Feature: A focus on Health and Wellbeing

With the New Year well and truly upon us, are you thinking of how to be the 'best you' for 2026? Here is our guide to looking after your health and wellbeing.

Swindon’s Health Hydro will reopen this month

Swimmers will be jumping back into the pool at Swindon’s historic Victorian-era Health Hydro on Monday, 19 January when it reopens.
The Health Hydro has been closed while the first phase of major refurbishment was carried out. It is now getting ready to welcome back swimmers and gym users to refreshed spaces in the much-loved historic property when it reopens.
The restoration project has delivered a range of improvements, including new changing rooms, a redesigned entrance hall, gym and activity space, enhanced energy efficiency, and new plant areas and equipment to support the building long-term.
As is common with projects in Grade II* listed buildings, detailed early investigations highlighted challenges that required careful redesign to protect the Health Hydro’s heritage.
Extensive safe removal of asbestos was also completed as part of the work
Funding for the first phase has included grants from Historic England, Towns Fund money, Section 106 funding from developers and investment from the council.
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, the borough's Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “The Hydro is a unique and historic building and taking the right approach has meant working thoughtfully and safely at every stage.
"The result is a facility that’s ready to welcome eople back, with significant improvements already in place. I’m really looking forward to seeing swimmers and gym users enjoying the Hydro again. And while this reopening marks a major milestone, we’re continuing to work hard to secure funding for the next phases.”
More information on what will be on offer at the Health Hydro when it reopens can be found at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon

Patti's Reformer Pilates

Patti's is the Pilates and Wellness centre at the heart of Old Town, offering intimate group Reformer, Barre & Mat Pilates classes seven days a week.
Here you can develop both your mind and body strength, create connections with new friends and fall in love with the routine of exercise through intimate group Pilates classes.
Patti's is the perfect place to disconnect from the outside world and focus on your self development and personal wellbeing in our luxuriouis yet welcoming purpose-built studios.
pattis.co.uk

Much-needed help with your healthy resolutions

As the new year starts, resolutions are made. Often these relate to being healthier, losing weight and taking more exercise but habits are hard to change, and starting new things requires time and energy.
Add to this the shock to your body of trying to diet and exercise, and old pains and twinges are being felt again.
We are here to help with all of this. Liz & Associates Osteopathy is a long established Swindon clinic offering support to people of all ages.
Alongside this we now have Lift Healthy personal training gym. From here we offer support developing exercise and nutrition plans, personal training and exercise rehabilitation.
By working in partnership we have supported people of all ages and abilities to return to exercise, from young adults returning from injury to 80 somethings concerned about the impact of aging.
Exercise provides benefits to all and our goal is support as many people to enjoy these benefits as possible.
www.lizosteopathy.co.uk

Supporting Health, Inside and Out

In Swindon Old Town, one local practitioner is quietly supporting that shift towards more sustainable, whole person health.
Through Ananda Yoga Swindon, yoga teacher and wellbeing practitioner Shelley van der Berg offers classes that focus on more than flexibility or fitness alone.
Her teaching emphasises nervous system regulation, mindful movement, breath, and self-awareness classes are welcoming, accessible, and grounded.
Alongside this, her nutritional therapy practice, Inside Wellness, provides personalised, evidence informed support for clients improving their health through nutrition and lifestyle change.
anandayogaswindon.com
www.insidewellness.co.uk


Massage for life

Whether you need relaxation or pain relief there is a massage that can be tailored to your needs at Westlea-based Life Massage.
- Sports massage
- Oncology massage
- Hot stone massage
- Indian head massage
- Pregnancy & post natal massage
www.lifemassageswindon.co.uk


Slinn Allstars Running Club

Slinn Allstars run two beginners' courses each year. By the end of the 10-week course most people are able to run for 5K nonstop.
Its running course starts on Tuesday 13 January at 6.45pm at St John’s Church Hall, Haydon Wick, SN25 1QP.
Full details of the various courses and activities offered by the club can be found at www.slinnallstars.co.uk

Sacred Sounds for Health & Wellness

Using crystal bowls, Himalayan bowls, percussive instruments, gongs and voice, Michelle has options for beginners through to established yoga teachers and holistic practitioners. From sound baths where you turn up and get ‘bathed’ in sound, vocal sessions where you explore the vibration of syllables, basic mantras and ancient texts via traditional (but super simple) listen and repeat methodology, to training courses where you learn offerings, Michelle combines her 30 years of experience in holistic modalities with her love of vibrational sound to create teachings that are both transformative and rooted in tradition. 
[email protected] - 07748 427794

Saku Hot Yoga in the heart of Old Town

Saku Hot Yoga and Pilates Studio is a sanctuary for movement, connection and wellbeing. 
Running yoga and Pilates classes all day, every day, from beginners to advanced. Practising hot yoga and Pilates in a heated environment offers wide-ranging benefits:
- increased flexibility,
- improved circulation,
- strength and core stability, alongside detoxification through sweat. 
Just as importantly, these practices support mental clarity, stress. reduction helping you feel grounded.
At the heart of the studio are the qualified yoga and Pilates teachers who create a warm, inclusive space.
www.sakuhotyoga.com

You Fit - your destination for fitness

If you’re looking for a gym or a swimming pool in Swindon You Fit is the health club for you.
Join You Fit Swindon today to start your fitness and wellbeing journey.
The team will ensure you always feel welcome and inspired by providing you expert advice whilst guiding you through your workout, whether that be in the fully-equipped gym, in one of the exercise classes or whilst you relax in the swimming pool, sauna or spa pool.
You Fit's exercise classes are open to all members and cater for all fitness levels, allowing you to work out at your own pace and within your own comfort level.
Classes include stretch, aqua aerobics, yoga and Pilates.
It can be found at You Fit Health Club, Holiday Inn Swindon on Marlborough Road, just off the Coate Water roundabout. 
For details call 01793 817012 or email [email protected]
www.youfitclubs.co.uk/club/swindon


Gibbs Chiropractic Clinic

Amy was brought up in South Wales and graduated from Southampton University in 1999 with an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Physiology & Pharmacology. 
She then took postgraduate studies at The University of Surrey, graduating with a Masters Degree in Chiropractic and setting up her own Clinic in Old Town, in Spring 2007.
Amy can help treat back, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, foot and knee complaints, elbow problems such as tennis elbow, general aches and pain from joints, muscle spasms and cramps.
Get in touch on 07379 134907 or info@
gibbschiropracticclinic.co.uk.


Kelly Chiropractic

Kelly Chiropractic was set up in 2015 by Stephen Kelly and has grown into a well-established, busy and reputable clinic. 
The Kelly Chiropractic team are experienced, highly trained experts who diagnose, treat and manage conditions such as back and neck pain, sciatica, sports injuries and much more.
Treating a wide range of conditions and people of all ages, this dedicated team pride themselves on delivering consistently excellent results, helping people to feel better, move better, and get back to doing the things they love.
Call us on 01793 232549 or visit
kellychiropractic.co.uk

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a form of treatment that is used to help alleviate many musculoskeletal problems and any associated issues they can cause such as nerve or muscle pain, or even pain in other joints caused by the body compensating.
At Chiropractic Health we offer a ‘free screen’ service where you can come in and chat to us about your issue. 
We can discuss whether Chiropractic is likely to help and put a plan together on how to move forwards.
It is free of charge but there is no treatment given.
If you would like more information, give us a call on 01793 602454, or visit www.chiropractichealthcentres.com