Cheap and fun active day out in Derby

Man swimming in pool

Mon 15 Jan 2018

The arrival of a new year can spark enthusiasm for becoming more active and there is plenty on offer in Derby to suit everyone’s interests and budget. If you’re conscious of wanting to keep your spending to a minimum in January whilst still achieving your goal of improved health and fitness, here are some cost effective ideas to inspire you. 

Why not start your day with a refreshing walk around one of Derby’s parks, there are green spaces across all areas of the city. Despite the colder weather, an energising walk, bike ride or jog outdoors can help to wake you up and gets your circulation flowing! There are lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends getting active outside, including volunteering opportunities to work alongside new people and help maintain Derby Parks. Markeaton Park is Derby’s most visited park and is one of the most popular attractions in the East Midlands, it has cycle paths and regular Park runs take place at Markeaton Park throughout the year, so there’s no excuse not to stay active during the Winter months. A Cycle Derby map showing routes around the city is available to download from derbyconnected.com. Derby Arboretum Park has a lot of history to explore as it was first commissioned in 1840 and it has a superb collection of trees, some of which were planted in the 19th century. There is a Derby Arboretum tree trail available to download on the inderby.org.uk/parks website.

Derby Active has a New Year offer; if you join in January 2018 you won’t pay anything until February 2018, with access to facilities at three leisure centres across the city. Members can workout at one of three gyms, swim or try out over 100 exercise classes with Derby Active at Derby Arena, Queen’s Leisure Centre and Springwood Leisure Centre. Access to state-of-the-art gym equipment and facilities is available at all three sites. Find out more about this fantastic offer at inderby.org.uk/testdrive or call 01332 641234.

After a brisk walk head into the city centre and visit Queen’s Leisure Centre where you can enjoy fitness lane swimming or some ‘water aerobics’ like an Aqua Fit class, which is easy on your joints yet tones your muscles and is great if you need to lose weight or have limited mobility. Also under 5s swim for free with a paying adult. Derby Active membership includes access to public swimming sessions at Queen’s Leisure Centre. Visit inderby.org.uk/swim for the pool programme.

After some splashing around, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite for lunch. Head over to Derby Arena on Pride Park to visit Café 42, who are offering a 10% discount on food and drinks during January with their Winter Warmer offer. Enjoy a bowl of wholesome homemade soup and a roll to restore your energy ready for an afternoon workout. Derby Arena offers a wide range of classes from Clubbercise® to Pilates, Zumba®, Circuits, Body Pump™, HIIT and Insanity as well as a varied Power Cycling programme. Classes are available at different levels ensuring that everyone can get involved. Book your place at leisurecourse.derby.gov.uk/bookings

Whist you’re at Derby Arena, have a go at track cycling; keen cyclists and novices alike can enjoy using the velodrome, a 250m indoor cycle track which also offers training and women only sessions. If you’d like to try something new, Derby Arena also offers group cycling sessions, using Watt bikes which are designed for everyone - from beginners to serious cyclists. These sessions incorporate mixed terrains including hills, mountains and speed work.

To finish an energetic day of activities, why not enjoy a relaxing round of golf at Allestree Park’s 18 hole Golf course, tee off for only £10 a round. Find out more at inderby.org.uk/golf.