Getting active

Why activity is important

Physical activity is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and being active gives you and your family a range of health benefits. The good news is that it doesn't have to be strenuous.

Our bodies are designed to move, but all around the country, Australian adults and kids are sitting for longer and longer periods. You can read more about the effects too much sitting has on our health here.

Regular, moderate-intensity physical activity is good for your heart. Being active also makes you feel good about yourself, and it can be great fun. It is never too late to start being active.

As a general guide, we recommend that  adults include at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity (such as brisk walking) on most, if not all days of the week.

This amount of activity can be accumulated in shorter bouts, such as three 10-minute walks per day. For children, it’s 60 minutes.

Ways to get active today

Walking is a wonderful way to enjoy daily exercise. It gets you outdoors, you can do it with friends, or take the whole family, including the dog.  Heart Foundation Walking run over 1,000 free walking groups so there’s bound to be one close to you. To find out more, read here.

There are also some simple activity swaps you can do to gain the most benefit with the least amount of impact on your busy day. Find out more here.

Finally, if the kids (or your partner) need encouragement, you’ll love our easy ideas for getting the whole family active and involved.

Be active every day

Wondering how to fit in your 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity into your daily routine?

Our handy booklet is packed with practical examples: click here or call 1300 36 27 87 for your free copy!