Being a student is hard work. From organising your schedule, to studying, seeing friends, and keeping time for yourself, it can be exhausting. It’s very important to keep your mind and body moving to have an outlet.

I love staying active and have a hard time keeping myself on track when I work out at the gym solo. I discovered going to classes are much more helpful and allow direction and purpose to my movements. In my search for places to go in Belfast I have come across some great options for students. 

Studio 52

52A Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast 

Tucked away in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter lies Studio 52, a warm and welcoming yoga studio with lots to offer. The best part? They have student deals! The classes are phenomenal and really rejuvenate your body, putting intention into movements. They focus on Yoga and Pilates including reformer classes for the expert Pilates masters. Did someone say student deals? This studio provides lots of options for attendees. Along with regular class passes and drop-in classes, they offer all sorts of memberships.

For those just starting out and unsure of this place being for you, you can explore the Mat: 7 Days Unlimited pass that allows 7 consecutive days of yoga or Pilates classes which must be used within 14 days of purchase. This pass costs £20, offering a well-rounded experience of what this studio offers for the super ambitious just looking to get a taste and can be booked online. 

As a student, Studio 52 requires a visit to the studio to show your student ID to become verified for student pricing. Not sure of when you can go? Want a quick pick me up class? Can’t commit to a membership or if you’ll even like place? Not a problem with their £9 student Mat: Drop-in Classes. This pass allows you access to one mat yoga or Pilates class within 14 days of purchase. Interested in trying a few more classes to get the feel of it? Try the Mat: Four Class Pass for £30. This pass allows you a month of opportunity to attend any 4 of their offered classes.

They are open 7 days a week offering classes from 7:30am to 7:30pm, perfect for the student of all schedules. Make sure you book in advance and check out different days as some classes fill up quick. This is a great studio with a friendly atmosphere.

Rise Aerial Acrobatics

45 Ravenhill Road

Interested in trying something a bit different? Check out Rise, Located on the Ravenhill Road just across the River Lagan from the Lanyon Place train station. This is a creative studio that offers less traditional exercise options including flexibility training, aerial hoop, silks, straps, and more. They provide MANY beginner options for classes to build confidence, strength, and flexibility so no one feels out of place. This is somewhere I have been looking into and have signed up for a beginner course in the coming weeks. They post lots of information on Instagram as well!

This is a more costly option however they have lots of memberships available to all! The session pass is £16.50 for 1 class available to use within 3 weeks of purchase. They offer monthly courses which include 4 classes for £60. This studio is a niche area of exercise that hosts something different for those interested in going outside of their comfort zone.

Take a walk through Ormeau Park

Don’t feel like committing to a membership? Just want a mini study to break to get your blood flowing? Take a walk through one of the many beautiful parks located around town. A 20-minute walk from city centre (closer if you live near campus) is Ormeau Park a gorgeous 100 acres city park open to the public with lots to offer.

From the beautiful trees and paths to playing fields, there is something for everyone to enjoy the outdoors and nature. My favourite route is walking down the Ormeau Road, stopping at a bakery along the way, entering the park, and making it to the pink COOP trailer for a coffee. I then find a seat under one of the beautiful trees and take in the fresh air while making friends with the off-lead dogs of Belfast.

Interested in a game of chess? The park offers free outdoor chess tables (pieces are collected from the coffee vendor nearby). For any runners the park hosts a 5km parkrun every Saturday at 9:30am and a 2km junior parkrun every Sunday at 9:30am. All you need to do is head to the website to register and it’s free to run! Also, a super easy number 7A-D bus ride drops you off right at the entrance. It’s like stepping into Belfast’s very own central park!

On campus and don’t want to go very far? Botanic Gardens is another great option for a quick break for fresh air. Check out the greenhouses within the park to smell the flowers and get a tropical feel when it’s a grey day.

WE RUN BELFAST

For the runners out there WE RUN BELFAST is a great group with an amazing sense of community. They hold weekly runs and coffee meetups, donuts and Strava tags. This noncompetitive group is for fun, cheering each other on and getting the much-deserved physical excitement our bodies and mind need after sitting all day reading pages of research.

Runners of all ages (above 18) and abilities are encouraged to join. Their motto is “It’s not about who finishes first or who finishes last, we all finish together.” They are very active on Instagram, check them out! This group meets every Wednesday at 6:45pm at the Bullitt Hotel in the city centre for their standard 5k run. The best part? It is free to join!

Find out more

Tips for Staying Fit and Healthy on a Student Schedule

How to Look After Your Wellbeing During the Winter Season

Take a Virtual Tour of Queen's

Mary McNeil-White LLM Law and Technology | Postgraduate Student | Ontario, Canada I finished my undergrad in Canada attaining a BA in Psychology. My transition to a Law degree was completely new territory. I figured with the direction that the world is going in with fast evolving technological innovations, it would be very important to obtain the knowledge provided through this programme. It is hard work but also rewarding as someone without a law background. In my free time I enjoy travelling and have been all over Europe. I enjoy seeing what the world has to offer. I always stay up to date with the student blogs Queen's offers. Anytime I am looking for an activity or don't know where to go, being new to the city, I head to the blogs for ideas on where to start. It's great to read other students' experiences.