{"id":469353,"date":"2026-05-27T10:13:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/469353\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:13:13","slug":"at-55-zoe-ball-relies-on-neat-exercise-to-stay-fit-without-the-gym-heres-how-to-make-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/469353\/","title":{"rendered":"At 55, Zoe Ball relies on NEAT exercise to stay fit without the gym \u2013 here’s how to make it work"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the thought of gruelling gym sessions leaves you cold, you\u2019re in good company. Almost eight years on from her Sport Relief cycling challenge, where she cycled over 350 miles from Blackpool to Brighton, beloved radio broadcaster Zoe Ball has turned to a more sustainable, low-intensity form of movement: NEAT exercise<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Standing for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, NEAT exercise refers to any movement you do that isn\u2019t planned exercise, like walking or doing chores. For Zoe, it means gardening. \u2018We cannot underestimate the power of gardening and how good it is for your health,\u2019 she said on a recent episode of Dig It<\/a>, the podcast she co-hosts alongside radio presenter Jo Whiley. \u2018What I love about it the most is it doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m out there for two, three minutes, half an hour. The world is quite overwhelming at the moment, and when the kids drive me mad or anything like that I just get out there \u2013 whether that\u2019s to tidy up, sweep up or just sit on a bench with a cup of coffee and watch the birds and all the insects.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\"zoe<\/p>\n

BBC \/ Joseph Sinclair\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

Back in lockdown, she even referred to gardening as \u2018life-changing\u2019 in an interview with the Radio Times,<\/a> explaining that 15 minutes every evening had provided some much-needed solace. <\/p>\n

While Zoe waxes lyrical about the mental benefits, the physical pros are unparalleled. Non-intentional exercise makes up significantly more of your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure \u2013 how many calories you burn across each day), compared to the time you spend exercising in a gym or doing a planned workout. NEAT makes up around 50%, while a planned workout typically counts for roughly 10%. The more you fit movement into your day, the more energy you expend.<\/p>\n

‘NEAT exercise is a great way to control and maintain a healthy weight,’ explains GP and trainer Dr Folusha Oluwajana.<\/a> ‘Increasing your NEAT increases your metabolic rate as you will burn more calories throughout the day. People with higher NEAT levels are often more successful at achieving and maintaining weight loss.’<\/p>\n

As for gardening in particular, research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health<\/a> found that tasks such as digging, raking and weeding meet the criteria for moderate-intensity exercise and count toward weekly physical activity recommendations. Other research has linked regular gardening to lower BMI, improved wellbeing, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. <\/p>\n

Need some inspo? Check out Zoe\u2019s recent garden transformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Examples of NEATWashing the carUsing a standing deskWalking upstairs over using the lift or escalatorDog walkingCarrying grocery shoppingPlaying with children or pets Walking instead of taking public or private transport\"Headshot<\/p>\n

As Women\u2019s Health UK\u2019s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.<\/p>\n

After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine\u2019s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!<\/p>\n

Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner\u2019s World and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across Women’s Health online and in <\/a>print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as \u2018Fit At Any Age\u2019, which showcases the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.<\/p>\n

She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks \u2013 all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n