Excercise for free across BCP

Make the most of the summer sun and get active to help improve your mental as well as your physical wellbeing

The lighter, brighter, warmer days of summer are on us and it’s traditionally the time of year when we spend more time outdoors. For many of us, it’s the ideal time to shake ourselves down and get more active. And never more so, after the last few years when we’ve found ourselves living less-than-normal lives through the pandemic and more recently through the cost-of-living crisis. All of which can take their toll on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Experts reckon that exercise is not only good for the body but also for the mind, releasing natural chemicals such as serotonin into our blood. Serotonin has a wide variety of functions in the human body and people sometimes call it the “happy” chemical because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness.

Health Walks

BCP Council operate walks all year round across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. They are a great way to meet new people and to discover and explore our local coastline, parks, natural spaces, beaches and towns.

The walks include some of the most picturesque locations in our area such as:

• Highcliffe Castle

• Kings Park

• Queens Park

• Steamer Point Nature Reserve

• Upton Country Park

Walks for all abilities

The walks are between 30-60 minutes long, free to join, and led by experienced trained volunteer walk leaders. Most walks are short in length, typically between one and two miles on firm level ground. Grades may vary. Many of the walks are also suitable for wheelchair users.

• Grade 1 – typically 30 minutes and suitable for walkers of all abilities on mostly flat surfaces.

• Grade 2 – usually between 30 to 60 minutes and may include some moderate slopes, steps, stiles and uneven surfaces.

• Grade 3 – suitable for people looking for more challenging walks, generally 45 to 90 minutes and may include steeper slopes, steps, stiles and uneven surfaces.

To find out more about the walks and to find a walk that best suits your own capability, visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Health-walks

Treatments for depression and other mental illnesses can often target the release of the brain’s natural supply of Seratonin to help improve a person’s mental wellbeing, but simple exercise can do the same thing, so we’ve come up with some great ideas to get you out and about and improving your health, both mentally and physically. Whilst Serotonin may not be the answer to all of life’s problems, it can certainly improve our health and wellbeing which is a good enough excuse to make the most of the fine weather and get active!

Fitness trails

If you’re looking for something a little more challenging than walking to boost your serotonin levels, why not find a ‘Fitness Trail’. There are lots of them dotted across the area with many featuring a range of equipment that’s free to use.

The Barrack Road fitness area for instance has:

• pull-up bars

• push hands

• leg stretch

• sit up

• trinity cycle

• air walker

• dip station

• agility trail.

• You can find this fitness trail at: Barrack Road Recreation Ground, Sopley Lane, Christchurch BH23 1PE

Other locations include:

• Baiter Park

• Branksome Recreation Ground

• Hamworthy Park

• Poole Park

• Sherborn Crescent

• Canford Cliffs

• Whitecliff

For full details visit: https://www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Fitness-trails

Park Runs

Parkruns are free, sociable and inclusive experiences where there’s no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to go along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or just spectate.

Registration is completely free and only needs to be done once. Simply complete the registration form, print your barcode and head down to your local event.

Saturday morning parkruns are 5k and on Sunday mornings there are 2k junior parkruns for children aged 4 to 14.

Adult parkrun events

Locally, there are adult parkruns at:

• Kings Park Athletic Stadium

• Poole Park

• Upton Country Park (adult).

Junior parkrun events

Locally, there are junior parkruns at:

• Slades Park in Bournemouth

• Upton Country Park (junior).

For more information visit: www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Parkruns-for-adultsand-juniors

To register for a Park Run visit: www.parkrun. org.uk