The 3 Steps to Preparing for the Playoff Finals

Posted on by Megan Leeson

With the BUCS season drawing to a close for a lot of teams and 13 Bristol teams having already won their respective leagues, 6 teams have been preparing for their upcoming Playoff Finals, in the hope of being promoted to the next league. Our Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach Calum Conway explains how the University’s Strength and Conditioning team have helped prepare them for the big games.

As coaches, we prepare as much as possible to have the perfect year. Planning around a competition schedule, identifying peaks and troughs in the calendar year and applying basic scientific, technical and tactical principles to the clubs that we have in front of us. One very exciting prospect when planning the perfect year is playoff time. Making sure teams peak for their biggest games is important and we try to reflect that importance in our coaching and programming.

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Are You Wearing the Best Running Shoes for You?

Posted on by Megan Leeson

When choosing to buy a new running shoe, it can be difficult to know where to start. From the type of cushioning you need, to the type of insole that will suit you best, there are lots of factors to consider when choosing the shoes that are right for your feet. Wearing the right shoes is vital to allow comfortable, efficient running and more importantly, prevent injury.

So, where do we start?

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3 Ways Sport, Exercise and Health Are Building Inclusive Communities

Posted on by Megan Leeson

In Sport, Exercise and Health, one of our main priorities is to develop an inspirational and inclusive sporting community. In this week’s blog post, our Sport Development Assistant Ella Waite, explains three of the key ways we as a division are helping to build these inclusive communities from a mass-participation yoga session 🧘 to a football tournament held during Black History Month âš½!

Inclusion is embracing all individuals, regardless of race, gender, disability, or other needs. It ensures equal access and opportunities, while removing barriers caused by discrimination. At Sport, Exercise and Health, inclusion is a priority, aligning with the University’s broader goals for 2030. Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging, which can enhance wellbeing, social support, and resilience – key factors to a healthier and happier life.

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The Health and Fitness Goals the Sport, Exercise and Health Team Are Setting For 2025

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As we enter a new year, many of us will be thinking of some New Year goals to set ourselves. Instead of framing these goals as strict resolutions, why not think of them as intentions? Making this small shift enables room for a more flexible approach to our goals, focusing on progress, flexibility and self-compassion 💪. Our Development Officer, Molly Poulter William, asked the Sport, Exercise and Health team what their intentions are for 2025 in this week’s blog post.

Love them or hate them, New Year Resolutions are a hot topic in January. Social media ‘For You’ pages across the globe are full of ‘New Year, New Me’ messages, Pinterest-worthy vision boards, goal-setting journal prompts and pseudo-scientific motivational quotes. And here we are, adding another New Year blog into the mix…

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A Runner’s Guide to Tackling the Cold Weather

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As we head deeper into winter and the temperature drops, many runners face a pivotal decision: retreat to the treadmill or embrace the brisk outdoors. In this week’s blog post, our Marketing and Communications Officer Sophie, discusses how to motivate yourself to get running outdoors and make the most of the cold weather!

The cold can seriously impact willpower when it comes to tackling that long weekend run. This weekend I was reticent to go out in the cold, but I’m glad I did. I am a bit of a fair-weather runner, myself. If it rains, it takes a lot of internal battling to get my feet out of the front door. I imagine snow would take even more of a talking up! It seems like everyone gets into a frenzy when snow descends upon England, we are not equipped to deal with it. However, I did see some dedicated runners plugging away at their miles yesterday. Good for them! (more…)

How Tennis Can Increase Life Expectancy More Than Any Other Sport

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Ever wondered which sport can help you live the longest? In this week’s blog, our Director of Tennis Andy Trott, discusses the numerous benefits that playing tennis has on your health and wellbeing, as well as record-breaking numbers for our University Tennis department!

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recently published its Global Tennis Report which, amongst other things, identified that there are now over 100 million people playing tennis around the world. This is the first time the sport has ever reached over 100 million people in one year. The report also highlighted where the greatest growth in the sport is coming from based (per capita) and it’s good news for British Tennis! The report confirmed that 13.4% of the population play tennis, a greater percentage of the population than of any in the world.

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University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club Charity Day at Coombe Dingle

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is written by the University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club, as they hosted a charity day on 13 November. From taking over the @bristolunisport Instagram stories for the day, to bringing their hockey kit in a microwave, read what else they got up during the day!

The 13 November saw University of Bristol Ladies Hockey Club (UBLHC) takeover of Coombe Dingle, with four teams playing BUCS matches against opposition from Bath, Cardiff and Hartpury. But the fun didn’t stop there. We hosted a charity day alongside our matches, raising money for two Bristol-based charities that we have worked closely with before: Bristol Hygiene Bank and The Bridge, which offers support to individuals after experiencing sexual assault.

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Rise and Shine or Unwind? Exploring the Benefits of Morning and Evening Workouts

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Earlier this term, we opened our first new gym in over 20 years! Located in Hiatt Baker, the largest hall of residence at the University, students living in this accommodation can now keep active more conveniently. However; whether you live near a gym or not, exercising in all forms in the morning and evening has many benefits! In this week’s blog, our Facilities and Operations Manager, Gordon Aitken, discusses these physical, mental and emotional benefits.

Incorporating sport and physical activity into your daily routine, particularly at the start and end of the day, can offer numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Whether you’re a morning exerciser, an evening athlete, or both, there are distinct advantages to scheduling workouts during these key times of day. This is the beauty of the new gym that has opened this term at Hiatt Baker, enabling busy students to best incorporate being active into their lives.

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5 Ways Walking Benefits Your Mental Health

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Bristol Moves+ is an app designed to support University of Bristol students and staff who may have lower activity levels to achieve more daily movement, for the benefit of their mental and physical health.

In this article we will focus on how activity (particularly walking) benefits our mental health, as well as our physical health.

Physical activity can seem harder to achieve as the days get shorter and the dark draws in. But understanding how it can benefit you – alongside finding a way to build it into your routine – can be a really effective way of sticking to it and enhancing your mental wellbeing.

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How the Strength and Conditioning Team are Supporting Youth Programmes

Posted on by Megan Leeson

After a busy summer getting our performance sports clubs prepared for the upcoming BUCS season, our Head of Strength and Conditioning Coach Calum Conway discusses how the University’s Strength and Conditioning team are also supporting our youth programmes.

Pre-season S&C at the OWL gym at Coombe Dingle

Pre-season was an incredible opportunity to welcome our performance sports back to Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and provide four weeks of preparation ahead of the 2024/24 BUCS season. However, the Strength and Conditioning (S&C) department were also hard at work preparing a number of other clubs this summer, making use of the facilities and expertise on campus.

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