Keep Active

Keeping active is not only vital for your physical health but for your mental health too. Discover events and resources to boost your mood.

There is substantial research evidence that being physically active is beneficial for our mental health, by helping us feel good and function well.  We are more likely to be active if we find something we enjoy, it fits easily into our lifestyle, and we set ourselves goals to do it.

Ailsa Niven, Professor of Psychology of Physical Activity, The University of Edinburgh

Our workshops offer blocks of specialised sessions suitable for all levels and open to members and non-members.

Sport & Exercise offers a range of courses for students and non-students during the year

Explore our running resources and connect with like-minded runners. We offer Learn to run sessions, social runs, advice and more.

Whether you want to need help and guidance for your fitness journey, train for an event or simply struggle with the commitment of a long term plan exercise programme, personal training could be the answer.

Supportive sport sessions for complete beginners! Our Just Play Sport sessions are free, fun and will teach you the basics of the sport in a safe and inclusive environment

Image of students

The ‘Take 5’ programme is a joint initiative between Active Lives and the Student Wellbeing service that helps to facilitate positive lifestyle changes by encouraging participants to be open minded and reflect on how engaging in physical activity can positively impact their mental wellbeing.

Explore a range of staff-only exercise classes.

University of Edinburgh staff and students are invited to come along for a feel-good social bike ride to boost your wellbeing, mood and fit in some fun physical exercise!

University of Edinburgh staff and students are invited to come along for a lunchtime Feel Good walk to help boost your mood.

Let us help you to take your first step into our world-class gym facility.

Join us for one of our Yoga & Mindfulness retreats this year either in November 2024 or March 2025.

Kings Camps are coming back to the Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym this April

Find out more about how being physically active can benefit your mental health and wellbeing.

We recognise that not everyone is on campus full-time. Therefore, we have created a bank of online resources to help you build movement into your daily life even when working or studying from home, as we know the benefits of moving more, more often each day.

Helpful advice and support from other health and wellbeing services