Freedom Leisure Milton Keynes says “it is all about fit at fifty”

As the city of Milton Keynes gears up to turn fifty, Freedom Leisure is taking the opportunity to highlight the serious message of the importance of being fit at fifty.

No one likes to think about getting old and in today’s society fifty certainly does not count as “being old”, however, there is no getting away from the fact that what happens to our bodies as we age is not nice and depending on your lifestyle, things can really start to deteriorate when you hit the big 5-0, making it a crucial time in life to think about health and fitness.

Richard Merrick, Fitness and Wellbeing Development Manager, Freedom Leisure, says: “It is possible to be in the best shape of your life at fifty and there are certainly many people who are extremely fit at this age which is great, yet for those who do not take regular exercise health risks are heightened.

At fifty the body starts to lose its strength, flexibility and mobility which has further knock-on effects. Inactive fifty-year-olds will start to loose heart health, strength and mobility and the saying ‘if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it’ is never truer than at fifty. However, the great news about being fifty is you can gain, or regain, fitness extremely quickly with just a small amount of activity making a huge difference! The benefits of being fit at fifty are massive, including reduced risk of cardiac arrest, stroke and many other illnesses.”

Merrick, adds: “Perhaps the most interesting benefit and one that often gets overlooked is the effects of exercise on bone density. Certainly true in 50-plus women, it is now also more of an issue in men too as society takes up more sedentary work, but just a small amount of weight lifting makes a huge difference to bone health – and while many over fifty’s may baulk at the idea of weights, they really shouldn’t.”

Freedom Leisure Area Manager, Stuart Harding says: “Aside from the important message of health at fifty, Freedom Leisure is joining in the city’s birthday celebrations with an open day on Saturday 21 January.  It will be packed full of fun including free activities, a treasure hunt and a charity indoor cycle ride, along with some great offers! We are inviting all the family to join us but extend a special invitation to the over fifty’s, because your health really matters to us. We are also offering free membership to anyone who now lives in Milton Keynes and was born the same day as the town!”

What’s going on at Freedom Leisure on Saturday 21 January:

• FREE one year membership to any Milton Keynes residents born on 23 January 1967 – T&Cs and details can be found at https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/freedom-leisure-milton-keynes/news-from-milton-keynes/mk-50/
• FREE Open Day Saturday 21 January 8am-4pm – the centre is opening its doors to everybody, no matter their age, to offer free activities, including adult swimming, family swim, the gym and exercise classes
• FREE 50+ health checks – including advice on staying fit and how to lift weights once you get to fifty!
• FOR FUN Fit-Fifty treasure hunt around Willen Lake redway –take a walk around the lake and hunt for one of fifty hidden fitness prizes – fifty envelopes containing anything from free guest passes, free memberships and gift vouchers.
• FOR CHARITY 50-mile indoor cycle – join the centres 50-mile fun charity cycle starting at 9.00am. Feel a sense of achievement for the day and help raise money for the cities much-loved charity, Willen Hospice. £10 entry fee.
• FANTASTIC Membership Offers – get £50 off any of our annual paid-in-full memberships or get membership for the rest of January, February and March for just £50 – T&Cs apply visit https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/freedom-leisure-milton-keynes/news-from-milton-keynes/mk-50/