Fitness & the NHS

“Unhealthy lifestyles are costing the Health Service more than £1billion a year say researchers” according to an article in The Mail (Tuesday 20^th March 2007).

“The Oxford University team found that lack of exercise was directly responsible for 3 per cent of all deaths and illness.

A study shows 287,206 people died from diseases associated with lack of exercise in 2003/4, with more than 35,000 directly linked to physical inactivity”.

Another study by Bristol University has found that just 15 minutes of brisk activity a day could halve the risk of becoming obese.

So the message is go for a jog or buy a crosstrainer such as the Tunturi C40 – see http://www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk/ which you can use anytime - even on a wet and windy night.

However, if the dangers of not exercising are clear, the benefits of regular exercise are even clearer. Exercising triggers the release of those “feel good” endorphins which can wash away the day’s stresses leaving you feeling energised and ready to enjoy life.

Rowing is another excellent cardio vascular work out. The Water Rower (http://www.WaterRower.com) is a superb example of an easy to use and highly beneficial exercise machine. With its smooth action and rhythmic swish of water it feels just like rowing on a lake! Space is not an issue either as the Water Rower pivots upwards to stand close to a wall with only a modest space footprint.

A healthy lifestyle however is more than just exercising. You need to eat sensibly too! So next time you’re peeling the vegetables, see if you can do it whilst running on the spot. You’ll also get some stretching when you bend down to pick up the dropped peelings!

On a more serious note - for prices and information (including advice and comparative notes on what exercise equipment to buy you should refer to:

http://www.ExerciseEquipment.co.uk/