Beat the winter blues with ten January fitness & wellbeing events

December 23, 2021

January is a month where we can start to set ourselves some healthy New Year resolutions and goals. Check out our top 10 local events that will boost physical and mental health and help us beat those January blues together.

#1. Couch to 5k

Getting underway on Tuesday 18 January 2022, a new face-to-face Couch to 5k programme takes place at Portadown Peoples Park every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.45pm to 7.30pm for eight weeks. At a cost of £32, participants will receive two coached sessions from qualified instructors every week and will complete a third weekly session by themselves. At the end of the eight weeks, all participants will be able to complete a 5K or Parkrun.

#2. Virtual Couch to 5K

If you prefer the freedom of doing a programme at a time and place that’s convenient to you and at no cost, the Virtual Couch to 5K Programme is just for you. Receiving weekly training plans, tips and inspirational messages from qualified instructors, participants will follow the schedule by themselves.

#3. Dromore Gymnastics

Commencing Thursday 6^th and Friday 7^th January for 8 weeks, Dromore Community Centre is running a Rise gymnastics programme. Rise Discovery is a new class suitable for walking to preschool children and Rise Excel is for primary one children upwards.

#4. Armagh Parkrun and City Park Parkrun, Craigavon

New Year is a great time to sign up to these free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community events. On Saturdays at 9.30am, the City Park parkrun, Craigavon begins at South Lake Leisure Centre, enjoying wonderful views of Craigavon Lakes and the Armagh parkrun takes place at the stunning Palace Demesne Public Park.

#5. Banbridge Walking Football

The next season of Walking Football is set for Havelock Park, Banbridge, kicking off on Tuesday 18^th January 2022.

#6. Skiing Clubs

The winter Kids Ski Clubs recommence at Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre on Tuesday evenings and are a fun way for kids to both get outdoors and get active.

#7. Girls Soccer Centre

Calling all young female football fanatics, it’s time to lace up your boots as a new season of girls soccer sessions gets underway at South Lake Leisure Centre on 17 January 2022.

#8. Dromore Free Take 5 Session

The Take 5 session on Monday 10th January at 10.30am-11.30am is about taking action and making conscious and deliberate choices to look after our wellbeing by introducing 5 simple steps, Connect, Keep Learning, Be active, Take Notice and Give, in order to maintain and improve wellbeing.

#9. Born 2 Run Gosford 5K/10K

Taking place on Saturday 8^th January at 11am in Gosford Forest Park, this is the fourth race in the Run Forest Run series and a great New Year challenge to work off the festive treats!

#10. Winter Scavenger Hunt

Ten parks within our borough have recently been awarded the prestigious Green Flag and are wonderful places for walks, jogs and runs, helping you get your New Year health kick started. They are also wonderful places for the family to have fun together completing the ABC Winter Scavenger Hunt.

Alternatively, why not get your New Year fitness resolutions off to the best possible start in 2022 by signing up to a membership with getactiveabc. This will give unrestricted use of gyms, exercise classes and pools across all nine indoor leisure facilities. The team of fitness instructors will support you in developing a January workout programme and help you avoid falling off the fitness wagon.