Tips For Meeting New People...

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And Getting Fit At The Same Time

There is a way to combine doing what you want to do and what you know you ought to do and improve your social life and your health all in one go. And the good news is, there are activities out there which would appeal to all kinds of people, whatever your age or ability.

From a swim to the gym, there are plenty of opportunities in your local area to meet new people. Some further ideas on making new and healthy connections can be found at the bottom of the page, but meanwhile let’s start at the local…

Swimming pool, that is. You’ll notice I didn’t just say swimming, as there’s a lot more going on there apart from the executive type who does twenty lengths in the time it takes me to do one. Aqua aerobics is also great fun if you want to join a regular group – think of it as a buoyant gymnasium. Any regular activity also means you’ll benefit more physically, mentally and socially – can’t be bad for starters.

Most pools also run lessons for non-swimmers or those who wish to develop their skills – another good way to meet like minded people. The easy going swimmers among us who don’t plow up and down at sixty lengths an hour are also more often than not quite amenable to having a chat whilst wallowing in the deep end. Most pools have different times for different swimmers, such as women only and adult only swimming – useful if you don’t want a teenager dive-bombing you at every turn.

Dancing
From Latin American dancing, through club dancing to line dancing – there’s something here for most people, whether you have two left feet or not. Some groups are run to teach people how to dance properly, while others are run more for entertainment value, so however bad (or good) you are, you’ll find your niche somewhere. I’ve been to barn dances where the dozy does were dozier than anything else I’ve ever seen, and elbow and knee pads were distinctly advisable, but they were among the best nights out I’ve ever had. It’s certainly a great way to get fit and break the ice all in one go.

Keep fit classes
Again, you’ll get to be part of a group of regulars when you try this activity, and once the discussion gets past comparing leg warmers, you’ll be well away. There is usually a range of classes to suit all ages and abilities, and they are often run at various times throughout the day. One woman I know went to a class once a week during her lunch hour.

Bowls
In case the thought of rigorous exercise puts you off, there are other more gentle activities which are just as sociable. Bowls is one such sport where you can join a club and add a whole new skill to your repertoire. And you don’t need to be able to smoke a pipe or wear a flat cap to do it.

Most clubs have open days which are a good way of finding out more and making some new connections. There are private clubs and those which use public greens; a bit of local detective work will reveal your nearest options. Bowls is ideal for those with a mean right (or left) arm, who don’t want to overdo it.

Other possibilities

If you can handle lifting weights and pedaling miles on a stationary cycle, why not join a gym?

If running is more your style, there are running clubs throughout the country.
You can also meet people just by taking a leisurely jog in your local park. Joggers are like Reliant Robin car owners – they’ll often say hello to someone using the same mode of transport!

And after all that hard work, why not try out your nearest sauna? Many sports centers now have a sauna, and it’s the perfect way to relax after a hard day’s exercising and socialize.

To get the most out of any new fitness venture, ask yourself some questions before you begin. What time do you have available? If you’re attending a group or class, will you be able to go every week? Is it something you have a real interest in doing?

Choosing an activity you enjoy means you’ll meet new people who are like minded. You might also check out similar groups and activities in your local area before booking one in particular. This way you’ll be able to choose the one that has people of similar ages and with similar interests to yourself.

With almost all activities, there are often introductory or free sessions, so you can decide whether you want to join or not. Go for as many as possible – you might be a barn dancer in a swimmer’s clothing! You’ve got nothing to lose, and it might just lead you in a whole new direction.

And finally… information points. Your local telephone and business directories are ideal places to start. Alternatively, sports centers, gyms and swimming pools should all have a selection of leaflets detailing the activities they offer, how much they are and when they take place. You will also see details of local groups and activities on the bulletin board at your local library, and of course, there’s always the internet. In fact, seeing as the internet is so popular, you could just settle into a chair and enter the nearest chat room… but when it comes to real fun, trying to do the splits in a room full of strangers is hard to beat.


by Allison Whitehead