Accessing Camden Leisure Centres

Camden’s leisure centres, operated in partnership with Better, are now fully re-opened. Prepaid members can access the gym without a booking, and all customers can visit their local leisure centres to take part in an activity, however places are limited for swimming sessions and fitness classes, booking in advance is recommended via the Better UK app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) or online via Better Website

You can find out more, including timetables and prices, and find your nearest centre at Better Camden Leisure Centres

Ways to Move in Camden is a resource created for healthcare professionals, social prescribers and residents themselves, and provides information about how to get active in Camden. This resource has information on general local activities as well as more targeted activities for older people, people living with health conditions, disabled people and more. We’ve pulled together lots of local as well as national information to help you find resources, websites and organisations that can help you find appropriate activities that work for you or the people you work with. 

Ways to Move in Camden Resource (PDF)

Ways to Move in Camden Resource (printable version) (PDF)

We’ll be continuing to update this resource to make sure it’s up to date with the latest information and activities. You’ll notice a version date on the first page of the resource which will show you when the resource was last updated. 

If you have any suggestions for the resource, please contact the Active Living Team.

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.

Stay Active Whilst at Home

• Camden Active at Home Booklet has been made to support older people and those who are shielded to stay active and healthy 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. 
• Get involved with FREE daily fun online activities to help keep you healthy with Couch to Fitness. List of videos and online support to help boost your motivation. 

Finding Activities in Camden

• Ways to Move More in Camden shares information on how to keep active in Camden with home based exercise resources, activity finders, apps and other helpful tips.
• Find all the fun and favourite activities for older adults near you using our Camden 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.
• 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. 

• Sports England have provided information on some good ways you can stay active and fit whilst at home.
• The Britrish Heart Foundation have provided some useful information on how you can ​​​​​​stay active home
• London Youth have shared a list of fun ways you can adapt your home to exercise by yourself or with your family
• The NHS has some useful fitness/exercise videos online
• The Better App can be used FREE to access Exercise from Home and Virtual Fitness Classes. Download the App and access various exercise programmes for different age groups and abilities - access code is BETTERFREE.

Some of our instructor's recommendations include the following apps. They are free to use and offer exercise guides, workout routines and virtual exercise sessions:

• Nike Training Club 
• FitOn 
• Freeletics 
• Johnson & Johnson 7 minute workouts
• Fitbit Coach
• MyFitnessPal (for nutrition tracking)
• Runtastic 

Disclaimer:

The information provided is for general purposes only and is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding any information on this page. If you engage in any of the exercise activities/advice given, you agree to do so at your own risk and are voluntarily participating in these activities. 

Keep Active and Healthy in Your Free Time

Your free time is there for things you really like doing. Are there any ways you could add physical movement to the activities you already enjoy?

For example:

• Walk to meet your family and friends rather than take public transport or drive
• Add some bodyweight exercise like squats, stretches or star jumps while the TV ads play or whilst the food is cooking
• Jog or walk whilst listening to your favourite podcast

You could also try something new. You could use your time to take part in a structured sport or exercise class and let the coach or instructor take care of all of the planning.

View the following resources to see some of the available activities in the borough:

• Camden Physical Activity Map
• Ways To Move More In Camden

Keep Active and Healthy at Home

Moving our bodies and exercising is very important and should be a part of our daily lives. Sometimes it is easier or more comfortable to move more 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!

Making mini active challenges that the whole family can do is a way you can keep each other motivated to stay active at home.

For example:

• You could do a daily stair walking challenge
• Adding music when you’re doing household chores, dancing to your favourite music can pick up your heart rate, it can increase the effort you put into the chores and help the time pass quicker
• You could challenge the kids or family to a dance-off  
• Or you could do a sit to stand challenge before meal times.

View the following resources to see how you can keep active at home:

• Sports England Get Active At Home
• Couch to Fitness
• Camden Virtual Physical Activity Resources.

Keep Active and Healthy at Work or when Studying

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

Many of us spend a large part of our day sitting. Spending less time sitting down is one of the best things we can do for our health.

There are many organised sessions that take place before work, during lunch breaks or after work. Many of these organised sessions have facilities that have changing rooms and showers to help you get back to work easily.

If time is still an issue, here a few ways you can fit some more activity time around things 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

Keep Active and Healthy when travelling

Cycling, walking, scootering, using public transport all help to fit active time in while getting to your destination. Getting from A to B is important, but is active travel something you could add to your daily routine?

Rather than putting up with traffic, petrol costs and trying to find parking. Remove all of those stresses and try a different way by active travel. 

For example:

• Set yourself a daily or weekly goal in steps or minutes walking
• Walk to work or half way to work three times or more during the week
• Take the stairs instead of the lift