New Workshops! Fitness for Gardeners and Outdoor Exercise
As our days lengthen we get ‘extra bonus’ minutes of sunlight each day, it’s a perfect time for getting moving. I’m delighted to host two brand NEW springtime workshops at Leith Community Croft, our local growing space run by charity Earth in Common.
Book in today, there’s only 15 places each session:
Workshop #1 - Fit to Grow: Fitness for Gardeners
3pm - 5pm Thursday 20 March, tickets from £21.98
Celebrate Spring Equinox by preparing for the growing season ahead – two hours to learn how to keep yourself in tip top condition, so you can spring into gardening with energy and fewer aches and pains.
Gardening is not only good for the environment, it also has numerous health benefits, both physical and mental. However, it can be hard work. There’s lots of bending, lifting and digging that can be tough on the body and on the joints. By focusing on your own fitness, you’ll be able to grow more - whether on the allotment or in your garden. By growing more of your own food, you can work to reduce waste, as well as your waistline at the same time… It's a win win situation.
Learn practical exercises that will help you be strong for outdoor tasks. Personal Trainer Tracy Griffen teaches gardeners’ specific strength and flexibility exercises to aid recovery and maximise time in the garden. In addition, we’ll look at the prevention of common injuries. She’s also qualified in horticulture, and there will be a Q & A session at the end where we can exchange growing and fitness tips whilst enjoying some healthy snacks.
We welcome gardeners of all ages and abilities, you definitely don’t need to be fit to do this workshop.
What’s included:
· Gardening for functional fitness.
· Specific gardening strength exercises for core, legs and balance.
· Mindfulness for gardening, remembering our connection to the earth and the importance of growing.
· How to improve grip strength.
· Learn stretches to recover from heavy digging and weeding, and to prevent injuries.
· ‘Gardeners back’ specific exercises.
· Ideas for healthy snack ideas on the plot and eating for energy.
· Live snack demonstration and healthy vegan nibbles for the group.
· Q & A at the end. Meet new friends and swap stories.
· All exercises emailed to you after the session.
A fun and interactive workshop suitable for all ages and abilities. Seniors especially welcome.
Book your ticket through EventBrite.
Workshop #2- Moving and Eating with the Seasons
3pm - 5pm Friday 14 March, tickets from £21.98
Have you always wanted to exercise outdoors but don't know where to start? Perhaps you want to be in nature more, or perhaps you just feel you might look silly exercising in a park. This is an introductory session for people who are outdoor-curious. Numerous scientific studies have proven that exercising in the greenspace is good for your headspace, but where to start?
Learning how to exercise outdoors will give you a fresh appreciation for the nature that is all around us. Appreciating the great outdoors and its innate connection to our well-being is crucial for understanding our impact on the environment – becoming mindful about sustainability means you can choose how to reduce your carbon footprint, whether it’s active commuting, leaving the car at home more, or eating locally, with the seasons.
The workshop will cover:
· What to wear, what to take with you when exercising outdoors.
· Exercising outdoors in different weather. Park etiquette.
· Looking at aerobic exercise, how much do we need to do each week, and at what effort level?
· Using active commuting as part of your weekly exercise. Tips and hacks.
· How to use a park bench for a strength workout.
· Simple equipment you can take with you.
· Hidden greenspaces in Edinburgh.
· Reframing exercise as a positive experience rather than a chore (or regime).
· Simple stretches.
· Healthy nibbles and what to eat for energy. Live snack preparation demonstration.
· Q & A session at the end (eating snacks).
All exercises emailed to you after the session.
At the end of the workshop we will have a discussion about nutrition, including seasonal snack ideas, and why it’s a good idea to eat locally produced natural food. We’ll finish the workshop by preparing some snacks and eating them with a Q & A.
This workshop is an energising way to start your weekend.
This fun and fully interactive workshop is suitable for ages 18+ and all abilities.
