Solihull Active is giving away free resistance bands and exercise booklets to help older people improve their strength, mobility and balance.
Keeping moving as you age has huge health benefits. A few low impact exercises can help people stay active, fit and well into older age.
The Council’s Solihull Active team has produced a booklet to accompany the resistance bands and shows ten simple exercises which can be built into your daily routine, designed to help maintain and improve your strength and balance as you age.
Ageing leads to a natural loss of muscle strength and flexibility, making it more challenging to maintain balance and stability. The loss of strength and poor balance are two of the most common causes of falls and can have severe health outcomes for older people. Regular physical activity reduces your risk of hip fractures by up to 68%, cardiovascular disease by up to 35%, as well as the risk of many other health conditions, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression and dementia.
To get maximum effect people should aim to complete the exercises at least twice a week and build up gradually. They are designed to complement current physical activity, not replace it. If you have any concerns about exercising speak to a GP first, especially if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions, you are worried about.
Anyone aged over 50 can get their band and booklet from their local library or leisure centre. For more information please visit: https://solihullonthemove.co.uk/strong-steady-exercises/
Councillor Tony Dicicco, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health, said:
“As we age, we can lose strength and mobility. These free resistance bands, and the exercise booklet can help us maintain or even improve our overall fitness. It’s particularly important that we keep our strength and balance. Too many older people suffer falls and have life changing consequences as a result.
“We’re not expecting our older people to become body builders, but to keep fit and active. These bands and the exercises can help you do just that.
“The resistance bands and booklets are available from all our local libraries and leisure centres, so there is no excuse, pop in pick up a band and booklet and start your journey towards being strong and steady.”