It’s tempting to hunker down on the sofa all season, but here are some fun sports to keep you active – plus you could learn a new skill.
Touch rugby
Feeling inspired by the Rugby World Cup? Touch rugby offers all the fun of the full-on game, but without too much rough and tumble. Instead of tackling, you simply need to touch your opponent – like you would in a game of tag.
As sponsors of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh Rugby teams, Specsavers knows how important your eyes and ears are when playing. It’s not a good idea to wear glasses on the pitch, so why not try contact lenses? Talk to your optician about which lenses would be suitable.
It’s also important that you hear the shouts of your team members, coach and the referee, so double check your hearing with our online hearing test.
Swimming
Swimming might not sound appealing when it’s cold outside, but if you sign up to a local health club you can motivate yourself with the promise of a sauna and steam session afterwards. The beauty of swimming is that you can take it at your own pace, and it’s easy on the joints while being a full-body workout.
It’s best not to wear contact lenses in the pool as it could lead to infection – instead, ask about prescription swimming goggles at your local Specsavers store.
Squash
If you hate being out in the cold, squash is a great indoor game where you can work up a sweat.
Hitting a ball off the walls may not look like much, but this is a high energy sport which involves a lot of running, strength and hand-eye co-ordination. You’ll need someone to play against, so find a squash buddy or join a club – making it a great way to meet new people, too.
Skiing or snowboarding
Of course, the ultimate way to spend winter is to hit the slopes. Even if you can’t get to the crisp, clean runs of a French ski resort, you can still give it a go at dry slopes across the country. Then if you enjoy it, you can start saving now for a ski trip next winter.
To help keep your focus on the slopes, make sure that your sunglasses have polarising lenses, which reduce glare from the sun. Don’t forget to pop a cord on to keep them secure.
Indoor climbing
Climbing is fantastic for building all-over body strength and coordination. Buddy up with someone so you can motivate each other to go, and take turns being the climber and belayer (the one who feeds the rope to the climber and keeps them secure).
Hearing well is essential for communicating with your buddy, particularly when you’re high up, so be sure to pop in to Specsavers for a hearing check if you have any concerns about this.