Picking Your Activity - a beginners guide

Which activity do I go for...?

In our top tips article, we list Tip Number 1 to be finding your activity, but we realise that with the huge number of different activities, clubs, groups available it can often be hard to know which way to turn.

The wide variety of sports and pastimes can seem overwhelming, so we've produced this guide to hopefully help you with choosing the right activity for you...

1. Current Status - Write an initial list
   As you are thinking about starting an activity, you can create an initial list and as you do more research, you can add and change it as you go.
   What have you previously tried and enjoyed?
   Would you like to re-start this, or is it definitely time for you to look elsewhere?
   What can you rule out as definitely not for you?
   What do you think you'd like to try? and why?
2. Refining your list.. the Activity Itself - factors to think about
   Inside / Outside : Do you like being in the great outdoors? happy to put up with training in wind, rain, snow? or do you prefer the idea of being indoors, constant temperatures and out of the elements?
   Gentle and Serene / Fast, Hot, Sweaty : Are you looking for a gentle, more serene activity (tai-chi, yoga, bowls)? Do you want a hard, tough workout where you are guaranteed to sweat every time (Circuits, Squash, Running)
   Land / Water : Are you happy on hard ground, or does the lure of the water grab you as there are many water based activities to choose from..
   Individual / Group : Are you happy training solo (even if you join a club or gym) or do you like the idea of being part of a group or class each time you take part.
   You'll probably have a short list of activities, so it's a good time to look at the practicalities
3. Practicalities - will it work for you?
   Depending on the activity and the goals you set, you want to make sure the activity you set will be right to help meet your goals.
   How often do you want to go? : Are you planning to do this twice a week, 4 times, every day? 
   Location: How easy is it to get to? How far are you happy to travel?
   Does it fit with your current work/life balance? What support do you need in place to make it work?
   Low Budget / Budget Irrelevant : While many sports can be started on a low budget, it is worth considering as part of the process as the less issues you may have, the more likely you are to succeed.
   1. How much basic kit do you need?
   2. How much will you realistically need for year 1
   3. How much are you happy to pay for the initial sessions, membership?

Hopefully you will be able to find the right activity and all the practicalities fit together, so then it's up to you to make it happen..