Whether you’d like to try something completely different, or do more of the active things you’re already enjoying, the step-by-step guide can help you to reach your recommended 150 minutes of active minutes per week.

You can include physical activity with things you’re already doing in your daily routine. We have some handy hints to help you be more active at home, work or study; in your free time or while you’re travelling. 

We also deliver a range of activities to support you in being more active.

Benefits of physical activity

Physical activity is the miracle cure we’ve always had, but for too long we’ve neglected to take our recommended dose. Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that

• being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
• People who do regular physical activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.
• Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression and dementia.

There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that supports the health benefits of being physically active.

Research has shown that people who regularly take part in physical activity have:

• up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke 
• up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes 
• up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer 
• up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer 
• a 30% lower risk of early death 
• up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis 
• up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture 
• a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults) 
• up to a 30% lower risk of depression 
• up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

Due to the COVID-19 virus and under government guidance Camden have made a decision to close certain services including outdoor gym and Leisure Centres. For the safety of all concerned, some of of the services/information below may have been suspended until further notice. 

Stay Active Whilst at Home

• Sports England have provided information on some good ways you can stay active and fit whilst at home.
• Ensure you are moving a lot more whilst at home by exercising daily for just 10 minutes. 10 Today provides short 10 minute exercise videos you can follow, listen and watch in the comfort of your home. 

Finding Activities in Camden

• Find all the fun and favourite activities for older adults near you using our Camden Sports and Physical activity map.
• Find inspiring stories about how your Camden residents like you, are moving more. Locate all the activities and places to be active close to you with We Can Move.
• Recommend me provides information about a wide range of recreational activities, including physical activity and educational workshops in Camden for ages 18+.
• Get involved in regular activity with your friends and family in your area using Play Finder. Find a venue and book a session in a gym, sports hall or a sports pitch for you and your friends to have fun and stay active.

Fun Ways to Stay Active Together 

• Camden has 9 Outdoor Gyms for you as well as your friends and family. A fun and different way to enjoy exercising for FREE, whilst getting the fresh air you need.
• Camden Health Walks are FREE to attend and available all through the week. Get involved staying healthy by walking around Camden, meeting new friends and exploring your local area. 

Tips and Ways to Stay Active

• Find inspiring stories about how your Camden residents like you, are moving more. Locate all the activities and places to be active close to you with We Can Move.
• How to stay happy, healthy and aiming to be the best person you can be? One You provides helpful information on how you can get into good daily practices to improve your lifestyle.

Visit Live Sport Events

• Be inspired by watching top-class sport and seeing elite international athletes performing around London with SportonSpec. An opportunity to book and visit the sporting events that are taking place in and around the city. 

Living with a health condition can make life unpredictable at times, and can make moving more challenging at times. However, being physically active can improve your health and wellbeing and help manage symptoms of your condition. There’s lots of different ways to get active; some can even be done from the comfort of your own home!

For advice, information and resources on getting active with a range of different health conditions please visit We Are Undefeatable.

Your free time is there for things you really like doing, so are there ways for you incorporate physical activity into the activities you’re already interested in?

For example:

• Fit in some bodyweight exercises while the TV ads play or whilst your games are loading
• Walk to meet your friends rather than drive or take public transport
• Jog whilst listening to your favourite podcast

You could also switch up how you use your free time. You could use your time to take part in a structured sport or exercise and let the coach or instructor take care of all of the planning.

You can just show up and enjoy it (and meet some new people whilst you’re there!). You can even find sessions for complete beginners to help build skills and/or initial fitness.

If you’d prefer to go it alone or with your own family and friends, you could find places where you can go to be active.

Gyms, swimming pools, and sports centres are the obvious choice but there are also walking routes, cycle routes, parks, skate parks and many others.

It's convenient and comfortable to move more at home. 

You can add movement to your day in the privacy of your own home. No need to go out or face bad weather, or feel embarrassed, you could even keep active in your pyjamas!

Adding music when you’re doing your household chores is a great way to pick up your heart rate. Boogying to your favourite tunes will increase the intensity of an activity you’re already doing and help the time pass by a bit quicker.

Making mini active challenges that the whole family can do is a way you can keep each other motivated to stay active at home. You could do a daily stair walking challenge, challenge the kids to a dance-off or do a sit to stand challenge before meal times.

Not only will these activities help you to keep active, but they are a great way to spend some quality time together as a family every day.

Across the internet and even some TV networks there are free instructional videos to guide you through activities in your home. With so many available, you can choose the type of fitness instruction the length of time you want to exercise for without even leaving the house.

Adding activity to places you go to everyday is a great way to form active habits, get headspace, and refresh your energy levels.

Many of us spend a large portion of the day sitting, but spending less time sitting down is one of the best things we can do for our health.

There are a number of organised sessions that take place before the working day, during the lunch break or after work, many taking place in facilities that have changing and shower provisions so you can get back to work easily.

If time is still a factor though, here are some ways you can fit in some more active minutes with activities you may already be doing:

• Take the stairs rather than the lift to another floor
• Use toilets and printers that are further away or on another floor
• Try standing or walking meetings with your colleagues
• Complete a chair based workout that you could do whilst at your desk or when taking a break from driving

Cycling, walking, scootering, using public transport all help to fit active time in while getting you to your destination.Getting from A to B is your priority, but is active travel something that you could incorporate with your new routine?

Rather than putting up with traffic, petrol costs and trying to find parking, remove all of those stresses and try an alternative travel method.

Set yourself a daily or weekly goal (in steps or minutes walking) to work towards, building up your active travel minutes gradually by walking or cycling more.