Try something new in Newbury in 2017

Whether you are thinking of learning something new or trying a new fitness regime, why not make 2017 the year you stick to that New Year’s resolution and give it a go?

Learn Something New

Newbury College has over 300 part-time leisure courses at various venues across West Berkshire, including at their Monks Road site. Check out their online prospectus at www.newbury-college.ac.uk to see what tempts you. If you aren’t able to make a regular weekly commitment, there are several one-day offerings on Saturdays too, which include the following: 

An Introduction to Throwing and Hand Building – discover your inner potter: 4 February

Creative Jewellery Making – an introduction to making contemporary jewellery from beads, wire and found objects: 4 February

Knitting for Beginners – knitting is all the rage and this will enable you to start knitting confidently: 11 March

Candle Making – discover the basics of this beautiful art: 13 May

Get Fit

Newbury is well equipped with a fantastic selection of local gyms, one of which is bound to be just what you are looking for to help you get fitter. They are positioned at all points in and around the town which means one is sure to be ideally positioned for you. Why not get in touch and discover what New Year offers they might have?

David Lloyd Club, Monks Lane, Newbury RG14 7RW

Open 7 days a week, including 6.30am–10.30pm weekdays, this modern gym is packed full of facilities for the whole family. www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/newbury

Donnington Valley Hotel Spa & Health Club, Old Oxford Road, Newbury RG14 3AG

Gym memberships are tailored to suit individual fitness needs and budgets. Health club members also have full access to the spa and the busy and varied social events calendar at the Donnington Valley Hotel. www.donningtonvalley.co.uk/spa-and-fitness

Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, Racecourse Road, Newbury RG14 7PN

Start your experience with a 12-point health MOT; this informs a planned approach to your first three months of membership and a second MOT makes sure your progress is on track. www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/newbury

BST Fitness, Parkway, Newbury RG14 1EE

Situated in the town centre behind Parkway Shopping, this health and fitness club has a culture of social enterprise and inclusivity, with no-contract membership available, free parking for a limited number of cars and a bus stop right outside. www.mybst.org/newbury

Victoria Park Equipment

If you aren’t a ‘gym’ person, why not pop along to Victoria Park and try out the equipment which is free for all to use? There are several pieces of equipment available: spinning bikes, hydraulic bench press, hydraulic leg press, hydraulic shoulder press, hydraulic steppe, chin and dip station, and abdominal bench. Clear and simple video instructions on how to use the various machines are available to view on smartphones, accessed via a QR code on each station.