Get-Active Blog

Most people don’t think about falls until one happens. The truth is simple: unless you stay in bed all day, there’s always a chance of falling. All ages fall. It could happen to any of us. There are courses that teach you how to fall “better”. Useful, yes. So, attend one if you get the chance. However, as one lady said to me recently, “I’ve learnt how to fall backwards safely, but that didn’t help when I landed on my knees!” And she’s right. You can’t predict the direction,

As well as my group classes, I also work one‑to‑one with people who want personalised motivation, support and advice. These sessions are tailored entirely to the individual — their goals, their confidence, their health, and how they’re feeling on the day. At the moment I’m working with several individuals living with dementia. Some days they can do more, other days less, and that’s completely okay. We work with the body and the mind as they are, not as we think they “should”

I love how stone stacks stay upright even when they look a bit wonky. You can have a pebble sticking out on one side, a slightly uneven base, or a shape that looks like it shouldn’t work at all — and yet it stands. The secret isn’t perfection. It’s placement. It’s all about where the weight sits. If the centre of mass is over the middle, the stack stays steady. It doesn’t have to be symmetrical. It doesn’t have to be neat. It just has to be centred. Our bodies work exactly th

This week someone told me they felt like giving up because they’re “getting worse”. It’s something I hear more often than you might imagine, and it’s always said with a mix of frustration, sadness and a sense of defeat. And yes — sometimes people are doing less than they once did. Bodies change. Life changes. Health changes. Strength, mobility and balance aren’t fixed traits; they change depending on stress, sleep, illness, age, hormones, injuries, and what life is demanding

“Why get fit?” It’s a question that has a hundred different answers, depending on who you ask. For some people, fitness is about building strength. For others, it’s about confidence — that steady belief that your body will cope with whatever life throws your way. And sometimes… it’s about climbing a bush, hurdling a wall and rescuing the spare key from the shed when you’ve locked yourself out. That was a real story from one of my class members recently. She told me that the s

Someone joked last week that it would be brilliant if we could simply manifest getting stronger, fitter and more balanced. Imagine turning up to class, closing your eyes, picturing perfect movement… and walking out with stronger legs, better balance and improved mobility. Tempting, isn’t it? And to be fair, there is research showing that imagining movement genuinely helps the nervous system. It’s used in Feldenkrais, stroke rehabilitation and sports psychology. When you pictu

People often ask whether I use my poles when I’m out walking, and the truth is… it depends. Poles aren’t something I automatically grab every single time I head out the door, but they are something I’m grateful for on many of my walks. Over the years, I’ve learned that the type of walk really dictates whether poles are worth carrying. If I know a route is going to be long, or full of ups and downs, I almost always regret it when I don’t have them. Poles make everything feel m

After completing the Cumbria Way a few years ago, I found myself wanting a new challenge — something I could tackle with my long-legged lurcher, Lacey. The Lakeland Way felt perfect, but instead of doing it in one big push, I decided to split it into small chunks and complete each section whenever time, weather and transport lined up. It turned into a brilliant, flexible adventure. Here’s what I learned and how each section unfolded. Learning Points Car + public transport wor

When you picture a fitness class, what comes to mind? A hall brimming with people, everyone following the instructor at the front? Or perhaps you prefer being left alone to figure things out, moving quietly in your own space? Maybe you like copying a routine exactly as it’s demonstrated, without deviation? If that’s what you’re after, then I’ll be honest — I’m not the right instructor for you. My classes are deliberately small, personal, and built around the people who show u

The following are public reviews from Google and Facebook. All are 5 stars!! Debbie is a very safe instructor, and adapts exercise to individual needs of her class attendees, one of which is me! I signed up for Debbie's class to improve my overall physical function, after a significant period of inactivity, due to illness. Debbie sends the recording of the live class and I can work at my own pace; which is something that works for me. She is enthusiastic and encouraging an

The Reality of Falls in Our Area Falls are far more common than many realise. In Westmorland and Furness, there were 60,002 emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people aged 65+ in 2023/24. That number represents not just accidents, but also lost confidence and long recoveries. A fall doesn’t just cause injury — the real danger is the “long lie,” when someone is unable to get up from the floor. Building strength and practicing floor skills dramatically reduces this ri

It might not seem like much, but for me, it was a big win! I’ve been meaning to get back into jogging for ages, but my motivation has been… well, a bit missing this year. The Joy of Movement I know that extra bit of effort always makes me feel great. So today, I decided to put on a running bra for the online session, skip the shower afterwards, and head straight out the door for a “massive” 1km. And I did it! On Wednesday, I’m planning to run 2km. No pressure, no pace goals—j

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,