Hate gyms? Think pedalling on a cycle that doesn’t go anywhere is a tad ridic? Now that spring has sprung here are some novel ways to get fit while you have can also have fun.
Rollerskating
Rollerskating is no longer a pastime for kids and nostalgic 80s teen movies. Now that rollerdiscos are in vogue, you can drink and skate the night away to a soundtrack of disco and funk. If that sounds too gimmicky, you can always don your rollerblades in Hyde Park, where every the London Friday Night Skate starts from. It lasts for approximately two hours and is weather dependent. Get your gear from the London Skate Centre or Slick Willies.
Fitness rating: All major muscle groups get exercise, including calves, thighs, abdomen and glutes, plus it puts less pressure on your joints than running (except in the case of falling on your backside). 9/10
Ice Skating
Do you daydream of being one half of Torvill & Dean? What’s that you say, that no one has since the 80s? But ice skating is so elegant and graceful, as long as you don’t have three left feet. The indoor rinks at Alexandra Palace and the Lea Valley Ice Centre are open all year round, while wannabe figure skaters flock to the impressive courtyard at Somerset House
Fitness rating: As above, however it’s less accessible than rollerskating as you need an ice rink. 8/10
\n\nHorse Riding
If you thought horse riding was confined to the countryside, think again. There are plenty of stables in London providing lessons for all abilities, among them Rotten Row at Hyde Park, named after the French for King’s Road rather than having its more insalubrious connotation. As well as plenty of mileage for riding there are two arenas for dressage, but it doesn’t come cheap, as group lessons are £69 per hour. For more affordable options check out the Lea Valley Riding Centre and Mudchute Park & Farm.
Fitness rating: You’re not just sitting on a horse, your leg muscles and pelvis get a really good workout. 7/10.
Skiing
You don’t need to fly to the Alps to ski, as Hemel Hempstead, on the outskirts of London, is home to the Snow Centre, where you can take lessons in skiing. The indoor slopes are open all year round, where you can learn how to ski and snowboard.
Fitness rating: Upper body and leg muscle strength are improved. 8/10.
They call themselves a gym, and this may well be the coolest gymnasium on earth. Fancy exercising in the air? Well at Flying Fantastic you can do pilates and yoga while you’re up in the air. But if that’s not exotic enough, you can also try playing around with lengths of silk and twisting yourself through hoops. It’s all part of a fitness routine, honest.
Fitness rating: Work on your balance, agility and muscle strength, and pretend you’re a gymnast. 8/10.
Fencing
Madonna tried her hand at fencing in her video for the James Bond movie Die Another Day (also the second most expensive music ever made). As well as being a great way to exercise, fencing has the added bonus of requiring you to use your brainpower to defeat your opponent. The London Fencing Club run classes in various venues around London for people aged 16 to 70, from beginners to more advanced levels, and both group and private lessons are available. The weapon is provided by the club.
Fitness rating: Fencing burns more calories than aerobics, toning up legs, glutes and abdomen. 9/10
\n\nWatersports
There are more options than weightlifting if you want to develop your upper body strength, Try canoeing at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, with courses accredited by the British Canoe Union. Sailing and kayaking are also possible here. Different levels are on offer, suitable for people who want to canoe for relaxation, to compete against others (either by racing or by playing canoe polo) or simply to keep fit.
Fitness rating: Canoeing is good for developing muscles in the upper arms, forearms and chest as well as cardiovascular activity. 8/10
Climbing
Climbing is an intensive exercise that works out your whole body, and you can pretend to be scaling the side of a picturesque mountain. The climbing wall at the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre is exposed, so people on the outside can watch you through the glass wall, but if you’re not keen on that idea try the climbing walls at London Bridge, Mile End and Stoke Newington, which is located in a Victorian water pumping station. Anyone aged 9 and over can climb.
Fitness rating: Climbing is good for your cardiovascular health and for the muscles in your legs, back and chest. 8/10
Go Ape
The Go Ape trails at Trent Park take you through the woods and across treetops. Attached with safety harnesses, you can swing through the treetops and and zip around on segways without the need for a parachute or a bungee chord; trails take between 1.5 and 4 hours.
Fitness rating: While you’ll no doubt burn calories on these adventure trails, it’s more of a fun activity than serious a workout routine. 8/10
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