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Be a motivational mate

4 Jan 2022 15:11PM by Virgin Active

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This week, we're focusing on being there when our friends or loved ones need us. There is no better time to do this than in the (sometimes gloomy) month of January. It’s common to feel lonely or isolated in January, when loved ones and friends you met up with over the holiday season are back to work or at university/collage. But there are things you can do to help yourself or anyone who doesn’t quite feel themselves: get out in nature, meet up with them for a coffee or a meal, or invite them to join you for a workout.


Sport is a great stress reliever and happy hormones are released when we work out. Be a support for your friend if they are struggling, encourage them to talk openly about how they’re feeling and invite them to your club as a guest to try our facilities. You might just make their day!    

You can also try the exercises below together while gently stretching your muscles and giving your body a full toning workout.  


Level up in Reformer Pilates

Chances are that you've heard of mat Pilates. It’s an exercise that stabilises and strengthens your core, back and spine. Once many people have mastered Pilates with a mat, they may decide to start using a reformer machine – a bed-like frame with a flat platform that rolls on wheels. This helps with posture control, and the frame is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs, allowing you to adjust resistance. An adjustable bar holds the springs, and you can then push and pull the carriage with your own strength and body weight, offering adaptability for different body shapes and skill levels. Reformer Pilates can also help with rehabilitation following injury. 

Our Reformer Pilates classes are great for all levels of ability and can help you to grow confidence in your strength and agility. Find out more here.    

Try some Yoga

Yoga is for everyone, regardless of flexibility or ability level. Try our classes in our yoga studios today and flex the tension away. There's even Yoga One for newbies and for those who want to take things at a slower pace. We love the Mountain Pose for calming anxiety and grounding, the Forward Fold to work on opening up your spine and hamstrings, and the Plank for working all muscles in your body.  

Find Yoga One classes on your App and in some of our clubs.

Take a Mental Health First Aid course

We're giving all members the opportunity to sign up to our Mental Health First Aid course, because by becoming a Mental Health First Aider, you can be a vital lifeline in supporting someone who really needs help. Mental Health First Aiders support and help those who are experiencing distress, stress, anxiety/depression or suicidal thoughts, and give them companionship and comfort until professional or emergency help arrives. Our course covers the importance of mental health and how everyday life stressors and other factors can impact on our wellbeing. For more information and to sign up, click here. 


We’re here to help you and your workout buddies start 2022 as you mean to go on. We’ll help you feel happier, fitter and calmer. For whatever life throws at you, you’ve got a friend in us. We hope to see you soon. 

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