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Fitness
Taking exercise, or doing some form of physical activity, can be an enjoyable way to spend your leisure time, as well as being of great benefit to your health.
The activities described in this section are ways of keeping physically active that will also get you out and about, giving you the opportunity to meet new people.
You can find out more about the health benefits of taking exercise in our section on Keeping physically active.
It may be worthwhile getting a Leisureplus, which is a discount card that can give you savings at a wide range of leisure and sports facilities in Newcastle. For further information, visit the Newcastle City Council website.
Chair-based exercises
You don’t have to move around much to take some kind of exercise. There are exercises that you can do while sitting down, or while standing up and holding on to a chair to help you.
Chair-based exercise classes tend to be held in the community, for example in community centres, sheltered housing complexes and churches. For information on where classes are held in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website.
Croquet
If you have enjoyed competitive sport in the past but now find games like tennis too physically taxing, croquet could be the game for you.
There are many health benefits for older players; including gentle physical exercise, intellectual stimulation and warm sociability. It can also be played competitively or purely for pleasure.
Tyneside Croquet Club actively encourages new members. You can go along to try the game out at venues such as the old bowling greens in Exhibition Park and Nuns Moor Park. For further information, visit the Tyneside Croquet Club website.
Cycling
You can cycle by yourself or as with others as part of a group. As a group exercise, cycling encourages team building and leadership skills. For information on cycling groups in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website. The following organisations may also be of interest.
CycleTrex provides organised cycling, from short sessions to full days, to promote and improve physical and mental health. They work with individuals of all age groups from 10 to 70 years old plus; providing organised sessions to meet the requirements of each client or group. Bike rides are conducted by a qualified leader and they provide all necessary equipment, such as bikes, helmets, gloves and water bottles. For further information, visit the CycleTrex website.
Newcastle Cycling Campaign lobbies for better provision for cyclists in Newcastle by coordinating the efforts of individuals and cycling organisations to enable Newcastle to become truly cycle-friendly. For further information, visit the Newcastle Cycling Campaign website.
Recyke y'bike is a community project that accepts donated bikes from members of the public and recycles them for use by groups of people, such as the long-term unemployed, those who have been homeless, and those with mental health problems. If you have a bike that you haven't used for a while you could donate it to Recyke y'bike, or you could go to one of their workshops to learn how to fix it yourself. They also sell the refurbished bikes (and bits for bikes) at a low cost. For further information, contact them using the details below, or visit the Recyke y'bike website.
Dancing
Anyone can enjoy dancing, regardless of age, shape, size, or whether or not you have danced before. Usually, you don’t need any special equipment to be able to dance. You can dance as part of a group, or alone, and in a variety of places. The social side of dancing can reduce isolation and help you to build your confidence and self-esteem.
For information on dance sessions in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website. The following organisations may also be of interest.
Age UK Newcastle hold several different dance classes as part of their Healthy Living Centre programme. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Age UK Newcastle website.
Dance City is the National Dance Agency for the North East of England and is based in Newcastle. They have a programme of dance classes, as well as running workshops and holding performances that you can go and watch. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Dance City website.
Newcastle Dance Centre also has a programme of dance classes for all ages and abilities; whether you are a beginner, an accomplished professional, or just seeking extra enjoyment from dancing. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Newcastle Dance Centre website.
Green Gym
The Green Gym is a health project for adults who lead inactive lifestyles, experience isolation, or have mental or physical health problems. Each person who takes part can gain in fitness, health and wellbeing. New skills can be learnt, new friends made and new interests discovered.
The Green Gym brings local people together to 'work out' in their local communities, through activities such as litter picking, woodland management and hedge pruning. Training and support is available to all members of the group, so that they can develop their skills and confidence. For further information, contact Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle using the details given below, or visit their website.
New Age Kurling
New Age Kurling is a form of curling that can be played on any flat indoor surface. It is accessible, fun and can be played by people of all abilities, including wheelchair users.
The Search Project is currently running New Age Kurling sessions. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Search Project website.
Pilates
Pilates combines western and eastern philosophies; teaching body awareness and breathing techniques, as well as promoting strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
For information on pilates sessions in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website.
Body Control Pilates has a network of qualified teachers who work to a strict Code of Practice governing their teaching standards and professional ethics. You can look for your nearest qualified teacher on the Body Control Pilates website.
Swimming
You can find out about activities or classes at your local swimming pool or leisure centre in our section on Leisure centres and swimming pools.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi originates from China and is a form of martial art which gently exercises the body, strengthens muscles, increases flexibility and improves balance. It is a great way of relaxing the mind and body, helping to combat the stresses and strains of everyday life.
For information on tai chi sessions in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website.
Target Golf
Target Golf is suitable for everyone, including older people, people with sensory impairments, and people in wheelchairs. It's a great way to meet new people and to get some gentle exercise. For further information, visit the Rookie Sports website.
Walking
Walking is an ideal way to get some fresh air. You can walk by yourself, or you can join others on an organised walk.
For information on organised walking groups in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website. There are also other organisations that provide support for walking activities, some of which are mentioned below.
Walkit.com encourages people to walk more by providing tools, making it clear how long a walk may take, what the benefits are, as well as providing maps and directions.
Walk4Life enables you to create short walks near where you live, to find way-marked miles, or track your progress. It also lists free walking events.
The Newcastle Association of City Guides take people on guided tours around landmarks in Newcastle. You can join them on a range of public walking tours from May to September. All of the guides are trained volunteers. For further information, visit the Newcastle City Guides website.
There are also a number of Green Badge Guides who are self-employed accredited tour guides who have completed a course in all aspects of tourist guiding. They are able to research and customise tours for everyone from conference visitors to local community groups. For further information, visit the Newcastle City Council website.
Newcastle & District CHA HF Rambling Club has been around since 1902. They organise 3 led walks a week and weekends away. For further information, visit their website.
The Newcastle Ranger Service provides details of a number of self-led walks on countryside sites in Newcastle. Locations vary from areas of ancient woodland to country parks developed on reclaimed land. Ranger-led walks are also available by request. For further information, visit the Newcastle City Council website.
The Ouseburn Trust have developed several heritage walks around the Ouseburn Valley. They also have a programme of organised walks and talks. For further information, contact them using the details given below, or visit the Ouseburn Trust website.
The Search Project organises several different walking groups. For further information, contact the Search Project using the details below, or visit the Search Project website.
Newcastle’s branch of The University of the Third Age (U3A) has several walking groups, undertaking coastal strolls, nature walks and rambles. Members walk at a steady pace, giving plenty of time to look around and chat. For further information, contact Newcastle U3A using the details given below.
Yoga
Yoga originated in India and combines exercise with posture, breathing and relaxation techniques. There are many different types of yoga.
For information on yoga sessions in Newcastle, visit the Over 50s section of the Active Newcastle website.
The British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and is the governing body for yoga in Great Britain. They have a nationwide network of qualified teachers and promote yoga classes to the general public. To find a class in your local area, visit The British Wheel of Yoga website.
Other useful information
The Active Places website includes information on a wide range of sports facilities. You can use their database to search for the nearest sports and leisure facilities to you, or to find a particular organisation.
The Quality of Life Partnership's Active Ageing programme organised Senior Games Week, which was held in Newcastle in August 2006. The impetus for organising the event was to ensure that older people featured in Newcastle City Council's Year of Exercise and Sport. The week-long event offered a range of activity for older people from the most active to the more frail, and also provided a varied and interesting programme for visitors from other European cities. See the report on Senior Games Week Thank you for getting me up to dance for more information.
Contact Information
Age UK Newcastle
5th Floor, Hadrian House, Higham Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AF.
Telephone : 0191 2326488, Fax : 0191 2359925.
Email : enquiries@ageuknewcastle.org.uk
Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle
The Eco Centre, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE31 1SR.
Telephone : 0191 428 1144, Telephone Helpline : 0191 428 1155.
Email : alene.jauncey@groundwork.org.uk
Newcastle U3A
1 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DW.
Telephone : 0191 230 4430.
Email : newcastleu3a@hotmail.com
Ouseburn Trust
Ouseburn Resource Centre, 53 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ.
Telephone : 0191 261 6596, Fax : 0191 230 4210.
Email : info@ouseburntrust.org.uk
Recyke y'bike
Unit 2, Hannington Street, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1JT.
Telephone : 07737 526 020.
Search Project
74 Adelaide Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9JN.
Telephone : 0191 273 7443, Fax : 0191 272 5135.
Email : searchprojectuk@yahoo.co.uk
Article last updated January 30, 2012 9:23 pm
