Health Project
Hamara’s physical activity programme has been developed with a view to get more local people to do more physical activities more often.
Why is exercise or physical activity important?
Regular aerobic physical activity increases fitness levels and an individual's capacity for exercise. It also plays a role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Regular physical activity can help control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce blood pressure.
**Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.**
The moderate message
Many people are put off performing physical activities because they believe that only vigorous exercise or playing sport counts as healthy activity but in fact, brisk walking for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week is enough to bring about real benefits in terms of promoting health and preventing illnesses.
Regular activity can also improve the way you look and feel. In combination with a balanced diet, regular activity can help to maintain a healthy weight. It can even boost self-confidence and reduce the risk of depression.
How much is enough?
For an adult using up about an extra 200 calories per day, most days of the week equates to about 30 minutes of activity ( such as a two mile brisk walk a day) that should make you feel warm and mildly out of breath.
Thirty minutes of activity per day sounds like a lot but separate sessions of ten minutes or so can count towards the total. It is also quite possible to achieve your target by making fairly simple changes to your everyday routine without joining the gym or running a marathon!
Examples of everyday activities that count:
- Walking up stairs instead of using lifts
- Walking up moving escalators
- Walking instead of driving to short destinations
- Doing the housework at "double-time"
- DIY and gardening such as painting or raking leaves.
When it comes to staying motivated it's just as important to train your brain as it is to train your body. Here are just a few ideas to help you win the mental battle and stay on the exercise track.
- Keep a diary. Whatever sport or activity you do, this can help you. Note down how far you ran or the match score, your pulse, how you felt etc. That way you can look back and see how you have improved over tim
- Collect inspiration. Stick quotes from coaches, athletes, or anyone successful around your house and / or your office. Inspirational stories from people who have achieved against the odds may help – if they can do it, so can you.
Your ability to keep up a physical activity such as jogging, racket sports, cycling or swimming is related to your aerobic fitness or stamina.
Generally speaking, the greater your stamina, the greater the health benefits. If you want to improve your stamina, it's important to start gently, increasing the frequency of your activity before increasing how hard you exercise.
Current Activities / Projects
Activity |
Day and time |
Location |
Aerobics (Women) |
Wednesday (5pm - 7pm) |
Hamara |
Thursday (6pm - 8pm) - Open age |
||
Cricket |
Sunday (10am –12 noon) |
Crossflatts Park. |
Exercise Referrals GP referral programmes in partnership with the PCT and the GP surgeries |
Adhoc |
Hamara |
Gym |
Open to anyone aged 15+. Gym sessions take place everyday. View the gym timetable for further information. |
|
Karate / Martial Arts Mixed groups (8+) |
Saturday 2.30pm – 4pm |
|
Kids Club |
Tuesday / Thursday / Friday (3.30pm - 4.30pm) Activities with primary schools during school times such as food and hygiene education, physical activities and new kids club. Activities include basketball at Green mount and Circuit’s at Hillside |
Various |
Contact details: