Southampton City Council fact sheet
Why should I exercise?
You dont' have to be sporty to be fit. Your own fitness level should meet the needs of your everyday life. You should be able to climb stairs, take a brisk walk and do other normal things without getting breathless or tired.
Regular, structured exercise can strengthen your heart, improve your circulation, help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, control your weight and make you feel better about yourself.
How does the scheme work?
Once the doctor has referred you, you will be given a full health screen by a qualified health and fitness consultant. This will help us to determine your present level of fitness so that we can design a safe exercise programme for you. Advice on healthy lifestyle management will also be offered.
Bookings can be made for this initial screeneing at either the Quays or Bitterne Leisure Centre.
You are then entitled to 16 sessions of exercise at a discount price (free-use Leisure Cards are accepted). Most sessions are closed to the general public, so you will only be exercising with others referred by their GP. All sessions are supervised by fully qualified staff.
When my course is finished?
Once you hace completed 16 sessions of exercise you will be given a second assessment in order to measure improvements in both fitness and general health.
A report will be sent to your doctor to let him/her know how you are progressing with your programme. Experience demonstrates that everyone who has completed 16 sessions of exercise with us has shown improvement in at least one area.
By this stage we hope that you will be motivated to continue with your exercise programme. There are a range of opportunities available to you, including a wide variety of activities provided in the city councils leisure centres.
These centres provide both memberships and pay-as-you-go options. Your Active Options instructor can help you make the best choice.
ACTIVE OPTIONS PROGRAMME
Bitterne Leisure Centre
Fitness suite - Monday 2-4pm
Fitness suite - Tuesday 11.30am - 1.30pm
Fitness suite - Thursday 1.30 - 3.30pm
Fitness suite - Friday 11.30am - 1.30pm
Water exercise - Friday 9.15-10am
Chamberlayne Leisure Centre
Fitness suite - Monday - 11.45am - 1.30pm
Fitness suite - Wednesday 12noon - 1.30pm
Oaklands Pool
Water exercise - Monday 11.15am - 12noon
Water exercise - Friday 11.15am - 12noon
St Mary's Leisure Centre
Yoga classes - Wednesday 2.30 - 3.30pm (ladies only)
Yoga classes - Thursday 6-7pm
The Quays
Fitness suite - Monday 9.30 - 11.30am
Fitness suite - Tuesday 2-4pm
Fitness suite - Thursday 9.30 - 11.30am
Fitness suite - Friday 2-4pm
Water exercise - Monday 1.45 - 2.30pm
Other Activities
Active options health walks
Why not participate on 'group walks' which take place across Southampton. Trained volunteers are on hand to guide you through the walks, offer advice and promote fitness and well being.
Health walks meeting points and times
Monday - Shilrey, outside The Ice House pub - 10.30am
Tuesday - Weston Shore, Abbey Hill car park - 10.30am
Tuesday - Hawthorns Centre, Southampton Common - 10am
Wednesday - Riverside Park, White Swan car park - 2pm
Thursday - Shorebus Greenway, Victoria Road car park - 2pm
Friday - Central Parks, Enclosure, West Park - 10.30am
Please contact us for an information pack where you can find out more about the health walks (everyone is welcome).
Contact Name
Last updated: 23 October 2007