The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.

Activity levels are still rising among English adults according to Sport England’s new Active Lives Survey, which covers November 2024 to November 2025.

A report from UK Active and Les Mills has found that 43 per cent of adults are failing to meet the Chief Medical Officer’s strength guidelines.

The CEO of Plymouth Active on the area’s strategic plan to use physical activity with public health to tackle inequalities

The Oura Ring 4 includes Smart Sensing technology that gives more accurate health data and is supported by a redesigned app to make the connection between behaviour and long-term impact.

Many people living in rural areas are missing out on fitness. What can the public and private sectors do to broaden their customer reach?

As a result of the pandemic, the fitness sector is presented with a massive opportunity to make friends with the healthcare sector to improve the health of the nation and drive up penetration. Kath Hudson reports on what is happening and where the opportunities lie

Ground-breaking research from the University of Copenhagen identifies the best times of day to exercise

Spending just 30-60 minutes a week on muscle strengthening exercises can significantly reduce the risk of dying prematurely from all causes.

The director of personalised care for NHS England and CEO of the National Academy of Social Prescribing talks to HCM about the role of health clubs

Active IQ is launching courses to upskill fitness professionals to work in social prescribing, extending the reach of the industry

There are no official numbers indicating how operators are faring after lockdown. In the first part of this special report, HCM talks to big box operators. Next issue we talk to the boutiques

UCL tracked the nation’s psychological response to the pandemic from dragging bikes out of sheds in L1.0 to spending more time on the sofa in L3.0

Approaching half of the UK population (40 per cent) are exercising less during the current lockdown than during the first in early 2020, while one in five is watching television, streaming films and gaming more.

Up to 100k people will benefit from the free gym and physical activity sessions, thanks to a partnership between ukactive, NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I), Sport England and the National Academy for Social Prescribing.

The CEO of retirement village operator Inspired Villages tells HCM about the wellbeing-focused communities

People over the age of 60 should increase their exercise levels in order to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Older people who have never taken part in sustained exercise programmes have the same ability to build muscle mass as highly trained master athletes of a similar age.

Elderly people must take part in low-intensity physical activity and avoid being sedentary to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, findings from an 18-year study have confirmed.

The annual HAFOS report shows a change in public attitudes towards physical activity

The MD of Green Gym on his organisation’s belief in physical activity for a purpose

We talk to TV’s Hairy Bikers about their new Diet Club

A conservation initiative which aims to offer “physical activity with a purpose” is planning to become the UK’s largest physical activity initiative as it gears up for expansion.

Fitness operators must be heretical towards their brand heritage, asking challenging questions about what they do – and, crucially, who for – says Kate Cracknell

Ray Algar reports on the GoodGym initiative, where the act of running is given a valuable social purpose

The MD of the newly merged Nuffield Health Wellbeing talks to Julie Cramer about expanding further into prevention and wellbeing

Exercising in the midlife will help protect your heart, according to a study conducted by the University College London, funded by the British Heart Foundation.

The 12 per cent market penetration figure gets bandied about, but how accurate is it? What figure could the sector reach and what does it have to do to achieve this?

In the second of his two-part series on behaviour change, Dr Tim Anstiss examines the powerful potential of wellbeing coaching

The founder of The Second Half Centre in London tells Kate Cracknell about her unique approach to successful ageing