‘Am I an exerciser? Not in the slightest:’ Judi Dench on ‘joint-easing’ daily movement she relented to at 91

It appears Dame Judi Dench may not have traditionally been a fan of hardcore exercise. However, now in her 90s, she has revealed she’s taken up a gentle workout that she’s able to enjoy every day, from her very own garden. Now, we all know there are mental and physical benefits to regular movement, but Dame Judi’s choice is particularly good for older people and it’s gentle on the joints – swimming.

Way back in 2011, it’s fair to say that Dame Judi appeared to be less than enthusiastic about working out. ‘Am I an exerciser? Not in the slightest. I drink Champagne. I’ll start exercising tomorrow,’ she told The Guardian. Fast forward to 2026, the now 91-year-old had changed her tune. In April, a new article by the paper explored Dame Judi’s magnificent garden, which included a swimming pool. It revealed that ‘all her family are keen swimmers,’ and that ‘they “make great use” of the pool on the lawn. She takes laps regularly.’

While not all of us are lucky enough to have a swimming pool in our back garden, most of us can usually find a local pool or even a patch of sea to take a dip in. While anyone can join in, the activity is particularly beneficial as we get age. ‘Regular swimming is well-suited to older women because it offers gentle cardiovascular exercise and resistance for the major muscle groups,’ says emergency consultant, Dr Hussain Ahmad. ‘Falling oestrogen levels after the menopause can contribute to muscle and bone loss and increase the risk of heart disease.’

For those with pain in their joints or osteoarthritis, swimming can be particularly useful as ‘water supports the body and takes much of the load off joints such as the knees and hips,’ says Dr Ahmad. He adds that the ‘warm water may also ease stiffness, while moving joints through a comfortable range helps maintain flexibility.’

And it’s not just your joints that the activity can benefit. Regular swimming is also a ‘great way to exercise the heart and lungs without the repeated impact associated with other activities like running. Swimming can also improve your blood pressure and help with cholesterol and insulin sensitivity,’ says Dr Ahmad. He stresses that anyone with a heart or lung condition should speak to their GP before taking up the activity.