Age is no limit for exercise
Photo by Bill Branson
Whichever way you cut it, exercise is good for us, and as a region we all need to ensure we are upping our steps, pounding those treadmills, or doing those Pilates classes. It does not matter what form the exercise or activity takes; it is just important that we spend less time on the couch, and more on our feet. There is so much more to exercise than just getting healthier bodies, though.
There are, of course, many aspects to sport. There is playing, watching, or even just following it, or using your knowledge to try and beat the bookmakers at their own game. All of those are good, and often an interest in a certain activity or sport can be the precursor to actually participating in it. We are fortunate in this region; we not only have great facilities for all ages, abilities and interests, we also have some of the best countryside around. There really is no excuse for us to not get out there and take advantage of them.
How Much Exercise Do we Need?
Any exercise or activity is a good thing. But obviously we all have busy lives, and it is not always easy to fit in that run or that trip to the gym between your household responsibilities, the job, food shopping, etc. The NHS have some guidelines on what we all should be doing, as well as some very good tips and suggestions for achieving those goals. One hundred fifty minutes may sound like a lot to fit into your week, but that is only just over twenty minutes a day over the whole week. Suddenly, that goal does not seem as daunting, and just getting off the bus one stop earlier or walking to bingo can add to those minutes.
Don’t forget, the idea of this is not to suddenly become a world-beater. It is to become healthier and to live longer, but—more importantly—to live better. Exercising now and leading healthier lives means that as we get older, our bodies will be stronger and we will be able to carry on living and doing what we want for much longer. Surely that is worth a little bit of effort?
Sports in our Region
One of the reasons many people don’t take up or carry on sports into their twenties, thirties, forties and beyond is because they were forced to play them when younger, and bad experiences back then have put them off. There is a whole lot more to sports than football, hockey and running, though. A perfect example is the brand-new £50,000 parkour park that opened last week in Salisbury. For those not familiar with the sport, it involves the participant moving from one place or object to another as nimbly as possible, either by jumping, climbing, hanging, using acrobatics or combining of all of those skills. It shot to prominence in the UK after Daniel Craig’s incredible parkour chase in a scene in Casino Royale.
Other new-and-improved facilities in the area include the completion of the upgrading work at the South Wilts Grammar School. Not only are the facilities used by the school, they are available for the whole community and are also home to the City of Salisbury Athletics and Running Club. The work involved several improvements, including track resurfacing, disability access and a discus cage.
Walking is fantastic exercise and a great way to meet people
Photo by Bluelightpictures
There are plenty of options for the older generations as well. Bowls is always a popular activity, with several clubs and leagues in the area. When the weather permits, there are few better ways to get the blood flowing than taking advantage of the glorious countryside we are blessed with. Your local library will have walking books and guides and maybe even a walking group.
Starting a sport or activity is so much more than just exercise for the body. It is a great way to meet new people and can often be as healthy for the mind as it is for the heart, muscles and lungs. Technology today is also readily available to give us goals, motivate us and measure our steps. The most important step, however, is the very first one—that of deciding to lead a more active life.