Stronger For Longer, fitness for women

Dudley public health, in collaboration with Dudley adult social care, local women and Dance to health, has created Stronger For Longer - free exercise videos to follow at home, and free women-only exercise classes at selected park activity centres.

The Stronger For Longer videos and classes are specifically designed for women aged 40 to 55 and promise to build strength, protect bones, improve balance and boost mood.

The Stronger For Longer videos drop on 1 October to coincide with Menopause Awareness Month They’re made up of just 10 exercises, which ideally should be done two or three times each week. There’s no need for any specialist equipment, just space and enthusiasm. Check out the healthy dudley website from 1 October for the link.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, cabinet member for public health, said: “After the menopause low levels of oestrogen can make bones weak. Regular strength-based exercise is a proven way of helping to combat this.

"Whether it’s simple squats and lunges using your own bodyweight, dancing around your living room, lifting weights or even just a couple of cans of beans, it all helps.

“I’ve seen the videos, they are fun and challenging but not too daunting and of course you can do them at your own pace. Going through the menopause in 2016, I understand just how hard this can be.  

"As women, let’s prioritise looking after own health so that we can stay stronger for longer.”

The project comes on the back of a survey by Dudley public health which asked more than1800 women about their current activity levels, their knowledge of osteoporosis and any barriers they felt they faced when it came to exercising.

Results from the survey showed that 41% of women do less than the recommended amount of exercise. 90% of women know that strength training can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, however only 27% of women do the recommended amount of strength exercise, twice a week.

Time, motivation, access to facilities, and knowing what exercises to do were some of the challenges women face to start exercising/exercising more which is why the Stronger For Longer campaign  was developed.

The park based classes also launch at the start of October.  Sessions run on Saturdays at four borough parks :  Silver Jubilee Park Activity Centre, Coseley from 10.15-10.45am; Mary Stevens Park Activity Centre 8.45-9.15am; Netherton Park Activity Centre 10.30-11am and Huntingtree Park Activity Centre from11.30am-12pm.          

Classes are free and can be booked through the Eventbrite links on the Healthy Dudley website.  Classes can be booked now, ahead of the video launch.

The classes are women only, but some may be led by a male instructor.