Naked bike rides (oh aye), FREE outdoor yoga, FREE London races, FREE fitness classes, beginner running clubs and more. June is looking pretty good on the fitness front then?
FREE
run2work day
5 June
run2work.com
Ditch the car, banish the bus, forget the train… pull on your trainers and run commute for run2work day. So much better (and cheaper) than traffic jams and tube delays. Sign up here run2work.com for benefits including 15% off shoes at Sweatshop, a free Virgin Active guest pass for you and a friend, tips, advice routes and more.
FREE
Outdoor yoga classes
St Martin’s Courtyard, Covent Garden
7, 13, 20 and 27 June from 1-7pm
stmartinscourtyard.co.uk
This Saturday and following Fridays throughout June, St Martin’s Courtyard shopping area in Covent Garden is teaming up with Yotopia Yoga to offer free yoga classes. Yoga mats are on a first-come-first-served basis so turn up early or bring your own.
The timetable for Saturday 7 June is as follows:
- Dynamic Yoga (fluid and lively)1.30-2.30pm
- Rocket Yoga (dynamic and fast paced) 3-4.15pm
- Voga (a cross between yoga and voguing) 4.30-5.30pm
This Saturday there’ll also be FREE bike checks at the Specialized store, advice from Runner’s Need’s in-store physio, smoothie bikes and more.
FREE
Reebok FitHub launch
7 June, 11am-7pm
King’s Road
eventbrite.co.uk
To celebrate the opening of Reebok FitHub in Chelsea – Reebok FitHubs are concept stores that offer free fitness classes and more – the newest FitHub is holding a day-long launch event. Expect demonstrations of fitness disciplines from Reebok partners CROSSFIT, LES MILLS group exercise programs and SPARTAN. There’ll be fitness challenges where you can show what you’re made of and maybe win yourself a prize or two, and examples of the FREE fitness classes that will be available there throughout the year. Reebok already has Fithubs in Covent Garden, Bluewater, Oxford, Reading, Bromley, Richmond and Guildford contact the stores for details of their FREE classes.
FREE
SynchroFit
Rodean School Pool, Brighton
7 June, 9.30am
synchrofitness.com
Oh I’m so jealous of all your Brightonites, I’ve always wanted to try synchronised swimming. These new adult-only classes use basic synchro moves in an interval-based format to tone, sculpt, give you a cardio workout and – most importantly – have a laugh. Complete beginners are welcome, although you do need to be able to swim. Classes start with a free taster session on 7 June. They also do hen parties – so much better than a cheesy club and a willy straw.
FREE
Women’s Running Event at Profeet, including free sports bra fitting
Profeet, Fulham
11 June
profeet.co.uk
This free event is all about women-specific running. There’ll be a talk from Ironman athlete, DBA Sports team member and personal trainer Simone Dailey, free sports bra fittings by Moving Comfort, free shoe fitting from Profeet and Brooks Running, limited edition Anna Frost Salomon running range will be available and there’s goody bags. Got to love a goody bag. Reserve your place by emailing info@profeet.co.uk or calling 020 7736 0046.
FREE
World Naked Bike Ride
14 June
London
facebook.com
It’s my friend’s birthday celebrations this day. I tried to persuade him this was a good idea. He seemed to think the pub was a better option. Anyway, if you fancy getting your kit off (full nudity is optional the dress code is ‘as bare as you dare’) in this protest against car culture and oil dependency, join up at one of the six start points West Norwood, Clapham Junction, Tower Hill, Kings Cross, Regents Park and Hyde Park. Check out the Facebook page (link above) for more details .
Flex in the city
14 June, 1.30-3pm
Central London
ncg.4ormat.com
Photo by Natalie Fisher
Fancy learning to do this ^^? We can’t promise you’ll be hanging from lamp posts quite so gracefully but London-based street athlete and Pilates trainer Nicola Cher Geismar’s Flex in the City workshop will lead you through the streets of the capital looking at street furniture in different ways. The workshop incorporates forms and shapes inspired by break dancing, Pilates and yoga. For more information email nicola@nicolachergeismar.com by 7 June.
Run Hackney
Hackney
22 June
Event full
runhackney.com
It’s the inaugural Run Hackney half marathon. Really excited about this race except that I have a gammy leg – again! If it holds up I’ll be hobbling round the course and maybe popping over to the City of London Mile for a cool down after. If not, I’ll be cheering all you lovely runners on with a pint of prosecco in hand. Ha aha ha ah aha ha.
FREE
City of London Mile
St Paul’s Cathedral
22 June
cityoflondonmile.co.uk
A free race? Bonza. Starting in front of St Paul’s cathedral, winding down to the Bank of England and back up to finish at St Mary Le Bow church, this one mile race is totally gratis to enter. The organisers want this to be an accessible festival of running for all so you can just give the distance a bash or, if you’re super-speedy, race your little heart out. There are time-specific waves as well as a youth and elite race. Should be a great day out.
Beginner’s Running Group
From the end of June (dates tbc)
Wimbledon Common
£50 for 10 weeks
marathonwidowdiaries.com
One of our favourite running bloggers, Cat Simpson, is starting a new, 10-week beginner runners group on Wimbledon Common. She’s a crazy ultra runner who is completing a 250km race through the desert later this year, but don’t worry, the group is specifically for beginners who want to start running in a friendly, supportive environment, or just to improve their fitness in general. It’s women-only, non-intimidating, and starts with lots of walk running, building up to 5k by the end of the 10-week course. To register your interest email CatSimpsonRunning@gmail.com
Macmillan Cycletta Bedfordshire
Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire
29 June
From £28
humanrace.co.uk
We took part in a Cycletta last year and have to say it was one of our favourite events of 2013. The series of women-only bike rides, all set in beautiful countryside, are super-friendly and suitable for all levels. Choose from a 20k, 40k or 70k distance, cycle along and have a laugh with your mates or slog your guts out and go for the win. It’s lovely to cycle on closed roads in the country – particularly when you’re used to London traffic and fumes. Oh, and Victoria Pendleton (claim to fame she once mended my puncture) will be going along too. Entries close on 23 June or earlier if full.
Know of any cool events happening in July? Don’t keep them to yourself, email charlotte@lungesandlycra.co.uk with details
