I want some ideas to get moving!
Christine Bland (she/her), Greater Manchester Moving
Movement, physical activity, and sport are fantastic ways to manage and improve your physical and mental health. Find out how you can get moving.
How much exercise should I be doing to stay healthy?
Children up to the age of 18 are recommended to average 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Being active has lots of benefits including making you feel good, improving concentration and learning, and building confidence and social skills.
Those 60 minutes can split across the day and could include walking, wheeling or cycling to or from school, Physical Education whilst at school and/or after-school clubs.
There are lots of different ways you could get moving more. It’s important you find something you enjoy, in a place and with people you like.
How much exercise should I be doing to stay healthy?
Children up to the age of 18 are recommended to average 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Being active has lots of benefits including making you feel good, improving concentration and learning, and building confidence and social skills.
Those 60 minutes can split across the day and could include walking, wheeling or cycling to or from school, Physical Education whilst at school and/or after-school clubs.
There are lots of different ways you could get moving more. It’s important you find something you enjoy, in a place and with people you like.
Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling
The easiest way to move more every day is to increase the amount you walk, wheel (including scoot) and cycle. This might be a fun way for you to get to and from school, college or work.
While at school, you could use break and lunch time to get active. And ask your teachers to sign your school up to The Daily Mile as it’ll help you concentrate more and learn better.
Outside of school, there’s lots of great spaces and places throughout Greater Manchester where you can get out for a stroll in the fresh air. You can find out more with GM Walking hosting a number of routes in your area.
YouTube
There are lots of videos on YouTube which may help you to be more active from the comfort of your home. These include Disney dance-alongs via This Girl Can and training alongside your favourite superheroes.
The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, also has lots of videos on his YouTube channel to help you raise your heart rate, boost your confidence and feeling happy.
Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling
The easiest way to move more every day is to increase the amount you walk, wheel (including scoot) and cycle. This might be a fun way for you to get to and from school, college or work.
While at school, you could use break and lunch time to get active. And ask your teachers to sign your school up to The Daily Mile as it’ll help you concentrate more and learn better.
Outside of school, there’s lots of great spaces and places throughout Greater Manchester where you can get out for a stroll in the fresh air. You can find out more with GM Walking hosting a number of routes in your area.
YouTube
There are lots of videos on YouTube which may help you to be more active from the comfort of your home. These include Disney dance-alongs via This Girl Can and training alongside your favourite superheroes.
The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, also has lots of videos on his YouTube channel to help you raise your heart rate, boost your confidence and feeling happy.
Jess Eastoe, Young People Equalities Lead at Greater Manchester Moving (she/her)
“No matter your size, shape, age or fitness, you can find an activity that makes you feel good – sometimes you just need to speak up to ensure you get it.”
Sport
Sport is also a fantastic way to be active. There’s lots of options to get involved with friends in a team or use it as an opportunity to take some time for yourself.
If you enjoy PE, you can look for local clubs to play sport. There are local netball, football, rugby, and hockey clubs in most areas, and there’s also opportunities in tennis, badminton, volleyball, squash and lacrosse… and more! See the BBC’s Get Inspired page to get some idea of what you could get involved with.
Alternative Options
Club sports aren’t for everyone, but there are more options out there. You could try Junior Parkrun, a series of 2km runs (or you can walk!) for children between 4 and 14 years old which are open to all, free to enter and safe and easy to access.
There are also lots of free, easy and fun things you can do at home by yourself, with siblings or with friends. Anyone can take part, regardless of fitness, ability or disability.
However you choose to be active, anything is better than nothing and will help you feel good. So, if you can, find something you love, where you love, with whom you love and see what a difference it can make.
Sport
Sport is also a fantastic way to be active. There’s lots of options to get involved with friends in a team or use it as an opportunity to take some time for yourself.
If you enjoy PE, you can look for local clubs to play sport. There are local netball, football, rugby, and hockey clubs in most areas, and there’s also opportunities in tennis, badminton, volleyball, squash and lacrosse… and more! See the BBC’s Get Inspired page to get some idea of what you could get involved with.
Alternative Options
Club sports aren’t for everyone, but there are more options out there. You could try Junior Parkrun, a series of 2km runs (or you can walk!) for children between 4 and 14 years old which are open to all, free to enter and safe and easy to access.
There are also lots of free, easy and fun things you can do at home by yourself, with siblings or with friends. Anyone can take part, regardless of fitness, ability or disability.
However you choose to be active, anything is better than nothing and will help you feel good. So, if you can, find something you love, where you love, with whom you love and see what a difference it can make.
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