How active should I be?

How active you should be depends on your individual needs, goals and abilities.

There is no one size fits all answer. 

But, even small amounts of regular movement can make a meaningful difference to your health and wellbeing. The key is to find a level and type of activity that feels right for you, and is safe and enjoyable.

Every bit of activity, no matter how small, supports your physical and mental wellbeing. We’ve got some ideas below to get you started. 

 

Children (under 5 years)

Being physically active every day is important for the healthy growth and development of babies, toddlers and young children. Click to find out more 

Children and Young People (5-18 Years)

How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy? Click to find out more 

Adults (19-64 years)

Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. Click to find out more 

Older adults

Older adults should do some type of physical activity every day. It can help to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Click to find out more 

couch to 5k app logo

The free NHS Couch to 5K programme makes starting running easier by guiding you from the couch to running 5km in just 9 weeks. 

active 10 app logo
The free NHS Active 10 app anonymously records every walk you do. Put your phone in your pocket and you’re ready to get moving!
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Healthy Suffolk can support you to be active. Find ideas and tips to get you started with local activities around Suffolk

Everyone Active Logo

Everyone Active have lots of being active videos available you can do from home or outside – there is something for everyone  

Walking and Cycling in Suffolk

Discover Suffolk, Suffolk County Council’s guide to getting outdoors in Suffolk.

Enjoy a casual stroll, a long-distance ramble, a weekend family bike ride, or a cycling holiday.

From stunning coastlines and traditional countryside to beautiful heathland and sleepy villages, ancient woodland and country parks to historic estates and nature reserves, Suffolk really is the place to get outdoors.

2 older people walking on felixstowe prom

Did you know – The Discover Suffolk team is also responsible for organising the annual Suffolk Walking Festival. You can find out more on the Suffolk Walking Festival website, or keep up to date with all the news about the festival on Facebook.

Running in Suffolk

 

Trying running – or moving at your own pace in a way that feels right for you – can be a great way to support both physical and mental wellbeing.

It can help improve heart health, boost mood, reduce stress and build confidence.

 

parkrun / parkwalk

parkrun offers free 5K community events where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate in parks and communities across Suffolk every Saturday morning. 

Junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4-14 year-olds and their families, every Sunday morning.

If you don’t want to run, parkwalk is a great way to get active and start your parkrun journey. You’ll be supported at a parkrun event as Suffolk has at least one volunteer tail walker, at the back.

Supported and organised by local volunteers parkrun is open to everyone and provides a fun place to get active and stay active. More information can be found on the parkrun website

Parkrun map

I Can Run

I Can Run is a unique women only running group. they believe that all women – regardless of their size, shape, age, ability or background – should have the opportunity to learn to run and to progress with like-minded women.

Partnered with Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can‘ campaign. You can find out more on the I Can Run webiste. 

I can run logo

Need help to be active? 

Looking for supoprt to help you get active? A Feel Good Suffolk Advisor can support you to access the information contained on this website or community assistance local to you.

They can also advise you on the eligibility criteria for more intensive levels of support around managing a healthy weight, stopping smoking and being more active. Click Find Support to find out more.

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