Ways to move

If you want to find out more about how different activities might help with your symptoms, if you have questions about accessibility, where to start and who can help,  you are in the right place.

Some activities major in one type of movement. Some give you all. Our activities have star ratings which explain how good they are for cardio, strength and balance.

Browse the activities which appeal to you to find out more:

Aqua classes

Aqua classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Water aerobics and aqua fit. You don’t need to be able to swim to benefit from Aqua classes.

Bed based exercise

Bed based exercise

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★☆☆☆☆

When you are bed bound for any reason, gentle bed-based exercises can help.

Bouldering and climbing

Bouldering and climbing

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★★★★★

Onwards and upwards! Fun and exciting ways to stay active and enjoy time with others.

Bowls

Bowls

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Social sport with an option for almost everyone.

Boxing

Boxing

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★★★

Balance

★★★★☆

A powerful and mindful way to get fit and build confidence.

Cardio classes

Cardio classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Aerobics, zumba, step. Loads of options online, in leisure centres and in village and town halls.

Class with weights

Class with weights

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★☆☆☆

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★☆☆☆☆

An accessible and friendly way to build strength with an instructor to help.

Cricket

Cricket

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★★★★☆

Love cricket? Swing a bat, catch a ball, referee or be an active supporter.

Dance classes

Dance classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Move your body with the music to lift your mood.

Dancing

Dancing

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★★★★★

Move and groove and lift your mood.

Darts

Darts

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★☆☆☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Get your eye in, brain engaged and your competitive juices flowing.

Football

Football

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Still love football? There’s always a way to stay involved!

Gardening

Gardening

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Grow Your health and happiness.

Golf

Golf

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

An activity, a sport and a lifestyle. There are loads of accessible options, making it easier than ever to get started.

Gym

Gym

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★★★

Balance

★☆☆☆☆

Gyms offer accessible. equipment and staff to help you reach your goals. Everything you might need to move more.

Hockey

Hockey

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★★☆

Love hockey? There’s a way for everyone to stay involved!

Horse riding

Horse riding

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Riding and caring for horses is great for mental and physical health.

Housework

Housework

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Tick off your ‘to do list’ and get fitter too. It’s a double whammy!

Indoor cycling

Indoor cycling

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★☆☆☆☆

For arms and legs, recumbent or upright, there’s something for all.

Indoor cycling classes (spin)

Indoor cycling classes (spin)

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★☆☆☆☆

Indoor cycling, spin, recumbent bikes, arm bikes. Find what works for you and ask an instructor to check the fit.

Martial arts

Martial arts

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

From Tai Chi to Taekwondo, from Karate to Judo, there is something for everyone.

Online cardio classes

Online cardio classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Aerobics, Zumba and step. Freely available, portable and easy to fit in.

Online stretch and balance classes

Online stretch and balance classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★★★

Yoga, pilates and Body Balance. Online classes are a cheap and accessible way to become more active.

Open water swimming

Open water swimming

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

Bring your hat and join the fun. Swimming outdoors is great for both body and mind.

Outdoor cycling

Outdoor cycling

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★★☆

Road, trail and track. So many options.

Pool swimming

Pool swimming

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

A low impact  and accessible way to get and stay fit.

Racquet sports

Racquet sports

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Tennis, Padel, squash, table tennis. Find the racquet sport that’s right for you!

Rowing, kayaking and canoeing

Rowing, kayaking and canoeing

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★★★

Balance

★★☆☆☆

With both indoor and outdoor options, these sports provide low impact and accessible options.

Running and jogging

Running and jogging

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

A cheap and quick way to boost your health, energy and mood.

Rugby

Rugby

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★★☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Love rugby? You can still be part of the game,  no matter what your age or ability.

Sailing, wind sports and surfing

Sailing, wind sports and surfing

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★☆☆☆

Strength

★★☆☆☆

Balance

★★★★☆

Being on the water and at one with the wind is great for whole body and mental fitness.

Seated exercise

Seated exercise

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

If walking or balance is difficult, seated exercise is a great way to stay active.

Seated exercise classes

Seated exercise classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★☆☆☆

If walking or balance is difficult, seated and supported classes are a great option. Using a chair for support, they help build strength, stability, and confidence, even if standing is hard.

Snooker and pool

Snooker and pool

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★☆☆☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Sharpen coordination and concentration and build strength and balance.

Stretch and movement classes

Stretch and movement classes

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★☆☆☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★★★

Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi. Building strength, balance and confidence.

Volunteering

Volunteering

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★☆☆

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

Helping yourself by helping out.

Walking

Walking

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★☆

Strength

★☆☆☆☆

Balance

★★★☆☆

A simple way to boost your health.

Winter sports

Winter sports

This activity is good for:

Cardio

★★★★★

Strength

★★★☆☆

Balance

★★★★☆

Downhill skiing, skating, cross country skiing, snow walking and snowboarding.