Meanwhile, for anyone interested in practising Tai Chi at home, the group posts videos and material in the message board and files section of the website too.
Running
Love to run? lululemon athletica kicks off a free Run Club starting this Tuesday at Victoria Park, central Auckland, at 6.30am. The focus will be on speed work for six weeks leading up to the Auckland Marathon. Also, another free club is the popular Nike Run Club at Platinum Sports Co, Victoria Park Market, 6pm on Tuesdays.
Yoga
Free yoga: The Kawai Purapura Retreat Centre and Holistic Village on its 7.6ha campus in Albany, Auckland, sometimes holds free public yoga classes. They're led by graduating yoga teachers who have completed a 200-hour training programme. Check out kawaipurapura.co.nz and sign up to be a "friend" to receive newsletters which will tell you the days these classes are held in the future. Programme director Dyana Wells says the classes are a great way for folk "to find out what yoga is about" as they are like "mini-workshops". She adds the classes are well-run and enjoyable "and it's wonderful experience for the new teachers, too".
Swimming
All Auckland Council pools are free for those aged 16 and under for casual swimming. This does not include lessons, organised activities or diving or water slides at those pools that have them. If you live in the Auckland region and are 16 and under, you can use any Auckland Council pool. And of course there are endless sea and lake spots in this gorgeous city to swim in, too.
Skating
Skate parks - try out Auckland's Barry Curtis Park, Collins Park or Victoria Park.
Walking
Walk and discover stunning parks and gardens (like the Auckland Botanic Gardens), bush walks (think the Waitakeres) or climb a small mountain (like Mt Eden with its sea and city views). You could also explore the World War II tunnels at North Head, Devonport. If you're after a beach close to central Auckland, then enjoy Takapuna Beach, where you can also explore rock pools at nearby Thorne Bay. Head 30km northwest of Auckland city to Te Henga (Bethells Beach) where there's black sand, rugged terrain, wetlands and sand dunes to feast your eyes on.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking in Woodhill Forest features tracks for everyone from beginners to experienced riders, or take the family around one of the many cycleways. A great one is the Orewa Estuary cycleway, a 7.5km loop around water. The surface is smooth and the easy gradient suits all styles of bikes, scooters and rollerblades.
Adult fitness equipment has been installed at many parks throughout the city. Meanwhile, some great playgrounds to take the kids to include Rocket Park, Mt Albert and Long Bay Regional Park, which has a flying fox and the climbing frames, which are close to sand and sea for a dip afterwards.
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge training
Eating right and eating well is part of training for the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Food is fuel; it converts to energy and keeps your body pumped and the wheels spinning. Carbohydrates are essential during training and you can top up with sports drink, gels or whole foods - but make sure you've tried them before event day. It's a good idea to consult a qualified sports nutritionist - they can create an individual plan, which ensures the right amounts of carbs, fluids and electrolytes to train so you ride at your peak and avoid gastro problems.
• Know your nutrition and hydration plan in advance. Plan your gels and drinks.
• Train in the morning - that's when your cycle challenge starts and factor in "breakfast practice" so your stomach can handle the type and amount of food you need to eat.
• Never ride on an empty stomach.
• Make sure wrapper food is easy to access - open packets beforehand and start peeling the banana.
• Keep healthy with a high-quality diet every day.
Enter online at cyclechallenge.com
-Lianne Fraser
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