Residents are being offered a fun way to get ready for the day with a new one-minute exercise routine that has been developed for Dudley Public Health.

The Wake Up, Shake Up challenge features five gentle dance movements, aimed at building strength, balance and exercise. These can be completed sitting down or standing up.

As well as being a good way to include more movement into people’s lives, the Wake Up, Shake Up routine has been created to help reduce the risk of falls in later life. The routine is set to an uplifting song – although morning grumps can turn the sound off!

The challenge is part of Dudley Public Health’s Let’s Get Moving campaign. The campaign urges everyone to move for at least 30 minutes throughout each day and provides support and resources to help people who don’t move much to work towards it.

The Wake Up, Shake Up video and instructions can be found on the Let’s Get Healthy Dudley website.

Starting this month, residents over the age of 50 can also enjoy free dance exercise classes to build up their strength and balance.

The classes start in January in five locations across the borough. No experience is necessary and each class will include time for a cup of tea and a chat.

• Tuesday 10 January - 10.15am to 12.15pm - Primrose Hill Community Church, Netherton
• Wednesday 11 January - 10.15am to 12.15pm - Quarry Bank Community Centre, Quarry Bank
• Wednesday 11 January - 1pm to 3pm - Mary Demott Memorial Hall, Coseley
• Thursday 12 January - 10.15am to 12.15pm - Wellington Road Community Centre, Dudley (taster session)
• Thursday 12 January - 1pm to 3pm - Oakfield Community Centre, Brierley Hill

To attend, email dudley@dancetohealth.org or telephone Jodie Stus on 07470 799 540.

Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said:

“This simple dance routine has been designed to help more people to get physically active. Moving more can improve your balance, strengthen your bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of falls.

“We are also launching free dance classes across the borough for people over 50, who might not feel comfortable going to the gym or playing a sport.

“No matter what your current level of activity, it’s never too late to take the next step.”

Dudley Public Health has commissioned the Wake Up, Shake Up routine and the free dance classes from Dance to Health as part of its community falls prevention work.

For more guidance on moving more for future health and wellbeing, go to the Let’s Get website.