If you’re looking for ways to stay fit and active, there are plenty of options across the Borough of Kettering – many of which are free! Here are five local activities you may not already be aware of:
1.Join a Health Walk
Kettering Borough Council organise free volunteer-led health walks lasting no longer than 90 minutes, with at least one walk of less than 30 minutes every month. There are regular weekly walks in Kettering, Desborough, Burton Latimer and Rushden as well as a full timetable of one-off walks from many other towns and village locations, throughout the year.
The shorter walks are perfect for new walkers and those with long term health conditions to feel more confident walking and to meet more people.
You can view the full timetable and find out more about the different walks at www.kettering.gov.uk/walks
2. Play Walking Football
Football players who think their playing days are well behind them should think again! Walking football is a non-contact activity where any player who sprints, runs or jogs while the ball is in play concedes a free-kick to the other team. Players can maintain an active lifestyle and it encourages those who’ve stopped intense sports become active again through football. Sessions are aimed at people aged over 50 or for people with restricting health conditions, but all are welcome. Check out the video to get an idea!
There are three different weekly indoor walking football sessions:
- Desborough Leisure Centre – Fridays, 10.30am – 12 noon*
- Kettering Arena (KLV) – Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12 noon*
- Kettering Science Academy – Wednesdays, 8.30 – 9.30pm
(* £2.50 per person or £1.25 with a Kettering Leisure Pass)
3. Take on Kettering Parkrun
The popular Kettering parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k walk/jog/run at 9am every Saturday at Wicksteed Park. It’s open to all ages and abilities, organised entirely by volunteers and is friendly and fun!
Don’t worry about how fast you are – Parkrun encourages people of every ability to take part for their own enjoyment, whatever your pace. Make sure you register online beforehand and print off your personal barcode. You can scan your barcode when you finish to get confirmation of completion and your individual run time.
Find out more and register before your first visit – www.parkrun.org.uk/kettering
4. Rebuild your strength at an Otago Strength and Balance Exercise class
Aimed specifically for older adults at 65+, the OTAGO exercise programme incorporates a series of exercises, designed to:
- Reduce the risk of falls
- Improve balance and leg muscle strength
- Improve range of movement
- Improve posture
- Increase confidence performing everyday tasks around the home
- Improve general fitness and health
- Provide opportunity for socialisation and activity with similar people
Each session has warm-up, strength, balance and cool-down components which can be tailored to the ability of each individual participant.
All sessions are led by a fully qualified OTAGO instructor.
Click here for information on times, sessions and venues for each class.
For more information or to book contact Tim on 01536 535742 or TimWebb@kettering.gov.uk
5. Stay fit at an Outdoor Gym
Did you know there are 6 free to use outdoor gyms in the Borough’s parks? You’ll find them in Mawsley, Dunkirk Avenue (Desborough), Brambleside, Rockingham Road Park, Hall Meadow Park (off Lake Avenue) and at Desborough Green Space (Fitness Trail).
Each outdoor gym uses two types of equipment. Firstly, ‘moving’ equipment including chest press, cross trainer, rower, skier, and bike, easy to use and mostly from a seating position. The second type of equipment includes ‘static’ bars, such as parallel bars, a pull up bars and monkey bars, aimed at those capable of intense body weight exercises.
Outdoor gyms can help build confidence in working out and help people begin exercise programmes in safe and non-judgmental environments. So, head to your local park to get fit for free!
