Where Swim Qualifications Can Take You

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Learning to swim isn’t just a fun activity – it’s a fundamental life skill that can quite literally save lives. But what if you could take that skill and turn it into something more? Getting your lifeguard or swim teacher qualifications doesn’t just mean helping others, it can open doors to a whole world of opportunities. From working at summer camps in the US, spending time in sunny places like Dubai, or even travelling the world doing something you love, training as a lifeguard or swim teacher is a valuable and important job all over the world.

For this week’s blog post, our Aquatics Manager Caitlin tells us her story on how lifeguard and swim teacher qualifications got her travelling the world!

(more…)

10 Tips for Staying Motivated When You Begin a New Exercise Journey

Posted on by Megan Leeson

Embarking on a new exercise routine can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, lose weight, or simply enhance your overall wellbeing, the journey begins with that crucial first step: motivation. This week’s blog post is written by our Group Health and Fitness Manager James Rowntree, on his top 10 tips for staying motivated when you begin a new exercise journey.

1. Set Clear Goals 💪
Having specific and achievable goals can provide direction and a sense of purpose. A strong goal for beginners is to maintain their new routine for the first 6 weeks. If you can get through this, there is every chance your new workout will become a permanent part of your weekly routine!

(more…)

4 Easy Ways to Start Playing Tennis

Posted on by Megan Leeson

🧠 April is Stress Awareness Month, a good reminder to check in with your mental well-being and explore healthy ways to unwind. Being physically active is often recognised as a beneficial way to help manage stress, with the NHS stating that “physical activity is one of the best things you can do try and help deal with stress”.

Tennis is not only a fun and energising workout, but it also offers a number of stress-relief benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just picking up a racket for the first time, here are 4 easy and low-stress ways to enjoy tennis at the University of Bristol:

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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?

(more…)

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 ⚽!

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.

(more…)

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…

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)