Active Swansea Newsletter - summer 2011

ACTIVE SWANSEA

NEWS

Welcome to our second Active Swansea newsletter Aimed at keeping you better informed on what sport and health related activities you can enjoy at your local centre and in your area.

SUMMER’S ON ITS WAY! With the summer holidays fast approaching our fitness goals start to steadily shift from maintaining a healthy body and mind to losing our love handles in time for our beach debut.

Unfortunately, however much we want to believe the thousands of magazine and online articles out there, there really is no ‘quick fix’ diet and exercise plan that will change your entire body shape in just a few weeks; But there are smarter, more effective ways to workout and eat healthier. Our tips on page 2 will help you look and feel more confident, just in time for your big reveal.

NEWNEWNEW! Keep up with the trend and take part in our new TRX fitness sessions at Bishopston, Penlan, Morriston and Penyrheol.

TRX Fitness offers a total body workout where you use your own bodyweight as resistance.

With over 300 exercises you can do, you’re not going to get bored!

Look out for details at the centres soon.

My Swansea Fy Abertawe

STAFF PROFILE

Name: Jodie Clarke, Swimming Instructor.

Centre you work at: Mainly Penlan and Morriston Leisure Centres.

What your job involves: I teach children the basic fundamentals of swimming through to the more advanced swimming techniques.

Why you like your job: I enjoy seeing a child with no water confidence progress right through to possessing a life saving and recreationally rewarding skill for life.

Working for Swansea Active allows me to meet interesting people and help them build confidence and skills in the water.

Greatest achievement in life: My greatest achievement in life is my children.

SHAPE UP YOUR SUMMER BODY 1 Early summer is the best time to set yourself a physical challenge. Challenges come in a million different guises including charity walks, a range of runs (have you joined the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k?), bike rides, swimming events, triathlons and something as simple as hiking. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you enjoy the activity and it gives you something to work towards.

2 Morning workouts will have several benefits, especially as the weather gets warmer.

Make the most of the lower temperatures in the morning and cleaner air, plus kick start your metabolism! Penlan and Morriston are open or early morning workouts (Penlan 6.00am and Morriston 6.15am), so make the most of early doors and start your day off the best way possible.

3 We talk a lot about the benefits of cardio exercise and strength training but stretching is also really important, largely because it relieves tension from your muscles, enhances circulation, increases flexibility and improves balance. Not only that but stretching is a great way to enhance your mood, increase your energy and makes you feel good.

4 We stress the importance of strength training a lot. That’s because a little strength training goes a long way when it comes to having the energy and ability to live life to the full.

In addition to working all the major muscle groups it’s particularly important to work at building strength and stability into your core.

Get this bit right and debilitating conditions like back pain tend to be much less of a hazard.

5 Plunge into the pool – What could be better on a hot day than a cool swim in the pool?

Swimming is a complete exercise working the whole body. Early morning, lunchtime, after dinner or maybe aqua aerobics is more your style – plus, swimming is great for summer weight loss.

6 One way to get the most from life over the coming months is to take up a summer sport like golf, tennis, water sports, bowls, cycling or jogging. Once you decide what you want to do, let the instructors now so that they can help you get fit for it.

7 Keeping track of your fitness goals can be challenging at the best of times, that’s why our fitness instructors are here to make sure you’re achieving your goals and at a pace that suits you and your lifestyle. Why not enter one of our gym challenges to keep you going?

8 Summer diet – Make the most of fresh summer fruits and vegetables for sale in shops, or maybe you’ve grown your own this year? Berries are great natural antioxidants – most are naturally sweet and require little effort to prepare. Just rinse them under water and serve for a nutritious snack or dessert.

9 Remember to Have Fun! Keep in mind that summer is supposed is supposed to create some of the best memories of the year. So relax and enjoy your activity and let’s get healthy one tip at a time!

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER Whether you want to drop the kids off all day whilst you’re at work, or just an hour or two to keep them active (and wear them out!), we’ll have a range of sports and activities through the holidays to keep them busy.

Look out for some kayaking, swimming lessons and water polo sessions, plus there will be a range of sports courses and things for kids to try. Take a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/holidayactivities from mid July onwards for loads of ideas on what to do and where to take the kids this summer.

Free swimming for under 16s will be back (always popular).

CALLING BUDDING TENNIS STARS! There’s still time to enter the 68th annual Swansea Junior Tennis Championships on 8 -13th August which takes place at Langland and Bishopston Sports Centre.

Enter now at lta.org.uk 111 Please enter tournament code S.W or call 01792 635428.

ADMIRAL SWANSEA BAY 10K Fancy running the Admiral Swansea Bay 10K this year?

DD and Annual Active Swansea Members can get 33% off entry. Enter by 1 August at any Active Swansea venue for just £10.

Ask reception staff for further details.

Junior races are also taking place on the day – take a look at www.swanseabay10k.com for further details.

FOCUS ON SWIMMING You’ll often here people saying that swimming is the best exercise. But just what is it that makes swimming such an excellent way to get and stay active?

REASONS TO TAKE THE PLUNGE 30 minutes of steady paced swimming burns over 200 calories.

Any swimming that makes you breathe more heavily counts as ‘moderate’ activity.

Even treading water takes effort, so you are working most of the time you’re in the pool…

But remember – chatting in the shallow end only works your facial muscles!

The water takes your weight, so swimming can be great for those who want low impact exercise – women during pregnancy for example, or people with mobility problems.

Swimming works your whole body for all over toning!

Being in the water can have psychological benefits – the pool can ‘take you away from it all’ and the feeling of being in the water can be refreshing, relaxing and liberating, as the water takes your weight.

People of all different ages and abilities can enjoy swimming together – if you choose an activity you can do with friends and family you are more likely to stick to it. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t notice you’re working out too.

CAN’T SWIM? It’s never too late to learn. We offer group lessons and one-2-one sessions for adults with fully qualified, experienced teachers.

Junior lessons take place throughout the week.

THINK SWIMMING IS BORING? Think swimming is boring? The pool makes a great playground and gym. There is so much on offer at our pools now including water polo, kayaking, life saving, scuba diving and fun inflatable sessions.

r 60s FREE swimming is available for ove er 16 through the year and for those und during school holidays.

For full details on swimming at Active Swansea, take a look at www.activeswansea.com or contact your nearest pool: Penlan pool

01792 588079

Penyrheol pool

01792 897039

Morriston pool

01792 797082

Pentrehafod pool (Evenings ONLY)

01792 641935

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Steve Smith, Manager of Penlan Leisure Centre took part in the Dragon Ride on Sunday 5 June. The route of the 200km cycle race includes some of the biggest hill climbs in South Wales. Here is a short account of his ride.

“I joined 4500 riders at the start line at 8.00am on Sunday 5th June. The ride starts off quite flat with a scenic run through Ewenny and Porthcawl for the first feeding station. Very easy at this stage to get carried away and go too fast before the serious mountain stages to follow.

Through Port Talbot, then onto the Bwlch mountain stage for the first accent up into the clouds. Quick stop at the feeding station which provides you with much needed sugary food, drinks and bananas to keep you going.

At 60 miles, ONLY HALF WAY, I was already feeling tired and at 90 miles there was another Bwlch to climb (500m above sea level).

STARTING SEPTEMBER! The Premier League is coming to a centre near you…

Active Swansea have teamed up with Swansea City’s Football in the Community Team and from September, football courses for 3 to 11 year olds will be delivered at a number of Active Swansea centres. There will also be taster sessions during the summer holidays at each of the centres.

This course also ensures you receive fantastic offers through Cygnet membership. Places are limited and courses start in September.

Contact your nearest centre for further details.

Once I got over the last big climb it was a relief to know that the run home to Pencoed was relatively flat. I managed to latch onto a group of club riders and took a tow to the finish over the last 20 miles. Total time 7hours 49 mins.

This was a really punishing experience, but I would recommend the event to anyone who likes a challenge however there are shorter options.” www.wiggledragonride.com/routes-200km.php

challenges If you know of anyone taking part in pping as an like this, why not let us know by dro gov.uk. e-mail, Active.Swansea@swansea.

SWANSEA EVENTS TO PUT IN YOUR DIARY Following the Flame 12 June – 10 July Wales National Airshow 9 & 10 July Race for Life 24 July Botanics in Bloom 1 – 31 August Swansea Junior Tennis Championships 8 – 13 August Mumbles Raft Race 28 August www.swanseabayfestival.com

ing at Keep up to date with what’s happen ebook page, Active Swansea. Check out our fac sign up for facebook.com/activeswansea or ea.info e-mail/text alerts at www.myswans

GOT SOME IDEAS FOR OUR NEXT EDITION? ea.gov.uk E-mail Active.Swansea@swans . and we’ll be glad to hear from you