Somewhere after fifty, a hand quietly reaches for the armrest.

Getting Up Without Holding On is about healthspan, the number of years spent in good health, able to carry the shopping, get up off the floor and climb the stairs without a second thought.

Buy on Amazon

A woman walking while carrying a dumbbell in each hand

Who it is for

  • Readers from 45 onwards who are not yet exercising and want a gradual, well-founded place to begin, starting with walking.
  • Those already training whose sessions have stopped making them stronger or fitter.
  • Anyone who wants advice based on UK guidance and published research.
A man lifting a kettlebell from the floor

Inside the book

  • a twelve-week programme that begins with walking, with a different starting point for readers already training
  • twelve illustrated strength and balance exercises for home, each in three stages
  • simple tests to take at the start and after week 12, from chair stands to getting up off the floor
The wall press-up, start and end positions: leaning into a wall with both hands on it.
The wall press-up, one of the twelve exercises in the book. It needs no equipment.