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Shades of Green with Rachel Huxley: on getting some outdoor exercise
4th Februry 2012: I like to think that I live a healthy, active lifestyle. I love to cycle and walk, and have even started yoga and street dancing lessons.
However, it seems a shame that many people don’t explore the beautiful areas surrounding Peterborough and incorporate these into their fitness programmes. So, this week I have been finding out about the exercise possibilities at the nearby Fineshade Woods.
The most obvious form of exercise is walking. At Fineshade, there are three main trails of varying lengths and difficulties in the forest. All you need are a pair of trainers, comfortable clothing and you’re away. Start small and walk and jog until you get the hang of it. You can also take your dog for a walk through the woods. If in doubt, you can ask a ranger at the Top Lodge Visitor Centre for advice.
Cycling is another of my favourite ways to get fit with all the family. At Fineshade Woods there are family cycle trails, and even if it’s cold you’ll warm up quickly. If you don’t have your own bike, or roof-rack you can hire cycles at Fineshade Cycling. The family trail is gentle enough for less experienced cyclists and they also have advanced blue sections for those who fancy a challenge. We cheated a bit and hired a tandem to share the workload.
There are also some great activities for the kids. I’m in no way suggesting you should put your child on a fitness regime, but giving your child a break from the TV or internet to enjoy some fresh air is no bad thing.
One of our Greeniversity teachers, Sue Burnett from Active Edge Solutions - Personal Training, gave me some top tips for getting fitness ready:
1. If you’re new to exercise, check with your GP that it is OK to start. Begin with 30 – 60 minutes of cardiovascular activity (e.g. walking, cycling, jogging etc), 3 -5 days a week at a moderate intensity. Try the ‘talk test’ check with your partner - if you are unable to hold a conversation the activity is too high.
2. Warm up before your chosen activity with 5 - 10 minutes of low activity before increasing the intensity and finish the session with some stretches to all the large muscle groups used in the session, e.g. hamstrings, calves, quads and inner thighs.
3. Arranging to meet a friend or your family for your chosen fitness session will help you commit to your new fitness regime and its more fun with friends.
According to Sue, regular exercise will not only help you get fitter and lose a few pounds but will also help you to reduce stress levels which can be no bad thing. Doing exercise in the beautiful green surroundings of one of Peterborough’s neighbouring woods and forests is more than just an added bonus as well.
Visit www.forestry.gov.uk
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
