At Life Leisure, we’re here to help you to stay active in any way you choose. We know that all activity is good but making activity choices that align with your aims and personality will help ensure you get the best out of your commitment. Sometimes, finding the right activity for you is a case of trial and error, so we recommend trying a few different things to find your groove. Not sure where to start? Let us help by highlighting what we have to offer, as we are far more than just a gym.
Swimming and relaxation
Many of our members choose to visit one of our five swimming pools each week, whether that be for an aqua fit class, a casual swim or bringing their little one to their swimming lesson. Swimming is a great way to keep active, and it’s a great place to start if you’re unsure about heading into a studio class or the gym to begin with. Swimming works your whole body, builds strength, tones muscles, and builds endurance! We have a range of swimming sessions every week across our five pools. If you would like more information, please visit our website.
Swimming can also be very relaxing, so if you’re looking to de-stress or have some me-time in a calmer environment then the pool is the place to be. Our saunas and steam rooms also offer a very relaxing experience and are the perfect way to end a swim or gym session – or even just to forget about the stresses of the day. Taking time out for yourself to relax and recharge is just as important as physical activity. For more information including locations of all our saunas and steam rooms, please visit our website.
Gym
The gym is an obvious choice, but it can be a daunting place for some of us. From which equipment to choose, how to use it and how many reps to do – it can be a minefield! Choosing to start the gym and take care of your health and wellbeing is a great choice to make, so if you are struggling with finding your way around one of our gyms we want to help. When joining Life Leisure, all members receive a free Inspire appointment which provides you with the tools, support and knowledge needed to achieve your fitness goals, along with a tour of the gym and equipment. If you feel this would help you on your journey, please speak to a member of the reception team at your local Life Leisure hub who would be happy to book this in for you.
We have 9 gyms around Stockport, all with a wide range of cardio and resistance equipment available for you to use at your leisure. Attending the gym is a popular exercise choice as everything you need is there under one roof. You can go for a run in the middle of Winter while keeping toasty warm, you can lift weights in a safe environment, and you have access to a range of equipment to target every muscle in your body. It’s easy to see why the gym is a go-to activity for lots of people. But, it’s not for everyone and that’s okay. We have more options!
Group exercise
If you’re someone who thrives off working out with others and needs that added motivation of not letting a friend down, we have a huge offering of studio classes available. Adding social interaction to your workout means you have a focus other than fitness which can be very motivating. There’s plenty of choice here at Life Leisure with our extensive range of studio classes such as Zumba, Bums Legs and Tums (BLT), Spin and Yoga.
If you haven’t been to one of our studio classes yet and would like to give one a try, we recommend choosing one that best suits your aims and personality. If you’re looking for a fun and energetic activity, then look out for one of our dance classes such as Clubbercise or Zumba. If toning and learning new exercises is your choice, look out for classes like BLT and Strength. And not forgetting our holistic classes such as Yoga and Pilates. These more slow-paced classes are great for relaxing, stretching and strengthening the mind and body.
If you are looking to book your first class with us, please feel reassured knowing all classes are suitable for beginners as each class can be taken completely at your own pace. The right choice is the one you make. Don’t forget to bring your friends along too!
Hybrid approach
If you love the atmosphere of a group exercise class but often choose to hit the gym instead, there’s a strong chance you’ll thrive at H1VE, our Boutique Fitness Studio at Stockport Sports Village. H1VE combines group exercise, personal training and weightlifting into one unique experience and has been proven extremely popular and successful with its strong current member base. If you haven’t yet found your fitness groove and often find yourself hitting a wall with progress or enjoyment in the gym, we highly recommend giving H1VE a try. You never know, it might just be the motivation and inspiration you needed and could be your new number one choice.
For more information, please: visit H1VE on Facebook or Instagram and send them a direct message, pop into Stockport Sports Village and speak to a member of the reception team, or email mailto:headcoach@h1ve.co.uk
Sports
Following on from social elements of exercise, don’t forget about all the opportunities for group sports activities we have here at Life Leisure. Sports such as badminton and squash bring more dimension to exercise if you find the gym a bore, and introducing a competitive element to the mix makes things much more exciting! Football is another popular sport amongst both adults and children. Whether you play competitively or just for fun, football helps to keep you fit with health benefits ranging from increased stamina, reduced body fat and even brings a reduced risk of certain chronic illnesses. Football also brings a sense of community and belonging and is often a common ground and starting point for conversations and friendships when meeting new people. We have lots of opportunities when it comes to football at Life Leisure, boasting 16 outdoor pitches at Stockport Sports Village and numerous indoor pitches across our other hubs. For more information on football, please visit our website.
Sports activities are also a great way to keep the whole family active. With five sports halls available across selected hubs in Stockport offering a range of activities from badminton to roller disco, you won’t be short on choice. As well as keeping fit, studies have shown that moving your body can also have a huge positive impact on your mental health. Mental health is just as important as physical health, so participating in an activity as a family that not only gets your body moving but makes you all feel good is a win-win. Ensure to choose the right activity for you and your family to reap the most benefits.
For more information on all sports activities available at Life Leisure, please visit our website.
Social and rehabilitation
At Life Leisure, we really love what we do and the people we do it for. We believe that physical activity can enhance the health and well-being of communities, and we work to positively impact the mental, social, and physical good health of local people. We do this through our Active Communities team who offer an extensive range of activities and social opportunities for the community to come together in any way they choose.
For example, older adults can sometimes feel isolated, especially if living alone. Our low impact and gentle exercise sessions (SMILE) provide fun, engaging and adaptable exercise and physical activity for older adults and those with long term health conditions/disabilities to help improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
Whatever #yourchoice of physical activity, we’re here to help provide opportunities for everyone to live a healthy and active lifestyle. We are very proud of our projects in the local community, such as Brinnington Maps. The maps were created to highlight local landmarks, historical sites and walking routes in and around the area in an effort to help the community get outdoors and keep active as well as guiding visitors on what they can see and do around Brinnington. Walking plays a key role for several reasons including improving physical and emotional well-being, a community connector and exploring the local area. Alongside the creation of the Brinnington Maps, we have a walking group led by local volunteers, setup to help build relationships with the community.
We understand that mental and social well-being is just as important as being active. Our community coffee mornings provide the opportunity for people of any age and ability to come together and enjoy some social interaction. Our coffee mornings really took off after the effects of Covid-19 had left many older people isolated and confined to their home. The simple act of getting out of the house and meeting people in the community for a coffee and a chat has positively impacted many people who now regularly attend these free sessions.
We hope we have given you some ideas on activities and provided a snapshot into the work here we do at Life Leisure to help develop a healthier and more active community. The important message to take home is this: It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as your heart starts pumping and your breathing gets heavier, the choice is yours! For more inspiration, keep a look out on our social media channels.
