Sandwell Webwell - Get the PhActS on Physical Exercise

Get the PhActS on Physical Exercise

Being physically active is important to benefit many aspects of your health. However, nationally only 37% of the population do enough exercise to benefit their health. Everyone needs to be active and there is something suitable for everyone to take part in. You are never too young or too old to become more active.

How much should you do?

How much physical activity should you do?

It is agreed amongst a number of agencies (Including the Health Education Authority, the British Heart Foundation and the Chief Medical Officer) that as a minimum adults take part in a total of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days week. The thirty minutes can be made up of 10-15 minutes bouts. Moderate exercise means that you need to get slightly warm and slightly out of breath to make the exercise beneficial.

Children and young people (5-18 year olds) should take part in at least one hour physical activity every day (the 60 minutes can be made up of 10-15 minutes bouts of activity). At least two of these sessions should be weight bearing e.g. skipping, dancing, climbing.

Also note that more vigorous exercise is even more beneficial to your health – not suitable for everyone.