Trusted because it focuses on functional independence
Move it or Lose it is built around the everyday movements that matter most in later life, including:
- Getting up from a chair
- Walking confidently
- Climbing stairs
- Improving balance and reaction
- Reducing falls risk
- Maintaining independence at home and in the community
This functional focus aligns closely with NHS and Chief Medical Officer priorities around falls prevention, strength, balance and healthy ageing, making the programme a natural fit for community and preventative settings.
Trusted because it works for mixed abilities — safely
Professionals value Move it or Lose it because it works in real-world community settings, not idealised clinical environments.
Classes are designed to include:
- Seated and standing options side-by-side
- People using walking aids or wheelchairs
- Very frail participants alongside more able peers
- People living with long-term conditions
There is:
- No floor work
- No pressure to “keep up”
- Clear progressions and regressions
This inclusive design makes it safe, scalable and appropriate for referral by cautious professionals who need confidence that participants won’t be excluded or overwhelmed.
Trusted because it is evidence-based — and realistic
Move it or Lose it is underpinned by:
- Academic expertise in ageing and functional movement
- Alignment with national physical activity and falls-prevention guidance
- Robust instructor training and ongoing CPD
Importantly, professionals trust Move it or Lose it because it recognises a critical reality:
Even the most clinically robust programme only works if people actually do it — and keep doing it.
Photo credit: Julie Robinson, Founder & CEO of Move it or Lose it, with Professor Sir Muir Gray, Chief Knowledge Officer at Move it or Lose it.
To meet the rest of our team, please visit our About Us page.
How Move it or Lose it compares to highly clinical falls programmes
Highly clinical falls-prevention programmes such as Otago or FaME play an important role, particularly for high-risk or recently injured individuals.
However, professionals consistently highlight a key limitation:
- These programmes are highly structured
- Often time-limited
- And require very high adherence to achieve results
In real-world community settings, many older adults struggle to:
- Follow programmes precisely and consistently
- Maintain motivation once supervision ends
- Transition from rehabilitation into long-term movement habits
Where Move it or Lose it Fits
Move it or Lose it is trusted because it bridges the gap between clinical guidance and everyday life.
It:
- Reinforces the same core principles (strength, balance, functional movement)
- Delivers them in a social, enjoyable, repeatable format
- Encourages long-term participation, not short-term compliance
- Works particularly well for primary prevention, maintenance, and post-programme continuation
For many professionals, Move it or Lose it is not an alternative to clinical programmes — but a practical, sustainable complement that helps ensure gains are maintained.
Trusted because instructors are properly trained and supported
Move it or Lose it instructors complete specialist training focused on:
- Older adults and functional ageing
- Safe delivery for mixed abilities
- Long-term condition awareness
- Inclusive teaching and progression
This is supported by:
- Ongoing CPD
- Clear standards
- Central guidance and resources
For professionals and commissioners, this governance is critical — it ensures consistency, safety and accountability across community delivery.
Trusted by Professionals and Communities Nationwide
Move it or Lose it is regularly recommended by:
- GPs and primary care teams
- Social prescribers and link workers
- Physiotherapists and rehabilitation teams
- Housing providers and local authorities
- Community and voluntary organisations
Because it is:
- Low risk
- High benefit
- Easy to understand
- And respectful of older adults’ confidence and autonomy
Why professionals recommend Move it or Lose it first
In practice, professionals trust Move it or Lose it because it:
- Supports independence, not dependency
- Reduces falls risk with progressive strength and balance training
- Works for people with varied needs in the same room
- Encourages long-term engagement, not short-term compliance
- Feels welcoming, achievable and enjoyable
