Health
Flexible, Friendly, Fitness with FLexercise
FLexercise is one of Britain's fastest-growing fitness trends, and you don't need to be a keep-fit fanatic to enjoy its fun and friendly sessions
Whether you're working, retired, cutting your hours or looking after the grandchildren, exercise don't need to be complicated and can be fitted into anyone's schedule- you just need to want to do it.
The simplicity, effectiveness and fun group exercise like FLexercise continues to be one of the biggest fitness trends in the UK.
Invest in yourself
We all need a regular dose of exercise each week, as people who manage this not only boost their mood, making them happier, but also have a lower risk of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, according to the NHS.
Moderated exercise is what you are after- no marathon running here. You need to move so that your heart rate is raised, breathe faster, feel warmer and still be able to chat over the FLexercise music.
Public Health England (PHE) says 41 percent of the 15.3 million English adults aged 40 to 60 walk fewer than ten minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace of at least 3mph, and a quarter of the English population are 'inactive', doing less than 30 minutes of exercise a week.
When we exercise blood flow increases throughout the body, including to the brain.
More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brains perform that much better and therefore you feel more energised and brighter all round.
Flexible friendly fitness
FLexercise is part exercise, part dance, often bare foot, definitely social, and positively all fun and enjoyed by people of all ages and all abilities.
The energising group exercises, run by qualified exercise teachers, work on strengthening the whole body, helping you achieve good posture and balance; it is an essential ingredient in looking good, being healthy and feeling great- whatever your age or ability.
FLexercise teacher and trainer Sarah Price says: "FLexercise is for everyone. We wok the whole body, providing the building blocks to help you look goof, and improve your fitness and energy levels. You'll leave your class feeling great."
Group exercise now and then
Remember the Women's League of Health and Beauty? (Yes, those Pathe films showing lots of women doing exercises). This is the charity behind FLexercise classes and was one of the first group exercise classes set up in the UK in the Thirties..
FLexercise is a fun and effective exercise system set to music and enjoyed by all ages, shapes and abilities.
The all-round fitness formula improves everyday flexibility and strength with posture, and core control is at the centre of classes. It was originally based on the seven key principles of the Bagot Stack system:
1) Correct body alignment
2) Joint mobilising, muscle strengthening and lengthening
3) Movement without tension
4) Co-ordinated movement
5) Natural breathing
6) Progressive classwork
7) Music and rhythm.
Classes are a fun but functional workout- giving greater flexibility and strength to major muscle groups in an aerobic workout with body alignment. FLexercise is a progressive exercise system, meaning anyone can join any time and it is suitable for all abilities.
Those who can- teach
You're active and still want to do something but are not quite sure what? You know you don't want to work full-time and you'd love something, where you're in charge of your own time. You want something that is flexible, fun and keeps you fit. Why not join the inspirational FLexercise team and train to become a Level 3 teacher and start your own classes?
For more information on training contact Janice Gronow, training manager (hello@fl-exercise.com) or log on to: www.fl-exercise.com/become-a-teacher
Find a class: Kick off your shoes and come and join the fun, get fit and flexible and make new friends by logging on to: www.fl-exercise.com
Have you tried FLexercise? Would you like to?
Let us know what you think. To keep up to date with all the latest from Choice, or if you have something you want to share with our team, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and YouTube
Other stories in Health
How to avoid diabetes
Here's to better hearing
Eating for a healthy heart
Look after your legs
Foods After 50
Staying Moblie
Easing Pain for IBS sufferers
Ear Implant can Change Lives
The 10 best health apps
Easing Leg Cramp Agony
Tooth Discolouration Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It
Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
It’s never too late for sport
Nuts reduce risk of killer diseases
Online health: Click or Curse?
The Age of Anxiety
Just Do It
It's all in the timing
The Hidden Signs of Alcoholism
Sweet dreams are made of this
Easing Migraine Misery
How will our care homes look in the future?
Opening up hospice care
Put eye health in the driving seat
Living with tinnitus
Keeping fit indoors
Colour me happy
Keeping dementia at bay
The secret killer in your home?
Men, women and drugs
Tracking the hidden cancer
When you've got to go...
Facing up to phobias
How to keep your prostate healthy
Vitamins: Gummies fill the gap
Maximum energy, minimum effort
Hi-tech revolution for retirement
How Stressed are you?
When silence is not golden
B12: The overlooked vitamin
Stay active to stop 'senior moments'
Tackling extremes of pain
Spreading the Massage Messsage
Health News: May
Hip op hope for cancer patients
Finding Fibre
Over-65s face ‘hidden’ scourge of malnutrition
Tango and Yoga... on prescription
Public underestimating summer heat risks
The mind body connection
Can a carer ever become part of the family?
Prepare for care
Can private health insurance buy peace of mind?
Do you need a private GP