The Great Outdoors

We’ve all been there. You’ve had a long day at work and after dragging yourself to the gym in an attempt to feel better, you arrive to discover there are no treadmills available and the cross trainers are all occupied. Perfect.

For those of you who dread the humid and dark alternative of Bowen Road, there are some great options to get you out and about after work or on the weekends that will also spice up your exercise routine.

Public Swimming Pools

I can already see you turning your nose up at the thought of venturing to a public pool but I can assure you, there are some hidden gems! Personal favourites include Kennedy Town Public Pool and Morrison Hill Swimming Pool. Both are 50m pools and cost $19 entry. There are lap lanes for the faster swimmer and clean shower facilities so you don’t have to head home smelling of chlorine.

If you still aren’t convinced, consider these little factoids. 30 minutes of swimming burns up to 300 calories and is the equivalent of 45 minutes of activity on land. Swimming is a low impact sport, putting little pressure on your joints (sometime your body needs to take a break from the treadmill or pavement!). Swimming builds endurance, muscle and cardiovascular strength without the stress and strains of running. Grab your swim caps girls, I promise it’ll be worth it!

Kennedy Town Swimming Pool, 2 Sai Cheung Street North, Kennedy Town
1st Session: 6:30am-12:00pm, 2nd Session: 1:00pm-5:00pm, 3rd Session 6:00pm-10:00pm

Morrison Hill Swimming Pool, 7 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
1st Session: 6:30am-12:00pm, 2nd Session: 1:00pm-5:00pm, 3rd Session 6:00pm-10:00pm

Paddle Boarding and Kayaking

Having seen a photo of Cameron Diaz paddle boarding on holiday recently, I decided I needed to give it a shot. After giving into the fact I was never going to look effortless and elegant as her, I headed to Sai Kung Watersports Centre (2791 0806) to try my hand at Hollywood’s latest exercise fad.

Gliding along the South China Sea, with the occasional faceplant into the water, I have never felt so far removed from the city. Working out your core, shoulders and arms you can burn up to 700 calories in an hour (50% more then running on a treadmill). It was ideal; a great way to clear my head, top up my tan and work out at the same time!

Wakeboarding

Getting out on the water is the perfect way to spend a weekend and wakeboarding is a full body workout that will leave you feeling the benefits for days afterwards! Focusing on arms, legs, abdominals and back, wakeboarding has become extremely popular for those looking to do something different with their day. Whether you just want to get up on the board or try a new trick, the guys at Tai Tam (wakeboard.com.hk) provide a great service for all levels. After all that hard work, treating yourself to lunch in Stanley is a great way to end the day!

Enjoy!

Charlotte is a born and bred Hong-Konger. She couldn’t bear to be parted with her favourite city so after graduating in the UK she came straight home! She loves the variety and the buzz in Hong Kong. There’s something special about a city that can offer so much in such a small space. In a city full of parties, dinners and events it’s hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle – but she tries her best! From hiking to detoxing, boxing to bootcamp, Charlotte is always finding new ways to stay active and keep healthy.