MOOR Therapy Solutions, a physiotherapy team based in Ilkley and local home care provider, Home Instead have joined up to run Move it or Lose it fitness classes across Ilkley and Skipton. These classes are recognised nationally to help older people remain active in later life. They can be done seated or standing, depending on your ability, which is ideal for older people in our community.

Maintaining exercise into later life not only helps improve aerobic health and prevent certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, but it can also support mental health and cognitive function.

In addition, it can help build flexibility and strength which in turn reduces the risk of falls.

Move It or Lose It classes can be a great way to support physical and mental health, as well as providing an opportunity for social interaction with others, which has been severely limited for older people over the past year.

At the end of each session, there will be an opportunity to meet like-minded people for refreshments.

“We wanted fitness classes with a built-in social event afterwards,” said Paula Cooper, owner of Moor Therapy Solutions.

Kathy Myers, the Community Representative for Home Instead Ilkley, has acknowledged the benefit of these classes.

She said: “People have not had the chance to meet up during the last 14 months and this seemed the ideal opportunity to combine keeping fit with conversation!

“With lockdown restrictions lifting, we are delighted to be able to launch these classes, which started on 16th June.

“They will be held every Wednesday at 1pm at the 5th Skipton Scout Hut (formerly the Dump), The Ginnel Mews, Skipton and 3:30pm at the Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley.”

For further information about these classes, contact Paula at Moor Therapy Solutions on 07736614052.