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Keeping fit during the cost of living crisis

It is important for people to look after their health and wellbeing during the cost of living crisis.

Staying physically active is a great way to maintain good physical and mental health.

Being active is easy, fun, social and doesn’t have to be costly. There are many things you can do that are free.

Building activity into your day:

  • keeps your heart healthy
  • reduces your risk of serious illness
  • strengthens your muscles
  • reduces your stress levels
  • lifts your mood if you are feeling down

Fit and Active Barnet (FAB)

Sign up for your Fit and Active Barnet Card (FAB card) while visiting a leisure centre.

FAB Card holders have access to a range of benefits. The FAB Card:

  • is free for Barnet residents
  • offers discounts across sport and physical activity opportunities in Barnet
  • allows under 8s to go swimming for free
  • allows 8 to 15 year olds to go swimming for £1 from Monday to Saturday during general swim sessions
  • allows carers, looked after children and young people and care experienced people to go swimming for free

Fit and Active Barnet (FAB) has an activity finder with information about physical activities in Barnet. The Hub can help you get active for the first time or return to an old pastime.

Get more active

The NHS recommends that:

  • adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week
  • children and young people should aim for an average of 60 minutes of activity day across the week.

Disability and inclusion

We aim to provide disabled people or anyone living with a long-term health condition with opportunities to get active.

BACE

BACE (Barnet. Active. Creative. Engaging) offers children and young people who receive free school meals to access enriching activities and a healthy lunch over the holiday periods.

Finding an activity that suits you

You can try the following things to get more activity into your day:

Active at home

FAB has a variety of ways that you can be active from the comfort of your own home. This will help you find a time to work out when it suits you.

Active travel

This can be walking or cycling to the shops, school or work. You can also try taking the stairs instead of the escalator or lift.

Active recreation

Dance, gardening, DIY, rambling, walks, walking the dog and cleaning the car are all great ways to keep active

Competitive and adventurous activity

This can be team sports, individual sports or outdoor pursuits.

Occupational activity

This can be postal delivery, newspaper round, construction or landscaping work.

Try to reduce sitting by working at a standing desk.

Parks and open spaces

People who live and work in Barnet can visit one of our many parks and open spaces

Active trail or outdoor gyms are available for visitors to use.

You can explore the borough and stretch your legs on one of our heritage walks or health walks

Leisure centres

Barnet’s 5 leisure centres are operated by Better. This includes the new state of the art facilities at New Barnet and Barnet Copthall