Get Active Gold Coast | Get out, get up...get active!

My Community | Seniors

Age is no barrier to staying active! It has been suggested that as we get older, we should slow down, take it easy and do less – but the reality is, the more we do, the better we feel. To keep our physical and mental health, we need to stay active. Regardless of your age, ability, weight, or health condition, you can still be active in some way. The fact is, you are never too old to start!

Older Australians should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. You don’t have to do all of your physical activity in one block - it can be broken into snack-size pieces (10 minute intervals) and gradually increased as you get fitter. Being active for 10 minutes, 3 times a day can be just as effective as a 30 minute session - look at the suggested Snacktivities for inspiration.

There are five physical activity recommendations for older Australians, which include doing a range of physical activities that incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility. Click on the link to see the Physical Activity Recommendations for Older Australians. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you need some advice on starting your activity.

Fitness/endurance activities are those which increase your heart rate. Aim for 30 minutes of fitness activities a week on most days. Click here for fitness activities.
Strength training helps you maintain muscle mass, prevent bone loss and fracture, and reduce your risk of falls and injury. You can join a gym, or even use baked bean tins as light hand weights in the comfort of your own home. Click here for great strength activities.
Balance activities help to prevent falls. Do balance activities as often as you can - click here for balance activities.
Flexibility - we should all be aiming at improving our flexibility and stretching will give you more freedom of movement. Click here for examples of flexibility activities.

Search the activities to find an activity to suit you! Being active in our Gold Coast community also provides opportunities to meet new people and enjoy new experiences.

How do I start?

Begin slowly and gradually increase the amount of physical activity you do. Remember that even a small amount of activity is better than nothing. It may help to set some goals to get you motivated. For instance, your goal may be to go for a 10 minute walk every day after breakfast, or to park the car a little further away than you usually would. Write your goal down and stick it somewhere you will see it everyday.

Being physically active doesn’t have to involve organised exercise; things like washing the car, doing the gardening or cleaning the house are all types of physical activity. You can even try to do a few exercises while talking on the phone or watching TV. It is important to choose activities that you like doing so being active doesn’t become a chore.

Click here to download the Australian Government's physical activity guide for old Australians - Choose Health: Be Active!