wellness
Senior fitness programs offered free by local council help Preston residents stay active
From low-impact aerobics to walking groups in Moor Park, the city council’s free exercise sessions are drawing seniors outdoors and into community life.
How we reported this
Free fitness classes aimed at Preston’s older adults are drawing strong turnout across the city this summer, as the local council expands its program in parks and public centres. Weekly sessions now dot the city centre and outlying neighbourhoods, thanks to a campaign to boost wellbeing among senior residents.
Interest in group activities has swelled post-pandemic, with isolation and inactivity weighing on many over-60s, according to Preston City Council’s Wellbeing Service. As the city’s population ages, demand for social, accessible exercise options has steadily climbed. Local groups say the council’s expanded schedule-offered at no cost-removes the financial barriers many face in accessing regular physical activity.
Fitness for all: From Avenham Park to West View Leisure Centre
Free classes take place in venues including the Friends Meeting House on St George’s Road and outdoors at Moor Park. Tai chi, yoga, and gentle aerobics feature on the timetable, alongside guided walking groups each Wednesday morning departing from the Flag Market. West View Leisure Centre is also hosting circuit sessions adapted for joint health and balance, supported by Age Concern Central Lancashire.
The Get Active Preston program, run through the council’s Public Health team, even lends out resistance bands and mats, so participants new to exercise can join without bringing equipment. In the last month, new Nordic walking taster sessions in Avenham Park have attracted steady interest, organisers say.
The city’s recent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment highlighted that activity levels tend to drop with age: fewer than half of over-65s in Preston reported meeting the national guideline for weekly exercise. The NHS recommends seniors engage in moderate physical activity, like brisk walking, at least 150 minutes a week, accompanied by strength and balance training. Free local schemes, council staff argue, help tackle these shortfalls while fostering social connection and resilience.
How to join-and what’s next
Seniors keen to try a session can register online via Preston City Council’s wellbeing page or turn up on the day-bookings are only needed for indoor spaces with maximum capacity. Most classes run throughout the summer, with open spaces like Moor Park’s bandstand used whenever weather allows. Equipment is provided free by the council; comfortable shoes and a drinks bottle are all that’s needed.
Organisers are now exploring additional autumn sessions following feedback from regulars, and discussions are underway to link up with local social prescribers to refer those most at risk of inactivity. With word spreading among local neighbourhood groups, Preston’s approach is increasingly seen as a model for other cities aiming to keep senior citizens moving well into later years.
Residents are encouraged to check the council website or drop in at their nearest leisure centre to find out what’s running next week. For personal medical or fitness concerns, it’s always wise to consult a registered health professional before taking up a new activity.