ExHALE | University of Strathclyde

ExHALE stands for Exercise for Health, Achievement, Lifestyle and Energy. It is a support service with valuable online resources open to all members of the University community and beyond, to encourage and provide advice on activity, healthy habits and improved wellbeing.

Exercise and activity means many different things to different people, but the most important thing to remember is that any form of activity can do you good.

ExHALE is a support platform that aims to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, so we have the following suggestions for possible types of activity that you may wish to take part in.

Getting started

Starting to be active can be a bit daunting, so here are some resources that can support you if you are beginning or restarting your activity journey. There are many different routes into activity, both the Strathclyde Sport member journey and the Active Lifestyle Pyramid (see infographic) are great places to start.

You may find goal setting sheets useful to focus on what you want to achieve. Setting goals can help you to remain consistent with your routine and breaking down your activity goals down into short, medium, and longer term can be a good way to keep yourself motivated and on track.

If you feel like you would prefer more tailored approach to start becoming more active, all members of university community are eligible for a free 30 fitness consultation. This is an opportunity to discuss your goals with a fitness professional and start your journey with expert help and advice on exercises, structure, and routine.

Strathclyde Sport fitness consultations

Alternatively we run Gym Confidence sessions, which are in-person group sessions designed to help increase your confidence specifically in the fixed path equipment on the gym floor.

You can also see our ExHALE Resources page. Here we have a number of accessible workout videos for anyone who is wanting to get started with activity at home. All our videos are 5-10 minutes long and can be done with zero equipment. Our workout videos suit beginner fitness levels, and we also have purely seated workout option.

Walking

Walking is a great way to stay active, get outdoors, and improve your health. Every month during termtime ExHALE provides a Walk of the Month as well as archiving the previous routes for you to access at anytime. For the summer months we suggest a Daytrip of the Month to encourage the university community to explore more of the nature and beauty that Scotland has to offer. Throughout the year we also provide campus Walking Routes and the campus Tree Trail that anyone can use to increase their walking whilst at work or study.

We also run various free events and challenges throughout the year, including the Spring and Autumn Step Count Challenges, Social Walks and Litter Picks to encourage you to start or keep walking more.

For more walking support in and around Scotland, including Health Walks and suggested routes, please visit the Sutrans or Paths for All webpage

Cycling

Not only is cycling a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap, and good for the environment. You can incorporate cycling into your weekly routine in several ways, whether it be changing up your commute, planning a fun cycling activity, or simply heading for a quick wheel around. There are a number of different support avenues that you can access within the university to encourage you to either take up or build on your cycling :

We also run regular events and initiatives to encourage cycling such as our Step Count Challenge and Day trips or Walks of the Month.

If you are interested in starting indoor cycling then Strathclyde Sport offers an Active Cycle class (suitable for beginners) every Friday at 12:15. Bookable online.

For more information on general cycling in and around Glasgow, Aye Cycle is a fantastic resource and online hub.

Swimming

Swimming has great health benefits and is an accessible activity for all abilities and fitness levels. Here is some important information for anyone looking to begin their swimming journey at Strathclyde Sport and feels unsure of where to start.

Swimming pool timetable
Beginner/intermediate swimming plans
Swimming Lessons (lessons run in 4 weeks blocks and are chargable, you can book these online).
Permitted swimwear attire
Aqua fit classes

Strathclyde Sport is committed to inclusivity, we therefore offer the following services in our swimming pool :

Pool pod and accessible changing places room (for more info please see our Accessibility page)
Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex swim session
Women and Enby swim session

Active Classes and Sport

Joining in with a class can be a fantastic way to begin exercising. We have a full selection of active classes at Strathclyde Sport which are designed specifically for those starting activity or coming back for injury or inactivity.

See our Classes Timetable (classes marked as Active are specifically for beginners or those returning to exercise from injury/extended break).

You could also look into joining a StrathActive class, where you can take part in a full range of sporting activities as well as meet new people. All sessions are free and suitable for staff and students. Head over to the StrathActive webpage to see how you can get involved.

If you can't make it to Strathclyde Sport, or prefer to work out at home, you can try out some our beginner activity videos which our stored on our ExHALE resources page. These are a great way to introduce varied forms of activity into your every day life.

ExHALE Resources Page

You can also access more activity suggestions via Les Mills and MoveGB portals, click below for more info: