Keeping fit and healthy in your golden years can be a challenge but there are plenty of wellness and exercise activities for older people around Swanley.
There’s plenty of talk out there about how you need to keep fit and active to make the most of life well into old age, but as joints get creaky and energy dips it can be tricky to find something enjoyable enough to keep you both moving and motivated.
Keep your health and wellness up with some of these great senior-friendly exercise spots in and around the Swanley area, from a gentle game of bowls to some more energetic aqua-aerobics, there’s plenty to tempt people of all ages and activity levels.
Located at The Olympic, on Beechenlea Lane in Swanley, Swanley Bowls Club is a hidden gem. Bowls are played indoors in the winter, and members can enjoy playing outside on the green in the summer months.
Bowls is a social sport, suitable for all levels of fitness. It is a fantastic way of getting some exercise, bowls truly is the sport for all. You don’t realise how much walking you do until you actually play it. On top of the walking, your arms will get a workout as you perfect your bowling technique and your leg muscles will develop as you lunge into the throw.
The club is very popular and has its own Facebook page so you can find out more, or you can call the club on 07877 060840. The team is always looking for new members, but it’s easy enough to join and the fees are extremely reasonable. There is parking on site.
Just off College Road in Hextable, The Howard Venue is located in the heart of the village. It hosts many different community events, conferences, shows as well as Dance, Fitness & Yoga and much more.
The Howard Venue is easy to reach by car or on foot, and there’s a bus stop nearby. It has its own car park with plenty of bays, while inside is easy to navigate.
There is lots to do a The Howard Venue for seniors, the classes list is well worth checking out, there’s something to suit everyone. On Tuesdays Pam hosts Young at Heart, chair based exercise classes from 10:30-11:30am. We particularly recommend Fitness with Friends, hosted by The People’s Dance Company on Thursdays from 10:30am – 11:45am. You can find out more information on their website , take a look at their facebook page or call 01322 618 618.
Every Step Counts is a Sevenoaks District initiative, with a local wellbeing walking group taking place each week. There are eight walks currently running in the district, led by trained walk leaders who are volunteers.
The group is aimed at people who would like to get outside, chat and meet new people at the same time as improving or maintaining their fitness. The walks are shorter than a health walk and encouragement and support is provided every step of the way. The walks vary in time, length and speed to accommodate people’s abilities and needs and initially last 20 minutes, although there is always an option to do more or less for those who wish to and are able.
the Every Step Counts Group in Swanley meets in Swanley Park BR8 7PW down by the boating lake outside the park café at 10am on Thursdays. We stroll for 30 minutes around the park taking in the delights of the wildlife in and around the lake, the Environmental area or the Golden Jubilee avenue of trees, varying our route depending on weather and ground conditions. The beauty of this walk is that it’s entirely in the park and there are no roads to cross. After the walk there is the option of a a chat and refreshments outside the athletics clubhouse in the park.
Toilet facilities are available in the park close to the café. Parking is free in both top and lower car parks for Swanley residents who have registered their vehicles with The Link or Swanley Town Council. For non-Swanley residents parking is Pay By Phone £1 for up to 2 hours, £3 over 2 hours.
On the London Road just outside Swanley, not far from the M25 junction is Pedham Place Golf Centre. On weekday mornings before 12 the centre offers a reduced rate for the 9 hole Par 3 course for non members.
There’s a nice clubhouse onsite offering tea, coffee and snacks, and plenty of parking. If nobody makes par you’ll still get a pleasant ramble around a beautiful course with a cuppa to round it off.
For more information you can call 01322 86 7000.
From keeping fit to exercising mindfulness or just getting a bit of mental stimulation, these kinds of exercise and wellness activities in and around Swanley are a great way to get seniors out and about with a goal in mind. Even the smallest amounts of physical activity is invaluable in keeping brains and bodies fit and healthy, so don’t assume you need to force a senior citizen into some kind of aerobics class just to get them moving; there are plenty of opportunities to get active without getting sweaty!
Learn more about supported living or companionship for exercise and wellness in old age, and find out whether home care in Swanley and the surrounding areas could be the right choice for your elderly loved ones, by getting in touch with our local team today.