HomeActive lifestyle programmes
Developing an active lifestyle can make you physically fitter, improve your mental health and make you less prone to illness.
However, if you suffer from health-related problems, it can be hard to know where to start. To help, we offer various active lifestyle programmes which can make it easier for people to get active. These are listed below.
More tips and advice on healthy living are also available from the NI Direct website
Healthwise
Our leisure centres run a Healthwise scheme together with the Public Health Agency. The initiative encourages people with specific health conditions to take up physical activity and is suitable for those with:- high blood pressure
- a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25
- asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- diabetes
- osteoporosis
- hypertension
- coronary heart disease and associated risk factors
- anxiety
- stress
- depression.
Your doctor or healthcare practitioner can refer you for a free 12-week programme if you suffer from any of the conditions listed above. Our health and fitness staff can also develop a keep-fit programme to suit your needs and will monitor any improvements to your health.
We're also working with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to deliver physical activity sessions to inpatients at the Mater Hospital, Belfast as part of the Healthwise scheme.
Cardiac Rehab
This free physical activity programme is for people recovering from health problems, including heart attacks, angina and coronary artery bypass surgery.It offers participants, who are referred to the programme by their GP, the chance to increase their physical activity, improve lifestyle behaviour and wellbeing and reduce the risk of further coronary heart disease.
They take part in gym and circuit-based sessions at a leisure centre of their choice, for one hour per week. The gym session involves alternating between treadmills, bikes and weight exercises, while the circuit group session involves rotation around a number of exercise stations.
At the end of the 12 weeks, instructors provide advice to participants on how to incorporate exercise into their daily routine, as well as explaining the various membership options available at our leisure centres.
Sessions currently take place in Olympia, Avoniel, Grove and Falls Leisure Centres.
The Cardiac Rehab programme is funded by the Public Health Agency, as part of Active Belfast.
FRESH (Food, Relaxation, Exercise, Self-esteem and Health)
Obesity rates are increasing amongst children - for example, 20 per cent of boys and 15 per cent of girls aged two to 15 in Northern Ireland are obese.Childhood obesity can cause many health problems, including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels and asthma, as well as affecting emotional and mental health.
The FRESH programme, funded by the Public Health Agency and co-ordinated by the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, offers children aged 11 to 13 support and advice from dieticians, sports coaches and school nurses on nutrition, physical activity and self-esteem.
The free scheme is run in partnership with the council, Sport NI, health and education agencies, community organisations and other local councils.
FRESH gives young people the chance to get active, improve how they feel about themselves, have fun and make new friends. It also helps families, by providing parents and guardians with the opportunity to learn about making healthier lifestyle choices.
The FRESH prgramme is currently running at Grove Wellbeing Centre.
