So, what’s the fitness norm for each age group – and do you meet it? Just how fit should you be at any given age to maximise your chances of good health?
3. We should aim for around an hour a day, but anything we do is better than being inactive. In fact, did you know that as little as one hour of exercise – not even every day, but every week – can offer “significant protection” against depression? This is the conclusion of an Australian research team – and they weren’t just talking about happy hormones after a workout. They found evidence that even small amounts of exercise can have a lasting impact on our mental state.
Specifically, people who reported doing no exercise had a 44% higher chance of developing depression than those who were exercising one to two hours a week. The study concluded that 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented if participants had taken part in just one hour of physical activity each week.
4. It’s never too late to start! Aspria’s expert team is fully trained when it comes to exercise, with plenty of activities on offer whatever your levels of fitness or mobility. All activities have been designed to accommodate the common issues associated with age; we also take into account the clinical history, lifestyle and daily routine of everyone who takes part.
Sessions focus on functional movements that train the body to comfortably perform everyday movements and activities: carrying shopping, bending down, walking upstairs or down the street, interacting with grandchildren and so on. They improve balance, stability and agility, reducing the risk of falling. They help you move in a painless, effortless, comfortable and safe way. And they give you the independence to go about your daily life without worry.
Try our classes, or ask a wellbeing advisor for a personalised wellbeing programme next time you’re at the club. www.aspria.com
