Get Fit For Summer With One Of Harpenden's Many Sport's Clubs

Summer’s here and it’s that time of the year when most of us want to be fit, toned and healthy to enjoy it to the max. Whether it’s because we want to look good in a thigh skimming sundress, dance until dawn at a club on the beach, or just play a game of frisbee on the common without keeling over, thoughts turn to exercise and keeping fit. But it needn’t all be about a sweaty workout in the gym.

The British Heart Foundation suggests a recommendation of 10,000 steps to keep in good cardiovascular health but the reality is that a majority of us are more likely to take a measly 4,500 steps. So how can we add to this, whilst having some fun this summer?

There are plenty of sporting options available at clubs across Harpenden, whatever your age, ability or level of fitness. So if you like the idea of a healthier new you, an energy-filled summer, a new interest, or simply revisiting an activity of old, take some inspiration from what Harpenden’s sports clubs have on offer:

Bowling

Harpenden Bowling Club celebrated it’s centenary year in 2008. The Spenser Road club offers members the chance to play both socially and in competitions. As ide from its impressive sporting record, the club is a consistent winner of the ‘Harpenden in Bloom’ leisure facility award for its outdoor floral displays.

Harpenden & District Indoor Bowling Club in Waldgrave Park, offer a full timetable of bowling throughout the year and welcomes players of all abilities.

Cricket

Just opposite The Three Horseshoes pub on Harpenden Common, you’ll find Bamville Cricket Club, which has a unique home on Harpenden Common Golf Course! The club is family-orientated, with about 50 active members.

Football

Harpenden Colts Football Club meets in Rothamsted Park and caters for boys and girls aged between 6 and 18 years. The club was recently awarded the Herts FA Charter Club of the Year 2009/10.

Harpenden Rovers Football Club is an amateur men’s football club. The club’s home ground is Acres Corner. In 2001, the club welcomed Jimmy Greaves to open their extended pavilion.

Golf

Aldwickbury Park Golf Club offers a challenging18-hole main course, as well as a 9-hole course. The club accommodates players of all abilities and prides itself on offering a welcoming environement to enjoy the sport. The clubhouse overlooks the 18th green and lake.

Take a drive down the lanes to Redbourn Golf Club on the outskirts of Harpenden, and you can take advantage of their great facilities, including a beautifully maintained main course, a par 3 9-hole, a driving range with 20 floodlit bays, and practice short game area and putting green.

Harpenden Common Golf Club is a members only club, set in a beautiful, easy-to-walk environment, amidst mature trees and gorse in common park land. The family-friendly club promises new members a warm welcome.

Harpenden Golf Club at Hammonds End is another members only club, with a membership of around 800. The challenging course offers a variety of holes where they say “risk and reward need to be taken into account.”

Hockey

Harpenden Hockey Club has five men’s teams, three ladies teams and a range of junior teams. The teams play at one of three locations close by to Harpenden; Vauxhall Recreation Centre at Luton, The OA’s Woollam's Playing Fields between Harpenden and St Albans, and The University of Hertfordshire at Hatfield.

Karate

Harpenden JKA Club meets to train at Batford Methodist Church on Tuesday evenings and at Sauncey Wood School on Thursday evenings.

Rugby

Harpenden Rugby Football Club is set in a prominent location on Redbourn Lane. The club encourages membership from a young age, with an under 7’s squad through to much more senior ones. The club has an active social diary as well as a sporting one.

Squash

Harpenden Squash Club is owned and operated by its members, and is based on the site of the Rugby Club. Players of all standards are welcomed, and members can take participate in a variety of leagues.

Tennis

Harpenden Lawn Tennis Club welcomes players whatever their standard, age or ability. The excellent Amenbury Lane facilities include;17 tennis courts, with three airhalls covering five of the courts during the winter. In addition, 12 of the courts are also floodlit.

Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club is situated in Browning Road, off Station Road. The club has a strong junior membership and welcomes members from eight years of age. The club promotes itself as a friendly, sociable club at which you can enjoy a good standard of tennis.

Are you a member of one of these clubs? Tell us why we should come and join you.

If we’ve missed any Harpenden Sports Clubs off the list, then please put the record straight and tell us abut your club too.

Enjoy exploring the sporting possibilities that Harpenden has on offer and share your experiences, news, views, and club results, here on harpendenpeople.