Here are ideas and tips for keeping active.
For a list of over-50-friendly groups, walks, fitness classes and activities see our In Touch Directory
Do you want to embrace an Active Lifestyle This Summer: Read Active Calderdale’s Guide for the Over 50’s!
Active Calderdale have put together some great advice for living a healthier, happier lifestyle by getting started with walking. Read the blog
Small steps lead to short walks. Try our 3-2-1 walking routes in Rastrick. We have created three easy to follow routes: 1km, 2km and 3km around the Field Lane estate. Check out the walks.
NEW Park-Walk Plan – an eight week guide to walking 5K
The group behind Park Run are now helping people get walking with their eight-week step-by-step guide to completing a 5km walk.
Getting tired of your usual walking route? Want more of a challenge? Active Calderdale are helping to set up local walking groups and encourage more people to walk more. Find out more
Heartbeat Brighouse, the charity for people with a heart condition or at risk of a cardiac event, run regular guided walks and exercise classes See more.
Crewe – the Heart Support Group run regular guided walks across Calderdale. Their walks promote friendship and a sense of community and can help alleviate loneliness and depression as well as specific health benefits: helping to lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart and build fitness. Find out more
Healthy Minds, the Halifax mental health charity run Wellbeing Walks allowing people a safe space to chat while walking. See their walks and book on to a walk.
Ready to jog or run – try Park Run
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning in Shroggs Park, Lee Mount, Halifax at 9am. Find out more.
You only need to register once to take part. Register here.
Leisure and road cycling ideas
Welcome to Yorkshire have put together a web page of ideas for getting out and about on your bike. From day rides to cycle touring there are plenty of route ideas to get you back on your bike or enjoying a new adventure on the road. Find out more
Calderdale Cycle Touring Club (CTC) part of Cycling UK run weekly rides from 20 miles upwards with at least one cafe stop to refuel. Find out more.
British Cycling run a programme of easy rides for women called Breeze to encourage women get into cycling. You can find a local Breeze ride here.
Strength training for women over 50
Before the year 2000, when a woman went to the gym, she would gravitate to the cardio room either with a friend or by herself. Read our blog.
Women-only activities
A number of opportunities to exercise in central Halifax and the Park Ward areas are now available to women who want to start exercising with other females. See more details.
Fitness Gym and circuit training for the over-50s
Halifax Sports & Boxing Club run specific classes for retired and older people as well as providing a welcoming environment. Read more.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise ideal for older people, promoting strength, flexibility and balance. There are lots of groups and classes in Calderdale and Tai Chi Tigers organise classes and events across Calderdale.
A free taster session with Tai Chi Tigers and supported by Active Calderdale has been organised for Friday 19th July 2024 at 10.15am at Beechwood Road Library, Illingworth. No need to book – just turn up. See more info.
Find out more about Tai Chi Tigers
See more exercise classes and groups
Competitive sport for older people
Evidence suggests that taking part in a competitive sport has multiple benefits for older people, providing a great way for aging adults to improve their cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal strength and even coordination and balance. And the social opportunities from competitive sport add to the benefits. Typical sports enjoyed by older people include bowling, tennis, golf, pickleball and walking football or walking cricket.
Crown Green Bowling Clubs can be found across Calderdale and many run several competitive teams and provide plenty of social opportunities for members. Find bowling clubs.
Pickleball is a tennis/ping-pong hybrid which is played on a badminton-size indoor court and is increasing in popularity and is available at Queen’s Sports Club in Savile Park. Or get together with friends and book a court at a sports centre or indoor gymnasium. Watch pickleball videos.
Walking football and walking cricket are growing sports in Calderdale. Find Walking Football groups in our directory of Health, Wellbeing & Fitness Activities. To find out more about Walking Cricket contact the Cricket Asylum on 01422 836554.
Walking tennis supported by Age UK and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) starts on 10th July at Queen’s Sports Club in Savile Park, Halifax. Find out more. Also starting on 10th July is adult beginner tennis coaching at Park Tennis Club. More details here.
Footgolf is a hybrid form of football and golf and is played at some golf courses, providing all the benefits of walking outdoors with the competitive element and coordination levels football – but can be played at walking pace. Bradley Park Municipal Golf Course in Huddersfield offer Foot Golf after 3pm each day. Book Foot Golf.
Calder Community Squash run 90 minute sessions at The Old Crossleyans Squash club in Halifax with gentle warm ups and breathing exercises to begin with, followed by round robin games and the final half an hour for a brew and refreshments. Find out more.
Activity Groups in Sowerby Bridge
Active Calderdale have been working closely with the local community in Sowerby Bridge to get more activity groups off the ground. There is something for everyone in the family this summer with plenty of day-time activities; ideal for the retired or those working flexible hours. See more.
An online programme of seated exercise to help improve memory and brain function is now available from the British Gymnastics website. Called Love to Move it is helping the lives of people living with dementia or Parkinsons. Find out more.
NHS Health Resources
- The NHS ‘One You’ campaign has a range of free apps for keeping mentally and physically well – and they’re all free!
- The NHS ‘One You’ campaign also has a range of entry-level workout videos.
- The NHS have also created these simple exercises for:
- ‘Move it or Lose it’ have several follow-along videos for chair-based and simple activities on their Facebook page. You can tune in to their live broadcast, or watch them whenever you’re ready.
The Better Living Team at Calderdale Council can help you lose some weight or just get healthier? They have a range of FREE packages to get you moving the fun way! Contact Details: 01422 230230 or visit their website
As well as the above resources and ideas, there are a huge number and variety of general fitness, yoga, pilates, seated exercise and dance classes now taking place across Calderdale.
See our Health, Wellbeing & Fitness Directory for full details