31st January 2019 | Portsmouth

Manager’s Welcome

January has been and gone and it’s superb to see how many members are still sticking to their health and fitness goals. It’s often made a joke of how many people start a fitness regime in the New Year but then drop off almost instantly and that simply doesn’t need to be the case.

When it does happen, when life starts to take over all your good intentions, then don’t forget we are here to help. Our team can recommend different activities to keep your interest or save you time and we are introducing new services and new team members all the time to help develop your options. On that front I’d like to welcome Jean Socio, a new PT at the club, and let you know about Glenn Brighty who will be launching new adult and junior squash coaching and club night sessions at Roko.

Lastly, I would also like to welcome your new General Manager, James Sandercock, who arrives mid February. I’m sure he will make himself known to you around the club.

Whatever your goals this year, just remember we’re here to help you achieve them!

Neil Stanton & Your Roko team

referral offer continues... 

refer a friend & you both get a limited edition roko workout top

As a Roko member, you've already committed to achieving your goals - and we're here to support you. But did you know that you are more likely to achieve your fitness goals with a workout buddy? 

So introduce a friend to Roko and you'll both benefit from the additional motivation that you will provide to each other. PLUS, when you refer a friend right now and they decide to join, then we’ll give you both a limited edition Roko workout top. Simply click here to refer your friends now: https://www.roko.co.uk/portsmouth/offers/tshirt

Fitness News

Make Your Resolutions Last
Just a reminder of all the resolutions we had on our board in January - it's not too late to make your own, and if any of these are yours we hope we've been able to help you make a start to achieving them!

Racquets News

Squash 
Glenn Brighty is now engaged to provide squash services at the club. He has worked with and under the Ex World No 1 and double Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Jonathon Power in Toronto and the US as well as working for England Squash, Sussex Squash and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Men’s Side.

Glenn has coached or worked with a number of players some who are now in the top 20 in the world, but is equally familiar with and enjoys developing players from grassroots levels.

Individual lessons are £25 for a 1 hr coached session or you can book a block of 10 for £200, saving £50.

Our initial plan is to have the following in place but it will develop over time as demands dictate. Please contact us at enquiries@portsmouth.roko.co.uk and register your interest in the squash services. We will then arrange for Glenn to contact you as each element goes live and keep you updated on the section within the club.

Monday          7pm to 9pm                Coaching Session
Wednesday    7pm to 9pm                Coaching Session
Friday             7pm to 9pm                Club Night
Sunday           9am to noon              Junior Coaching

Tennis 
We are currently in discussions with a coach to make more use of our Tennis Courts through the Spring to Autumn period with Junior and Adult coaching, Leagues and Club days. Please register your interest by sending us an email saying ‘Tell me more about Tennis’ to enquiries@portsmouth.roko.co.uk. We’ll update our membership system with your preference and add you to the Tennis contact list so you’ll be first to hear the specifics when the programme is ready to launch. You can also opt out at any point in time.

Studio News

Les Mills Tone is our latest addition to the timetable and it is class of the month for February.

Les Mills Tone is a 45 min strength, cardio and core training class with options for every fitness level. Tone will help you to burn calories, tone and strengthen muscles and improve your fitness level.

Class passes will be available for members to collect from reception and they can bring a friend along either to the Thursday 18:00 class or Friday 09:30 class or maybe bring a loved one along for Valentine’s day Tone!

Booking Etiquette
Please can members cancel their place on the App if they no longer require it. We are experiencing periods when, in the week before certain classes happen, they show at capacity with a waiting list but then they run under capacity. This is very frustrating for members who have tried to book in.

Although it seems daft to have to say this as you can’t be in two places at once, please don’t book into multiple classes that run at the same time. This inevitably blocks up availability for other members.

In order to maximise class availability for everyone, any members who do abuse the booking system will have their booking privileges removed for a temporary period.

How to book
On the Roko App - members can book classes from 9pm, 8 days in advance.
In Club at reception in person - members can book classes 7 days in advance
Via the phone  - members can book classes 7 days in advance

Class Waiting lists
Waiting list alert emails for class availability are sent at 7am each morning on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd day before the class.  On the day of the class, reception will call the waiting list in priority order if a space becomes available.

Club Events

Family Fun Day – 27th January 2019

Our first big event of the year went off with a bang with lots of activities organised especially for families. Lucy did an amazing class which we have had lots of lovely positive feedback about, so we are looking at putting something more permanent on our group exercise schedule. Watch this space.

Thanks to all the Roko team for putting on a great event and thanks to everyone who came along.

Junior Activities News

We are back in full swing with our Junior Activities this new year:

Monday 4.15pm – 5pm KIDS YOGA 
- for ages 3-8 years. Following a story with Cosmic Kids we learn how to stretch, breathe and relax with kids Yoga.
Wednesday 4.30pm-5.15pm GET ACTIVE  
- for ages 5-11 years. Come join us for an exciting fast paced session playing lots of popular playground games and races amongst new friends.
Thursday 4.30pm -5.15pm KIDS CIRCUITS 
- for ages 5-11 years. Stations set up around the studio of fun exercises for all ages and all abilities. Keeping us active and trying new skills.

ALL of these classes are FREE to our members and just £3 to non members. You can book these classes at any time and places are limited.

For all Junior activities, we require minimum of 3 participants, so don’t delay and book your space in today.

swimming news

Instructor Changes
We sadly have to confirm that, after 15 years at Roko Portsmouth, Rachel Fair has decided to hang up her goggles, woggles and floats and finish her instruction at the club at the end of the current term in mid March. We would like to thank her for all her help and guidance over the years as the Roko swim programme started with Rachel all those years ago and it won’t be the same without her. We wish you all the best for the future in all your Triathlon adventures (go Team GB!) and we know you’ll enjoy having your evenings back.

Melanie will be taking over Rachel's Adult classes on Wednesday nights from the new March programme and we will be getting her poolside with Rachel before this swim course ends so you can meet her yourselves.
We are also delighted to announce that we have a new permanent swim teacher for the Wednesday Junior group classes. Samantha will be teaching Beginner 2, Improvers and Advanced classes.
Finally we would like to welcome Sally who teaches our Parent and Toddler groups and Beginner One groups on a Saturday.

Swimming Lessons At Roko
Whether you’re an adult or child, want to learn to swim or improve your stroke Roko offers a variety of 1-1 or group lessons to both Members and Non-Members.
We are able to offer to a wide range of ages and abilities; including:

Parent &Toddler (1-3 yrs)
Parent & Toddler advanced (3yrs+)
Junior ASA Swim Programme, levels 1-12 (4yrs+)
Adult beginner, improver & advanced
1-2-1 Lessons for all ages

Roko are very proud to offer a structured awards scheme enabling your child to Progress from beginner to advanced levels; continuously assessed through our ASA programme.

What are the benefits of having swimming lessons here at Roko?
*Your child gets more close attention and instruction. We have smaller group sizes, maximum 6 per class (10 per parent/Toddler), compared to others who teach 12 or more children together.
*With our broad programme, siblings or friends of different abilities can swim at the same time in the different classes we run.
*We have a structured awards scheme enabling your child to progress from beginner to advanced levels as their skills progress.
*The swimming programme is delivered by professional, highly trained, motivated teachers who are passionate about teaching swimming.
*All swimmers are continuously assessed through the ASA programme and badges are awarded when achieved so your child moves up when they are ready and not when the programme changes.
*Priority booking system for existing swimmers guarantees you a place if you renew before we open up the programme to those on our waiting list.
*Heated 20m indoor pool and children’s splash pool set at 30 degrees so its much warmer than other local pools which are at 28 degrees or less.
*The programme runs continuously, not termly, so your child keeps achieving!

For more information or to book your swimming lessons today: Call Reception on 02392 651 400.

Club Lounge

During February half term from 18th to 22nd we will be offering a £1.00 Meal deal where if you buy an adult meal you can get a childs meal for just £1.00.

Also on February 14th to celebrate Valentine’s Day you can get a Primo coffee with a slice of coffee and walnut cake for just £4.25. Perfect for sharing (or perhaps not!).

Bored at Breakfast?
Ditch the sugary cereals at breakfast as you’ll find yourself grabbing the snack box mid-morning as you suffer a sugar crash and crave simple carbs. Instead opt for complex carbohydrates and protein based breakfasts to give you a great mix to fuel you through your morning.

Surely you never need an excuse to have a cooked breakfast and as it provides lots of the protein and nutrients you need for a great start to the day it’s a great choice. As with everything it’s about balance so its best not have it all the time but it is great for variety, especially if you ditch the bread/toast which is loaded with wasteful calories and is low in nutritional value. Opt for poached or scrambled egg and bacon without the rind and you’re already making some good choices. Options are available in the club lounge.

Our new special is a new favourite and its now become the best seller - Scrambled egg with spinach, half a grilled tomato and a slice of malted wheat toast. Delicious and only £4.

Porridge is perfect for a slow release of energy keeping you on point through your morning. It’s available in the Club Lounge now as an eat-in or take away option. Just £1.95.

Function Room Hire

You can hire our Club Lounge for your special event on a Friday or Saturday Night. It is also a lovely venue to host christenings or baby showers on Sundays! The venue is yours for the evening with a dedicated host team and we can even provide a late licence (subject to council approval and fee). Dates are still available so ask at reception to speak to Angela who will find out what you would like and get everything arranged for you.