A Kent-wide exercise class provider is aiming to provide 25 different classes in 2025.

Keep Phytt (West Kent) CIC, which is run by Carole and Ian Simpson, delivers exercise classes in village and community halls and churches across the county for older people and those with mobility issues.

The key difference to most exercise classes is that the focus is on health.

As a qualified physiotherapist, Carole, who runs her own practice, Borough Green Physiotherapy, has been practicing for almost 40 years across of range of care groups and specialisms, including older people, sports injuries and paediatrics.

She has designed every class and oversees them on an ongoing basis, visiting each location at least every seven weeks, as well as training others to lead the classes.

“Most out our clients are in their 70s or 80s, while some are in their 60s and we even have one who is 94,” said Ian. “We started the classes after realising the need for older people to keep fit, strong and healthy.”

Each one-hour class comprises a warm-up section (to stretch and warm up the muscles), an aerobics section (to raise the heart rate and where people work at their own pace), a strength section (where resistance bands and weights are used to strengthen the muscles) and a balance section (to improve balance and strengthen the core).

Carole said: “It’s vital for everyone’s health and wellbeing that they do at least 150 minutes of medium-level exercise every week. For older people, staying strong is also important to allow us to move with ease and do all the everyday things like standing from a low chair, climbing stairs or working in the garden.”

Carole said that improving strength and fitness can greatly increase resilience to many illnesses. She added that the benefits of physical activity for older adults also include improved sleep, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress.

In addition to Carole and Ian, Keep Phytt is comprised of a team of four instructors, four trainees (funded by Sevenoaks District and Tonbridge and Malling Borough councilsvia the Government’s UK shared Prosperity Fund), an administration assistant and a marketing team.

There are weekly classes in Borough Green, New Ash Green, Hadlow, Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Kings Hill, East Malling, Snodland, Sevenoaks, Swanley, West Kingsdown, Headcorn, Bexleyheath, Istead Rise, South Darenth and Ashford.

There are plans to add classes in Gravesend, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Edenbridge.

Online classes are also run on Thursday mornings.

There are a range of different membership options, from weekly to full membership.

For more information or to book a class visit www.keepphytt.co.uk/how-do-i-join, call 07700 173242, email info@keephytt.co.uk.