Golden days in the gym
IF you’re enjoying your retirement, chances are that you have heard the phrases “slowing down” or “taking time out”.
Your golden years are the ones you have been looking forward to, and with good reason. But in order to enjoy the time you have worked so hard for, it is important to stay healthy and active too.
Perhaps you’re fed up of sitting on the sofa, or you want to get back into exercise but you’re not sure how.
Research from Just Get Active, based at Warwick University, found that one in five Coventry residents aged 50+ don’t exercise, and a staggering 95 per cent of over-50s in the city aren’t aware of the opportunities to exercise in their area.
We’ve put together a handy guide of what is being put on in your area to help you stay active. A young man’s game? There’s no such thing.
CV life run the following neighbourhoodl eisure centres: Centre AT7, Xcel Centre, the Alan Higgs Centre , and the Wave.
Concessions are available for Go CV card holders , and seniors over 60.
So what’s happening at some of their centres?
XCel Leisure Centre Mitchell Ave, Coventry CV4 8DY Reception: 02476 856956
Golden Oldies, October 27, 2 - 4pm. The day will be full of World War Two themed props, decorations, afternoon tea and activities. There will be many sports to get involved in including swimming and paddling in the pool, boccia, table skittles, table tennis, board games, soft archery and darts. Golden Oldies is all about helping those elderly people that used to be involved in sport, revisit it and have some fun. Bookings can be made by emailing jacrashley@cvlife.co.uk or calling.
Over 50s Walking Football, Tuesdays 10:00am -11:00am. This session is organised by Age UK. £3 per session.
Over 50s Tennis, Tuesdays 11:00am - 12:00pm. A great chance to practice that serve. £3 per session.
Walking Netball, Wednesdays 9:30am 10:30am. Are you recovering from an injury, or looking to get back into the game, but worried about the pace? Walking Netball is for you! Enjoy the beautiful game, at a slower pace, without contact. Open to 16s and over. £3 per session.
Centre AT7 12 Bell Green Rd, Coventry CV6 7GP Reception: 02476665530
No Strings Badminton, Thursdays 9:30am 11:00am. No Strings Badminton gives you the opportunity to socialise and play in a relaxed environment with other adults. Players of all ability welcome. £2.50 per session.
Wheels for All, Saturdays 4pm - 5pm. ‘Wheels For All’ Coventry provides a warm and welcoming environment for people regardless of their ability to try a range of adapted cycles. £4 per session.
Gently Does it, Mondays 11:30am. A fun, low intensity, low impact session designed for older adults who want to work their heart, muscles and increase flexibility, all in one easy to follow class designed to revitalise your body through exercise. Check out the AT7 group session timetable for more.
Tony McGregor from Coventry is a well known character in these parts, and one way he has kept himself active and social is through going to his local gym, the AT7 centre in Bell Green.
Tony’s exercise schedule is impressive, he goes to the gym three times a week, but says starting small and building up is the best way to do it, so you could always select parts of his keep fit guide. He tells us: “I generally go three times a week to the gym and this is what I do in order, but sometimes I alternate.”
Tony has shared his exercise routine with us to help get you moving, let us know if you try it.
20 minutes or 10 minutes on the step machine
15 minutes on the cross machine
10 minutes on the bike 30 mins in the weights section.
Don’t forget to stretch before and after.
What are his tips for staying motivated? “Well I’m 81, and a lot of my friends aren’t here anymore. So I find that [coming to the gym] you meet up with friends, it keeps me alert and it’s good for my joints and it’s good for my head.
“I used to do three hours at the gym but have now cut down a bit. It’s the social side of things too that help me.”
Go CV is a loyalty card that gives Coventry residents discounts on some of the city’s most exciting attractions and activities.
You can register and activate your card online and collect from your local CV Life centre at The Alan Higgs Centre, Xcel Leisure Centre and Centre AT7. You can also collect from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Customer Service Centre in Broadgate and Coventry Transport Museum.
It is essential to activate your Go CV card in order to be able to use it.
A spokesperson for GO CV said: “Older members enjoy a wide range of classes the most popular being , gently does it , Zumba and aqua.
“As much as they enjoy the classes they also enjoy the social side of it and many have made lots of friends through our classes and often meet for coffee and a chat before the classes start.”
More local classes: Moat House Sports and Leisure Centre, Winston Ave, Coventry CV2 1EA. Reception: 02476841720
Beginners Tai Chi, Monday 10:00am and Friday 9:45am. Join instructor Tony and get your mind and body ready for the week ahead.
This looks Yoga, Mondays 6:00pm and 7:10pm and Wednesday 6:00pm and 7:15pm. Strengthen muscles and relieve stress through yoga.
Fast Classes, Monday to Sunday, 12:00pm 12:20pm Located on the gym floor, fast classes are a great way to pack your
exercise into a busy schedule.
Pingles Leisure Centre Avenue Rd, Nuneaton CV11 4LX. Reception: 02476321200
Aqua Aerobics, Monday and Tuesday 12:00pm - 12:45pm. A fun and invigorating instructor led all-over body work-out in the water designed to effectively burn calories with minimal impact on the body.
Yogalates, Tuesday 1:00pm - 2:00pm. A fresh approach that incorporates the core firming dynamics of Pilates increasing endurance, with the stretching and strengthening postures and spiritual aspects of yoga for the complete mind and body workout.
Bedworth Leisure Centre Coventry Rd, Bedworth CV12 8NN. Reception: 02476499010
Senior Swimming, Tuesday to Friday, Time varies. A relaxing session for adults aged 50 and over to swim socially in a lane.
This is just a small selection of what is available across Coventry and Warwickshire. If you think we’ve missed anything contact Naomi at: naomi.desouza@reachplc.com