Where to start exercising? links to Sheffield exercise classes

Sometimes the thought of beginning an exercise programme can make you want to turn tail and run in the opposite direction.  We all know its really important to exercise,  that you are more likely to live longer in a happier way if you exercise regularly.  However for a lot of us that is easier said than done.  Starting exercise if you haven't done any for a while can be quite a challenge so we have pooled together ideas to make it a little bit easier.

Choose exercise you don't hate

If you know you have always hated the gym,  that is not the place for you to restart exercise.  We are lucky to be in Sheffield where there are lots of options.  We have swimming pools, gyms, the peak district, cycle paths, ice rinks, steep streets, football pitches, cricket leagues, athletics, zumba, pilates,  the list goes on. If you've always fancied yourself as the next Mo Farah then you could try the couch to 5k challenge.  Just make sure you choose an activity where there is a chance of success,  and if you don't like it, try something else instead.

Start slow and regular

The point of starting exercise is you want to do it regularly so you need to still be able to move the day after your first outing.  Start off with 5 or 10 minutes at least three times a week and then after a week add 5 minutes on.  If you decide that you can walk up the steep hill at Norfolk park three times a week,  do it slowly the first time - just enough that you breathe harder for 5 minutes - if you don't get to the top the first time that's ok.  Just keep doing it and eventually you will.   Once you've got that you can try doing it twice or moving faster. 

Don't skip a week

This is the tough one.  Its really easy to think, 'I can't fit this into my day',  or 'I'm not feeling so good'.  Some days definitely will be worse than others and it might be you have to do something different, or less.  The important bit is to keep at it.  If you have to miss a day,  do your exercise the next day.  Lots of people have demands on their time,  with children, work, people they care for,  but its important to make sure your health is a priority too.  Even if you don't have time for the steep hill in Norfolk park,  you might be able to do a short youtube fitness class in the kitchen - you could get the kids to join in.

Exercise options in Sheffield: