Monday, 11th October 2021
Exercising and good health go hand-in-hand, especially as we age. However, did you know that keeping fit can also help us through more serious illnesses, such as cancer?
Over recent years, GM Active (a collective of leisure operators in Greater Manchester), has introduced a programme to support local people with a new cancer diagnosis. This has included exercise advice and fitness classes with an aim for those attending to better prepare themselves for surgery and keep their fitness levels up.
Professor Robert Copeland, Director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, said “Being more physically active following a cancer diagnosis is associated with a lower risk of cancer recurrence and a greater likelihood of recovery. Physical activity is not usually prescribed for patients receiving cancer treatment and we want that to change.”
Evidence from research and studies has linked higher physical activity to lower cancer risk.
Leading a less sedentary life can not only help reduce the risk of developing illnesses as we ages, but regular exercise can improve your blood pressure, decrease the threat of diabetes, ease arthritis symptoms and prevent obesity, which can often be a risk factor for many cancers.
We believe that keeping active as we age is an investment we should all make to lead a healthy life.
As we get older, remaining active is key to staying healthy and maintaining independence. Becoming too sedentary can result in us finding some tasks harder to do, such as playing with grandchildren, walking, shopping and other activities.
Aches and pains that you’ve not had before may develop and you may find you have less energy too. There’s strong evidence to suggest that the more active we are, the less prone we are to illnesses and are able to lead independent lives for longer.
But keeping active doesn’t mean you suddenly have to hit the gym several times a week. Swimming and walking are both great ways to improve our fitness levels, for example.
However, if you’re looking for something a little easier, our Feelgood Factory at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne is a great option. It’s a dedicated gym with a range of power-assisted machines designed for use by anyone, regardless of age, mobility or fitness level – and perfect for people recovering from illness or with limited mobility.
It’s staffed by professional fitness experts and is an inspirational place filled with sociable chat and laughter. There are lots of perks to the Feelgood Factory and members of all ages really feel the benefits:
To find out more about our Feelgood facilities, including membership options, click here.
