The massive physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise for the elderly aside, exercise classes can be a fun and engaging way for older people to meet similar people in their area. The options available to those in Suffolk include walking clubs, chair exercises, Otago classes, and many more. This page will help you find exercise classes for seniors in Suffolk.
Chair Based Exercises
Move It or Lose it
Low cost fitness classes aimed at the elderly to improve their physical health in a variety of ways from mobility and flexibility to strength and balance. The classes can also be a chance to socialise with other members of the community while keeping moving. The exercises can be done while seated or standing so they can cater to any ability.
They have groups around Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich so visit their website to find your closest one.
Extend Exercise Classes
Aimed at seniors, extend exercise classes improve fitness and mobility, ‘extend’ independence and give the chance to meet similar people in the area. There is something for everyone with a variety of seated and standing exercises. Extend is a UK-wide initiative and operates in a few areas in Suffolk including Sudbury, Eye, Diss, Bury, and Stowmarket. Use the search feature on their website to find the one most suited to your relative.
Felixstowe – Chair Based Exercise
There are two chair based exercise classes in Felixstowe. Each session boosts circulation improves mobility and posture and finishes with relaxation exercises.
Community Centre
The sessions take place on Friday afternoons in the Old Felixstowe Community Centre and cost £6 per session.
Telephone: 01473 620511
Email: julia.drewell.fitness@gmail.com
Maidstone Road Baptist Church
Two sessions take place on Wednesdays between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and a second session between 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
Email: contactus@waltonpn.org.uk
Visit Website
Clare and Chedburgh – Strength ‘n’ Balance
Otago (leg muscle strengthening exercises designed to prevent falls) and Chair-based classes for balance issues, those waiting for joint operations, and other mobility problems. Available in two locations in Suffolk.
Haverhill – Chair Based Exercise
Combined with Otago exercises these classes take place every Monday at Haverhill Leisure Centre.
Other Exercise Class Options in Suffolk
Health Walks
Walking for Health is a scheme for anyone and everyone with a wish for some gentle exercise outside. There are hundreds of schemes throughout Suffolk, each graded for difficulty.
Search on their website for your closest one.
ActivLives – Suffolk-wide
ActivLives is an initiative to keep people active, connected and involved with their local community. They have a variety of events, classes and activities across Ipswich and Suffolk including gardening, chair-based exercises, walking groups and more. We recommend that you explore their website (linked below) and find your local active hub by contacting them directly – they will also be able to tell you what is coming up there!
Telephone: 01473 345350
Visit Website
Ipswich Fit – Ipswich
A service purely for those over 50 living in Ipswich, Active Seniors offers a range of classes across three locations (Gainsborough, Northgate and Whitton). Types of classes include: sequence dancing, low impact fitness, bowls, and breathe well classes. Visit their website below to find out more and decide which class would suit your relative.
Southwold Inbetweens – Southwold
Monthly walks (May-October) and monthly social gatherings (September-April). Ring for more details on upcoming events.
Telephone: 01502 722942
Gym in Motion – Suffolk-wide
Gym in motion is a mobile gym that specialises in fitness for the over 50’s. They often provide classes of different specialties in care homes but can consult on a home-based exercise session. Some of the classes they include are Otago Fall Prevention and Parkinson’s Mobility Program. We recommend that you contact them to find out what is available in your area.
Telephone: 01473 760801
Email: ronald@gyminmotion.com
Visit Website
Keep Active – Newmarket
Running weekly out of Abbeycroft Leisure Centre, Keep Active is an inexpensive class offering a variety of exercise activities to the over 55s. Some of the exercises included are walking football and netball, keep-fit aerobics, dance and more.
Telephone: 01638782500
Visit Website
