Three reasons for not exercising... And Spogo

Capital of Sport

The weather's warming up (yes, I'm ever the optimist) which removes one of those excuses I sometimes drum up for not exercising.

Another of my anti-exercise excuses - I'm giving all my secrets to you now - is perceived tiredness. But these longer evenings work wonders for my self-diagnosed Very Acute Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder (VASAD). Spring appears and I have to be held back from sprinting to the next lamp post, which makes me long for summer all year round, kind of like a reverse Narnia. Give me this and I'll beat Paula Radcliffe.

The third thing that keeps me on the sofa is other people - or rather the lack of them. If I've agreed to meet a friend in Richmond Park for a ride, my bike would need to snap in half for me not to get there. Let me be honest: the odds of me hitting the gym tonight are far lower.

This is why I'm a Serial Sports Club Member. I've lost count of the number of clubs I've joined and I'm forever on the lookout for a new one. Last summer, I was introduced to Spogo.co.uk, a lottery-funded site that crunches all of the club data that sport governing bodies and local authorities had been keeping to themselves. Thanks to Spogo, I now know there's a ridiculous number of archery clubs and Nordic walking coaches in my local area. Who knew!

You may think that you need to be an athlete to join a sports club, and if you're eyeing up Team Sky then I'd say yes, you do. But the majority of sports clubs actively recruit complete beginners - kids and adults alike.

A year ago, my barely-buoyant front crawl and I joined a swimming club. One year on and we're no longer the slowest in the slowest lane, and I just can't stop showing off my tumble turn. And you think I'm exaggerating.

If you're tempted by a sports club, 'tis the season to join.

Posted Date
May 9, 2013 in Capital of Sport by Rachel Thom