U Perform Summer Staycation - Our Highlights

The Summer Holidays are well and truly in full swing by now and we would like to think that our epic Summer Staycation series has been keeping you inspired and excited to head out and explore all the amazing things that the UK has to offer.

We’ve been showcasing one sport a week for almost two months now, so it goes without saying that there is a lot to catch up on and summarise for you all. Especially if you have missed a few stops along the way. Not to worry, we are closing our Summer Staycation series with the summary to end all summaries. You won’t want to miss this.

We've been uphill and down dale, giving you the safety tips you need to hike through the mountains. Likewise, we've shared our favourite coastal walks if you needed some beach time!

We've been on two wheeled AND two footed adventures as well as showcasing some of our favourite waters sport pursuits!

Each time sharing our top tips and recommended locations - our favourite being sharing our guide to making SUPing less fall in paddle boarding and more stand-up paddle boarding!!!

We've even satisfied the need for speed, and for all things extreme for the thrill seekers and adventurers among you. There really has been something for everyone!!!

So here it is. Our quick round up to get you back up to speed and out on your very own summer staycation adventures.

Week 1 – Walking & Hiking

In week one, we sent team member Andy all the way up Mt. Snowdon at sunrise to capture some stunning sunrise images to accompany our essential guide to mountain walking and hiking.

Only kidding, we didn’t actually send him up there just for that. But seeing as he was there on his own accord, we made sure that his images (which were stunning) were put to good use! But we have to applaud his dedication, getting up and hiking his way to the top of Mt. Snowdon in the early hours of a late spring morning.

Our week one guide covered all the health benefits of walking in nature (both physical and mental) as well as our essential safety guide to equip you with all the knowledge you will need to head out there safely and confidently.

You can catch up on our first Summer Staycation showcase by clicking here.

Week 2 – Cycling

We hit the roads and trails on week two of our Summer Staycation to one of the most popular sports in the UK right now… CYCLING. And as we have all seen over the last 18 months, cycling is only getting more and more popular as time goes on.

Cycling is one of our favourite outdoor activities and certainly a favourite of U Perform co-founder Prof. Greg Whyte whom you will often find out on a two wheeled adventure somewhere.

Throughout the coronavirus situation, we have all been encouraged to head outdoors to take daily exercise and it was plain to see that more and more people did so. And did so by bike too! So much so, that since then bike shops and bike manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with the demand.

 

But why is that? What are the benefits of cycling?

Read our sport showcase from Week 2 to find out. Just click here.

Week 3 – Wild Swimming

Another outdoor activity that is rapidly becoming more and more popular is WILD SWIMMING.

Wild swimming or Open Water Swimming is exactly what it says on the tin. Swimming outdoors and in the wild. From lakes, to rivers, estuaries and oceans, the possibilities are endless. However, once we stray beyond the swimming pool we are faced with numerous new hazards that we first need to manage and be confident in managing before we can take the plunge and start wild swimming.

Week 3 was written for us by another guest blogger. This time, by U Perform Ambassador and top triathlon and swimming coach John Wood @tri_coaching

You can check this out by clicking here.

Week 4 – Running

We took an evolutionary step on week 4, moving from water to land and on to two feet to showcase RUNNING. We felt this was a good stop on our Summer Staycation journey, especially after covering walking hiking.

So, for those of you who prefer a little more speed whilst on two feet, this week’s guide to running is perfect for you.

We all know the benefits of running (almost endless if you were wondering) but we asked U Perform Fitness Expert Arron Collins Thomas to step in and help us with this one. Pun 1000% intended there by the way!

You can read Arron’s running guide by clicking here.

Week 5 – Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Yes, we know, we have only just left the water, but you just can’t keep us away for long. And its is the same for so many of us all over the country too!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding or SUPing is another activity that is gripping the nation and you’ll be hard fought to find a lake, river, or coastline without at least one paddle boarder this summer. And for good reason too. Not only is it a fun way to take to the waters, but it’s also relatively inexpensive and a great whole-body workout too!

We were very lucky for this week’s stop on our Summer Staycation, that U Perform Ambassador Elysia Harrison (a SUP super fan) had launched with her SUP at her local lake in the beautiful Cotswold Water Park and took some breath-taking images that we of course just had to use!

You can check out our essential safety, equipment, and technique guide by clicking here.

Week 6 – Thrill Seekers

We like to think that anytime we head outside and push our limits or try new things is pretty thrilling. But for some, it just isn’t enough. That’s why, for week 6, we dedicated a whole week to all things extreme. Satisfying the need for speed and adventure that some of you crazy lot have.

With so many extreme sports to choose from, this was actually a really difficult feature to write for you all. We did our best to take you on a thrill-seeking journey as well as leaving each activity a difficulty grading from beginner all the way up to advanced so that you can pick the activity that is right for you.

You can check it out by clicking here.

Week 7 – Coastal Walking

And last but by no means least, in week 7 we took a trip to the beach to wind those adrenaline levels down from the week before.

With over 11,000 miles of coastline across the UK, you’ll never be short of somewhere to explore. But coastal walking unfortunately doesn’t come without its hazards too and we give you a handy guide to identifying those and taking steps to address them and walk safely.

We also share a couple of popular routes that cover some of the best coastlines that the UK has to offer.

So, you know what to do. To check out our guide to coastal walking – just click here.

Week 8 – oh wait. Week 8? That’s us right now. Time flies and it looks like we got a little carried away with ourselves there. But that does indeed bring our Summer Staycation to a close. For this year at least.

But it doesn’t mean that summer is over by any stretch of the imagination. We don’t quite have that power… yet! So, with that we close off this series, only to start another. Over the next few weeks we are going to be taking a deep dive into the art and science of RECOVERY and how you can take quick and easy steps to optimise your recovery and quality of life as a result.

Tune in next week for that!

Don’t forget to keep sharing your summer adventures with us. And don’t forget to share our summer staycation blogs with a friend who you think would benefit from reading them.

You can tag us on social media @uperformuk and use #uperformuk #uperform