WE ALL know that we need to get fit, but not everyone wants to pump iron at the gym or plunge into the pool for a 60 length swim.

Luckily, Get Oxfordshire (Go Active), a new countywide initiative set up by the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership, has a range of activities to suit anyone who wants to get back in shape.

Go Active has advisers from the county’s four district and city councils on hand to suggest tailor-made exercises for anyone who wants to keep fit.

Since the project was launched, Oxford City Council’s Go Active coordinator Abbie Clare has successfully matched dozens of people to a range of activities and sports.

Now, the city’s South Park is home to a 20- to 30-strong rounders club during the more clement months of the year.

Port Meadow and Shotover Country Park host Nordic walking sessions – trekking using poles – and Bollywood has hit Cowley in the form of Indian movie-style dance classes.

She said: “We set up new opportunities for exercise and sport, and point people in the right direction.

“Someone came to us saying they had seven people interested in rounders, but needed more to play. We used marketing skills to get on the radio and 18 people came forward.

“The group has now become self-sufficient, because we found funding to train some people as rounders coaches.

“When we set up Nordic walking we had about 150 emails from over-50s in just two days.

“It’s really popular and we’ve even set up a lunchtime group for office workers.

“We also help with the equipment too and it’s a great social event.”

The initiative’s underlying principle is to get people doing the recommended five 30- minute sessions of activity every week to keep them fit and healthy while doing something enjoyable.

Many clients are referred by GPs because they are pre-diabetic or obese, but others have other reasons for calling on their help.

Miss Clare said: “We’re really helping a total mish-mash of people from all backgrounds.

“A lot of people contact us and don’t really know what they want to do, so a lot of what we do is about finding the right activities for people.”

l For more information, log on to getoxfordshireactive.org and for free advice about improving fitness call 01865 467252.

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