Fitness

Keeping fit will benefit your body and your mind. Whether you want to lose weight, build strength or maintain a fitness regime our experts are here to keep you on track. Read trusted advice from Nuffield Health experts and personal experiences from members in our fitness articles. 

Running Challenges Workouts Cycling Swimming Gym advice Fitness tips Beginners' tips Active ageing Exercise classes Staying active Strengthening Walking Family fitness Personal Training

Ever wonder how long it takes to notice changes from your new exercise routine? Discover the timeline of benefits you can expect to see and feel over the period of a year.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Monday 1 April 2019

The human body isn’t perfect and developing a hernia is often caused by things you can't control. Here are four things you can.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Monday 14 March 2016

As a newcomer you may think they're scary, or as a hardened gym-goer that they're not challenging enough, but here are five reasons you should break out of your comfort zone and book into a class.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Tuesday 18 October 2016

Circuit training is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength endurance. Nuffield Health Senior Personal Trainer Phil Goulding explains how it works, what you can expect and the best ways to fit it into your week.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Wednesday 30 December 2016

Home to the world-famous lake district, the northwest of England is home to some of the best hiking trails in the country. The Northwest is made up of diverse terrains ranging from the green shores of Lake Windermere to the dramatic fells atop the Yorkshire Dales and the coastal paths of Lancashire.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Tuesday 19 September 2023

Walking is a free and simple way of getting out and moving your body. This often-overlooked form of exercise has several mental and physical health benefits that are proven to help with weight loss, joint pain management, and our mood.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Thursday 11 April 2024

Couch to 5k is one of the most popular running programmes out there. Great for beginner runners looking to start their fitness journey, C25K is recommended by the NHS and balances walking, jogging, and running to build up to running the complete 5km distance.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Thursday 4 January 2024

The 5km distance can be both accessible and challenging depending on your experience. Tailored for beginners looking to get into running, our eight-week training plan combines running with strength training to help improve your cardiovascular fitness and get you ready to run the 5km distance.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Friday 28 July 2023

Home to the Surrey Hills, the South Down National Park, the famous London green belt and countless other areas of natural beauty, the southeast of England is home to some of the most stunning outdoor areas in the UK.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Thursday 31 August 2023

We’ve partnered with our very own Stephen Macconville, Personal Trainer at Nuffield Health, to compile a list of seven exercises all older adults and seniors should be doing at home to increase flexibility and maintain a good range of motion.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Friday 27 March 2020

The core muscles include your abs, back and glutes. They provide you with stability, balance and strength, which can help prevent injury in the long run. To maximise your strength and stability, we’ve put a selection of our favourite core workouts together for you to perform in the gym or at home.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Wednesday 5 August 2015

Combining two fitness classes in a row can have a bigger impact on your fitness than you may think. Personal Trainer Rob Brown provides a round-up of some of the benefits.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Monday 14 November 2016

Want to live a healthier lifestyle? But struggle to find the time or motivation to eat better and stay active. Our experts share 20 simple hacks you can build into your daily routine to help improve your diet and get you moving.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Friday 19 June 2015

Finding a way to become more active can be challenging, especially if you’re used to a more sedentary lifestyle or have simply fallen out of the habit. That’s why we’ve put together this easy 30-day exercise plan to help you build a routine to boost your fitness and wellbeing.

Updated: Thursday 3 September 2026

Published: Wednesday 22 June 2016

Using a foam roller can be a highly effective way of improving your post-workout recovery. Helping to increase mobility, foam rolling can also reduce onset muscle soreness and aid with the function of our vascular and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Monday 18 September 2023

If you’re fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, getting your body the fuel it needs ahead of a workout can be difficult. Thankfully, with a few adjustments, Muslims around the world are able to continue exercising and working out without the need for food or drink during daylight hours.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Friday 8 March 2024

If you’re returning to the gym after some time off or you’re a complete beginner, you might be wondering what you need to bring with you. Times change quickly, and with so many new and innovative gadgets out there, knowing what gear is essential and what isn’t can get confusing.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Tuesday 12 December 2023

The three peaks challenge is a popular outdoor endurance climb in the UK. The challenge involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike, and Mount Snowden back-to-back. If you’re considering it as your next adventure, we've put everything you’ll need to know about the challenge in one place to save you time researching.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Tuesday 21 May 2024

We need protein in our diet because it’s an essential macronutrient that aids with repairing muscle, balancing our hormones, and tissue growth. However, with a wide range of high-protein products available today, knowing how much to eat and where to get it from can be confusing.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Tuesday 3 September 2024

Recent research has highlighted alarming levels of inactivity among teenage girls. Data suggests that inactivity and sedentary time are two of the driving forces behind rising rates of poor mental health, obesity, and disinterest in sports and physical activity.

Updated: Friday 28 August 2026

Published: Friday 14 June 2024