Where to Get Active in Burnaby

Physical activity is so important to our lives. However, most people don’t get enough. How much physical activity do you need, and how can you get active in Burnaby? Keep reading to find out!

How Much Physical Activity Do You Need?

Physical activity helps keep us healthy and we need it every day. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. Moderate physical activity includes jogging, fast walking, swimming leisurely, and other activities that raise your heart rate a bit. Vigorous physical activity includes running, swimming, and jumping rope. These activities speed up your breathing and heart rate. The difference between moderate and vigorous physical activity is basically how hard you are working. Vigorous activities require more effort than moderate physical activities. 

Where Can You Find Physical Activity?

Burnaby has many ways to get active. The city has several community centres where you can find weight rooms, gymnasiums, and more! They offer drop-in programs for a variety of activities like fitness classes, cycling classes, pickleball, basketball, and badminton. Find the drop-in schedule here. There’s also pools, golf courses, and skating rinks. You can use this map to find a community centre or another facility close to you.

If you plan to go use the City of Burnaby facilities often, consider getting a Be Active pass. You can get them for 10 visits, monthly, or annually. They cost less than paying every time and provide you with unlimited access to many activities. 

You can also look at joining a recreational team of your choice, or trying tennis or pickleball at an outdoor court. Look online to see what there is, and when they play. 

There’s always parks and hikes you can try. Parks are distributed around the city, but Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake, and Central Park are 3 of the most popular. You can walk around Burnaby or Deer Lake, and Central Park has a number of walking trails. On Burnaby Mountain you can find hiking trails, or a 500-step stair climb. Just make sure you’re prepared for whatever activity you’re going to do! You can also bike on urban trails or in the bike lanes, or go out of the city to find more options. 

Of course, the best way to increase your physical activity is to incorporate it into your life. Walk to the grocery store, jog to a friend’s house, or bike to work. Or, find a friend to exercise with – it’s so much more fun! 

If you want to learn more about physical literacy, click here.