With outdoor gyms, park runs and green spaces being the closest we’re getting to a gym for a couple of weeks, a recent survey put Oxford best for outdoor gyms in the UK.
Bank Vanquis UK looked at 50 locations, collecting data on number of gyms and average membership cost, as well as available exercise classes and public green space.
Here’s some outdoor fitness activities you can do in our area.
Parkrun is a five kilometre event for walkers, runners and volunteers that takes place every Saturday morning at more than 2,000 locations in 22 countries across five continents.
Junior Parkrun is a spin-off event that provides a two kilometre event for children aged four to 14 on a Sunday morning. Parkrun events are free to enter and are run by volunteers, supported by a small group of staff at its headquarters.
Oxford Parkrun takes place at Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park and you must register on the website before you first go along.
You only ever register with parkrun once and must take a printed copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.
There are also Parkruns at Harcourt Hill, Horspath, Bicester, Abingdon, Witney, Didcot, Chipping Norton School and Banbury (pictured).
Oxfordshire Personal Training runs outdoor group-based Boot Camps led by instructors qualified in sports rehabilitation, weight management, fitness and nutrition.
The challenging sessions involve weight and cardio exercises using equipment including kettle bells and resistance bands.There are also social activities.
Sessions take place at StudioPT in Oxford’s Summertown.
You can buy a pre-paid monthly membership for £29.99 which allows you to attend as many Boot Camps as you like each month and even cancel anytime.
There are also Boot Camps run in Bicester and Henley.
Oxford boasts seven fit trails which are all free to use.
They are suitable for all ages, abilities and can be used at any time, day or night.
Facilities can be found at:
- Cowley Marsh Recreation Ground
- Leys Trail (Blackbird Leys Park, Gillians Park and Fry’s Hill Park)
- South Park and Headington Hill Park Trail
- Horspath Road Recreation Ground
- Rose Hill Recreation Ground
- Sunnymead Park
- Barton Park
They are currently closed until further notice.
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