Get Active is suitable for most people.
Your activity levels
If you are physically active zero days or 1 day each week, you are considered inactive.
If you are physically active 2 to 3 days each week, you are considered somewhat active.
You may not find the programme helpful if you are already active enough to meet Ireland's Physical Activity Guidelines. For example, if you are already active 2 and a half hours a week, and do strength exercises twice a week.
Who is this programme not suitable for?
This programme is not suitable for you if you:
- use a walking frame
- use a wheelchair
- are not able to walk
It's great that you want to be more active. Unfortunately this programme is not suitable for you, because you need to be able to walk without assistance.
Connect with your local Sports Inclusion Disability Officer in your Local Sports Partnership if you would like advice or support in getting more active. They can guide you to activities and opportunities that match your needs.
Getting active with a health condition
For almost everyone, physical activity has more benefits than risks.
Being active can help to manage and improve many conditions. Physical activity can also reduce the risk of complications.
Learn more about getting active with a health condition
Some people worry that physical activity is not safe for them if they have a health condition. For most people being lightly or moderately active is safe.
Check our advice if you have experienced any of these conditions in the past 6 months.
Heart disease
Heart disease or other heart problems should not stop you from taking part in this programme. But speak to your GP if you are having pain, discomfort or pressure in your chest and you don't know why.
Stroke
Having had a stroke should not stop you from taking part in this programme. But speak to your GP if you are having pain, discomfort or pressure in your chest and you don't know why.
A diagnosis of high blood pressure
Having a diagnosis of high blood pressure should not stop you from taking part in this programme.
Check our advice if you have experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 6 months:
Pain, discomfort or pressure in your chest
Urgent advice: Speak to your GP if:
You are having pain, discomfort or pressure in your chest and you don't know why
Dizziness or light-headedness while active
This should not stop you from being active. But speak to your GP if you do not know the cause of your dizziness during physical activity.
Shortness of breath
Speak to your GP if you are short of breath while resting and do not know why. This only relates to feeling short of breath at rest, not while you are exercising.
If you have asthma, COPD or another lung condition and your shortness of breath is not helped with medicine, please speak to your GP.
Loss of consciousness or fainting
Speak to your GP if you do not know why you lost consciousness or fainted.
Concussion
If your concussion happened in the past 2 weeks, you may need time to recover. But speak to your GP if you are unsure if it is safe to exercise.
Pain or swelling in any part of your body
If this pain or swelling is new, you might need time to recover.
Being active is good for joint pain.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if:
- this is a new injury or pain that is not getting better
- you do not know the reason for your pain