Move in the Midlands tips from @drumnbounce

Keeping the body moving is a key component to living a healthy life, but do you sometimes feel like it’s a chore or not for you? Let’s try and clear some of the obstacles that might get in the way. As someone who teaches both fitness and yoga classes, I know how important it is for classes to be accessible, enjoyable and motivating. 

So, check out my top recommendations for keeping yourself healthy and wholesome. And if transport is an obstacle, then no fear, all these options are on the number 50 bus route. It’s dead easy to use a Day Saver ticket, you get unlimited travel all day for £4 and you can use Contactless or the mTicket app so no need to hunt under the sofa for coins.

1. Healing Waves

Let us start in Balsall Heath, hop off at Moseley Road Baths to experience a free class Healing Waves. Every Monday at 12-1pm you start the session in the pool, consisting of gentle therapeutic movement carried out in the shallow part of the pool.

Then get dried off and move into a smaller room where you are guided through meditation and centering practices. A gentle approach combining movement in the body and stillness in the mind. A great combo finished off with refreshments and led by Roland, who not only knows his stuff, but also kept making me laugh. Check it out here along with other sessions on offer at the baths.

2. Swing Era 

Next stop is Moseley. Hop off at the Co-op and over the road is St Columba Church. You can find these guys here on Thursdays teaching Lindy Hop, which is an African American dance that started in the 1920s in Harlem in America. It’s a fun partnered dance, if you’ve seen rock and roll or jive it’s the long-lost cousin to those dances.

The classes are taught in an engaging way and thrives on having a welcoming community of fun people. It’s great exercise and a great way to meet new people. They teach 6-week courses and run seasonal events, social dances, and weekend workshops. Check out the website for more details here.

3. Drum n Bounce

While in Moseley, head over to Moseley Park and Pool. As well as a beautiful private park to stroll round and a gorgeous yoga studio you can find drum n bounce there. Drum n Bounce is a dance fitness class to drum & bass music who normally run sessions in Moseley Baths but during the summer they’ll be some silent disco classes available.

Okay, so we might be biased but we think this is the best aerobics class around. A high energy option that will improve your cardiovascular fitness, but you don’t need to be fit to join and there are low impact options. All the equipment is provided, and classes are £8 on various Wednesday evenings throughout the summer from 7-8pm. Head to Gymcatch to book and find out more here.

4. Circus Mash

Further up the route on Kings Heath High Street is Circus Mash, just behind the All-Saints Centre. They have been around for 10 years running classes, courses, parties and workshops in all manner of circus skills and play. Maybe you fancy yourself as a bit of a juggler or would like to try Ariel or Hula Hooping.

There are so many options to try and even opportunities to showcase your skills. Youths get a free trial and adult sessions start from £3. Check them out here.

5. Kings Heath Running Club

From the same bus stop, walk down Vicarage Road to Kings Heath Park to hang out with the Kings Heath Running Club. With sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can run round the area in safe hands with this lot, be you a complete newbie or a seasoned runner.

Offering a range of paces and routes they offer a 21-day free trial so you can try before you buy. I picked up some great simple warm up moves when I went which I’ve been using on my own runs. If you decide to join then it’s only £31 for the year, membership running April to March. Alongside the running, it’s got a great community feel and so if you’re new to the area it’s a lovely way to meet people. Their website is here.

6. This Girl Can Classes

Final stop on our movement mission is the stop just after Cocksmoor Wood Leisure Centre. Have you heard of This Girl Can Classes? They are geared at less active people and offer taster blocks of a variety of fitness styles. So, if an hour-long mainstream class seems a leap too far right now then this is a super alternative.

You can try Dance Fitness, Box Fitness, Tone, Move and Yoga Inspired Stretch each week to build confidence and discover which styles you prefer. A great option if you’re not sure what class might be the right fit for you, delivered in a safe and welcoming way. Classes are on Tuesdays at 10:30am and Fridays at 9:30am and cost £5.75 per session for non-members. Find them on this timetable here or head to their website for more information on other This Girl Can Classes.