The disease burden associated with a reduction in Physical Activity (PA) amongst the population has become increasingly apparent, in 2009 inactivity was the “fourth leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases” (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2010) and accounted for 5.3 million out of 57 million worldwide deaths in 2008. In the United Kingdom (UK), physical inactivity (patients who do not meet Government guidelines) is responsible for 3.1% of morbidity and mortality at a cost of over £1.8 billion to the National Health Service (NHS). When indirect costs (days off work etc.) are included this figure rises to £8.3 billion. These costs are particularly significant as the Government has asked the NHS to make annual savings of £20 billion to cope with rising expenditure from an ageing population. Aside from financial costs, it is estimated that 35,000 lives could be saved  if the inactive UK population, 61% of men and 71% of women in 2008, met Government guidelines for PA. Healthcare has been identified as one of the eight sectors which can influence physical activity levels (PALs) (National Physical Activity Plan, 2010) and General Practitioners (GPs) are in a unique position when creating projects and schemes that will improve PALs in the population. The specialty contains doctors who are aware of the scale of the problem, the benefits of rectifying the problem, have regular contact with patients and have the skill-set to introduce appropriate and effective public health measures within multidisciplinary teams.more concerned about tackling tobacco and alcohol consumption despite inactivity having a similar health burden. This review of the literature aims to refresh clinician’s knowledge regarding the vast benefits of physical activity and to investigate the evidence concerning the risks physical inactivity. In addition, an evaluation of the efficacy of interventions to increase PA levels will be undertaken. This will allow GPs to have the necessary knowledge and tools to enable them to play a role in the promotion of PA.