January is a wonderful time to kick off new health and fitness plans because the slower pace after Christmas gives everyone a chance to reset. There’s something refreshing about turning the page on the calendar and feeling like you’ve been handed a clean slate.
After weeks of festive meals, late nights and a little extra indulgence, many of us find ourselves craving balance. You could consider joining a local fitness class or even taking a simple walk to start building healthier habits.
And let’s be honest, winter can sometimes bring a case of the blues. Adding movement to your day, whether it’s joining a workout buddy or taking a brisk morning walk, is a great way to boost your mood and energy during these colder months.
Most importantly, January reminds us that it’s never too late to take care of ourselves. It’s a chance to build momentum, feel supported and create habits that can carry you well into spring and beyond. Here’s to a healthy, happy start to the year.
Bradley Stoke Voice has a few top tips to ease yourself into a new fitness routine in our area.
Three Brooks parkun – This free, weekly 5k every Saturday at 9am is a fantastic idea because it brings people together for a friendly, feelgood start to the weekend. The scenic route through Three Brooks Nature Reserve makes the run enjoyable for all fitness levels, whether you’re running, walking or chasing a new personal best. It’s completely free, volunteer-led and welcoming to everyone. It’s a brilliant way to boost fitness, lift your mood and connect with your community… all before breakfast!
Little Stoke junior parkrun – This is a free, weekly 2-kilometre event designed especially for children aged four to 14. Held every Sunday morning at 9am in Little Stoke Park, it’s a friendly, supportive way for kids to enjoy running, build confidence and stay active. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Children can run, jog or walk at their own pace, with plenty of encouragement from volunteers. It’s all about having fun, developing healthy habits and being part of a positive local community.
Join a football team – You’ve got a whole range of options, including Bradley Stoke Town FC (adults), Bradley Stoke Youth FC for younger players, and Little Stoke FC for adults, as well as Stoke Lane AFC. All of the clubs have websites and social media pages, so take a look and see how you can get involved. These clubs all offer various teams for different ages and abilities in the local area.
Ease into it with yoga – There are plenty of options for yoga classes suitable for all levels in our area. A few places you could head to start your yoga journey include the Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre, Bradley Stoke Physio & Health, or classes at the Trust Hall in Stoke Gifford. There are many more options, though, and with classes running at a range of times throughout the week, there’s bound to be something to suit your schedule.
Give tennis a try – The main tennis centre in the area is the Almondsbury & Bradley Stoke Tennis Club. This is a fully accredited Lawn Tennis Association tennis club with four courts that welcomes players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to experienced competitors. The club has four all-weather artificial clay courts with floodlights, allowing for year-round play. There is also a clubhouse, a tennis wall, and an adjacent sports bar. There are also public courts available for hire at the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke and the Trust Hall in Stoke Gifford.
Get bowled over – If you fancy giving bowls a go, you have two main options to get you started. There’s an outdoor lawn green club in Bradley Stoke and an indoor short mat club in Stoke Gifford. Bradley Stoke Bowls Club is next to the Baileys Court Activity Centre and offers outdoor flat green bowls during the season. The club welcomes new members of all experience levels and provides both recreational and competitive bowls, including league teams. While Stoke Gifford Bowls Club is based at the Trust Hall and promises to be a friendly, local, indoor club that provides a weatherproof, year-round version of the sport. For both clubs, visit their websites for more information.