News – Page 2 – Leisure Facilities in Southwark

News

December 4, 2023

Top tips to balance your December out and stay well this winter

When the festive season arrives it’s difficult to avoid all the tasty treat temptations and late night socialising. Here’s some tips on finding a good balance throughout December so all your hard work towards your goals doesn’t go to waste!

Make time for exercise. Get more steps in walking safely to and from venues, or your place of work? Or why not fit in your gym class and arrive a little later to the party? If you’re out partying, head onto the dance floor and bust a move to burn some calories
Limit alcohol and caffeine by balancing partying with tee-total days/nights to avoid burnout. Plan what you will drink and have fun finding alternatives to strong or calorific tipples. Intersperse alcohol with water to minimise damage the next day!
Avoid mixing with people with cold, flu, cough or virus symptoms, and stay away from gatherings if you are not feeling 100%. Rest and fluids are the best way to recover
Party foods are typically salty, so quench your thirst with water instead of alcohol or sugary drinks
Try an indoor sport with friends. If you want to stay out of the cold there’s lots of indoor activities to keep you moving. At The Castle Leisure Centre you can play badminton, basketball, 5 a-side football, volleyball or enjoy a leisurely swim in the pool
Aim for healthy food swaps, pile on the salad/vegetables and avoid constantly grazing at the buffet table. Have a filling breakfast/lunch so you’re not starving and tempted to scoff
Enjoy the outdoors! We can all feel a little sluggish after indulging in a party or two but getting outdoors in December will do well for your mental health. There are plenty of parks in Southwark so enjoy the nature around you · Make mindful food choices such as allocating vegetarian or vegan days. Veganuary is an option but you can don’t have to dedicate a whole month to it or wait for January
Grab a power nap to help you through the day. If you’re struggling with energy levels just 15-30 minutes of napping is ideal – set an alarm so you don’t over sleep and feel groggy

Key takeaways

There’s no need to neglect your fitness or wellbeing just because it’s winter and party season. Winter can seem cold, dark and a bit miserable but planning for your health and fitness can make all the difference to how you feel. Instead of eating, drinking and hibernating, take time to appreciate the outdoors, move more, find healthy alternatives and joy through new activities or hobbies. Taking steps to be as healthy as possible will give your defences the best chance to keep you physically and mentally well and active.

News

December 4, 2023

Move more in ‘24!

Why staying active is good for your wellbeing and 6 ways to feel inspired.

It is expected that in 2024 we will see a greater return to the office or workplace for employees in and around Southwark. For some, it will mean moving more to get to your place of work, but for others, the commute will make the day shorter, meaning less time to spend on physical exercise and activities that make us feel good.

Southwark Leisure is committed to improving the wellbeing of residents and local workers and shares why it’s important to make time for being active and mindful as we adjust to a change in work-life balance.

Why being active is good for your wellbeing

>> Regular activity releases endorphins, improves mood and reduces stress

>> It enhances cognitive function and promotes better sleep

>> Boosts self-esteem

>> You feel more energised

>> It can provide new opportunities for social interaction

Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine will keep your mind and your body healthy for improved wellbeing.

How much should we be moving?

The current government guidelines state that adults should be doing either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week plus strength exercises on 2 or more days.

What gets you moving?

We all like doing different things. What gets your colleagues moving might not get you moving! Cycling, jogging or walking to work could rack up your weekly exercise minutes or you might enjoy doing one of the many activities across the eight Southwark Leisure Centres. There’s something for everybody including swimming, gym, classes, and a wide range of activities.

Find something you love to do and that will keep you active, more often and for longer.

Set a goal for added motivation

Setting yourself a goal for 2024 could help keep you focused and motivated. A goal can be as challenging as you want to make it. You might want to take part in a challenge, practice mindfulness every day, get better at a particular sport, lose weight, exercise three times per week, build strength, gain flexibility and improve mobility. The list is endless. If you have a goal and need help achieving it, you can speak to a fitness instructor or personal trainer to get a be-spoke programme to help keep you on track.

6 Ways To Feel Inspired

The good news is that you don’t have to go far to find lots of facilities and activities. There’s plenty to do right here in Southwark.

1. For the sporty types – challenge friends to a game!

Have fun in the sports hall at The Castle Leisure Centre. You can hire it for 5-aside football, badminton, netball and basketball. Or why not challenge friends or work colleagues to a game of tennis at Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Sports Facility.

2. For the adventurous – make watersports your new hobby

Find a new hobby on the water with sailing, kayaking or paddleboarding at Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre – you might want to wait until it warms up in March!

3. For mindfulness – it’s not all about high energy fitness

Enjoy a leisurely swim at one of the many pools across the leisure centres. Try a holistic class such as yoga or Pilates or enjoy nature as you stroll through one of the many parks.

4. For the social ones – find a class you’ll love

Group exercise is one of the most social activities across Southwark leisure centres. They have all the favourite classes including Les Mills, great tunes, friendly instructors and a fun community that will entice you back for more! Plus the Council has just invested £150k in refurbishing all the studios for an enhanced workout experience.

5. For the first timers

Not sure what to do? Why not come and book a tour at your nearest local leisure centre. You can meet the team and share your goals. They’ll then be able to give you best recommendations for how to achieve them. The hardest part is taking that first step. Once you’re through the door, you’re already on track to reaching your health and fitness targets.

6. For the fitness fanatics – set a goal and go for it!

The choice is yours! All the leisure centres are equipped with a good range of cardio equipment, functional kit, and weights for strength training. Set yourself a goal for the new year and ask a member of the fitness team for some inspiration to add variety to your programme. Or why not book a session with a personal trainer for some 1-2-1 inspiration!

News

December 4, 2023

£150k Upgrades to group exercise studios

Southwark Council are investing £150k in upgrading group exercise studios across our Southwark leisure centres. The exciting refurbishment project will give the studios a fresh, new invigorating look to enhance the overall group exercise experience. Studio fitness is a huge part of the centre community at Southwark Leisure. With 288 classes running per week it provides a fun, social environment where local residents come together to exercise to music. The great thing is that there’s a class to suit everybody regardless of your age or ability.

The improvement works covering Group Cycling studios, Mind and body studios and Active Studios will be completed in December 2023.

New decoration

Newly painted walls to suit the mood of the studios
Mind & Body – calm, warm colours to suit the holistic classes
Active – a vibrant colour feature wall to motivate members
Cycle – dark and moody for that intense high energy vibe

New lighting

Lighting can provide a whole new dimension to fitness. Create a club-like feel for high intensity workouts or set a more serene mood for lighter sessions. The correct lighting can help define spaces and energy levels and bring the class to life for an unforgettable workout experience.

New equipment

All centres are getting new upgraded equipment that will take your training to the next level! This includes new mats, weights, swiss balls, steps, plyo box, ViPR and more. Plus we’re excited to be getting the new to market YBell which is a 4 in 1 piece of kit integrating the kettlebell, dumbbell, double-grip medicine call and push up stand to streamline your workouts!

This exciting six-week refurbishment programme will transform group exercise throughout the centres in time for the new year fitness peak. We will also be launching a new class programme for 2024 with new and extra classes as well as the old favourites. We hope you love our new studios and using the new equipment – see you in class!