PHYSICAL inactivity is one of the biggest risk factors for the long term health and well being of Glaswegians.

Earlier this year, a campaign aimed at encouraging people to build activity into their daily lives was launched in the city.

"Good Move" is designed as a one-stop service to help people, regardless of medical conditions, age, gender or fitness levels, to find an activity in their local area, which best suits their needs.

Trained staff answer every call to the Good Move phoneline and work with people to help find an activity that is right for them.

Hundreds have already started to benefit from Good Move and are enjoying getting out and about, having fun, meeting new people and becoming more active.

Good Move has a wide range of programmes, including: Revitalise, which provides dance, arts and crafts and gentle exercise classes. Walking offers gentle exercise in scenic locations throughout the city and, next year, historical walks will be added to the programme.

Jogging is also part of Good Move and is aimed at those who have not run before but who would really like to start, but just don't have the confidence to go it alone.

A new pre-5 programme, which will be launched next year, is aimed at encouraging families to have fun together whilst becoming more active.

Walking Football is another new programme, as is Vitality, which is specifically designed for people living with medical conditions who want to become active in a fun and safe environment.

A specialist support programme, Live Active, provides one to one support for those who are particularly vulnerable and need extra assistance in becoming more active.

A new programme, which will launch next Spring, is aimed at encouraging inactive teenage girls to become more active.

There really is something for everyone and it can all be accessed by calling 0300 343 0400.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Good Move offers people who find it hard to build exercise into their daily lives a one stop process to access classes and programmes which suit their age, their fitness, their health and their location.

"Providing easy access to programmes gives us the opportunity to give everyone the chance of a healthier, happier lifestyle."

The Good Move programmes have already been making differences to people's lives.

Dennistoun couple James and Mary Jarvie, who are both in their 70s, were referred to the Vitality programme after James suffered a stroke. He started to attend classes once a week and Mary now goes with him.

James said: "The classes have really helped improve my mobility - I am going to three gym classes a week.

"We were made to feel welcome right from the start and would encourage anyone in a similar situation to get along to one of the classes. No matter what your ability is, there is a class for you."

Service user Elizabeth, 47, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, on the same day she broke her neck in a car accident.

She attended the Live Active sessions as part of her recovery and has since run two marathons, a few 10Ks, climbed a few mountains and participated in cycling events

Elizabeth said: "For me, exercise has always been part of my life and for those not so keen on it you are missing out on not just the health benefits but the physical, social and psychological benefits.

"It helps me manage my day to day life - it's like a complimentary medicine to my drug regime."

The programmes under Good Move are funded by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow City CHP, GHA, the Wheatley Group and Paths for All.