Try Something New this January
Happy 2026!
Welcoming in the New Year can often feel daunting. New goals, routines, expectations or resolutions can bring pressures to make big changes which can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be! Even small, achievable shifts towards being more active can make a massive difference to your physical and mental wellbeing – and January is the perfect time to try something you’ve never done before!
Whether your goal is to spend more time outdoors, move your body more often, or finally try the MOVE class you’ve been meaning to, even small changes can have noticeable benefits.
Tips for a nurturing January:
Build small habits into your routine, including sleep, hydration and regular movement.
Take care of your mental health by speaking to those around you and using grounding techniques such as mindfulness or meditation to help avoid stress and burnout in the new year.
Find movement that suits you! There are many ways to be active, but there is something for everyone to enjoy. We have over 130 MOVE classes a week, including dancing, basketball, cycling, and hula hooping. Why not give something new a go?
Take advantage of UWE Sport’s resources! We have a lot to offer, and if you’ve never used them before, now could be the perfect time to try something different.
With the days still dark and cold, finding the motivation to get outside and move can be challenging. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 - NHS. However, working full-time or having caring responsibilities can make this difficult to achieve.
Being active doesn’t have to involve long runs or training for a triathlon (though we do have the Great Bristol Run and TRY series coming up soon!). Setting small realistic goals and breaking up long periods of sedentary time can be one of the most beneficial approaches.
Ways to try something new at UWE
Deskercise; simple exercises that can be done directly from your desk. Why not try them between meetings, at the start of the day, or after lunch? General 2 — UWE Bristol Sport
Have a walk with a colleague or friend on campus
UWE On Demand classes to workout in your own time, in the comfort of your own space. We have 30 minutes classes (FIND 30) and 15-minute classes (FIND 15) which include HIIT workouts, Pilates, and conditioning sessions. On Demand Classes — On Demand Classes — UWE Bristol Sport
Try a MOVE class UWE MOVE — UWE Bristol Sport We have a wide range of sessions for everyone to enjoy, including badminton, netball, strength classes, hula hooping, MENO Strength, meditation, and yoga. What’s more, every month a musician from the Centre of Music will accompany the yoga class, on a Wednesday evening, which you can book on the MOVE app.
Try a personal training session with Sharief, our highly experienced personal trainer based at the Centre for Sport at Frenchay Campus for some personal training. sharief.adrissi@uwe.ac.uk
Trim Trail on Frenchay Campus –follow the eight stations on the outdoor course focusing on strength, speed, and balance. General 1 — UWE Bristol Sport
So, in 2026… what new thing are you going to try?