Mondays and Tuesdays at the LC are an absolute treat for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents! These are the days we run our ever popular sensory sign classes; babylove, babbling bugs and chatterbugs. So popular are these classes that many Mums have arranged their working week around them! Each class is age appropriate and absolutely bursting with specially planned activities that enthral, motivate and educate. All classes include infant sign language, multi-sensory play such as parachutes, bubbles, light up balls, musical instruments, singing, puppets, props, dancing, (our big dance is legendary as is Barney the demonstration doll!) For tiny babies who attend babylove we also include an introduction to baby massage and mummy meditation time. For toddlers attending chatterbugs we often get to play on the climbing equipment too. If your little one is still happy to lay in a mat then babylove would be the perfect class, once they are sitting with support and reaching for toys babbling bugs would be better, and once they are raring to go and wobbling and toddling bring them along to chatterbugs. Every half term we have a new adventure such as exploring the jungle or going to the beach. Each class runs for 45 minutes and includes time in the soft play area, all for only £4! But most families make it a real day out at the LC, often arriving for a class, having a cuppa and catch up with friends, enjoying classes, then having a play in soft play and maybe even another cuppa or lunch! Lots of families also say that it is great to attend such a fantastic class in a clean location that is breastfeeding friendly and has proper baby changing areas. Classes run term times and book up quick!!!!

However we try to look at it January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. Whether it is going the whole way and committing to get fit, eating healthier and drinking more water or just trying to improve on the little things like washing up straight after dinner, putting the clothes away or simply having a more positive outlook on life.

This time of year newspapers, magazines and TV shows are littered with articles offering the top ten ways to become a new person- but is there any point to spending January committing to severe regimes and strict behaviour only to be driven crazy by then end of the month because of all the denial?

Believe it or not there is a way to make these commitments more than just goals. This year instead of powering into those New Year’s resolution that will be a distant memory by February why not take some time out to think about what you really want to achieve this New Year. It may be that you can show yourself off or to feel less stressed, maybe you need a challenge. For others it will be to have more energy and to be happy, or it may simply be to give yourself a great boost of self confidence. These things are more than goals, they are aspirations and they are unique and personal to you.

At this point I’m sure many of you are thinking that you want a bit of all those things, but everyone’s motivations contain different mixtures of these things and these individual aspirations can really affect what gets you moving and actually sticking to those resolutions. Once you’ve worked out what your long term aspirations are it is far easier to find ways of fulfilling them and setting goals that have far more of a point to them.

If you are curious to find out what makes you move give the The LC Gym Swansea’s Aspiration Finder a go. It’s a simple online questionnaire that will take you just three minutes. You will receive your own Aspiration Map showing what makes you move. Once you have completed it our gym team will be notified of your results so that when you book in for your induction or review we can ensure that we create a programme for you that really will help to fulfil your aspirations. Our expert team will guide you through your new programme and they will be able to explain to you exactly how the equipment you use and the exercises you undertake match your aspirations and motivate you to keep moving.

The Aspiration Finder is free for anyone to have a go with whether you’re an LC member of not, so go on, challenge yourself to think more about your fresh start and find out what makes you move and find your own way to wellness.

It is something that is inescapable- it has been for some time already. Indeed the supermarkets have had shelves laden with treats for months already. But tomorrow it will be the 1^st December and children across the country will be opening the first window on their advent calendars and the countdown will begin. As we get closer to the holiday that is defined by magic, sparkle and all things indulgent the pace gathers and the lists of things to do just seems to get longer.

There are the nativity plays and concerts, school discos and office parties, cakes and puddings, decorations and lights and of course the all important presents. Every year there are some people that have already completed their Christmas shopping before the end of October, its wrapped and labelled and hidden in the back of the wardrobe- how do they do it? Then there is the rest of us who are rushing around the shops on a Saturday afternoon with the other half of the population, desperately trying to find the perfect present for those loved ones that have everything already. When we’ve done three circuits of the department store’s Christmas section and still found nothing inspirational we return home, feeling incredibly "unfestive" and resort to the internet. With its endless online shops, special offers and ability to let you shop without dropping it can seem like the perfect answer- its just waiting for the postman or the delivery van that’s the problem, and of course returning it after Christmas when it wasn’t what they wanted at all.

There’s no doubt about it Christmas is a tough time, the pressure of Christmas shopping is huge, not to mention cooking for the inlaws!

The LC has had some great ideas to help you get it right this Christmas. Why not get them a gift that lasts longer than Christmas day. Why not inspire your teen to be more active with an iZone membership in our interactive gym for 11-15year olds or indulge someone special with an elegant Elemis gifts from the Spa@LC. We also have packaged up the LC’s best attractions so that you can give presents that are made for memories. There are vouchers for sessions on the exhilarating boardrider, interactive play area, 30ft climbing wall and of course the waterpark. We can package these sessions up for you to create the perfect Christmas gift no matter what they’re into.

Call in to the LC and speak to one of the team or call us from the comfort of your home to purchase any of these great gifts!

With over 110 fitness classes a week, the LC is more than just a gym! Over the next few weeks our new studio coordinator Lisa and the LC fitness instructors will be introducing you to the classes on your timetable:

"Peak Physique is a conditioning class which improves muscular endurance, both toning and shaping the whole body fast! This is done by targeting every muscle group with low weight high repetition exercises to music. Our instructors guide you through the class providing motivation and encouragement to help you achieve the best results from your workout. This is a fun group exercise experience, which can leave you feeling in top form, mentally and physically.
This class is suitable for all fitness levels, it’s your workout, so feel free to work at your own level. Our instructors will be happy to show you what equipment you will need and how to use it. Its always a good idea to start light and build up slowly, even if you have used weights before, this will allow your body to adjust to the new demands of this workout.
Its lots of fun and a great way to challenge yourself and compliment any other training you are taking part in, so we look forward to having you join us in Peak Physique soon!"

It’s the simple things in life that our children remember as they grow up, making cakes with Nan, playing board games on rainy holidays and making Christmas decorations out of anything and everything. It’s easy to forget just how important these moments are and indeed how important spending quality time with our children is. There are so many pressures in today’s world that we forget to celebrate those little beings who will grow up to be very important people.

At the LC we really value children and do everything we can to encourage families to spend time together. Three years ago we began celebrating National Children’s Day, the LC was the first place in Wales to begin celebrating the special day which is observed in more than 50 countries around the world. In Thailand they celebrate by allowing children free entry into zoos and amusement parks while in China children are given a day off school. Here at the LC we celebrate the day by bringing together a whole range of fun activities that we know children love. This year there will be magic shows, face painting, circus skills workshop and drama classes. The Ospreys will be bringing their inflatable village down and some of the players will be popping in themselves. Tommy the Turtle will also be on hand to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves! All this is in addition to the LC’s usual offerings; the climbing wall, waterpark, boardrider and play area will be open all day. The money raised on the day will go to the day’s official charity, Ty Hafan to support young lives. So come and join us to celebrate children across Wales and make some family memories that will last a life time.

Tickets are just £6 per person and include 90minutes in the waterpark, climb, play and a boardrider session plus all the other activities. Call our reception team to book your tickets now on 01792 466500.

Trying new things is always a challenge, whether it’s making the break away from your usual morning coffee to try something far more exotic or trying a new fitness class that has earned a reputation as being the hardest class ever. But then again challenges aren't meant to be easy!

Here at the LC we are always keen to except a challenge and try something new and we think you should too! With the launch of our brand new Spin Studio we want to encourage more people to give Spin a Chance! It’s a fantastic class and it really is a class that everyone can enjoy- it’s not only for the super fit or bionic...

Here are 10 reasons why everyone should give spin a chance at the LC;

1. Beginners Spin @ The LC- you can introduce yourself to spin softly with 30minute sessions designed especially for beginners, these sessions take place 8 times a week- so there is no excuse!

2. It’s a party- the disco lights and adrenaline creates a party atmosphere, without the alcohol, nibbles or chips on the way home!

3. Design your own class- you can take the class at your level while still joining in. As long as you keep the RPM at the level the instructors tells you, you can change the gears to make this achievable for you!

4. High calorie burner- Spin is a great calorie burner, even just a 30 minute session will get the blood pumping and the heart rate going, burning those calories.

5. The instructors- our gym team know exactly how to motivate and encourage you to reach your peak!

6. Lose yourself in the music- the state of the art sound system helps you to switch off from the real world and focus all your energy into the class.

7. It will make your happy- just half an hour of energetic activity will help to release those endorphins

8. Autumn is here- try as we might we can’t stop the evenings getting darker, spin lets you keep up with you cycling without the wind and the rain or the need for fluorescent gear!

9. It’s something new- shaking up your fitness routine every once in a while has its benefits, your body gets lazy if you maintain the same routine, shock it in to action now!

10. It’s low impact- while it’s a great cardio workout it doesn’t have a high impact on your joints.

If those reasons aren’t enough to convince you that you should give spin a chance and rise to the challenge, then why not try out one of our Taster sessions, just 10 minutes is sure to be enough to convince you that Spin isn’t only for the super fit and actually could be a challenge you enjoy.

Taster Sessions Take Place at the following times:

Tuesday: 9:15

Wednesday: 5:45

Thursday: 9:15

Click here to book your session now!