Keeping fit in Clifton, Bristol

A few years ago, I took the tourist bus in Bristol on a particularly disastrous date. When we were on the Downs, our tour guide commented on all the joggers going round and round and round, to paraphrase Blur.

Bristol is a fit city, and Clifton most definitely is a fit part of that city.

Jogging on the Downs is a greaty way to keep fit. And after all that exercise, why not stop off for sustenance in Cafe Retreat by the water tower, more commonly known as the Downs Tea Rooms.

If indoor exercise is more your thing, you could try the new gym recently opened on the Triangle, Anytime Fitness on Queen's Road next to Sainsbury's, which is open 24 hours a day! 

Opposite, next to Waitrose, there's also the well-established Nuffield health centre (formally Cannons) for facilities including a swimming pool, gym, yoga, pilates and a spa.

Clifton College's sports centre is open to the public throughout the year. There is a 40-station fitness suite offering multigym, cardio and weight-training equipment. There is also a 25m indoor swimming pool, and badminton and outdoor tennis courts are also available as part of the membership package, as well as personal training.

Talking of personal training, Oakfields Personal Training on Oakfield Road was formed in January this year by England rugbyiInternational David Rees and experienced trainers Chris Greig and Steve Threadgold. They can coach their clients towards their chosen fitness goals, with programmes ranging from weight gain, weight loss and toning to post natal fitness, injury rehabilitation and running training schedules for 10k's, half marathons and beyond.

Other personal trainers based in Clifton include ProTom Fitness of Oakfield Road, PT Troop, who can often be seen on the Downs, Aaron Tyler Personal Training and Motiv8 of Berkeley Square, Ben Palmer Fitness of Queen's Road, and Rich Lucas Personal Training of Pembroke Road.

Start doing those press-ups!