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Tuesday 19 October 2010

Getting fit.......

Our town has a brand new Sports Village which was opened at the beginning of September by HRH The Duke of Gloucester; Olympic Silver Medalist Swimmer Kerri Ann Payne, who lives in the town, performed an inaugural swim in the pool.


Here are the facilities at the village:
  • The new sports village boasts: 
  • two new swimming pools  
  • four court sports hall  
  • 100 station fitness suite with changing rooms and steam cabins  
  • two exercise and dance studios
  • outdoor artificial turf pitches - full size and 7-a-side
  • outdoor grass pitches with changing facilities
  • Shokk youth gym and youth area
  • community and training rooms  
  • Badminton courts  
  • Bowls  
  • Cricket nets
  • Table tennis  
  • Trampolining for juniors

 
  You can see some photos of the facilities here.   Impressive isn't it?


I have been lucky enough to have been given a three month free membership because of a scheme here run by the NHS called Exercise on Prescription.   Anyone with a health problem (in my case Diabetes) who needs to lose weight (which I do) can be referred to a local gym for a free membership by their GP.  My GP referred me and if, after the trial period, I have used the facilities regularly and have lost some weight the membership can be extended for another six months.  

I started last Monday and for the first week I just used the gym.  The exercise machines, bikes, treadmills etc., all have their own TV screens and connections for headphones and even Ipods so you can watch TV or listen to your own music whilst exercising.   This week I did a dance class on Monday and today I've booked in for an Aquafit session in the pool tomorrow.  In the meantime I have been using the exercise bikes and treadmills in the gym, working up a sweat!  

I am so enjoying myself and hopefully getting fit and slimmer in the process.   I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can get an extension on the membership.  Wish me luck.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

How cool. I wish you much success with this my friend.

Dumdad said...

That is very impressive. It's nice to hear some good, positive news from my country. Good luck with the training!

Linda said...

What a grand opportunity to get into shape and have fun at the same time! I wish we had something like this here in America but alas, even though everyone likes to tout the advantages of exercise and gym membership and all that good stuff, they charge you an arm and a leg to get into a gym! Somehow it just doesn't seem right!

I'm sure you'll be downright svelte in no time!

Valerie said...

Fantastic idea. Having fun and keeping fit at the same time is a golden opportunity. Make the most of it.

MorningAJ said...

Oh good for you! I'm a regular gym bunny (though my weight control isn't too successful right now) and I wouldn't be without it. I've done a stint this morning on the cross trainer and the static bike and some weights, then finished with a swim.
I've been going for a couple of years now. Wakes me up in the morning!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

it looks fabulous! i hope you like the aquafit as much as i do, i LOVE it.

smiles, bee
oxoxoxoxoxoxo

Akelamalu said...

Cheers Thom :)

I know it's good for something positive to be happening here for a change Dumdad :)

Membership of the Leisure Centre costs about £22.50 per month Linda (not cheap) so an opportunity for even a free membership, even for only a short time, is something to be grasped with both hands. :)

It is a great idea and fun Valerie :)

I used to be a member of a gym a few years ago too AJ but gave it up when my knee became really painful. Thankfully since my knee replacement that no longer is a problem. :)

I've done Aquafit before Bee and I do love it - it's so invigorating.

Ron said...

Oh, how WONDERFUL!

You GO, m'dear! Pretty soon you'll be a supermodel!

And I'll keep both my fingers and toes crossed that you get the extension on the membership!

Have a great day!

X

Finding Pam said...

What a lovely and clean facility. I hope you get an extension of your membership.

Daryl said...

Excellent .. now remember to make sure to check your glucose levels before AND after the workout! xo

A Lady's Life said...

This is great. Once you get into a routine, don't stop.
It's when you stop that it sucks.
This is very smart of the gym to get you started for free. I got started this way with cable lol

Akelamalu said...

Me a supermodel Ron??LOL
Thanks for the encouragement. x

It is clean and sparkly Pam but then it is new. ;)

I don't have to check my glucose levels Daryl, the doctor said it's not necessary but thanks for caring. x

Ah you're right Lady's Life. It's not the gym that offers free membership it one's own doctor that prescribes it and the NHS pay the gym the membership fee. Great idea to get people motivated methinks.

Cloudia said...

Have FUN not a regime!!!


Enjoy my dear



Aloha from Hawaii

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

Akelamalu said...

That's my intention Cloudia :)

Travis Cody said...

I've found that the key to sustaining a healthy exercise regimen is to find a place and exercises that you enjoy. Sounds like you've done that.

Best of luck!