Recreational sport and active lifestyle activities

Free activities on offer every day of the week...

As an alternative to, or as well as, joining a Kingston University sports club, why not take advantage of our active lifestyles programme?

All activities are available to students and/or staff at Kingston University. Please note that some activities on the programme are run by external clubs and these may not be free. However, they will always offer a discounted student rate.

If possible please bring your own racket to the tennis and badminton sessions. We have a limited number of spare ones.

Would you like to start a new activity but feel you need someone to accompany you initially? If so then maybe the u GO i GO initiative could help. The u GO i GO initiative is a short term stepping stone for helping people access activities at the University. We can provide a fellow student to accompany you for the first couple of weeks/sessions, to provide that little bit of extra support and confidence in trying out a new activity or joining a new club. Just contact your Sport and Active Lifestyle team on 020 8417 2412/13 or via studenthub.kingston.ac.uk. All recreational sports activities are listed as events on KU Extra.

See what sports are available on:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Additional activities for any day of the week

Monday

Mind the Gap

As part of our uGOiGO scheme we are offering a FREE virtual session called 'MIND THE GAP' to help students take steps towards starting a new activity.

The title of the sessions, "Mind The Gap", was created by Michael – a highly experienced yoga and meditation teacher, to give people a memorable phrase that they could use for general mindfulness sessions to help them in their everyday lives. For example, the gap between feeling and thinking, thinking and doing, breathing and releasing.

In the sessions, students will receive simple but effective breathing and relaxation techniques to help with anxiety, depression and general well-being. There are easy-to-follow guided visualisation exercises and gentle and reassuring guidance for achieving a more peaceful state of mind in a relaxed and safe environment.

Participants do not have to have their camera switched on if they so wish. Whatever works and whatever is comfortable is the most important thing. Michael is also open to Q&A after each session if people want to ask questions or share their thoughts, and all emails will be answered within 24 hours.

The sessions will not require any special equipment, just a quiet place where you can join in and enjoy the time. Students can join at any time during the term.

• Time: 11am–12noon
• Location: Virtual platform on Teams
• Dates: Provides ongoing support over the winter break and into 2021

To sign up and join the session please email: Michael@yogahara.com

Dance barre classes

As part of the Sport and Active Lifestyle team delivery to keep our staff and students moving, Jo Heath will be running dance barre classes on Zoom. Barre sessions are a fusion of ballet technique and positions, the precision of Pilates, the alignment of yoga and the strength of Sports Conditioning. If you would like to get involved, please email Jo at J.Heath@kingston.ac.uk to register interest. She will then send you the Zoom links each week.

The classes are pre-recorded each week and sent with a link that lasts seven days so that you can do it at any time, on any day and as many times as you like until the next class is available.

Classes are free for students and staff. Ongoing classes throughout the winter break and into 2021.

Triathlon

If you would like to become involved in triathlon whilst at Kingston University we recommend joining Kingfisher Triathletes. The club is very friendly and welcoming and is open to all ages (18+) and abilities including complete beginners. Swim training takes place on a Monday evening at Kingfisher Leisure Centre (five minutes walk from the centre of Kingston) and on Wednesday evenings at Hampton Open Air Pool. Run training is at Kingsmeadow Athletics Track every Tuesday evening. There is a coached cycle session every Thursday and a long social club ride every Sunday morning. The club has full and PAYG member options, with a student discount, and members can attend as many or as few session as they choose. The club also organises several beginners courses during the year. To find out more and attend a free trial session, check out the club's site and then contact them directly.

Touch tennis – Pop Up Sport

• Time: 11am–12pm
• Location: The courtyard area outside the John Galsworthy building.
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Boccia

• Time: 1.30–2.30pm
  
• Location: Bedelsford School, Grange Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2QZ (located between the Penrhyn Road and Knights Park campuses)
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Boccia is a game similar to bowls. It is played from a seated position to allow for participants using wheelchairs. It is inclusive and open to all Kingston University students, either with a disability or not. Participants do not need any previous experience.

This is a free recreational session for all to enjoy. It is led by Jayson Shetty who is a Kingston University and Bedelsford School alumnus.

Abs and pads

• Time: 7.15–8.15pm
• Location: Fairfields Park
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

This class is free for members of the More Energy Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road campus and £5 for guests. Contact personal trainer Simon Bent for more details at coach.king.fitness@gmail.com or on Instagram – @coach_kings.

[back to top]

Tuesday

Table tennis

• Time: 10–11.30am
• Location: Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road 
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Free sessions. There are additional tables at Kingston Hill campus (outside Kingston Business School), Clayhill halls of residence and Roehampton Vale campus for all to use. Look out for information on termly table tennis tournaments.

Recreational Netball

• Time: 5–6pm
• Location: Tolworth sports ground-hardcourt area
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice

This session is free and for all those students wanting to play netball in a friendly sociable setting. Beginners most welcome.

Recreational Volleyball

• Time: 6–8pm
• Location: Tiffin School (Queen Elizabeth Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6RL)
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

This session is free and for all those students wanting to play volleyball in a friendly sociable setting. Beginners most welcome. Please book in by emailing Zino Wagner as numbers are limited due to being in Tier 2.

Social Netball League

• Time: 6.30–9.30pm 
• Location: Tiffin Girls School KT2 5PL
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Run by GOMAMMOTH

For more details email hello@gomammoth.co.uk or visit the Go Mammoth site.

You don't have to be great to start but you do need to start to be great.

Women's Fitness Class

• Time: 7–8pm
• Location: Fitness centre, Penrhyn Rd
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

This is a free class as part of the "This Girl Can" campaign. Learn self defence, relieve stress, have fun and meet new people.

5-A-SIDE Football League

• Time: 8–9.30pm
• Location: Tolworth Sports ground
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Team entry is free. Simply get a team together and fill in the registration form. Return the form to the Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road and we will contact you with all the details.

[back to top]

Wednesday

Pop Up Sport

• Time: 11am–12 noon
• Location: Tennis courts at Kingston Hill
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice

Simply join our join our sports activator for a kick, game of badminton, tennis or volleyball as you are passing. Just pick up a racket or ball and join in. If there is no activator on site then please go to the Yorkon building to sign out the sports equipment for your own use. Plan to meet friends at this time for regular recreational fun and maybe warm up by running the Fitness Trail located around the Kingston Hill campus grounds.

Box Fit

• Time: 12 noon–1pm
• Location: Fairfields Park
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

This class is free for members of the More Energy Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road campus and £5 for guests. Contact personal trainer, Simon Bent for more details at coach.king.fitness@gmail.com or on Instagram – @coach_kings.

Strength Defence – female only

• Time: 2pm–3pm
• Location: Fitness Centre Studio, Penrhyn Road
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Free sessions as part of the ongoing 'This Girl Can' campaign to encourage more girls to take part in physical activity. Studio windows will be covered and the sessions are for women only, led by qualified female instructor.

Running Club

• Time: 2–4pm (mixed ability group, from beginners to advanced) 
• Location: Meet outside the Fitness Centre (Penrhyn Road) to run with a group
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Simply turn up at the Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Rd ready to join the running group. Members of the athletics club lead the group.

Kick Fit

This is a free class for KU students and staff as part of 'This Girl Can' campaign for women only. It is a great workout and stress buster. Contact Yaasmeen the instructor for more details: yaasmeen_muhammad@outlook.com or on Instagram - @IAMF_T

• Time: 7–8pm
• Location: Online Zoom platform 
• Dates: 13 January to 17 February 2021

[back to top]

Thursday

Pop Up Sport

• Time: 11am–1pm
• Location: John Galsworthy Courtyard, Penrhyn Road
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Simply join our sports activator for a kick around, game of badminton, tennis or volleyball as you are passing. Just pick up a racket or ball and join in. Or, you could plan to meet at this time for regular recreational fun.

Table Tennis

• Time: 2–3pm
• Location: Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Back to Netball

• Time: 7–8pm
• Location: Raynes Park School, London SW20 0JL
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Contact Leigh Martin to confirm dates and more details or visit the Back to Netball site. Back to Netball sessions are running across England and provide women of all ages with a gentle re-introduction to the sport. Run by passionate and enthusiastic coaches, sessions cover the basics of the game including passing, footwork and shooting. Sessions finish with a friendly game to put the your skills into practice.

Tennis

Kingston University students and staff can book free tennis courts at Tolworth Court sports ground between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Courts must be booked in advance by calling First Response on 020 8417 7523 or by email.

Following the latest LTA update, outdoor tennis courts can remain open for individual exercise, and for people to use with others within your household, support bubble, or with one person from another household. One-to-one coaching outdoors is therefore also permitted.

Burn and Build

• Time: 7–8pm
• Location: Fairfields Park or via Zoom when on lockdown.
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice

This is a free class. A great workout and stress buster. Also available on zoom. contact Yaasmeen the instructor for more details: yaasmeen_muhammad@outlook.com or on Instagram – @IAMF_T.

[back to top]

Friday

Pop Up Sport

• Time: 11am–12 noon
• Location: Tennis Courts at Kingston Hill
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice

Simply join our sports activator for a kick around, game of badminton, tennis or volleyball as you are passing. Just pick up a racket or ball and join in. If there is no activator on site then please go to the Yorkon building to sign out the sports equipment for your own use. You could plan to meet friends at this time for regular recreational fun and maybe warm up by running the Fitness Trail, located around the Kingston Hill campus grounds.

Big Read Fitness Trail

• Time: Any time
• Location: Fitness Trail at Kingston Hill campus – start at Station 6 of Fitness Trail outside the halls
• Dates: Ongoing.

Just turn up ready to either walk, jog or run around the Fitness Trail. A great place to organise a walking book club (for two people at social distance) to get out in the fresh air and enjoy some forest bathing and exercise at the same time.

Abs Blast

• Time: 11.15am–12.15pm
• Location: Fairfields Park
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

This class is free for members of the More Energy Fitness Centre at Penrhyn Road campus and £5 for guests. Contact personal trainer, Simon Bent for more details at coach.king.fitness@gmail.com or on Instagram – @coach_kings.

Badminton

• Time: 5.30–7.30pm
• Location: Kingston College, The Arena
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Come along to this FREE recreational session, ready to play, led by a Level 2 qualified coach. All welcome. We encourage you to bring your own racket if possible.

Clubbersize

• Time: 7–7.45pm
• Location: Online live Zoom class 
• Dates: Starts back 8 January 2021.

This is the closest thing to going to a club that you are likely to find at the moment. This is for everyone and the emphasis is on enjoying yourself through movement. The instructor will guide you through the moves and get you throwing some shapes to a club sound track. Please book in by emailing Jasmine and to receive the Zoom link.

Bodybalance

• Time: 6–6.45pm
• Location: Online live Zoom class 
• Dates: Starts back 8 January 2021.

Bodybalance is a unique workout which incorporates Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates to help improve flexibility, build strength and leave you feeling relaxed and calm. You will carry out a series of stretches, poses and moves to create a holistic workout that brings the body and mind into a state of harmony. Please book in by emailing Jasmine and to receive the Zoom link.

Basketball

• Time: 6–8pm
• Location: Tiffin School (Queen Elizabeth Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6RL)
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

Come along to this free recreational session, ready to play, led by a Level 2 qualified coach. All welcome. Please book in by emailing Dan as numbers are restricted due to being in Tier 2.

Saturday

Table tennis

• Time: 2–3pm
• Location: Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road 
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

There are additional tables at Kingston Hill campus (outside Kingston Business School), Clayhill halls of residence and Roehampton Vale campus for all to use.

Stretch Strength and Core

• Time: 10am–10.45am
• Location: Online via Zoom platform
• Dates: Ongoing until end of December 2020

This is a free class. Improves flexibility and core strength. Contact Yaasmeen the instructor for more details yaasmeen_muhammad@outlook.com or on Instagram - @IAMF_T.

Sunday

Table tennis

• Time: 10.15–11.15am and 1.15–2.15pm
• Location: Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road
• Dates: Cancelled until further notice.

There are additional tables at Kingston Hill campus (outside Kingston Business School), Clayhill halls of residence and Roehampton Vale campus for all to use.

[back to top]

For more information about all of the active lifestyles activities above please contact Jo Heath by email j.heath@kingston.ac.uk or call 020 8417 2412.

Additional activities for any day of the week

April activity

The Sport and Active Lifestyle team are taking time out from their more physical monthly challenges by offering some all -inclusive 'tension release techniques' to support you during these 'challenging' times during the month of April.

April is 'Stress Awareness Month' and there are ways to alleviate the tension held in the body and mind without moving a muscle.

These sessions are FREE to all KU students and staff and are offered as pre-records, so that you can tap into them without any pressure of being on a virtual platform.

Recorded links will go up on MyKingston, KUExtra and Staffspace every Monday during the month of April with different 'tension releasing techniques' that you can take away and practice throughout each week.

These sessions are fully inclusive of all abilities and mobility and can all be done in the seated position, fully-clothed and comfortable. There is no need for any equipment or any previous experience.

The sessions are led by our highly-experienced mindful meditation teacher, Michael McFadden. Michael will guide you through the techniques to help you release tension, reduce your stress levels and any anxiety you may be feeling.

If you find that you would like to explore more techniques, in more depth, after giving these sessions a go then we welcome you to join Michael's FREE 'Mind The Gap' sessions that run every Monday from 11am-12noon on the Teams platform. More information on this can be found on the sports page of our website.

Take the 'Out Out' Challenge

For everybody, every day in January.

We are all in this together and would like to invite everybody to come ‘out out' with us in January.

Starting on the 1 January, set yourself a goal to get ‘out out' in the fresh air every day in January, no matter what the weather.

Join us by...

• going ‘out out' for as long as you like every day, whether that is 5 minutes or 5 hours
• going ‘out out' as far as you like every day, whether that is 5 metres or 5 miles
• going ‘out out' how you like every day, whether by foot, wheelchair, running or cycling.

If you would like to take up this challenge and be in with a chance to win a cash prize please register your interest with the Sport and Active lifestyle team by emailing Jo Heath.

To win the cash prize, submit a daily photo throughout January to show us that you are ‘out out' doing your thing. We will record all those who complete the challenge and enter them into the draw. The winner will be announced on Friday 4 February 2021.

You might want to go a step further and also sign up for R.E.D. January – the charity event run by ‘Sport in Mind', the mental health charity that use sport to empower and improve lives. You could be doing this challenge and raising money to help others beat the January Blues whilst getting active yourself every day.

Love Is All Around – February walking challenge

The weather may be 'Wet Wet Wet' out there but that doesn't stop us finding 'Love Actually' in our local surroundings. February's challenge is to get outdoors every day and take a photo of a heart shape that has been formed by nature. This could be in the branches of trees, moss on brickwork, clouds in the sky or a shape of a puddle.

Valentine's day is around the corner and the Sport and Active Lifestyle team would like to encourage you to keep your hearts healthy by taking up this challenge. Go on a long walk, jog, run or out in your wheelchair and get your pulse racing whilst searching for love (heart shapes) in your local area. Physical activity and focusing the mind on something other than work will bring a welcome relief from stress and anxiety. Really connecting with nature is so good for our mental health and wellbeing and so the more you can 'soak' up, even on rainy days, the better you will feel. Be kind to yourself and share the love by signing up to this challenge and passing it on to a friend to do the same.

This is open to all KU students and staff and the local community. There will be a cash prize for KU students only. This will be awarded to the student who completes the challenge with the most heart shape entries during February. If you would like to take part in this challenge please register your interest with the Sport and Active Lifestyle team by emailing Jo Heath 

The challenge starts on Monday 1 February and finishes on Sunday 28 February 2021.

Skip into Spring: the Sport and Active Lifestyle Team invite you to join their March challenge

Whether you want to skip for the pure joy of it, like Michael McIntyre, or get serious like Anthony Joshua, we have the challenge for you.

Challenge One: the 'Just for Fun' Michael McIntyre skipping challenge

• Register your interest by emailing Jo Heath.
• Start your challenge on 1 March 2021.
• Go outside every day in March for your daily walk.
• Your challenge is to break into a skip during that walk for at least 30 seconds.
• Mark each day that you complete the skip challenge until 31 March 2021.
• Check in with Jo Heath at the end of March if you complete all 31 days.

We guarantee this challenge will put a smile on your face every time you do it.

You may feel a little shy to break into a skip. Maybe you'll need to walk further than your usual route to find a quiet place to complete it. This will add to your challenge, increase your exercise levels and give your mind something to focus on other than work commitments.

Challenge Two: The Anthony/Adams skipping challenge

• Register your interest by emailing Jo Heath.
• Find yourself a skipping rope – there are plenty to choose from online or you could use decking rope from a hardware store at 20p per metre.
• Download a FREE step counter App such as ‘StepsApp Pedometer'.
• Start your challenge on 1 March 2021.
• Follow the challenge timetable (link below) each day until 30 March 2021.
• Send your screenshot results to Jo Heath at the end of each week.

This challenge will improve your heart health due to the cardio nature of the skipping exercise. It will increase heart rate, increase concentration, improve coordination, increase stamina, combat fatigue, increase body flexibility, boost mental health and strengthens your bones.

It could also increase your bank balance by £100 if you are a KU student taking part. All those students completing the challenge will be entered into the draw for the prize money.

All KU Staff completing this challenge will be winning in life!

Njinga Cycling

Offers training for riders looking to improve their cycling. Our wattbike lab, just on the Kingston Bridge, offers wattbike classes seven days a week. Yoga and strength & conditioning classes for cyclists are also available. Find our schedule on the Njinga app or visit our site.

All new customers entitled to our new customer offer of two classes for £14.

• Ongoing pay as you go student rates are: £9 per class (Adult classes normally £17).
• Our unlimited monthly wattbike student package is £60 (50% off adult prices). To include yoga and strength & conditioning for cyclists add £15 per month.
• There are no admin or membership fees.
• We also run a referral scheme.

Golf

• Hampton Court Palace Golf Club, Richmond
  £550 membership deal for Kingston students and staff which includes: no joining fee, full seven-day membership, includes unlimited play year-round. Contact James Cooper, hamptoncourtpalace-sales@crown-golf.co.uk
  
• Strawberry Hill Golf Club, Twickenham
  Four free beginner group lessons and free club hire. Balls cost £5.
• Sunbury Golf Centre, Shepperton
  Seven-day free trial of up to four one-hour group lessons, range and use of the course at off-peak times. Free club hire.
• Sandown Park Golf Club, Esher
  Two free beginner group lessons and free club hire. Balls cost £6 per session.
• World of Golf, New Malden
  Six free beginner group lessons and free club hire. Balls cost £5 per session.
• London Scottish membership
  Also available is a fantastic student golf membership offer from London Scottish (near Wimbledon Common) for only £288 for the year. This will entitle any bona fide student to play seven days a week all year round and enter all competitions to gain an official handicap. This would normally cost £902 for the year! For more information and booking about all golfing activities please contact Jo Heath by email j.heath@kingston.ac.uk  or call 020 8417 2412.
• Plogging
  The new Swedish fitness craze that combines exercise and eco-friendly activity.
  Simply pop into see the Sport and Active Lifestyle team in Grove House, Penrhyn Road to pick up gloves and a bag and away you go.
  The idea is to combine your walk, jog or run with picking up plastic along the way.
  Return your recycling to us and we will log your activity.
  Prizes for those clocking up the most runs throughout the term and those collecting the most plastic.
• Fitness Trail
  Location: Kingston Hill campus
  Why not schedule a walk, jog or run around our Trim Trail at Kingston Hill.
  Follow the blue signs to the next exercise station and follow the instructions for a great workout in the great outdoors.

Squash

• Location: Surbiton Squash Club, Berrylands
• When: Monday to Friday 8am–5pm
• Booking: Students can book into this private club on production of Kingston University student card and a court is approx £5 per hour during off peak hours. To book a court call 020 8399 1594 on the day and state you are a Kingston University student.

More active lifestyles

• Go karting at Sandown Park: discounts available if students book online.
• Laser Quest at Sutton: Two games for £5.95 weekdays and two games for £7.95 at weekends for Kingston University students.
• Ten-pin bowling (The Rotunda Kingston): Student discounts available Monday to Friday until 6pm. Two games of bowling for £5 or unlimited bowling for £7.49. To book call 0871 221 0000.

*Cancelled until further notice*

[back to top]