“Walking is not enough” says Public Health England

A new review from Public Health England revealed that most of the population are simply not doing enough of the right types of exercise. 

Public Health England along with the World Health Organization recommend that everyone should be doing strengthening exercises at least twice a week.  This includes using weights, body weight, suspension training (TRX) and exercises with bands.   Activities that are good for muscles, bones and balance include, Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, weight training, ball games, racquet sports, dancing and Nordic Walking.

The message about the benefits of cardiovascular and cardio respiratory exercise seems to be getting through, in 2016 a large survey by Public Health England found that 66% of men and 58% of women met the aerobic guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.  Sadly when it came to muscle strengthening exercises only 31% of men and 23% of women met the guidelines of at least twice a week.  Disturbingly this dropped to 12% for those aged 65 and over.