Now that winter is in full swing, you may be tempted to hang up your exercise gear till spring. Well, think again, because this season it’s more important than ever to keep yourself active and beat those winter blues.
Yes, winter blues are a real thing! Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is sometimes known as “summertime sadness” but short days, long nights and lack of sunlight mean we are even more prone to depression in winter.
Outdoor workouts not only burn calories and improve fitness levels but they can also lift your mood. On all counts it’s time to crawl out of the duvet, put on your trainers and seek adventure in the great outdoors.
Here are some fun activities to help keep you motivated.
Why not take your workout to the water by paddle boarding with Supkiko through the beautiful canals of East London? Hackney Wick may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of stand-up paddle boarding, but you’d be surprised. In fact, it’s a great location for both beginners and advanced paddlers because the flow of water is gentle and calm, making it fairly easy to improve your balance, stability and technique whilst having fun of course! Nearby is the Victoria Park cafe where you can reward yourself by grabbing a tasty bite to eat – what more could you want?
“It’s too cold to run” – we’ve all heard that before! Running in the cold is no fun, and staying inside cuddled next to a radiator does seem more appealing, but Nike Running Club can help you make it out there. It’s an upbeat running club that invites everyone of all abilities to put their best foot forward and run together through either a three, four or seven-mile route, across a range of beautiful spots from Niketown in Oxford Circus to Regent’s Park. Nike Running Club also offers a variety of sessions including, women-only runs, 5-10k social group runs, speed runs, back-to-running sessions for those who have been sitting out for some time, strength training, and high-intensity interval workouts – so what’s your excuse now?!
Exit hibernation mode and get ready for some action with Go Ape! We all know a bit of fresh air can do a power of good to the soul, so why not top up on that vitamin D, put on your best climbing shoes and take your fitness on an adventure through the beautiful scenery at Go Ape? Head into the forest for Go Ape’s high-wire tree top ride, zip trekking adventure, or one of their forest segway experiences.
Add some colour to your workout by taking part in London’s Glow In the Park, taking place across the UK this winter. Whether you’re a keen athlete, runner newbie, a group of friends or a family with children, Glow In The Park is an opportunity to take your fitness goals outdoors. The combination of work-out and night-out, with electrifying light shows and energising beats, will carry you along the dark course as you glow in the Foam Zone, powder up in the UV Paint Blast Zone and get grooving in the Time Tunnel. Unforgettable!
If you are gritting your teeth trying hard to find fitness motivation, then a date with Our Parks may be just what you need to get back on track. Our Parks is a partnership involving local authorities and fully qualified fitness instructors leading group exercise sessions in local parks. And it’s completely free. Al you need is to create a profile and browse for classes near you.