This knocks the socks off Botanic Gardens any day. It's massive, wilder, nowhere near as crowded…read moreand just lovely. I used to take my spaniel Tiko here every day and he loved it - OK, dogs love anywhere they can run about, but he really did share my love of this park, as there's loads of undergrowth he could and did snuffle into and lots of space to run around. (And if the poor girl whose lunchtime Subway sandwich he scarfed is reading this, I can only apologise yet again.) I haven't been back to Ormeau Park since he died, because, well, I just don't want to at the mo, but some of my happiest memories of him are at this park and it''s probably my favourite outdoor spot in all of Belfast. I love walking past the house in the middle of it and dreaming someday of living there. I'd even give up my Melbourne yearning for that... This is a stellar spot for walking, cycling or skating, and I even saw a mini orchestra happily playing near the bandstand once as well. There are bowling greens, a basketball/netball court and tennis courts, at which I would marvel at healthy types playing vigorously there at 10am on a Sunday, as Tiko and I lurched past. (And if the poor guy whose tennis ball he neatly nipped in and stole is reading this, I can only apologise yet again.) A beautiful park that's a bit bittersweet for me at the moment, but hopefully will become a regular chilling out place for me again. Perfect.

Ormeau Park, the underrated green space of Belfast. I love this place its a little emerald in the…read moregrey concrete of the city. Well cultivated and kept with its grandiose gates and lots of little walks and trails, great for a little peace of mind walk or a wee day out for kids at the pretty awesome play park. My only negative is that I think there could be more done here events wise. It always seems botanic has the monopoly on those. Maybe a winter wonderland like they do at Hyde Park in London and a few Summer events to make use of the bandstand and nice open spaces.

This is a gym just for women.....yes you heard me right JUST FOR WOMEN!!!…read moreThis was music to my ears when I heard it, no men hogging the free weights while admiring their 'muscles' in the mirror at this litte gem of a gym :) Everything is pink and girlie, it is relaxed and friendly and you even get your own personalised programme as part of the membership package (which is also extremely competative at £29 per month), access to classes and you regularly get measured and weighed so it's easy to keep track of your progress! I've been a member for just over a month now and I love it - honestly the best gym i've ever been a member of, I can't recommend it highly enough.

I used to be a member of a gym and couldn't figure out why I wasn't seeing results after spending…read morehours there every week. The reason was I was faffing around, chatting and trying to motivate myself. Well no more! Energie is a fitness centre which uses a circuit which gives you resistance and cardio training targeting all main muscle groups. Each circuit lasts 30 minutes...then you go home! Do this three times a week and in just 6 weeks you'll see positive results. When you join you'll embark on a 6 week programme offering advice on nutrition, positive attitudes to exercise and relaxation etc and they monitor your progress. At the end of my 6 week programme I found I had lost 4.5lbs and 8cms off my waist!! I love the fact that when I go to exercise I know I'll be home within the hour and I'll have had a great workout!

To start off my review, I feel I should really praise the location, which just a few minutes from…read moreForestside and only 8 minutes from the city centre, which is a good start! We went here as part of a party recently and was a really good experience! I have been karting a few times and the track here is really good, with long, high speed corners and hairpins and tunnels to challenge any driver! This place can be enjoyed by all ages, as when we were there were people ranging from under ten to over 50 getting stuck into some karting fun! It is also equipped with a large function room so it may be suitable for corporate outings or team building nights out. £15 for 15mins There are a wide range of options o race including arrive and drive, "Adrenaline Rush" which is around £30 for a qualifier then a race, Grand Prix which has a more professional structure and Team endurance! The staff were friendly and all too willing to help, and were well organised in getting us out on track swiftly, which was appreciated greatly!

Enjoyable experience no doubt - physically demanding on a very intricate course -whether you…read morechoose a Grand Prix style race or a team race. There is even medals and a rostrum for the top 3 - highly recommended

This centre has been here for years, and I mean years! To be honest I never really bothered with it…read moreyears ago. But I've been using it a bit recently and was surprised to find out how kitted out it was and how well organised everything is! They have a hall for kids parties with the usual bouncy castle, bikes, toys etc and a desperate room with a small kitchen (should you need it) for the actual party As for fitness, they hold several classes a week, all varied, and have a cracking wee fitness suite upstairs for all your gym needs. My only negative would be that it could do with a bit of updating, but other than that, wouldn't go passed it now.

This gym is small, lacking equipment, and in need of a refurb (as already mentioned in these…read morereviews). My experience of it is that it's a badly run gym - so much so that they haven't even bothered to go on here and inform people that it's actually now called Club Vitae, One to avoid.

This gym is simple and a little run down. They don't have much but basic equipment. If you're…read moreserious into you fitness this isn't the gym for you. However if normal gyms intimidate you, this may be your starting place. It's small and quite and no judgments over your work out. They provide some great classes with positive and helpful teachers. Yoga here is especially excellent. I have been to a few yoga classes in my time and I've learnt more here than anywhere else. Good practical tips and they don't push you belong your limits. The pool is small with no deep end. But its perfect the for a morning swim. Again it's a bit run down, which can be a tad frustrating considering this isn't a cheap gym. The hallway to the pool constantly smells bad. The showers and changing rooms are clean, but old. Most keys have lost the scrappy bit for your arm so bring a pin as well as your pound to pay for them. Personally I am willing to put up with all the negatives as this gym as what's most important to me, a pool I can do lengths in with no interruption and no que for machines!

As a keen cyclist I have been familiar with lifecycles for many years, primarily due to its…read morereputation as an excellent place to have your bicycle repaired. I recently had a problem with my bike gears and so brought it down to the lifecycles workshop to have it looked at professionally. Now on first name terms with the guys working there, I always receive fantastic service from the friendly and knowledgeable workers and have to say I'm usually very happy with the work they do. My most recent problem I had with my bike was fixed within 2 days and this for me was very pleasing. They replaced a part on the bike but explained why they had to, what was causing the problem in the first place and how to prevent it in the future. Money well spent!

This place is tucked in the alleyway in Lawrence street, so you may need help with directions on…read moreyour first visit. However, when you get there you can be confident your bike is in good hands. Austin is the guy who runs the shop and I don't think there is anything he doesn't know about bike maintenance. In addition to this, he's pretty cheap compared to other similar bike repair services in Belfast. I'd advise leaving enough time for any work though- since it's a small business it can probably get busy so rush jobs may not be possible. Still, very happy I have this place so close!

Recently joined this gym due to its location to my house, not the biggest or best kitted out gym…read morebut has all the essentials from treadmills to cross trainers, they have 2 studios that have spin classes and a multitude of other classes everyday, they have a good range of preset weights stations and a free weights area, only down side is the Changing rooms and the showers are a bit cramped but for as little as £9 a month can't complain, they also serve coffee and a wide range of juices, shakes and drinks, would recommend to join before the end of January for the half price deal!!!

Mesmerisingly beautiful forest park located in South Belfast which is less cultivated and more…read morenatural in style. Really comes into its own during autumn when leaves turn golden. There are numerous trails to follow whether your walking, running or just aimlessly wandering. The air is filled with birdsong and sounds of running water from the Lagan River; I never listen to music or podcasts when walking through Belvoir as the sounds of nature are so relaxing. This is fast becoming one of my favourite locations in Belfast.

Let me start by clarifying the name of this forest park. Despite the spelling, its name is…read morepronounced 'Beaver'. Yes, it's odd I know. So, anyhoo, it's got an odd name, what else can I tell you about Belvoir? Well, it's a beautiful green space close to the centre of Belfast and in my experience, one that not that many people know about. Obviously, there is plenty of space taken over by lush green trees and shrubs which is ideal for kids and dogs. I think dogs are meant to be kept on leads but not everyone sticks to that and as long as the dogs behave, no-one gets too bent out of shape. There's also a river running through the forest park which dogs can splash about in although I don't let the kids go in it as I have a little bit of a rat phobia. Squirrels are everywhere, so take some nuts and they will come quite close to you to eat them. Cultured types will also be interested in the historical aspects of the forest like the 12th century motte. More simple types like me will just enjoy the fresh air, the greenery and the squirrels.