At last – an exercise class I’ll be able to keep up with.

Having found myself huffing, puffing and generally struggling to keep up in fitness classes ranging from aerobics to pilates, I immediately warm to the idea of one particular activity – a routine where you didn’t leave the comfort of your chair.

It appealed to me – after all, I get a lot of practise at home, slobbing around on the sofa waving my arms around, issuing orders to the rest of the family.

I’d been invited to take part in a chair exercise class at Richard Dunn Sports Centre. The classes are run as part of the national Extend programme of activities designed to increase mobility, increase muscle tone, and build up strength and energy levels. They also help co-ordination and balance and are ideal for those who have limited mobility, are recovering from illness or simply want to build themselves up but not overdo it. As soon as I arrive and join the class – whose members were sitting in a wide circle in a sunny room in the Odsal centre – I feel at home.

For one thing, I hadn’t been expected to turn up in a tracksuit and trainers. I wore my usual work wear. And everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

“Is it okay to do the class in a skirt?” I ask. “Yes, fine,” says class leader Barbara Craven, “Trousers are probably better, but you’ll be okay.”

A male member of the class piped up. “I find trousers easier,” triggering a round of laughter.

One of two men in the class, David Pollard, 52, of Wyke, joined to exercise his limbs and help to meet other people. “I have mobility problems and cannot walk very far,” he says. “The class gets my body moving and I meet people – it makes me feel better.”

I sat down opposite David, and the half-hour session began. With Barbara showing us the moves while giving instructions, we warmed up by rubbing our hands along our arms, stomach and legs.

It was surprising how soon I begin to feel the benefit. After a couple of minutes I feel myself tiring, and worry in case anyone had noticed – after all, we’d only just started.

“Now clap, left, right, to the front,” says Barbara. The pace – to a jaunty instrumental version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – was faster than I’d imagined it would be and I had difficulty keeping up.

“It’s harder than it looks,” I tell my next-chair neighbour Brenda Thompson. “You get used to it, but it isn’t as easy as you first think,” she replies. The 73-year-old, of Bankfoot, has been taking part in the class since it began five years ago. “It does me good – I always feel better for it, and the people are so friendly.”

“Take your shoulders back and relax, look to the front, and take your head to one side, now the other, now the front,” says Barbara. “Remember, your head is very heavy so take it slowly – down, then up.”

Next, we stretch our legs, pointing our toes, before moving on to knee lifts. I find myself surprised by the affect it is having – not far removed from how I feel doing a ‘proper’ workout.

Jacqueline Pickles, 68, of Tyersal, loves the class. “I like the exercise and the company,” she says. “It is amazing what you can do in your chair, and we have a good natter during the break.”

We start to move our legs in a circular fashion, before raising them to clap underneath. I soon wish I had worn trousers, as my skirt keeps getting in the way.

Barbara, whose husband Andrew also teaches Extend classes, leads those members of the group who wish to carry on after the chair class through a series of standing-up exercises.

The couple hold classes across West Yorkshire at sports centres, church halls, nursing homes and sheltered housing, with people aged from early 40s to 80-plus taking part.

“Age is no barrier, it is good fun whatever age you are,” says Dorothy Smith, 72, of East Bowling. “It is good exercise – it helps with co-ordination and keeps my joints supple. But we come for a good laugh too.”

Christine Bell, 66, of Wibsey, joined the class 18 months ago after treatment for lung cancer. Now in remission, she finds the pace ideal. “I can’t walk very far, and cold weather takes my breath away, so this does me a lot of good, and everyone is so friendly.” Next, we’re passing round batons – it’s too fast for me, and I suddenly find I have three on my knee. Oh dear. “Don’t worry, it is your first time,” says Barbara.

Extend was originally set up in 1976 by a member of the Surrey-based national Women’s League of Health and Beauty, now the Fitness League. Barbara also leads classes for the league, as well as training teachers.

Extend – which holds the full title of Extend Exercise Training – is now run as a separate entity. It was set up to promote a healthier, happier old age through recreational exercise to music.

“We work on strengthening muscles and keeping people active, but we also aim to have fun and want people to enjoy themselves.” The class went on to some finger exercises to a jolly tune. I thought these quirky moves were brilliant fun, but in no time I had lost the plot and genuinely was all fingers and thumbs.

Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.

The 30 minutes passed quickly and I enjoyed every second of it. And, despite not leaving my chair, every part of my body had benefited – even my fingers.

  • For more details of Barbara’s Extend class, ring Richard Dunn Centre, Rooley Lane, Odsal, on (01274) 307822.