One of the best things about moving to Red Deer Village in retirement, is the extra time you gain. With a more manageable sized home and garden, there’s more time for you to spend doing the things you love, or trying new things!

You might have never had time to take up and learn a new sport whilst you were working or raising your family. Now is as good a time as any to take up a new hobby, and try that sport you’re interested in!

 

Health & Safety

Before starting any new sport or physical activity, that might change the level and range of movement you are used to, it’s always a good idea to get a health check from your physician.

Whether you feel healthy or not, you’ll be reassured by their assessment. Furthermore, they might have some health tips for keeping yourself safe in whatever activity you choose. This could be making you aware of any limitations your body might have, or support gear you could benefit from using.   

 

Choosing A Sport

Once you have been given the all clear, it’s time to decide what it is you want to get from your chosen sport. Do you have real fitness goals, do you want to learn new skills, or are you interested in the social aspect? There are so many sports to choose from – we’ve pulled together just a few you might like the sound of.

 

Social Sports

There is nothing wrong with being mostly interested in the social aspect of sport. You’re still being active, which will have benefits to your health. Furthermore, the support of teammates or other players can make the process of learning something new all the more enjoyable! What you choose to do really depends on the amount of time you want to spend doing it, how much you’re willing to spend on equipment, and how active you want to be.

For a low-cost hobby where you can enjoy the company of others, look to something like bowling. Not only will you be engaging muscles, but also building upon skills and techniques that help to keep your brain healthy too! There are bowling clubs all over Scotland – find one near you here. Light activities similar to bowling are darts, or even croquet.

Golf is a larger investment of money with higher membership fees than most clubs, and more expensive equipment required. It’s also a larger investment of your time to build up your skill level, to travel to new courses and complete the courses. However, if you are looking for something to dedicate time to it’s a fantastic sport, and extremely sociable. Being a member of a club will open you up to a number of social events! Find your local club here.

 

Work Up A Sweat

If your aim is to raise your fitness levels, there are a number of great sports which require you to push yourself that little bit further. By being part of a team you’ll still have the social aspect to the sport, as well as motivating you to up your fitness levels and skills!

Tennis is a great sport to get involved in. It can be played all year round, indoors or outdoors, it doesn’t take too long to complete a game, and gives you a good workout. You don’t need to be a member of a club, meaning you can simply book a court to play on, and you don’t need to invest too much money getting started! Find your nearest club here.  

Dance is not just tons of fun, it has a variety of health benefits for your muscles, balance, cardiovascular system, brain function and stress levels! There are lots of different types of dance you can get involved in from classic partner ballroom styles, technical styles like tap, or more aerobic types used specifically for fitness such as Zumba. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a great time learning! Classes can be held anywhere from your local church, sports facilities, or dedicated studios. Whatever your level there will be local classes suited to you.

 

Personal Goals

Aside from team sports and activities, there can be a real benefit to setting your own personal goals. Solo exercise can be a fantastic stress relief, and give you time to think about yourself and your needs. It also means you can pace yourself, and build up stamina in your own time around your lifestyle.

Running, in particular, is a great solo activity. You don’t require any special equipment or membership; simply a good supportive pair of trainers and comfortable clothing. Running outside can be especially rewarding, as well as taking in fresh air you can find stunning trails through countryside, beside water or even just around local parks. Similarly, cycling can also be a great way to exercise whilst taking in beautiful scenery.

For something a little less stressful on the joints, there’s swimming – a fantastic all-over body workout! Whether it’s laps around the pool, or aqua aerobics, there are lots of ways to enjoy this activity. A similarly good strength workout, that also incorporates stretching too, is yoga or pilates. Again, with both activities you can take it to whatever level you’re comfortable, and build up strength and flexibility in your own time!

These are all sports and physical activities which can be taken on with personal goals in mind – but if you’d miss that social interaction, there are still many local clubs and classes you can attend. Here, you can learn from other members how to improve technique, for example.

 

So what are you waiting for? If you’re inspired to take on a new sport or activity, search your local area to find out what classes and clubs are around you!

 

Extra Reading:

startsat60.com/lifestyle

health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/senior-health-lifestyle/10-active-senior-hobbies7.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired