Well, a number of tennis clubs across the region have launched a new, commitment-free tennis program for adults.

And the best part is that no experience is necessary.

Open Court Sessions was launched last week. It is a new social tennis program allowing players of all abilities to get back into tennis or to start it for the first time.

Friday nights and after work, Open Court Sessions promises to provide a flexible and commitment-free alternative to catching up with friends.

There will be food and drinks as well as an upbeat soundtrack to keep it light-hearted.

It is being spruiked as tennis' answer to barefoot bowls and sounds pretty good. The new social event is open to everyone, celebrating tennis through fresh, new game formats in an accommodating and commitment free environment.

It goes for two hours with the aim to have all players getting a hit.

The session is made up of two parts, 50 minutes off-court with food and drinks and 60 minutes of on-court time accompanied by some tunes.

Kathy Barber, Tennis NSW club development officer for the Newcastle-Northern area, said tennis clubs were excited to launch the new social tennis option, which they hoped would provide members of the community a fun, fitness alternative.

"Open Court Sessions is for anyone who has ever thought, 'I love tennis, I used to play', or, 'I want to play tennis again, I just don't have anyone to play with'," Ms Barber said.

"Open Court Sessions is solution that allows for all styles of play. For every level, for every age, for every person.

"Tennis is a much-loved sport in Australia and research has shown there are a huge number of ex-tennis players who would be keen to pick up a racquet again but haven't felt they could.

"Now they can. Open Court Sessions is the ideal pathway to get players back to the game."

Open Court Sessions will run weekly around the Hunter region. You can find out more and search locations through play.tennis.com.au.

More than 400 women across Northern NSW were introduced to football through introductory, social program Kick On for Women (KOFW) last year and it is on again starting this month.

Registrations for the eight-week program are through northernnswfootball.com.au/kick-on/. It starts February 10 and costs $50. Hubs include Dora Creek, Speers Point, Mayfield, Garden Suburb, Swansea, Wallsend and Tenambit.

"The reasons for joining the program are so varied, some chose the program to take time out of their busy work and family schedules just for themselves, some do it to make friends and others simply to get outside and undertake some fitness," KOFW project officer Michelle Forbes said.

Maximum Adventure Race Series Lake Macquarie, Cams Wharf, February 15: Suited to a range of fitness levels, this event involves mountain biking, trail running and kyaking in teams of two.

Coastal Ascent, Dixon Park, February 16: A trail running event that has 5km, 11km or 25km courses.

Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon, Newcastle Foreshore, February 23: For the novice to the experienced there are three courses of varying distances to choose from.

NewRun, Newcastle Foreshore, April 5: Distances on offer include 5km, 10km, 21.1km and 42.km as well as a kids' 2km.

The great thing about exercising is there is so much variety. You can stick to the same, loved session or you can mix it up and make it different every time. This could be as easy as putting exercises into a different format. Add a warm-up and cool-down.

Session 1: Part 1: 5 minutes rower/skipping, 5min run/walk. Part 2: 10 squats, 10 push-ups, 10 dead lifts, 10 rows/pull-ups, 20 lunges, 30 second hover. Repeat each exercise 1-2 times.

Session 2: 30min continuous x [30sec rower/skipping, 10 squats, 10 dead lifts, 5-10 push-ups, 30sec run/walk, 20 lunges, 10 rows/pull-ups, 30sec hover. Repeat].

Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.

Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.