Get-Active Blog

Huge congratulations to Sara Cox on completing the Northern Marathon for Children in Need! What a phenomenal achievement—and a powerful reminder that age is not a limit, but a launchpad. Those of us 50+ are not “past it.” We are not in inevitable decline. We are capable of more than we often allow ourselves to believe. We can build strength we thought was lost. We can rise to challenges that once felt out of reach. Yes, we may have limitations or things to work around—but tha

I have been going to Debbie's Fitness Classes for many years. The Fitness+ class is a mixed age group, 60+++, of various abilities due to hips and knees, and various other ailments, but Debbie is so understanding in the way she handles us. She encourages and cajoles us into streches and bends that we thought impossible!! We enjoy a lot of laughter and banter during our sessions as we attempt all the exercises Debbie places before us. If we serviously cannot manage an exerci

I started going to Strong 4 Life sessions about a year ago - at the time I was 56, but I was starting to feel old, everything seemed to ache and creak and I was starting to struggle with everyday movements like getting in and out of the car and getting up and down from the floor. I was reading a lot about menopause and needing to improve my strength as I got older, but I just didn’t fancy the idea of joining a gym. When I saw Strong 4 Life advertised, I thought it sounded per

I hated PE at school....all that picking teams and the pressure of having to catch a ball and be a team player.... But in my 20's, I realised the outdoors - walking, biking, climbing and running were the activities for me. Now in my 50's (how did that happen?!), keeping fit, pushing myself and staying active are hugely important goals for me. And that's where Debbie comes in.... Boxfit classes are a highpoint of my week, where I can work as hard as I can, alongside a range of

My name is Liz Forrest and I live in Greystoke.  I'm in my early eighties and, so far, have been lucky with my health.  I walk regularly, though not the strenuous walks of my younger years, do my own housework and lots of gardening, but not mowing or heavy stuff any more.  Nevertheless I found my joints were tending to stiffen up and the real crunch came when I realised I needed to push down on my hands to get out of a chair!  Another thought, always at the back of my mind, w

"Is it ok to feel stiff the next day after class?" A lady asked me this today, and I couldn’t say “Absolutely!” fast enough. That post-class stiffness? It’s a sign your body is waking up, responding, and getting stronger. You might even feel a bit achy two days after—totally normal, especially when you're trying something new. It’s your muscles saying, “We’re working!” But please remember: • A little soreness = progress • Lingering pain for a week or feeling worse over time =

Fitness By The Fells Events • ✅ Free transfer to another date or refund up to 1 month before the event • 🔁 50% refund from 1 month to 2...

Breaking It Down, Building It Up This summer I set out to walk parts of the Lakeland Way—a stunning 144-mile circular route around the Lake District. It’s designed to be done in one go over 12 days… but my life doesn’t allow for that kind of stretch. So I broke it down. I’ve now completed 4 segments, clocking up around 45 miles. It’s coming together, and one day I’ll walk it all. And that’s the point: you don’t have to do everything in one go. Whether it’s walking 144 miles,

I Blame My Crocs! This August I set myself a challenge to run 20 miles to celebrate 20 years in fitness. But I didn’t plan it properly and on the 18th I realised I still had 15 miles to go. So out I headed. I had an amazing run—felt strong, proud, buzzing. A couple of days later, I headed out again. My calves felt tight, but that’s happened before and they usually ease off once I get going. Not this time. That second run was when it went a bit wrong—I pulled a muscle. Ouch. M

Ball Workout March or Dance 1 min to warm up Complete 10 to 12 of the following seated: Leg extension with ball under your foot Leg press...

Twenty years ago, I took a leap into the world of fitness, not knowing just how deeply it would shape my life and the lives of those...

I know a number of people don't see my posts on Facebook so here are the more popular ones that you might enjoy! Squats Those who attend my classes will know I like to include a squat or two. These can be the standard variety, sits to stands, bands around knees, sissy squats.... And do you know why? Because it means that you can grab items from the bottom shelf in supermarkets, enjoy gardening and get out of a chair, plus more... Great message just received: "The toilet in t

I occasionally pop ponderings on my private Facebook page and I thought you might like this one: This is me - 51 and postmenopausal. I...

Insurance. Outdoor first aid. Paediatric First Aid. Emergency First Aid for Sport.

This week I received a call from a lady who attended her first mobility class last week. "I'm not sure it is for me, as I've got...

Do you have a fear of falling? Would you like to learn how to fall without injuring yourself? Well a new course is coming to Penrith in 2025 that will gradually and gently teach you how to fall. Not run by me but Mike from British Judo. I think this sounds an amazing opportunity and it is fully funded so free! I'll do my best to keep you informed as to dates/locations however in the meantime you could like/follow the Find Your Feet. Safe Falling project page is here . "A p

Yesterday I received an email from a person who was thinking of stopping attending a class, as they were embarassed at how slow they could get up from the floor. Replying to their email I acknowleged that getting up wasn't easy for them, but they could do it. That no-one else was bothered or even noticed. And hoped that they would come back in 2025, as they were doing great. I am proud of everyone who gives a move a go, doesn't give up easily and finds alternatives that work

I don't usually shout out about my sessions however attending classes this week has made me realise.... 1) I maybe don't work you hard...

Taken from Live Longer Better in Cumbria Newsletter Over the past 30 years, researchers have learnt a lot of new information about how our pain system works. The trouble is: this new science hasn’t trickled down to the people working with – or experiencing – pain. We’re raised to believe that pain only happens when we’re injured, but the new science actually tells us that pain is about protection from danger, not detection of danger. We get pain when our brain wants us to sto

I am a Level 4 Advanced Fitness Instructor and have been teaching since 2005. Take a peak at the qualifications I've gained over the...