Hackney,
30
April
2015
|
11:37
Europe/London

Free exercise classes for Hackney's over-50s: New timetable

nagchair-basedsession.jpg

Tennis, swimming, cycling and Brazilian dance are just some of the exercise classes which Hackney’s over-50s can join for free from May.

The classes, part of Hackney Council’s ongoing New Age Games programme, will be hosted Monday to Saturday in leisure centres, parks and other venues across the borough, and will run between 11 May and 28 November.

The Salvation Army recently held chair-based activity sessions at its Mare Street branch. Phil Howe, a Salvation Army Officer, said: “Everyone who attends the class has a story to tell. It has helped us reach out to members of the community who were not engaged and help benefit their life in some way.”

Alan Dale, 67, who took part in the class, said: “I’d never done exercise before but I’m now a regular at the class. It has brought increased flexibility and confidence and is a good place to go. I meet new people to talk to - I like it.”

Exercise has been described by the NHS as the “miracle cure” to range of health problems that has neglected for too long.

Elizabeth Adimado, 68, said: “I’ve been attending New Age Games since it started in September 2011. I would not do without it: it keeps me out of the house, gets me chatting and meeting new friends, and has increased my activity levels. The programme has been good for me health-wise - my blood pressure and cholesterol are not as high as they once were.”

According to public health guidance, to stay healthy or to improve health, adults need to do two types of activity each week: aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity,

Adults aged 19-64 years should try to be active daily and should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.

The Games sessions are delivered in partnership with Hackney City Tennis Club, Stoke Newington Cricket Club, Leaside and GLL.

To see the New Age Games timetable and for further information visit the Council’s website, or contact the Leisure and Physical Activity Team on: 020 8356 4897 or email: darren.english@hackney.gov.uk