In case you missed it see what’s in this section
Running
About
Running is one of the cheapest sports to take up and you can literally do it anywhere, anytime, meaning that even if you're super-busy can still fit it around your hectic schedule.
What are the benefits?
Running can have a range of benefits on your health it can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve your cardiovascular system, elevate moods, lower stress and slow the ageing process.
Where to start
If you’ve not been active for a while, you may want to build your fitness levels before you move on to running. Running clubs are a great way to get yourself started, click here for Bath's definitive list of running clubs. Why not sign up for this year's Bath Half Marathon to keep you motivated? Or complete one of DB Max's incredible Races.
Cookery
About
The ability to learn and improve at home is one of the main reasons why cookery is such a popular pastime. Some people cook for its relaxing qualities while others enjoy the thrill of experimentation or the excitment of attempting a dish that they've seen on TV or in a magazine.
What are the benefits?
Cooking is a reward in itself. The end result is made even more satisfying when others get to enjoy the dishes that you've created.
Where to start
Learning to cook really is as simple as following a recipe book or watching a cookery show. If you want to learn from an expert, click here for full listings of cookery workshops in Bath.
Rugby
About
If you’re sick of shouting at the telly and want to see if you can do a better job yourself, then why not get involved with your local rugby club?
What are the benefits?
It’s a great way to keep active and make new friends. Not one for the faint hearted - rugby involves heavy contact and requires strength, stamina and fitness.
Where to start??
Bath Rugby provides excellent facilities for both male and female Rugby teams. For a full list of rugby clubs in Bath click here.
Learn A Language
About
Learn to express yourself fluently and confidently in foreign language. As well as developing your speaking, listening and reading skills, learning a new language will extend your qualifications and boost your brain power.
What are the benefits?
Having another language under your belt can open up career opportunities in both in this country and abroad, as well as improve your travel prospects.
Who can help?
Bath College is a Further and Higher Education College located in the heart of Bath & NE Somerset that offers
Vocational and Professional courses, Apprenticeships and Love2learn leisure courses.
Todo El Mundo is a fantastic language school in Bath that gives adults and children the chance to learn or develop a new life skill. They offer summer schools, group classes, and tutoring.
Football
About
Football is one of the most popular past times in the world - who doesn't love a kick about with their friends?
What are the benefits?
Football can be enjoyed by all ages and used to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Where to start?
For a full list of football clubs in Bath click here.
Meditation
About:
Meditation is an excerise where you use your ability to focus the mind on a particular object, thought or activity to teach attention and awareness, and reach a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
What are the benefits?
It can help reduce stress, control anxiety, improves sleep and can decrease blood pressure.
Where to start?
The Soul Spa offers a dedicated space for meditation and mind-body therapies. They have an open and adventurous attitude to treatments, combining practices such as acupuncture with guided meditation, or reflexology with sound healing. Whether you have specific issues or just need a bit of extra support, they can help.
Find some meditation classes that suit you HERE!
Rock Climbing
About
Rock climbing involves making your way up a wall by way of tiny cracks, crevices and outcroppings - giving your body and your brain a complete workout.
What are the benefits?
If you're looking to improve your cardiovascular health, tone your muscles or lose weight, rock climbing may just be what the doctor ordered.
Where to start
Based at the Bristol Climbing Centre, Undercover Rock is the leading provider of climbing instruction in the South West. A Regional Centre of Excellence, they can introduce you to the thrills and challenges of this exciting sport – from indoor taster sessions to major rock climbing adventures.
Cycling
About
For people who have always enjoyed bike riding, taking the sport up a level by using road cycles and doing longer rides can be a terrific hobby.
What are the benefits?
Cycling has some major health benefits and it's pretty cost effective too - after all, there’s no road tax, MOT or insurance to be paid.
Where to start
First things first, you're going to need a bike, we'd recommend buying a second hand cycle just in case this hobby isn't for you. Sustrans has a fantastic supply of local cycle routes and hints and tips for getting started.
Rowing
About
Rowing can be either be recreational or a competitive sport. The boats are propelled by the rowers levering the boat through the water with oars. The activity can be enjoyed by either a single person or a team of up to nine per boat.
What are the benefits?
Unlike some other exercises, rowing has both aerobic and anaerobic benefits and is great for your heart, arms and legs.
Where to start
Minerva Bath is located on the River Avon at Newbridge, Bath and offers its members a good stretch of river from Bath weir up to Saltford, which is about 5km end to end.
Gardening
About
Gardening is a relaxing year-round hobby that can be enjoyed by people from any age group.
What are the benefits?
Recent studies have found that the benefits of gardening extend far beyond the obvious rewards of exercise and fresh air. Gardening can help improve your mental and physical health as well as improve your sleep patterns.
Where to start
Make sure you have all the basics covered, from good soil to the right plants - brush up on your facts before you go getting your hands dirty.
Archery
About
Archery is a sport where competitors use bows to shoot arrows at a target. It's a laid-back, solitary sport that can be competitive or non, and doesn't require a whole lot of physical fitness or skill when you are first starting out.
What are the benefits?
Quiet, non-strenuous sports that require your complete attention are beneficial to your health because they produce a calming effect on the brain which then reduces stress. It's a fun and relaxing hobby that men and women of all ages can enjoy.
Where to start
There are a number of ways you can get involved in archery, the first step is to contact your local club.
Zumba
About
Zumba is all about having a good time while you keep fit. Each class consists of exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness routines that are sure to keep you looking trim.
What are the benefits?
Zumba is a great program for making you feel good while exercising at a high intensity. If your goal is to do aerobic or even anaerobic training, Zumba is a great way to start.
Where to start
Bath boasts a variety of classes for beginners right through to those with experience. For more information about Zumba in Bath click here.
Fishing
About
Fishing is a hobby that is both relaxing and can take place in some of the most beautiful surroundings possible.
What are the benefits?
Besides having a tasty fish to enjoy after a long days angling, fishing is also very entertaining. Fishing is not only measured by how many fish were caught, but by the level of satisfaction and challenge involved.
Where to start?
As with most sports and hobbies, it’s best to start with some instruction. We'd advise taking a few fishing lessons from a club or having some lessons from a professional instructor.
Martial Arts
About
Marial Arts is the study of the different combat styles from across the world, but most notably East Asia. Disciplines include Judo, Karate, Tai Kwon Do, and Ju-Jitsu, among many others.
What are the benefits?
Martial Arts has a huge amount of benefits, such as getting fit, confidence, weight control, self-defence, toning up, body definition, and most of all, meeting new people and having fun!
Where to start?
Talk to the highly-decorated and well-respected Matt Fiddes and his team to get started. With classes for all abilities, men, women and children as young as three can sign up and have fun. You can even go to classes as a family!