ParkLives Activities

ParkLives combines the two things I love most. Outdoor activities and free stuff. It’s an initiative which has brought exercise classes, sports and community events to parks all over the UK and the best bit is that everything is free! To get involved Vivian and I took up ParkLives challenge to attend 1 activity every week for a month and now we are inviting you to do the same! All you have to do is go to the ParkLives free activity finder and pick something you fancy! It doesn’t matter what you are into or how fit you are, there will definitely be something for you; Zumba, Tai Chi, yoga, dog walking, the list is endless. There are 10 cities taking part in Park lives this year, with 7 Glaswegian parks getting involved;

• Tollcross park
• Drumchapel park
• Bellahoustin park
• Springbrun park
• Kelvingrove Park
• Victoria Park
• Queens park

And a further 4 Golf courses being commandeered;

• Alexandra Gold Course
• Knightswood Gold Course
• Lethamhill Golf Course
• Ruchill Golf Course 

We are going to write a post about the activity we do every week and if you fancy getting some fresh air, making some new friends and getting in shape then come along too!

Week 1: FT Fitness

For our first week, we picked FT Fitness, a class taking place in Bellahouston park at 6pm, perfect for an after-work workout. We turned up not knowing what to expect and praying that the good weather would hold despite the ominous grey clouds. Soon our instructor arrived and introduced us to the rest of the class, there were about 8 of us, some regulars and some newbies. The class was held on the bowling green, with one area for the class and the other set up with racket and ball sports. Some of the parents at the class brought their kids and let them play in the other area during the class. During the warm up where we ran around the perimeter of the green, one of the kids would stick out her hand for hi-5s as we passed. Everyone was really friendly and the class was good fun, Chris the instructor mixed up body weight and cardio exercises with some interesting boot camp style work outs. This one is Over then Under, the class held a static plank or tuck while one person jumped and crawled through the human obstacles. I thought I got lucky being “tucked” to begin with but we soon switched over and holding that plank began to burn.

The best exercise is the exercise you don’t realise you are doing. Why stare at the walls of a clammy sports centre when you could be free? The open space, the light, the breeze, the atmosphere, humans were made to be outside. The 45 minutes flew by and afterwards I felt refreshed instead of sweaty and awake rather than exhausted. Getting out into this green space is not just about fitness though, these events help bring people together in a positive environment. The vibe was relaxing and fun, I don’t know why but I was smiling for the rest of the day. Doesn’t matter how old you are, how fit you are or how busy you are, take some time for yourself, come down and try something new, if nothing else it will be a good laugh! And did I mention, its free!

Next week

We are looking for which activity to do next week but theres so much to choose from, if you have any favourites then comment below and we will check them out! I should also say that summer is prime time to get out into the park but this isn’t just for four weeks, its a long term program. Thats not an excuse to put it off though, just to let you know it won’t be ending.

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