Why exercise?

• Exercise is really important for our bodies to stay healthy and keep in good working order.
• Exercise reduces stress, strengthens muscles and joints, and helps us to control our weight.
• Young people who are active say that physical activity helps them unwind after school and feel more energetic.
• Exercise can help you meet up with old friends and make new ones.
• Studies show that people’s activity levels tend to decline with age. So if you know you are not an active person, now is the time to do something about it!

I'm too busy!

• You don’t have to be a sporty person to be an active person.
• Make activity part of your normal day – cycle or walk to school. It will become a habit without you realising it!
• When shopping with friends – use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.
• Everyone should aim for at least 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity (e.g. walking) – but this can be broken down into smaller chunks so it’s easier to fit it into your day.
• If you don’t do much at the moment, start with half an hour every day.
• Go to the beach and fly a kite or throw a Frisbee – if you’re moving, you’re exercising!

What can I do?

• There are lots of clubs, gyms and classes you can join if you want to exercise with other people, e.g. football, badminton, squash, aerobics or yoga.
• You don’t need to join a special club; you can try walking, running, cycling or swimming.
• Have fun with friends at home by following an exercise DVD or just putting on some music and dancing. You can even get dance-mat games for your games console!

Dos and Don'ts

Do

• Set yourself goals, but don’t forget to make them realistic.
• Try to do lots of different activities so you don’t get bored.
• Warm up before you start exercising, cool down gradually and stretch afterwards.
• Drink lots of water.
• Aim to do two sessions per week that strengthen your muscles, e.g. gymnastics, circuits, body conditioning, or resistance exercises.

Don't

• Don’t take part in any physical activity immediately after a heavy meal.
• Don’t exercise if you feel ill or are injured.
• Don’t try to do everything at once – build up your physical activity levels gradually.

Links
www.need2know.co.uk for more information on exercise and staying healthy.
www.activeplaces.com for a sports facility near you