Welcome to Forward Steps Running Club


Take your first steps towards running!

Have you always wanted to try running but do not have the confidence, or know where to start?

Come and join us and take your fist steps towards running, in this friendly and supportive group. Everyone has to start somewhere, so do not worry about your starting level.

You can guarantee if you keep thinking about it, but do nothing, then nothing will change - so come and join us and start your journey towards running today!

** Min spec: you do not have to have run before, but we do ask that you are able to walk for 45 minutes **

What to expect?

Join us for an exhilarating 45-60 minutes training session where you will learn how to run, increase your fitness and help aid fat loss.
Plus you will gain encouragement from other likeminded people.

Format

The first 5-10 minutes is spent warming up, using moves that can help improve your running. Mobilization and dynamic stretches follow the warm up.

The main session varies from week to week, with different local routes used. The start of each 8 week block will begin with alternating between walking and jogging for a short period, then repeating. Over the weeks the aim is for the walking time to decrease and the jogging time to increase, aiming at the end to be able to jog for 30 minutes.

Other methods such as fartlek training and hill work will also be introduced over the weeks.

The format is meant to be inclusive, so if you find yourself faster than others you will challenge your fitness by doing loop backs (where you get a head of the rest, then loop back to the group) - this way no one should get left behind.

The last part of the session is spent cooling down. And you must finish with a stretch.

Clothing

As we train in many different weather conditions we advise the following:

  • A good pair of trainers worn with socks
  • Reflective gear for dusk and dark
  • Sportswear worn in layers, so you can strip down as you warm up and layer up again at the end so your body temperature does not cool too rapidly
  • Light weight waterproof jacket - optional, but you will be grateful if it is bucketing down
  • Woolley hat and fingerless gloves - optional, we would hope only for winter but in the UK you never know

Other important things to bring:

  • A good pair of trainers worn with socks
  • Reflective gear for dusk and dark
  • Sportswear worn in layers, so you can strip down as you warm up and layer up again at the end so your body temperature does not cool too rapidly
  • Light weight waterproof jacket - optional, but you will be grateful if it is bucketing down
  • Woolley hat and fingerless gloves - optional, we would hope only for winter but in the UK you never know
  • Completed forms - if you have not filled them in online - you cannot start training until we have all the required information
  • Water - 500ml to 1litre
  • Sunscreen if hot
  • Inhaler if asthmatic

PLUS.......

  • friends, family, colleagues who also want to improve their body and fitness
  • sense of humour

Rebecca trains everyone from people who have never run before up to competing in marathons (most people probably fall somewhere between). In addition to being a Run England Coach and Personal Trainer, one of Rebecca’s qualifications is in Running Biomechanics.

Rebecca can help if you working towards an event or personal best and need a really technical and precise run by run plan (example of part of one below – not needed by everyone), or if you are new to running and want to simply start and build up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far do I need to be able to jog?

You can be a complete beginner. The start of each 8 week block will begin with alternating between walking and jogging for a short period, then repeating. Over the weeks the aim is for the walking time to decrease and the jogging time to increase, aiming at the end to be able to jog for 30 minutes. We do however, ask that you are able to walk for 45 minutes before attending.

Do train outside in winter?

Yes. We train throughout the year and our sessions change to accommodate the different weather conditions. We advise sportswear worn in layers, so you can strip down as you warm up and layer up again at the end so your body temperature does not cool too rapidly. A light weight waterproof jacket is optional, but you will be grateful if it is bucketing down. Woolley hat and fingerless gloves - optional, we would hope only for winter but in the UK you never know. The only time it does not run is when it is unsafe – please keep an eye on the FaceBook page for any change due to weather, In summer, please remember sunscreen.

Do you offer nutritional support?

Yes. Rebecca is a trained Nutritional Consultant. We do not advocate any faddy diets, instead we go with the proven and peer recognised advise of the World Health Organisation (WHO). We have designed advice sheets to help you along your way to a better diet. We also offer more in depth Nutritional Consultations.

What do you wear?

Layers are key so you can adjust according to your core temperature. Shorts are for the brave in winter - it is your call. A lightweight waterproof top can come in useful when bucketing down. Supportive trainers, rather than fashion trainers/pumps are strongly recommended.

Do you have an annual contract or tie-in?

No. Unlike gyms you do not have an annual contract or tie-in period. However, please note refunds cannot be issued. In the case of injury if you inform us straightaway and we will put your current sessions on hold until you have recovered.

See what our other clients had to say about our Forward Steps Running Club

  • Happy to have completed the 30 min run and recovery time quicker than last week, so all good!
  • I came along to  Forward Steps Running Club to try to return to running 3 miles after a long term back injury. I have found that I enjoy...