What is Physical Activity?

Different types of activity or exercise offer a variety of benefits.  Gardening will help to strengthen muscles of the arms, legs, chest and back, while aerobic activity, such as walking or cycling, benefits the heart, lungs and circulation.  Reaching and bending activities will improve flexibility. 

Swimming is an aerobic activity, which will also help build strength and improve flexibility.  Strength, stamina and flexibility are all important, and therefore it is beneficial to select activities which complement each other, but which are also aerobic.  For example:

• Walking
• Swimming
• DIY
• Gardening,
• Allotmenting
• Environment and conservation work
• Cycling
• Jogging or running
• Dancing
• Housework
• Exercise classes
• Racquet sports such as tennis or badminton

You can probably add many others to this list, but walking is the best to start with (and cheapest).

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