. Check out Jog Northants for information on finding your local group. 

Run Talk Run is a weekly 5km run held for free. All abilities are welcome. Focusing on mental health, they consider themselves a peer support group first, and a running group second. Taking place at Northampton Racecourse, every Thursday at 6:50pm. 

Cyclists, from the skilled mountain biker to a family of beginners, can take advantage of a new, 40-acre Northamptonshire Bike Park. The new park has a range of trails, tracks and facilities and is free to use for all. You only need to pay for car parking which helps cover the maintenance costs of the site. Plan your visit to Northampton Bike Park.

Last updated 12 August 2024