When most people think of a workout, they think of a HIIT class, bootcamp or lifting weights at the gym but there are so many different ways that you can incorporate physical activity in to your life. 🚲🛶🎾🚶🚶♀️🏋
#NationalFitnessDay is a great reason to explore what activities are within your reach and continue (or perhaps, start) to lead a healthier life.
The UK Physical Activity Guidelines, state that adults should try to be active every day and aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week. That’s 30 minutes a day over five days or 22 minutes a day, every day. It doesn’t take much time at all and increasing your physical activity can reduce your risk of major illness, such as a stroke or Type 2 Diabetes as well as lower your risk of early death by up to 30% - it also has a positive effect on your mental health.
Cycling 🚲
With so many options for cycling out there, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try out mountain biking, road cycling or BMX as your daily activity at Lee Valley VeloPark. They’ve got a road circuit loop for getting those kilometres under your wheels and better still, its traffic free! If you want to focus on getting the heart rate up, book on to a session at the VeloStudio and pedal to your own tunes on their stationery bikes.
You can also explore Lee Valley Regional Park on two wheels – there’s plenty of cycle routes throughout our 26 mile park. If you don’t have your own bike, no problem – you can hire one from Lee Valley Canoe Cycle in Broxbourne.
Paddling 🛶
Lee Valley White Water Centre provides kayaking courses from beginners starting out in the sport to more advanced kayakers who want to develop their skills further. There are great benefits to kayaking such as improving your core strength and stability as well as boosting your mental health. During the summer months they also offer Explore Kayaking and Explore Paddleboarding on the lake which are a great way to get a taster of the paddlesport world.
Check out the courses and lessons that they have available.
Tennis 🎾
Did you know you could burn up to 600 calories in one of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre’s Cardio Tennis sessions? These fun high energy sessions take place on their indoor courts and are guaranteed to get you working! They’re perfect for all abilities and great as a stand-alone workout or as the perfect excuse to practice your game too! Find out more on how to get your tennis fix here.
There's also their wheelchair tennis sessions which are on a Thursday evening. It is played in the same way as able-bodied tennis, with the only exception being that a wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball. Wheelchair tennis is great for your mental health but it also improves your upper body strength, core stability as well as increase fine-motor skills. Plus, these sessions are 90 minutes which means that's over halfway for your recommended 150 minute weekly total!
Walking 🚶🚶♀️
One of the most overlooked forms of exercise is walking! It’s something we all do every day and most people won’t even realise that they’re ticking off some of their recommended weekly 150 minutes. All you need is a brisk 10 minute daily walk to get you going and contribute to the health benefits that come with being active. You’ll be able to tell if you’re walking briskly if you can hold a conversation but wouldn’t be able to sing the words to your favourite song. Give it a go when you’re next out and about – if anything, it might make you laugh hearing your fellow walkers trying to hold a tune which also has its own health benefits!! Check out our walking routes to give you some inspiration.
Gym 🏋
Of course, there’s the classic workout as we mentioned which is going to the gym! Lee Valley Athletics Centre has three areas for you to get your gym fix – try out their strength and conditioning suite which has eight lifting platforms with eleiko bars and plenty of weights. They’ve also got a gym equipped with wattbikes, boxing bags, treadmills and plenty more. If you’re not a solo gym goer, book on to a group exercise class such as a Boot Camp session where the friendly instructors will help get you moving.
You can use all the facilities as a pay as you go or if you want to work out the best option for your money, take a look at their membership options.
#NationalFitnessDay is on Wednesday 22 September and it’s a chance to highlight the important role that physical activity plays throughout the UK.
The theme this year is ‘Fitness Unites Us’ and we want you to know that all are welcome throughout Lee Valley Regional Park. Whether you're new to a sport, wanting to try a new hobby or an avid fan of cycling, paddling, going to the gym or just general walking throughout our beautiful park, you are welcome and we want you to love visiting us as much as we love having you. 👐
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