Over 60s Fitness for Fun & Friendship

About our sessions

Strength & Balance

Our Strength & Balance sessions are a cornerstone of the programme. Designed to improve coordination, muscle strength and stability, they help reduce the risk of falls and support people to feel steadier and more confident in daily life.

Participants frequently tell us they notice improvements in walking, climbing stairs, carrying shopping and getting up from chairs — small but vital actions that help people remain independent at home.

  Table Tennis (twice weekly)

 Our twice-weekly Table Tennis sessions combine physical activity with fun and friendly competition.

 Table tennis improves coordination, reflexes, balance and cardiovascular fitness, while also stimulating concentration and mental sharpness. Just as importantly, it creates      laughter, conversation and camaraderie. Many participants describe it as “the highlight of my week”.

Gentle Dance

Gentle Dance sessions offer a relaxed and uplifting way to stay active.

Set to music from different eras and cultures, these sessions improve flexibility, balance and stamina in a joyful, accessible format. Participants can adapt movements to suit their bodies, making it suitable for those rebuilding confidence after illness or simply wanting to move in a supportive environment.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold provides a lower-impact, age-friendly version of traditional Zumba.

With easy-to-follow routines and lively music, it supports cardiovascular health, coordination and energy levels. The atmosphere is upbeat and encouraging, helping participants feel energised and confident while exercising safely at their own pace.

Seated Exercise

Our Seated Exercise classes ensure that mobility limitations do not prevent participation.

These sessions focus on gentle strength-building, circulation and joint mobility from a seated position. They are particularly valuable for those recovering from surgery, managing pain or concerned about balance, helping prevent physical decline and maintain independence.

Seated Yoga

Seated Yoga combines structured movement with breathing techniques and relaxation.

It supports flexibility, posture and joint health while promoting calm and stress reduction. Many participants report sleeping better and feeling more resilient after sessions — benefits that extend well beyond the class itself.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi offers slow, controlled movements that improve balance, coordination and body awareness.

Often described as “meditation in motion”, it helps reduce stiffness, strengthen lower-body stability and build quiet confidence in movement — supporting fall prevention in a gentle but highly effective way.

Community Gardening

Our Community Gardening sessions combine light physical activity with fresh air and shared purpose.

Gardening strengthens mobility and dexterity while providing opportunities for conversation and connection. Participants frequently describe the garden as calming and restorative, offering both physical and emotional wellbeing benefits.

Men’s Fitness

Our Men’s Fitness session focuses on circuit training with weights in a supportive small-group setting.

Older men are often less likely to engage in community health activities. This class provides a structured, comfortable space where men can safely build strength, improve stamina and support one another. For many, it becomes a valued routine and sometimes a first step into wider involvement at Abbey.

Walking Groups – “Love Where You Live” & London Trips

Our seasonal walking groups run in bursts when the weather allows.

“Love Where You Live” walks encourage members to explore local green spaces, building stamina and confidence close to home.

Our London Trips walking groups offer opportunities to visit parks, landmarks and cultural destinations further afield. These outings combine gentle exercise with exploration and shared experience, helping participants feel more confident travelling, navigating public transport and enjoying the city.

Both formats build physical stamina, independence and social connection in equal measure.

The difference it makes

In our most recent survey (October 2025):

• 96% said sessions helped them meet people and make new friends
• 91% felt more connected to their local community
• 83% reported improved strength, balance or fitness
• 89% said activities helped them remain independent in their own home
• 89% felt calmer, more resilient and better able to sleep

Members describe the programme as:

• “The highlight of my week”
• “A Godsend”
• “A reason to get out of bed”

As one member put it:

“This centre made me stronger, happier and more confident.”

Supporting healthy ageing, recovery and prevention

Regular movement and social connection are essential for healthy ageing.

As we get older — particularly following illness, surgery, bereavement or periods of inactivity — it is easy to lose strength, balance and confidence. This gradual deconditioning can increase the risk of falls, hospital admission and long-term decline.

Our sessions help interrupt that cycle.

Through structured, progressive and supportive activity, we help participants:

• Rebuild muscle strength and stability
• Improve balance and coordination
• Support cardiovascular and respiratory health
• Manage long-term conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis
• Regain confidence after illness or reduced mobility
• Establish sustainable, positive habits

For some members, Fitness for Fun & Friendship is part of their recovery following surgery or worsening health. For others, it is a preventative step that helps them stay active and independent for longer.

By providing accessible, community-based activity, we help reduce avoidable deterioration in physical and mental wellbeing — while strengthening resilience, confidence and belonging.

A gateway into wider community life

For many members, joining a fitness session is the first step into wider involvement at Abbey. From here, people often go on to attend social lunches, join creative groups, volunteer, or access digital and practical support.

Movement brings people through the door — connection helps them stay.

Welcoming, inclusive and local

Our members reflect the rich cultural diversity of Kilburn and nearby neighbourhoods. Sessions are free to attend (with voluntary donations welcome), ensuring that cost is not a barrier.

Participants consistently tell us how important it is that activities are local and affordable, particularly for those living on pensions or low incomes.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to stay active, confident and connected — at any stage of life.

For more information, please contact us on reception@abbeycc-kilburn.org.uk or 020 7624 8378.