Rock climbing is a great activity with loads of physical benefits
With the London Olympic Games fast approaching, many people will be looking for new and exciting sports to take up for 2012. We hear from John Gibbons, Sports Director at the Westway Sports Centre, London, on the variety of sports available at the centre, some of which, you may never of thought of trying!
John says taking up a new sport is beneficial in more ways than one: "Aside from the fitness benefits of playing sport, it also introduces huge social benefits to people’s lives - giving you the opportunity to meet new people, share experiences and bond as recreational players or as part of a team or a club. Playing sport with other people introduces a feeling of team spirit and inclusivity which you just can’t achieve working out independently in the gym with your headphones in.
Playing sport with other people introduces a feeling of team spirit and inclusivity which you just can’t achieve working out independently in the gym with your headphones in.
Many people make excuses for not getting involved in fitness activities or playing sport with tiredness usually the top of the list but what people don’t realise is how much playing sport and getting active can energise you."
Westway Sports Centre caters for people of all ages and all fitness levels; there is focus on junior development which helps young people hone their skills, and women only gym sessions to make sure everybody feel comfortable and relaxed whilst working out.
John talks about the array of sports offered at the centre: hand ball, football, tennis, cricket, rock climbing, netball, basketball and table tennis. He says "Our most popular sports are tennis, football and rock climbing but other sports are also increasing in popularity such as hand ball."
Instead of taking up a well known sport, doing something a little bit different is really beneficial. John says: "Trying 'less popular' activities such as hand ball and (rock) climbing can help to develop key skills which can be transferred across multiple sports but at a lower cost than playing the more popular sports. The opportunities to progress to a high standard of play in a sport such as hand ball compared to tennis are considerably higher as competition is far less.
With climbing, the competition is with yourself rather than other people so it is a great activity for people who are not keen on team sports and wish to improve upon their own skills - raising fitness levels, improving mobility, strength and stimulating the brain."
John believes the 2012 Olympics will give the country a reason to focus on sport: "With the Olympics coming up, it is great that there is more of a focus on sport and fitness within London and across the UK, but there is always more we could be doing to translate the arm chair sports fans into players.
As a nation, we need to engage with people and help them to understand the many benefits of playing sport and getting involved in fitness activities to ensure the legacy of the Olympics continues beyond 2012."
Go to www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk to find out more about the centre.
Alexandra Baracskai
Tagged in exercise fitness tips