As September arrives, many people are thinking about routines, health, and wellbeing after the summer break, writes Fiona Scott.
For those over 55, Stroud-based personal trainer James Hilton, founder of the online fitness platform Jim’s Gym, is encouraging adults to use this natural pause to check in on their fitness with his free Fitness MOT.
The Fitness MOT has been a key feature of Jim’s Gym since its launch in 2023. It is a simple at-home assessment that measures strength, balance, flexibility, and stamina. Designed to require minimal equipment, it can be completed in 10–15 minutes and repeated every few weeks to track progress.
James, a qualified personal trainer and specialist in injury recovery and biomechanics, helps older adults integrate functional exercise into their daily lives.
“September is the perfect opportunity to take stock. The Fitness MOT allows people to see where they are currently, set achievable goals, and build confidence in their movement. Even small improvements now can make a real difference to independence and wellbeing.”
James’s 5 September Fitness Goals for Over-55s
1. Take Your Fitness MOTStart with a clear picture of your strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance.
“Knowing your starting point is key to any successful fitness regime,” James explains. “The Fitness MOT gives people a realistic snapshot of their current ability and enables them to see progress, which is a great way to stay motivated.”
2. Focus on Strength. Stronger muscles mean daily life feels easier, whether it’s lifting, shopping, climbing stairs, or just getting up out of a chair without thinking about it.
“Strength is the base layer,” James explains. “Once you start feeling stronger, everything else, balance, mobility and even confidence, comes along for the ride.”
3. Add in Cardio for Energy. Cardio gives your heart and lungs a workout and tops up your energy for the things you actually enjoy.
“It doesn’t need to be running marathons,” James says. “A brisk walk, a bit of dancing, or one of our short online sessions is enough to leave you feeling brighter.”
4. Keep Moving Well. Balance and flexibility keep you steady on your feet and help everyday movement feel easier.
“It’s not about twisting yourself into knots,” James says. “It’s about moving freely and feeling confident tackling any situation, especially heading into the wetter and slippy months.”
5. Stay Connected. Support and accountability keep you going when motivation dips.
“Being part of a group makes fitness feel less like a chore,” James says. “A laugh, a chat, and a bit of encouragement can be as important as the workout itself.”
James launched Jim’s Gym in 2023 to provide a dedicated online space for people over 55 to stay active, mobile, and independent from home. The platform now has well over 250 members and offers live and on-demand classes including Tai Chi, Pilates, Dancercise, and Yoga, alongside nutritional advice, tailored training, and a growing library of exercise videos.
To further support mental wellbeing, social connection, and personal enrichment, Jim’s Gym launched a Book Club in July. Exclusively for members, the club is hosted via the Gym’s private WhatsApp community and builds on the platform’s commitment to healthy ageing.
“Fitness and mobility are vital at every stage of life,” James said. “At Jim’s Gym, we make sure our workouts are tailored to meet the needs of people over 55, with no repetitive or boring routines, just engaging exercises that keep you moving confidently from home.”
For more information or to connect with others, join Jim’s Gym’s free Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/jimsgymcommunity
