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Exercise and staying active

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Overview

Staying active is one of the best ways to support your health and wellbeing at every stage of life. Regular exercise helps you maintain strength, manage health conditions and feel good.

Learn about the benefits of exercise, tips to stay active and when to see a health professional for support.

Key Takeaways

  • Adults should aim to do 30 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activities on most days.
  • Physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, improves heart health, and boosts mood.
  • There are many ways to keep moving, from choosing activities you enjoy to creating a regular exercise routine.
  • Talk to your doctor if pain or mobility issues make it hard to stay active.
Sections on this page

Why is exercise important?

Exercise is important for good health and wellbeing throughout your life. Regular physical activity helps with:

  • weight management
  • heart health and circulation
  • muscle and bone strength
  • balance, coordination and flexibility
  • mental health.

How much exercise do you need?

Exercise needs vary depending on your age and health. For most adults (aged 18 to 64), it’s recommended you do:

  • at least 30 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activities on most days
  • muscle-strengthening activities, like weight training, on 2 or more days a week
  • activities that improve balance, mobility and coordination on 3 or more days a week
  • several hours of light-intensity physical activity daily.

The quality of exercise is just as important as how much you do.

Movement guidelines for all Australians

Read the 24-hour movement guidelines on the Australian Government website, including recommendations for:

[Learn more about living well as you age]

Tips to stay active

Here are some simple ways to include physical activity in your daily life.

Make exercise a priority

Sometimes life gets in the way, but it’s important to prioritise exercise. Here are some common barriers to being active and ways to overcome them.

Where to get help

Talk to your doctor if you:

  • experience pain, dizziness or discomfort during or after exercise
  • have a health condition or mobility issues and need advice about how to exercise safely.

They can help you find the right support and may refer you to a specialist if needed.

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