Keeping Active

Keeping active can help you have a healthy weight and reduce your risk of health problems like heart disease, stroke and dementia. It also helps you feel better, happier and less stressed. 

Aim to do a little exercise every day - enough to make you breathe faster and feel warmer, such as: 

  • Walking or cycling whenever possible, even just 30 minutes a day 
  • Exercising while listening to your favourite music 
  • Exercising with friends 
  • Finding a sport you like 
  • Try walking, cycling or scooting instead of taking the car or public transport 

If you haven’t exercised in a while or you have a medical condition, speak to your GP for advice.

For guidance on how much exercise you should do every week, please see the NHS website: Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

Exercising is also a great way of connecting with others and there are many community based physical activity programmes and services you can get involved with.

Find exercise groups, classes and activities near you.

The Line

A view of what the landscape as part of The Line walking path. There are two people walking along a path through a green park.

The Line is London’s first dedicated public art walk and features a wealth of wildlife and extraordinary local history. The route runs between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford and The O2 in Greenwich, following the waterways and the line of the Greenwich Meridian. It is a place where everyone can explore art, nature, and heritage for free. The Line also run free weekly wellbeing walks.

FREE HELP TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GET ACTIVE

A group of people who have taken a selfie after an exercise call looking happy

Join one of our free programmes to lose weight and get active.

Our Parks free exercise sessions in your local park

People exercising together in a park

Our Parks is the biggest outdoor group exercise company in London, delivering FREE fitness sessions in local parks across London and UK to thousands of residents.

Join an exercise session in your local library

Older woman doing chair based exercise

Every Newham library offers free exercise sessions for over 35s. Find your local library using the link below to see what classes they offer.

Cycling

Man cycling on the street

Cycling is a great way to keep active, as well as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to travel.

BetterPoints Newham - earn rewards by exercising

Image showing the BetterPoints app and a man smiling doing exercise

Record your journeys with BetterPoints Newham to earn rewards you can donate to local charities. Download the app on your app store to start collecting rewards.

Leisure Centres

Lady using a cable machine at a gym and smiling

The Council runs leisure centres in Newham where there are many free exercise sessions you can take part in. You can also join the gym or leisure centre with a paid membership.

Find a self-led, guided walks and walking groups

Woman walking her dog in the park

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. A brisk 10-minute daily walk can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

Active Communities Programme

A group of people jogging

GLL’s offers exercise sessions that takes place outside of the leisure centres i.e. parks, libraries, community centres etc.

Holiday Programmes

Kids exercising

There's a number of fun school holiday activities available across Newham including family fun swims, inclusive badminton and tennis, women only activities and so much more.