Let's Exercise Outdoors!

Exercising outdoors will not only help you stay energetic and breathe in fresh air, but will also strengthen your immune system. At present, you can engage in many outdoor sporting activities – running, walking, Nordic walking, rollerblading, exercise, tennis, badminton, various strength exercises, and, of course, cycling. Let us remember that nothing compares to the combination of forest and sea air with physical activity.

Outdoor exercise equipment is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get moving without any additional expense. In Ventspils, it is already available at 13 locations – in the courtyards of apartment buildings, in Jūrmala Park, at the Blue Flag beach, in Reņķa Garden, where seven new pieces of equipment have been installed, and elsewhere.

 Let us remember that walking is also physical activity – whether you take 10,000 steps a day or fewer. A walk will loosen up a body tired from the day’s rush and, no less importantly, help organise your thoughts and reduce anxiety. Ventspils has many places that invite you to get up and walk – Jūrmala Park, Reņķa Garden, the beach, the Ostas iela promenade, the Būšnieki Lake trail, and other locations.

Thanks to the financial support of the Ventspils municipal government, city residents can exercise free of charge at the following sports facilities:

- At the football stadium by Primary School No. 2 and at the Pārventa football field: on weekdays from 19:00 to 21:00; on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 21:00. Restrictions apply when competitions are taking place.

- At the non-standard football field, the street workout stadium, and the stadium athletics arena (on the grounds of the Olympic Centre “Ventspils”), with no time restrictions. Restrictions apply when competitions are taking place.

- At the beach volleyball stadium; in the coming days, two beach volleyball courts by Pārventa Primary School and two more in the meadow near the Viada petrol station will also be available.

- At the BMX track, sporting skills can be improved on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 to 13:00.

- Basketball has historically been popular in Ventspils, and there are currently 30 freely accessible basketball courts in the city.  Recognising the development of 3x3 basketball, new 3x3 basketball courts at the sports ground by Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1 will be available to everyone during the summer months from 10:00 to 22:00.

Some recommendations for starting to exercise:

- start exercising gradually, gradually increase the duration of your workout, then its frequency, and only afterwards its intensity;

- talk to a trainer who trains every day and listen to their advice;

- do not overexert yourself: sport should bring a person joy, not lead to exhaustion. It is better to exercise for a long time and enjoyably than briefly and at maximum intensity.

- do not use painkillers in order to exercise;

- do not forget to warm up and stretch your muscles and ligaments; after physical activity, stretch and allow your pulse to return to normal.

- choose suitable  footwear and clothing.

Let us remember that physical activity should bring joy and increase the body’s energy, so it should not be turned into self-inflicted torment, nor should you engage in activities you dislike. Everyone should assess their own abilities and set their own goals. Motivation can vary – for one person, it may be the desire to feel better in their body; for another, to lose excess weight or reduce stress.

Stay active and everything will work out for you!