Our Advice

We were born to move, and through regular exercise we can help keep our bodies at a healthy weight and reduce the chances of developing illness such as heart disease and diabetes. As part of the Olympic Legacy we now have the largest community sports programme in the country, the largest volunteer programme, and a very successful record of delivering health and fitness programmes to the local communities that we serve.

Our three leisure centres provide the best facilities in Newham to help you get fit and active at prices that are accessible to all. We recognise that everyone has their own individual needs, and here at activeNewham we are committed to help you tackle any obstacles that may stand in your way. Our dedicated team are constantly working within the community, and with health professionals to help provide a range of innovative health and fitness initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles. From toddlers to seniors, we have something here for you.

Healthy Lifestyle

These five simple lifestyle steps can help to prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke, whilst making considerable improvements to your health, wellbeing and fitness.

Take Regular Exercise: adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, children need 60 minutes.
Keep to a healthy diet: a healthy and balanced diet is important in the prevention of many serious diseases and can bring significant health benefits.
Maintain a low bodyweight: reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health.
Stop smoking: every cigarette you smoke causes you harm. Once you stop smoking your body immediately starts recovering and repairing itself.
Limit your alcohol intake: any reduction in your alcohol intake will be beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing.

activeNewham are uniquely qualified to support you in taking up whatever form of exercise most suits you, no matter what your age or level of activity at the moment.

Our staff are qualified and committed to helping you achieve a healthier lifestyle. Visit one of our leisure centres or speak to our team on 0300 124 0123 to discuss how you can start getting more active!

For more information please visit:

Improve your mental wellbeing

Tips for a more healthy lifestyle

Easy steps to getting more active

Get Active

The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are undeniable and are available to everyone, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability.

It is recommended that adults should build up at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Children should try to build up to at least 60 minutes each day of the week.

Regular moderate physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or participating in sports, can improve your overall health in many ways:

Up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
Up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer

Whatever your age and whatever your interest or ability, at activeNewham we have an activity to suit you and your lifestyle.

Being active is not just about physical fitness and sport. It is also about bringing people together through local activities and events. activeNewham brings everything under one roof with a mixture of services and facilities with something for everybody.

Visit one of our leisure centres or speak to our team on 0300 124 0123 to discuss how you can start getting more active!

Our Promise To You

At activeNewham our number one priority is making sure that you have every opportunity to get active in your community.

Visit one of our leisure centres and talk to our staff about the best way for you to improve your fitness. Our leisure centres offer a wide range of opportunities to get fit and stay in shape.

activeNewham manages one of the largest community sports programmes in the country and we aim to provide Newham residents with as wide a range of sports and physical activities as possible – mostly free of charge. We also offer free swimming to all Newham residents who are aged over 60 or under 16.

Some of the best parks in the country are right here on your doorstep, and we offer a huge range of activities that you can enjoy throughout the year.

For more information please visit:

The benefits of regular exercise

Simple steps to getting active

Stop Smoking

Every cigarette that you smoke causes damage to your body. It introduces toxins into the body, which can cause you serious damage and can be fatal. This is why medical professionals advise that the most important thing any individual can do to improve their health is to stop smoking.

The younger a person quits, the greater the benefit, but stopping smoking is beneficial at any age. Many smokers think that smoking helps relieve stress but in fact ex-smokers are more likely to have better mental health and be happier.

What are the benefits of quitting?

Quitting is the best thing you’ll ever do for your health, and here’s why:

For you

You will have a longer life. Half of all long-term smokers die early from smoking-related diseases. Men who quit smoking by 30 add 10 years to their life. People who kick the habit at 60 add three years to their life. In other words, it’s never too late to benefit from stopping.

You will save money. The average smoker will spend £3,300 per year on cigarettes.

Your sense of taste will return and you will enjoy the taste of food more.

Your breathing and general fitness will improve.

The appearance of your skin and teeth will improve.

Your fertility levels will improve along with your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.

For your family and friends

You will protect the health of those around you by not exposing them to second-hand smoke, however careful you think you are being.

You will reduce the chances of your children suffering from many serious infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, meningitis and ear infections.

Stop smoking in Newham

activeNewham is working closely with Newham Council on a range of new campaigns to help our residents to give up smoking.

Visit one of our leisure centres or speak to our team on 0300 124 0123 to discuss how you can start getting more active!

For more information please visit:

Newham’s Stop Smoking Campaign

Support to stop smoking

Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)

Preventing Disease

People who consistently follow four or five of the principles below experience significant decline in heart disease and stroke, reduced risk of cancer, dementia and diabetes and significant improvement in their cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Take regular exercise
Keep to a healthy diet
Maintain a low bodyweight
Stop smoking
Limit your alcohol intake

The most important of these is to take regular exercise, and at activeNewham we are uniquely qualified to support you, no matter what your age or level of activity at the moment.

Visit one of our leisure centres or speak to our team on 0300 124 0123 to discuss how you can start getting more active!

Maintaining a healthy weight

If you are overweight or obese you are at a higher risk of developing serious health problems such as diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and some types of cancer.

This risk increases even further if you don’t do any physical activity. Losing excess weight and getting active will be very beneficial for your health.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and cut down on foods containing fat and sugar. If you don’t exercise, start by building physical activity into your usual daily routine, for example, walking to work instead of driving or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Gradually increase how much you do until you reach the weekly recommendation of 150 minutes.

Coronary heart disease

The incidence of coronary heart disease is higher in Newham than in most parts of London and the rest of the UK and it is significantly higher in men than in women.

Coronary heart disease is caused by a build up of fatty deposits on your artery walls.

It's more common in men over 45 years and women over 55.

Coronary heart disease can lead to angina, heart attacks, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and heart failure.

Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart.

You can also reduce the risk of heart disease by stopping smoking, drinking alcohol sensibly and eating a healthy diet.

Alcohol

Many people enjoy a drink now and again, but when does alcohol consumption become damaging to a healthy lifestyle? The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more than three or four units a day, and women two to three units a day; this equates to less than a pint and half of some lagers. Regularly drinking more than the recommended levels can cause liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure and increased risk of various cancers and heart attack.

In addition to the negative effects of alcohol, the additional calories contained within alcoholic drinks can also lead to weight gain, while the effects of over-consumption can lead to a variety of social problems. Reducing your alcohol intake will always be beneficial to your overall health and well being.

For more information please visit:

Information about managing your weight

Tips for a healthier family

The Stroke Scale

Harmful effects of alcohol

How to cut down your drinking

Healthy Eating

Why is Healthy Eating Important?

Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of obesity and illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and some types of cancer.

The food you eat contains several different types of nutrients, which are all required for the many vital processes in your body. You need to eat a range of foods to get all of the nutrients and fibre your body needs.

A Healthy Diet Contains:

Plenty of starchy foods like bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes - look for higher fibre versions where possible (like wholemeal bread or pasta)

At least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables daily – these are your “5-a-day”
Moderate amounts of dairy products (or alternatives) - look for low fat versions where possible
Moderate amount of meat, fish or alternatives like eggs, beans, peas and lentils - look for lower fat versions where possible
The occasional treat (foods that are higher in fat, salt or added sugar should only be eaten in moderation)
Little salt - always read the label

For more information please visit:

Easy to make, healthy recipes

Later Life

Staying active into your golden years is important. Regular physical activity will help you stay mobile and independent, and will give you a greater reservoir of energy.

Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving which includes everything from walking to recreational sport. Adults in Newham aged 65 and over spend on average 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down. To get the maximum health benefits, you should aim to do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate activity every week.

activeNewham is working in partnership with Newham Council to support the older residents of Newham to become more active. Visit one of our leisure centres to find out about the free swimming that is on offer to all Newham residents aged over 60.

Our staff are always on hand to offer you advice about the sort of activities that you would benefit from and we have a range of affordable membership options for people aged over 55 years.

For more information please visit:

Men’s & women’s health 60+

Physical activity for older people

Walking for health

Health services in Newham

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Healthy Eating

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Healthy Lifestyle

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Stop Smoking

What are the benefits of quitting?

For you

For your family and friends

Stop smoking in Newham

Preventing Disease

Maintaining a healthy weight

Coronary heart disease

Alcohol

Healthy Eating

Why is Healthy Eating Important?

A Healthy Diet Contains:

Later Life

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