Stay Strong, Stay Steady,
Stay Independent
Monday 17 to Sunday 30 April
As we get older our muscle strength and balance reduces, and this increases our risk of having a life-changing fall. The good news is that we can reduce this risk with just 15 minutes of strength and balance activity or exercises a couple of times a week. Stay Strong, Stay Steady, Stay Independent is a two-week programme of local events to help us find activities that can support us to keep our independence and that we enjoy. Search for activities online, call us to find out more, or pick up a programme in a library.
Six exercises for strength and balance
Physios say these simple exercises can help improve co-ordination and balance. Get on your feet and try them daily – or at least twice a week!
Find local activities, classes and events
From dance to table tennis, yoga and Tai Chi – check out what’s on from Monday 17 to Sunday 30 April.
What Can We Do?
Stay Active: The recommendation is to do 150 minutes per week of activity that raises your heart rate a little, but this can be done in short ten minute bursts if you prefer.
Build Our Strength and Balance: The recommendation is to do strength and balance activity (at least 10-20 minutes) on 2 or more days of the week.
Choose Your Way to Do It
Whether you’re fit as a fiddle or just starting out and want to get back into shape, there’s something for everyone and it is never too early or too late to start.
Done regularly, strength and balance exercises have been shown to improve participants’ ability to undertake everyday tasks, improve stamina, energy levels and mood, and increase confidence & independence.
Regular activities across the city to help you build your strength & balance
Standing Tall Classes
Standing Tall classes are physiotherapist-led classes for everyone aged 65 and over who wants to keep up or improve their fitness, balance and strength. That includes people who have fallen over in the past, anyone feeling unsteady on their feet, and anyone who simply wants to maintain or improve their current fitness level; you don’t have to be fit to come! Classes cost £2 and are subsidised by Brighton & Hove City Council.
Healthy Lifestyles Team
Keeping active in older age can be really beneficial to health and wellbeing; people aged 50+ who want to find activities which include some strength and balance exercises may benefit from the Healthy Lifestyles Team’s adult participation programme. Sessions are accessible and welcome people of all abilities.
And for details of fun, friendly, accessible sessions at your local leisure centre, visit:
Falls Prevention
For tips on how to reduce your chances of falling, where to get help and information, and support if you’ve already had a fall, click here:
Tips for Falls Prevention
You’ll find 6 simple exercises to do at home and lots of useful information and tips to help you reduce your risk of falls this this useful leaflet produced by Saga, in association with the Chartered Association of Physiotherapy and Public Health England.
Brighton & Hove Community Screening Tool for Falls Risk
You can help to increase strength and balance in adults and support them with confidence and skills to reduce their risk of falling. An easy and effective way of doing this is to work through this simple screening tool with them and use the advice given based on their answers.
