Physical activity is a vital part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, almost 50 percent of Australians are not physically active enough to gain health benefits. With growing national and international concern over health issues like heart disease, diabetes and obesity, the importance of staying physically active has never been more appreciated.
Being physically active does not have to mean hitting the gym for a long and strenuous work out. In fact, to maintain a healthy balance in your life, all that is required is 30 minutes of exercise a day. Research has shown that by maintaining this level of activity, if not more, you can reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, depression and some forms of cancer.
A lot of Australians who are not active in their lives can feel intimidated or scared of taking on a demanding exercise schedule. It can be daunting to walk in to your local gym if it is full of muscular giants on weight machines. The fact is that this is not the case with most local fitness centres. The fitness industry is changing to address the needs of the general public. You will now see “health clubs” with a wide choice of options available for exercise. As board member of Fitness NSW, Justin Tamsett puts it, “we are no longer gyms… we are health clubs where people of all ages, sizes, races and both sexes exercise openly.”
For more information on staying active, contact the government department of health in your state, or see www.health.gov.au
5 steps to keep you moving!
Joining a gym is not your only option. There are many ways you can build up your daily activities to incorporate a healthy level of movement.
- Walk or cycle instead of driving.
- If you do take the car, park further away from your destination, and walk the rest of the way.
- Wash and vacuum the car yourself instead of taking it to a car wash.
- Take the stairs instead of the lift.
- Walk instead of resting on the escalators in shops.