Getting out and about can be one of the best ways to revive your lungs and soul, and it can also create enough space between you and your “wood” to give you time to reflect on what you want out of this week, month, year…Try some of these and ENJOY!
1 ORIENTEER
An adventure at any age, orienteering gets you back to nature, be it in the local woods or an urban park, and gives a mental and physical boost. British Orienteering’s website (http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/ ) has a comprehensive guide to the sport, details of courses and orienteering clubs across the UK.
An adventure at any age, orienteering gets you back to nature, be it in the local woods or an urban park, and gives a mental and physical boost. British Orienteering’s website (http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/ ) has a comprehensive guide to the sport, details of courses and orienteering clubs across the UK.
2 BECOME A NATIONAL TREASURE
Volunteer for the National Trust and help to conserve the environment and the UK’s heritage. Learn new skills while working at the heart of amazing buildings and gardens. Search for vacancies at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ .
Volunteer for the National Trust and help to conserve the environment and the UK’s heritage. Learn new skills while working at the heart of amazing buildings and gardens. Search for vacancies at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ .
3 CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (ON A BIKE)
Mountain-biking is the perfect way to combine exercise with relaxing scenery. Dales Mountain Biking (http://www.dalesmountainbiking.co.uk/ ) runs energising courses in the Yorkshire Dales.
Mountain-biking is the perfect way to combine exercise with relaxing scenery. Dales Mountain Biking (http://www.dalesmountainbiking.co.uk/ ) runs energising courses in the Yorkshire Dales.
4 FORAGE FOR FOOD
Crouch down among the hedgerows or search along the seashore with your family and forage for wild food. Bittercress, sea buckthorn and cape gooseberries are there for the taking. Various courses are listed at http://www.foodloversbritain.com/ .
Crouch down among the hedgerows or search along the seashore with your family and forage for wild food. Bittercress, sea buckthorn and cape gooseberries are there for the taking. Various courses are listed at http://www.foodloversbritain.com/ .
5 KITESURFING
A heady hybrid of surfing, windsurfing, paragliding and kite flying, this sport is not for the timid – but an absolute riot if you’re not. X-Isle, a leading watersports companies runs one-day courses (01983 761678, http://www.x-is.co.uk/ ).
A heady hybrid of surfing, windsurfing, paragliding and kite flying, this sport is not for the timid – but an absolute riot if you’re not. X-Isle, a leading watersports companies runs one-day courses (01983 761678, http://www.x-is.co.uk/ ).
6 MALL-WALK
Who says shopping isn’t a sport? If you can’t stand exercising alone, or looking at the same view from the gym treadmill, mall-walking may be what you’re looking for. Walkers meet once a week for a brisk walk around a mall – it’s a great way to get in some sociable aerobic activity. Clubs are springing up in major shopping centres including Bluewater in Kent and The White Rose in Leeds. Inquire at your shopping centre or start your own club.
Who says shopping isn’t a sport? If you can’t stand exercising alone, or looking at the same view from the gym treadmill, mall-walking may be what you’re looking for. Walkers meet once a week for a brisk walk around a mall – it’s a great way to get in some sociable aerobic activity. Clubs are springing up in major shopping centres including Bluewater in Kent and The White Rose in Leeds. Inquire at your shopping centre or start your own club.
7 GO TO BOOT CAMP
The successful New You Boot Camp is now available as a one-day course across the UK. The courses, run by military fitness experts, are designed to give you an energy boost and teach workout skills in an intensive – but fun – six-hour session. Activities include log runs, skipping, leopard crawling and obstacle courses (0871 223 0066, http://www.newyoubootcamp.co.uk/ ).
The successful New You Boot Camp is now available as a one-day course across the UK. The courses, run by military fitness experts, are designed to give you an energy boost and teach workout skills in an intensive – but fun – six-hour session. Activities include log runs, skipping, leopard crawling and obstacle courses (0871 223 0066, http://www.newyoubootcamp.co.uk/ ).
8 PICK UP SOME POLES
Nordic walking, a fitness technique that utilises simple poles, is an effective exercise that can be done anywhere. Using poles makes the upper body muscles work harder. However, the technique that ensures the whole body works efficiently must be learned. To find a qualified instructor contact Nordic Walking UK (0845 260 9339, http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/ ).
Nordic walking, a fitness technique that utilises simple poles, is an effective exercise that can be done anywhere. Using poles makes the upper body muscles work harder. However, the technique that ensures the whole body works efficiently must be learned. To find a qualified instructor contact Nordic Walking UK (0845 260 9339, http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/ ).
9 GET HOOKED
Benefit from the nutritious goodness of locally caught fish with a “catch and cook” day course run by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage team. Fish for species such as bass and bream and learn how to gut, fillet and hot smoke the catch. Sashimi is served and the best of the day’s catch is barbecued.
(01297 630302, http://www.rivercottage.net)/
Benefit from the nutritious goodness of locally caught fish with a “catch and cook” day course run by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage team. Fish for species such as bass and bream and learn how to gut, fillet and hot smoke the catch. Sashimi is served and the best of the day’s catch is barbecued.
(01297 630302, http://www.rivercottage.net)/
10 TAKE A WORKING HOLIDAY
The National Trust runs around 450 working holidays every year throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You could be carrying out a conservation survey, herding goats or painting a lighthouse. They last from two to seven days and cost from £60 a week, including food and accommodation. No experience is necessary, and you’ll come away with a real sense of achievement. See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
The National Trust runs around 450 working holidays every year throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You could be carrying out a conservation survey, herding goats or painting a lighthouse. They last from two to seven days and cost from £60 a week, including food and accommodation. No experience is necessary, and you’ll come away with a real sense of achievement. See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Coach Chris
PS I will update this list from time to time, so do send my any exciting experiences you know!
