First Paragraph: Writing Samples
Fit or fat?
Elaine Brown suggests some alternatives to the gym.
Have you been spending your evenings slumped in front of the TV with a takeaway? What happened to those New Year resolutions to get fit?
Spending evenings at the gym pounding the treadmill will help you lose weight but it quickly becomes boring. All too often there seems to be something more interesting to do and it's easy to give up. Perhaps though you just need to try something different. Sheffield has many options which might turn you into a sports enthusiast and any one of these will stop your fitness routine becoming dull.
The fun and pain ratings give you an idea of how much you'll enjoy each sport against how much your muscles might ache afterwards. A fun rating of 10 means it's great fun but a pain rating of 10 means it'll really hurt.
And to help you decide how you can look good on the beach this summer, approximate calorie counts for an hour's workout of each are included.
Sport | Ice Skating |
---|---|
Fun Rating |
10 |
Pain Rating |
Up to 10 if you fall, otherwise 4 |
Type of Person |
If you hate structured classes and like exercising with friends this is ideal. You can go as fast or slow as you like and if you have good balance you'll soon be experimenting with twists and turns and chasing each other around the ice. But if you hate the cold, don't even think about it. |
Calories per hour |
450 |
Where? |
IceSheffield, Coleridge Road (between Don Valley Stadium and Hallam FM Arena), Tel 0114 223 3900 |
When? |
10am-4pm, 7.30pm–10pm Monday; Wednesday, 10am–7pm, 8pm–11pm Thursday, 10am–11pm Friday; Saturday and 10am–10pm Sunday |
How much? |
£3.50 (off peak) to £4.40 (peak) per person, family ticket £12.60 (off peak) to £15 (peak). Skate hire an additional £1.30 per person. |
Sport | Canoeing |
---|---|
Fun Rating |
7 |
Pain Rating |
6 |
Type of Person |
If you like the thought of ploughing your own course in the open air this is your sport. Best to have a few lessons in a swimming pool first though. But if you like a fixed routine and company while you exercise, forget this one. |
Calories per hour |
400 |
Where? |
Broomhall Canoe Club, Norton Pool, Tel 0114 263 0178 |
When? |
Twice per month on Wednesdays, 9–10pm |
How much? |
£3 per person. |
Sport | Hatha Yoga |
---|---|
Fun Rating |
5 |
Pain Rating |
2 |
Type of Person |
This will suit you if you like some structure to your exercise. It's also very relaxing as this is the slowest form of yoga. Don't try it if you love exercising with people. Although lessons are usually done in a class it's a fairly solitary activity and no-one chats during the ninety minutes |
Calories per hour |
300 |
Where? |
Ponds Forge, Sheaf Street, Tel 0114 223 3400 |
When? |
Monday 1.30pm–3pm, Wednesday 3pm–4.30pm |
How much? |
£3.60 per person |
Sport | Table Tennis |
---|---|
Fun Rating |
9 |
Pain Rating |
2 |
Type of Person |
Will suit you if you're the competitive type who likes exercising with a friend. But won't suit you if you aren't organised enough to arrange it in advancethis isn't really a turn up and play activity |
Calories per hour |
300 |
Where? |
Ponds Forge, Sheaf Street, Tel 0114 223 3400 |
When? |
Daily 7am–9.30pm |
How much? |
£5.40 (off peak), £6.90 (peak) per table |