Hello 2026! Last year was action packed and we have lots more planned for the new year. Check out what we have for you in January.
Start your Journey,
Find your Performance at Oriam
Starting out your year with a new fitness or wellbeing goal? There is so much advice out there it can be a little overwhelming but one of our golden rules at Oriam is big achievements start with small changes; Swap a sugary drink for a glass of water, add an extra piece of fruit or veg to your plate at mealtimes, take the stairs instead of the lift. These little changes can all add up to big improvements on your overall health and wellbeing. Not sure where to start? Check out some of our links below.
Kickstart your 2026 fitness goals
Transform in Eight
Eight week fitness programme
Our eight-week fitness programme is back by popular demand! This time we are focussing on Muscle Development.
The programme starts with a check-in session with one of our fitness team, to introduce you to the programme and get a few baseline stats before you start your new routines.
For the following eight weeks you will receive workout plans and top tips from our fitness team, aimed at building muscle mass and strength. Our fitness team will check in regularly to help keep you on track, then at the end of the programme you will re-measure your stats to see your progress, with rewards for the most improved!
Applications Close: January 2026
Programme Start: January 2026
Programme End: March 2026
Couch to 5K
Kickstart your 2026 fitness goals
Got a running goal for the new year or just want to improve your cardio? Our couch to 5k group is back for 2026!
Over 12 weeks you can progress from a brisk walk to a full 5k run with the support of our fitness and wellbeing teams.
Each week consists of three planned sessions. Two sessions will be led by our experienced staff at Oriam, leading you around our beautiful Heriot-Watt Campus. The third session is for you to try independently, in your own time.
The goal at the end of the twelve week programme is to complete a full Park Run 5k.
Applications Close: 13th January 2026
Programme Start: 20th January 2026
Programme End: 11th April 2026
Welcome back HWU Students
Semester Two kicks-off this month after the winter break. We look forward to seeing all of our new and returning students on campus soon. Follow the Sports Union Instagram page for updates on home matches at Oriam, celebrations from the clubs successes and more student news. Many matches are open to spectators if you want to come along and see what it is all about.
Sports Scholarships with HWU
Apply alongside your UCAS application
Sunny Doig - Judo Sports Scholar
Andrew Goodall - Speed Climbing Sports Scholar
Planning to head to university this year? The big UCAS deadline for undergraduate courses starting in September 2026 is January 14th!
If you are having a tough time choosing between your sports and academic ambitions, you'll be pleased to hear that you can actually do both! With a Sports Scholarship at Heriot-Watt University, you can continue to do both with a full package of support including academic flexibility, advocacy, coaching and strength & conditioning plus so much more.
We currently have tailored programmes for Handball, Football and Squash and a Sports programme for all other sports disciplines. To make sure your application is considered as a whole, it is best to apply for scholarships in line with your UCAS submission. Find out if a sports scholarship might be the best of both worlds for you.
This Time Last Year...
One Year of Oriam Tennis
Celebrating the first year of Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre.
Patrick, aged 5, winner of Oriam's Big Tennis Rally on court for the first serve at Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre
It is almost a year since our Indoor Tennis Centre was officially opened and what a year it has been! Our Tennis classes have doubled in capacity since their launch last year, and we have more classes to add this year! Tennis Scotland announced our new sport partnership and it is great to see so many of their coaches and athletes enjoying the facilities. We've hosted our first tournaments and there will be plenty more events this year. The Sports Union Tennis Club have grown from strength to strength and we look forward to seeing what they can do in their BUCS matches next semester.
Synthetic Pitch Renovations Completed
Oriam Synthetic Pitch Projects Team - (from left): Murray Brown, Oriam Duty Manager; Sports Labs; John Lowe, Oriam Head of Operations; Sportex; Euan Robertson, Oriam Duty Manager.
An extensive renovation project on our 3 synthetic pitches is completed ahead of scheduled just before Christmas. This work has help to ensure we can provide top-class environment for our community, students and professional athletes now and for the future.
Bookings are open for 5-a-side and 7-a-side slots. Please remember to check your footwear before you play. Plastic moulded studs or blades give you the best performance on the new surface. No astroturf boots, trainers or metal studs please.
Summary
Here's a round-up of everything we have planned at Oriam for January. New Classes, activities and more coming for 2026.