Leisure Centres Aim to Combat Falls in Activity Levels

By Matthew Shannon • November 18, 2024

Leisure Centres Aim to Combat Falls in Activity Levels

When the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, staying active can feel like a challenge!

That’s why local leisure centres are here to make it easy and enjoyable for everyone to keep up their fitness during the winter months. It feels easier to exercise in the summer, where the weather makes you want to get outside, and the light evenings make the days feel longer. But when it comes to those colder months and darker mornings, getting outside can feel like a chore rather than a joy. For women who like to exercise outdoors, there is the added pressure to only be outdoors alone during daylight hours.

There was a huge surge in running throughout the pandemic, when gyms were closed, and we were allowed out only to exercise for an hour a day. While many women found joy in running, this joy is cut short when the nights draw in, and women start to feel uneasy or unsafe when running outdoors in the dark.

This Girl Can have recently launched a timely campaign called Lift The Curfew. This campaign demands change when it comes to women’s safety when exercising at night. We know that in winter, some people may change their routines because they don’t like the cold, but did you know that 72% of women in the UK adjust their outdoor exercise schedules as the days get shorter because they are wary of being outside alone after dark?

While the change demanded by this campaign is needed, we also need alternatives to exercising alone. Leisure centres can offer safe outdoor options for their customers over the winter periods including, floodlit running tracks and organised activities such as rambling walks led by qualified instructors. And if the cold and wet inspires you to take your fitness goals indoors, leisure centres are a great choice. You don’t need to worry about the unpredictable weather or the fact that there isn’t enough daylight to tick off your daily exercise routine.

With studies showing that winter can lead to reduced exercise, especially among adults and particularly woman, leisure centres offer a variety of indoor fitness options, including low-impact classes, swimming sessions and resistance training to encourage physical activity in a warm, welcoming environment.

These services are not only aimed at keeping people physically fit but also play a key role in maintaining mental well-being during the darker months when people may feel more isolated. By creating a community-focused environment, leisure centres provide the community with a social hub and help reduce the risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Here for you at every stage of your life, why not check out your local leisure centre this winter? With hundreds of activities to choose from, it’s the perfect way to stay active, meet new friends and feel great all in a safe, friendly environment.

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