5 Simple Daily Habits for Smashing Your Edinburgh Leisure Membership
Look, we’re all members for a reason: we want to be fitter. But let’s be honest, finding a solid hour for a proper workout is a huge win, not a daily guarantee. Life in Edinburgh gets busy!
The trick isn’t to hit the gym hard every time; it’s to be consistent. You have access to the biggest estate of venues in Edinburgh – from the Royal Commonwealth Pool to Meadowbank and even Warrender!
Here are five small habits that use your membership and keep you moving, even when you’re strapped for time!
1. The 10-Minute ‘Pre-Game’ Stretch
Before you hit your BodyPump class or Less Mills, start a Swim set, or grab a bar from your gym session. Take just 10 minutes of gentle warm-up. Seriously. Don’t skip it!
Use the floor mats near the main weight area or stand in the studio before your instructor arrives. Think dynamic moves: big arm circles, easy leg swings and maybe a gentle back twist.
Doing small warm up sessions wakes up your joints. If you’re tackling a high-intensity class or lifting weights, this small effort makes sure you’re ready, preventing those annoying niggles that force you to take time off.
2. The Post-Swim ‘Chill Out’ Breath
Right after you finish your main laps at Warrender or any Swimming of our 12 pools, end your session with 10 minutes dedicated purely to breathing in the water.
Slow right down. Hang onto the edge of the pool or just tread water gently in the deep end. Focus on slow, deep breaths—inhale for three counts and let the air out slowly into the water.
We swim to improve our lungs, don’t we? This habit maximises that benefit and is fantastic for stress relief. It’s the perfect way to cool down gently, making you feel completely refreshed before you hit the changing rooms.
3. The ‘Functional Finish’ (The Grip Challenge)
As a finisher on a regular gym day, or when you’re building endurance for something like Hyrox, pick up something heavy and walk with it for 5 minutes.
Head to the dumbbells or kettlebells section. Grab a challenging weight (not your max!) for a ‘Farmer’s Carry’ (holding one in each hand by your side). Walk safely across the available floor space.
It’s deceptively simple but incredibly effective for building grip, shoulder stability, and core strength – all essential for those tough Hyrox challenges and generally moving and building strength!
4. The Single-Leg Test
Waiting for your Yoga or Pilates class to start, or anytime you’re standing still, stand on one foot for 60 seconds (or as long as you can manage) on each side.
Use the knowledge from your fitness classes to guide you. If you need it, hold onto a sturdy wall near the studio or a machine in the gym for balance.
Balance is extra important for avoiding falls and injuries outside the gym. It engages those small stabilising muscles that protect your ankles and knees in HIIT and Circuits classes. It’s a sneaky workout you can do anywhere!
5. The Five-Minute Booking Habit
It takes an average of 21 days to build a habit, not long – Every evening, while you’re relaxing at home open the Edinburgh Leisure app and book one thing for the next week.
Scroll through those 750+ classes Edinburgh Leisure offer or book a lane swim at a pool you haven’t been to before. Use that great member benefit of booking up to 8 days in advance.
This is the most important habit! By booking, you’re making a commitment. You’ve set the alarm, you’ve reserved the spot, and you’re much less likely to fall out of habit. It turns ‘maybe I’ll go’ into ‘I’m going.’
You’ve got the membership; you’ve got access to the facilities. Now, just pick one of these tiny things and nail it every day. You’ll be amazed how quickly it adds up!