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Gym
About:
Staying motivated can always be a challenge, but with a wide variety of fitness classes and fitness equipment available at the Link Centre Swindon, you'll find the perfect way to keep active. If you want to keep exercising, maintaining your fitness levels or you have a goal of becoming fitter in the New Year then this is a great place to start.
What are the benefits?
Going to the gym and exercising can help control weight, good for your health, great for reducing stress and anxiety, creates that happy feeling, boosts your self-confidence, promotes better sleep and boosts your energy.
Where to start:
Kiss Gym offers a fully equipped gym for you to train hard as well as offering fitness classes for all levels of fitness. They also have fitness instructors and personal trainers to help give you the motivation and guidance on your 2020 fitness journey!
Anytime Fitness offers aims to make healthy happen for each of their members, taking a person-centred approach to give you as much or as little help as you need to reach your fitness goals, all in a state-of-the-art, well-equipped facility.
Blunsdon Fitness+ is the only gym membership in Swindon to offer Tennis, Gym, Swimming, Spinning, Les Mills and more!
David Lloyd Swindon boasts a top of the range gym, a large programme of fitness classes, swimming pool and spa, tennis courts and more.
Swimming
About
From young to old, swimming attracts a whole range of participants and is the perfect sport if you're hoping to exercise, keep fit and maintain your fitness levels in the New Year.
What are the benefits?
Swimming is one of the most effective forms of exercise, not only does it tone the body but it helps to build up stamina and aids relaxation.
Where to start?
Whether you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a leisurely paddle, a fun aqua aerobics class, or a dedicated swimming club, Link Centre have a comprehensive range of water based activities.
Water Sports
About
Water sports can be either be recreational or a competitive. Whether it's kayaking, sailing, stand up paddling or windsurfing, it's a great way to learn a new skill, have some fun and get fit!
What are the benefits?
Unlike some other exercises, many watersports have both aerobic and anaerobic benefits and are great for your heart, arms and legs. It's also a lot of fun!
Where to start
South Cerney Outdoor offer weekly two hour clubs and practice sessions all year round - evenings in the summer months, Saturdays in the winter months. With an instructor to get you started for the first hour and plenty of time on the water to practice your skills, you will get the experience and guidance you need to best enjoy the sport you are adventuring into. Find out more here.
Golf
Playing golf is great fun, but also offers a wide range of mental and physical benefits such as; reducing stress and anxiety, improvements with your physical fitness and weight loss.
Wrag Barn offers a fantastic 18 hole golf course that has a varied mix of holes; including ‘blind’ tee shots and risk-reward holes which beginners and high handicappers will find forgiving, while low handicappers will enjoy the challenges of water and well-placed bunkers.
The 11 bay driving range is open to both visitors and members; practice balls are dispensed from a ball machine at the front of the clubhouse.
Footgolf & Golf
A lover of football and golf? Well, then why not take up a new hobby for 2020 combing the two sports at Basset Down Golf Course!
They offer the following sports:
- Basset Down Golf Course is home to Wiltshire's largest 18-hole footgolf course and Swindon's only 9-hole ‘crazy footgolf’ course which has lots of different obstacles on all themed on local landmarks.
- The 20-bay, undercover and floodlit driving range, is complete with automated Power Tees and heated bays for the colder weather.
- Basset Down's 9-hole course is set in over 100 acres of beautiful mature parkland in the heart of Wiltshire. Positioned under the backdrop of the North Chalk Down, this 3,170 yard course (par 72 for 18 holes) offers something for every golfer.
Running
About
Running is one of the cheapest sports to take up and you can literally do it anywhere, anytime, meaning that even if you're super-busy can still fit it around your hectic schedule.
What are the benefits?
Running can have a range of benefits on your health it can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve your cardiovascular system, elevate moods and lower stress.
Where to start
If you’ve not been active for a while, you may want to build your fitness levels before you move on to running. Running clubs are the best ways to get yourself motivated and have you sorted. TGtS recommends DB Max who organise running, duathlon and triathlon events, including the famous Castle Combe Chilly, the idyllic Westonbirt Sprint Triathlon and the iconic new Titan Brecon Middle Distance Triathlon.
Football
About
Football is one of the most popular past times in the world - who doesn't love a kick about with their friends?
What are the benefits?
Football can be enjoyed by all ages and used to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Where to start?
Wims 11 Football provides various soccer programmes for all ages, genders and abilities and have a unique style of coaching with an emphasis on learning, improvement and most importantly fun. For a full list of football clubs in Swindon click here.
Acting Workshops
Is one of your 2020 resolutions to take up a new hobby? Then, why not try some fantastic acting workshops from Prime Theatre! Learning to act can really boost your confidence, enhances listening and negotiating skills as well as increase your overall creativity.
Prime Theatre makes professional productions for children and young people that tour schools and venues across the UK. The organisation runs Prime Youth Theatre for 150 young people aged 5-25 years, who enjoy weekly workshops learning acting techniques and other theatre skills. Projects and workshops are also available for local schools and community groups, whether linked to the curriculum or for personal development.
Zorbing
Why not start a new hobby that's a little different from your usual sports? Hamsterzorb is the UK's leading zorb hire company! They offer fantastic zorbing experiences such as;
- Bubble Zorb Arena
- Human Zorb Skittles
- Zorb Racing
- Lake Zorbing
Rugby
About
If you’re sick of shouting at the telly and want to see if you can do a better job yourself, then why not get involved with your local rugby club?
What are the benefits?
It’s a great way to keep active and make new friends. Not one for the faint-hearted - rugby involves heavy contact and requires strength, stamina and fitness.
Where to start?
Supermarine sport club provides excellent facilities for both male and female Rugby teams. For a full list of rugby clubs in Swindon click here.
Why not get your child into your love of rugby with Rugby Tots! Their play sessions take children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging and energetic coaches supporting them every step of the way whilst teaching how to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a team.
Cycling
About
For people who have always enjoyed bike riding, taking the sport up a level by using road cycles and doing longer rides can be a terrific hobby.
What are the benefits?
Cycling has some major health benefits and it's pretty cost effective too - after all, there’s no road tax, MOT or insurance to be paid.
Where to start
First things first, you're going to need a bike, we'd recommend buying a second hand cycle just in case this hobby isn't for you. Recycles is a resource centre for people that share enthusiasm for all things cycling. Drop in for all kinds of information and advice, as well as professional repair services at competitive rates and high quality refurbished bikes for sale.
Learn A Language
About
Learn to express yourself fluently and confidently in foreign language. As well as developing your speaking, listening and reading skills, learning a new language will extend your qualifications and boost your brain power.
What are the benefits?
Having another language under your belt can open up career opportunities in both in this country and abroad, as well as improve your travel prospects.
Where to start?
Whether your aim is to learn a new language, improve your existing communication skills or further your career, Swindon College, New College Swindon and Green Labyrinth have a great range of part-time study options for you to choose from.
Gardening
About
Gardening is a relaxing year-round hobby that can be enjoyed by people from any age group.
What are the benefits?
Recent studies have found that the benefits of gardening extend far beyond the obvious rewards of exercise and fresh air. Gardening can help improve your mental and physical health as well as improve your sleep patterns.
Where to start
Make sure you have all the basics covered, from good soil to the right plants - brush up on your facts before you go getting your hands dirty.
Best place to purchase gardening tools?
To start your new 2020 hobby you need the best tools to help make your garden look the best it can be and this is where Chelworth Nurseries are here to help! They offer a fantastic variety of bedding, herbaceous plants, composts and more.
Cookery
About
Improving at home is one of the main reasons why cookery is such a popular pastime. Some people cook for enjoyment while others love the thrill of attempting a new dish that they've seen on TV or in a magazine.
What are the benefits?
Cooking is a reward in itself. The end result is made even more satisfying when others get to enjoy the dishes that you've created.
Where to start
Learning to cook really is as simple as following a recipe book or watching a cookery show. If you want to learn from an expert, click here for full listings of cookery workshops in Swindon.
Why not let your child have cooking lessons so in 2020 you can start having a little trained helper in the kitchen! Smart Raspberry help teach your children about different ingredients, allowing them to try new foods and develop skills for life. Classes are friendly, relaxed and fun; attributes that make it a lot easier and faster for children to learn.
Multi-Sport Triathlon
About
A multi-sport triathlon comprises one race, split over three disciplines of athletic competition; running, swimming and cycling. You'll get a split for each stage, but it's your overall time you want to focus on.
What are the benefits?
Combining running, swimming and cycling training into your fitness regime keeps it varied and offers a fantastic all-around workout. If you're tri-training, you'll be as fit as a fiddle! Plus you can buddy-up and train with a local tri-club.
Where to start?
DB Max are the undisputed top-dogs at hosting multi-sport events, as well as 10K runs and duathlons. You can check out the events they have planned here, sign yourself up and give yourself something to train towards.
Archery
About
Archery is a laid-back, relaxing hobby that men and women of all ages can enjoy. It doesn't require too much physical fitness or skill when you are first starting out.
What are the benefits?
Quiet, non-strenuous sports that require your complete attention are beneficial to your health because they produce a calming effect on the brain which then reduces stress.
Where to start
There are a number of ways you can get involved in archery, the first step is to contact your local club. For a full list of archery clubs in Swindon click here.
Zumba
About
Zumba is all about having a good time while you keep fit. Each class consists of exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness routines.
What are the benefits?
Zumba is a great program for making you feel good while exercising at a high intensity. If your goal is to do aerobic or even anaerobic training, Zumba is a great way to start.
Where to start
Leisure in Swindon host a variety of classes for beginners right through to those with experience. For more information about Zumba in Swindon click here.
Netball
About
Netball is one of the fastest growing participation sports in the world. Adapted from basketball, the game is played in two teams of seven. Unlike Basketball though bouncing the ball is not allowed, and the player cannot step with the ball.
What are the benefits?
Netball is a fast-paced and intensive game, which will quickly boost your health and fitness levels, burn calories and improve your upper body strength.
Where to start?
Browse Swindon's selection of netball clubs and societies by clicking here and find the best place for your age and ability.
Martial Arts
About
Marial Arts is the study of the different combat styles from across the world, but most notably East Asia. Disciplines include Judo, Karate, Tai Kwon Do, and Ju-Jitsu, among many others.
What are the benefits?
Martial Arts has a huge amount of benefits, such as getting fit, confidence, weight control, self-defence, toning up, body definition, and most of all, meeting new people and having fun!
Where to start?
Talk to the highly-decorated and well-respected Matt Fiddes and his team to get started. With classes for all abilities, men, women and children as young as three can sign up and have fun. You can even go to classes as a family!
Fishing
About
Fishing is a hobby that is both relaxing and can take place in some of the most beautiful surroundings possible.
What are the benefits?
Besides having a tasty fish to enjoy after a long days angling, fishing is also very entertaining. Fishing is not only measured by how many fish were caught, but by the level of satisfaction and challenge involved.
Where to start?
As with most sports and hobbies, it’s best to start with some instruction. We'd advise taking a few fishing lessons from a club or having some lessons from a professional instructor. To find out about angling clubs and societies in Swindon click here.