Physical activity guidelines for older adults

Older adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Any type of activity is good for you. The more you do the better.

Adults aged 65 and over should:

• aim to be phyically active every day. Any activity is better than none. The more you do the better, even if it's just light activity
• do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least 2 days a week
• do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both
• reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity

If you've fallen or are worried about falling, doing exercises to improve your strength, balance and flexibility will help make you stronger and feel more confident on your feet. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns about exercising.

What counts as light activity?

Light activity is moving rather than sitting or lying down.

Examples of light activity include:

• getting up to make a cup of tea
• moving around your home
• walking at a slow pace
• cleaning and dusting
• vacuuming
• making the bed
• standing up

What counts as moderate aerobic activity?

Moderate activity will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. One way to tell if you're working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing.

Examples of moderate intensity activities:

• brisk walking
• water aerobics
• riding a bike
• dancing
• doubles tennis
• pushing a lawn mower
• hiking

Try the aerobic video workouts in the NHS Fitness Studio.

What counts as vigorous intensity activity?

Vigorous intensity activity makes you breathe hard and fast. If you're working at this level, you will not be able to say more than a few words without pausing for breath.

In general, 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity can give similar health benefits to 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity.

Most moderate intensity activities can become vigorous if you increase your effort.

Examples of vigorous activities:

• jogging or running
• aerobics
• swimming fast
• riding a bike fast or on hills
• singles tennis
• football
• hiking uphill
• energetic dancing
• martial arts

Try the aerobic workout videos in the NHS Fitness Studio.

What activities strengthen muscles?

To get health benefits from strength exercises, you should do them to the point where you need a short rest before repeating the activity.

There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether you're at home or in a gym.

Examples of muscle-strengthening activities:

• carrying heavy shopping bags
• yoga
• pilates
• tai chi
• lifting weights
• working with resistance bands
• doing exercises that use your own body weight, such as push-ups and sit-ups
• heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling

Try these exercise routines:

• strength workout videos in the NHS Fitness Studio
• Strength and Flex, a 5-week exercise plan for beginners, to improve your strength and flexibility
• sitting exercises
• strength exercises
• flexibility exercises
• balance exercises

You can do activities that strengthen your muscles on the same or different days as your aerobic activity – whatever's best for you.

Muscle-strengthening exercises are not always an aerobic activity, so you'll need to do them in addition to your 150 minutes of aerobic activity.

Physical activity recommendations for other age groups:

• Early childhood (under 5 years old)
• Young people (5 to 18 years old)
• Adults (19 to 64 years old)

Page last reviewed: Tue Oct 2019 Next review due: Sat Oct 2022