Find Exercise Classes For Over 60s Near You
Keeping fit and healthy is important for good wellbeing. Not only does regular physical activity in later life improve your health, it also helps you meet new people and form support networks.
Finding an exercise class for over 60s near you is the perfect way to stay social and active!
With this in mind, we’ve curated some of the best exercise classes for over 60s in the UK. We’ve looked at various directories that are perfect for finding fitness groups near you, along with recommending several other options throughout the UK.
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Where To Find Exercise Classes For Over 60s In Your Local Area
There are several websites dedicated to helping older adults find exercise classes and groups in their local area
Better is a charitable social enterprise that puts on a wide variety of fitness classes for people of all ages. These exercises are very varied and provide a range of classes focused on different areas of wellbeing, including mind and body, strength and conditioning, cardio and dance.
You can also use the NHS to find fitness activities. Just like with Better, all you need to do is enter your postcode, town or city. You’ll then be presented with numerous results - starting with those nearest to you - many of which are ideal for those over 60. Be sure to have a good look through these to find the class which is perfect for you!
Finding your local Age Space community group is another great way of locating classes near you. Each location hub provides information, guidance and signposting to the best available resources. To search through this website, click on your county of choice. Then click ‘Health and Wellbeing’. Finally, click on ‘Exercise classes for the elderly in your chosen location’ to find what exercise classes are available to join nearby.
Fitness Classes Run By Age UK
One of the best ways to find exercise groups and activities for over 60s near you is through Age UK.
By clicking the link above, you can enter your postcode to find a range of different classes your local Age UK team run.
UK Exercise Classes For Over 60s
Below, we’ve put together a list of exercise groups for over 60s in different parts of the UK.
Use our navigation links to find classes in your local area!
London and the South East
Mytime Active
The Mytime Active programme provides numerous exercise classes for over 60s across South London, including in Bromley, Orpington, Beckenham, West Wickham and Farnborough Village.
This programme allows eligible older people to participate in eight weeks of free classes. These will improve body strength, balance and mobility while providing a great way to make new friends!
Age Space Elderly Exercise
You can use Age Space to find classes throughout the UK. Here, we’ve picked out exercise classes for the elderly in Essex. Essex has an outstanding selection of exercise classes for over 60s, including yoga, walking sports and aerobics.
You can use the link above to join groups throughout Essex, including in Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford, Epping, Basildon and more!
South West
Exercise classes for seniors in Dorset
You can also use Age Space to search for exercise classes for over 60s in Dorset. There’s a range of clubs suitable for all sorts of mobility needs in Dorset.
One of the most popular and accessible classes is Melodies in Motion - a musical full-body workout in Bournemouth and Poole. Another is Body Balance Over 60s Dance. This low-impact and fun workout in East Dorset aims to improve strength, posture and stability while helping you stay healthy.
The Midlands
Agewell
If you’d like to join low-impact classes but don’t know where to start, Agewell runs several exercise sessions each week for over 60s and those with accessibility requirements. Sessions last 1-2 hours and are held at various community venues across Sandwell in the West Midlands. They cost from £4 a session and activities include gentle exercise, strength and balance, Zumba Gold and pilates.
Corby Leisure
Get Up & GO is a countywide fall prevention programme across Northamptonshire that provides lower-intensity strength and balance training for older adults, helping them to build confidence to move around independently. Sessions can be accessed through Corby Leisure and last a minimum of 24 weeks. They include prescribed exercise delivered by qualified exercise professionals.
Yorkshire and the Humber
North Yorkshire Sport - Strong and Steady
Strong and Steady is a programme in North Yorkshire designed to encourage people to stay fit while reducing their risk of trips and falls. Delivered by friendly and qualified instructors, specialised programmes are available across North Yorkshire and include activities like chair-based exercises, tai chi and walking for health.
Fitness Gold
A keep-fit class for the young at heart, Fitness Gold is a traditional exercise-to-music class, ideal for those over 60 years old. If you’re recently retired and are wanting to improve your fitness levels, this fun-filled class could be the perfect one for you! Tracks are picked to reflect the main member demographic, with popular songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s making up much of the discography. Fitness Vibe is located in the city of Kingston upon Hull.
North of England
North Manchester Fitness
A friendly fitness club for people of all abilities based in North Manchester, the North Manchester Fitness group offers plenty of varied activities focused on staying active, having fun and socialising! Gym circuits, running, walking and pilates are all popular sessions and cost just £2 per session to join.
Scotland
Edinburgh Leisure Ageing Well
The Ageing Well Project in Edinburgh delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people over 60 to stay healthy and well. The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity as accessible as possible as you age. Regular exercise classes include chair-based movements, cycle skills, dancing and nordic walking.
Active Age North Lanarkshire
Active Age NL offers many fun ways to stay fit. Classes cater to retired people, including those over 60. Easy aerobics is perfect for staying toned and raising your fitness level, while you can also combine relaxation and exercise through yoga, tai chi, pilates and Zumba Gold. These exercise classes can be found in North Lanarkshire.
Wales
Sport Cardiff 60+ Project
If you’re looking to stay active and make friends, there are a number of 60+ activities on offer at Sport Cardiff. All sessions are £3 per person and allow you to take advantage of various classes, including lower-intensity aerobics, strength and conditioning, table tennis, walking football, nordic walking, tai chi and more. These are located at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Active For Life
Active For Life near Bangor has a great range of low-intensity fitness classes for all ages - both online and in-person. Here, you’ll find a fitness room, a small pool and a larger pool. Active For Life is also a great choice if you’re looking to build confidence and want to try out fitness classes for the very first time.
Popular Exercise Classes For Over 60s
When searching for an exercise class for over 60s, here are some examples of the types of activities that are available across England and the UK.
Dance
Relaxed and gentle dance can cover everything from Latin and ballroom to freestyle and line dancing. People with zero dancing experience are usually welcome as well. There’s a wealth of health benefits to dancing - previous research has even found learning to dance supports your brain and memory functions.
Pilates and yoga
Pilates emphasises slow and controlled movements to help build up your core muscle strength. Meanwhile, yoga concentrates on gentle stretching to boost your balance and flexibility. Many exercises are performed sitting down, so you might need to bring a mat and towel.
Seated exercises
Seated exercise is popular amongst older adults. Gentle chair-based exercises are a brilliant way of improving your posture. Seated exercises are especially suitable for people with reduced mobility. Some classes involve resistance bands and hand weights for muscle strengthening.
Tai chi
Originating from Ancient China, tai chi is now enjoyed by older people around the world. This exercise focuses on slow and gentle movements for improved balance and posture. Tai chi is also known for its effects on mental wellbeing and is the perfect way to help you relax and de-stress.
Walking clubs
There’s no shortage of walking groups for over 50s around the UK. Whatever your age, there’s plenty to love about walking. It’s free, easy to do and a wonderful opportunity to socialise with like-minded people while remaining fit and healthy. Walking groups for older adults go at a pace that suits everyone. You can also find lots of walking clubs and UK walks through Ramblers.
Walking football
Walking football is a slower version of the much-loved game and has surged in popularity in recent years. Walking football is designed to help people get fit, regardless of their age. There are lots of clubs around, meaning there’s something for all skill levels.
There are also plenty of online directories to help you find walking football nearby, including Walking Football World and Walking Football.com.
Zumba Gold
Zumba is known as the ultimate dance party - bringing together Latin-inspired moves and music with traditional aerobic exercises. Zumba Gold is the perfect spin-off for over 60s. This is set at a level and pace suitable for all abilities. It’s also really fun, so it might not even feel like exercise!
Better has a directory dedicated to Zumba classes. All you need to do is enter your postcode and location to find Zumba near you. Many of these classes are aimed at complete beginners and people of all fitness levels.
The Benefits of Keeping Fit in Later Life
There are lots of benefits to keeping fit in later life, particularly for older adults. Here are just a few of these benefits:
- You’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight
- Stronger muscles mean you’ll have better balance and be less likely to fall
- Keeping fit is linked to your thinking skills. You’ll be more likely to ward off the effects of conditions like dementia
- Regularly exercising boosts your mood and energy levels
- Keeping fit can be done through a social group for over 50s! Joining a sports team or regularly attending group sessions can help you make new friends
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