I’ve had my first stinking cold of the season so yep, October’s definitely here. Time to fill your autumn diary with some of London’s best October fitness events including Halloween dance workshops for a fiver, free Hotpod yoga classes and some free mystery trail runs with Salomon.
FREE
Salomon Run Unexpected Trail Runs
From 5 October to 27 October
London, Surrey, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Bristol, Chichester, Aberdeen
Calling all trail lovers. If you like your calves mud-flecked and your views, epic, then this month Salomon have some guided off-road runs that’ll be right up your grassy trail. Taking place across the UK, they’re hosting free ‘Run for the Unexpected’ runs.
Led by Salomon ambassadors you can expect, well the unexpected really. Apparently there’ll be some fun outdoor activities along the way that make the most of nature’s gym as well as trail running tips and pointers. We’re intrigued. Signing up for 26 October near Epping Forest if you fancy joining us.
FREE
Hotpod Yoga
12, 13, 19 and 20 October, various times from 12:00
Hotpod Belgravia and Dulwich
If you haven’t tried Hotpod yoga yet, then get along and give it a go for free. This month the crew are hosting open days for new customers, where you can try an hour long session in their heated inflatable pods – they’re a bit like warm, blow-up igloos.
The sessions are taking place at two of the newest hotpot locations, Belgravia and Dulwich.
To book, you need to add a free ‘October Open Day Class Pass’ to your account and then register for one of the 14 free classes via the schedule.
FREE
lululemon Presents a Digital Detox Meditation for Empty Day with Artur Paulins
12 October, 12:00
Lululemon Regent Street
From burgers to beards, seems there’s a day for everything these days. Even one for absolutely nothing at all! Saturday 12 October is global Empty Day – a day of social media silence.
In this one-hour worship you’ll be turning off the phones and heading outdoors for some nature-based meditation and breathwork to help you feel present and empowered. Just don’t post about it on Insta, yeah?
Sweaty Betty Live
12 October, all day, from £20- £75
The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane
Sweaty Betty’s day of all things wellness is back with a load of health talks, cookery demos and fitness classes. There’ll be chats with Fearne Cotton, talks from wellness gurus such as Alice Liveing and nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, and classes from top London studios including Frame, Hotpod yoga, Barry’s and Barrecore.
The talks and classes are filling up fast though – a lot are full already – so if there’s something you’re desperate to go to, make sure you check there are places left before you book.
You also get 25% off all Sweaty Betty kit and if you buy a ticket that includes a workout class, you’ll get a free goody bag and limited edition vest.
Frame – 7 classes in 7 days for £30 special offer
Available from 11-31 October
Frame Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Victoria, Fitzrovia, Hammersmith, Farringdon
Want to give your fitness a boost this month? Sign up for a week of classes at Frame for the bargainous price of £30 and you can take a maximum of seven classes in the seven following days – works out about £4.30 a class if you go everyday. As Fram say, cheap as chips.
FREE
Focus Your Training /// Blockhead City Runners
14 October, 18:30
BLOCKHEAD store, Fitzrovia
Our mate Sam, a running coach with Let’s Get Running, is leading this session from the BLOCKHEAD HQ (they make energy sweets to help you focus your body and mind).
In this running interval session you’ll also learn about the types of training you should be including in your regime and learn how to run by feel. Go along and say hi to Sammy boy for us, he’s a goodun’.
Jack the Ripper Run Tour
17, 18, 24, 25, 31 October, 19:00, £22
Dorsett City Hotel, Aldgate
If you like running scared, you’ll like this group tour from Secret London Runs. Taking you through the back alleys of Whitechapel, you’ll learn all about the tragic events of 1888 as you explore Jack the Ripper’s stomping ground.
The tour will cover around 10km with plenty of history stops on the way. Various pace groups are available. But will you uncover the ripper’s true identity?
Digme Live at Fabric
19 October, 16:00 or 19:00, £42
Fabric Nightclub, Farringdon
Well, they do say fitness is the new clubbing. After the success of their first event, indoor cycling studio Digme are hosting another night of bikes and beats at Fabric. You’ll take part in a one-hour ride inside the club, making the most of the lights and sound system. Then there’s an afterparty in the private bar with a few free drinks thrown in for good measure.
You’ll also get an event top, goody bag and a recovery smoothie. Hurry up though, only 10 tickets left!
DOSE invites you to Synchronise Your Breath with Shiseido
23 October, 18:15 or 20:00, £15
Fitzrovia Chapel
Healthy website DOSE has teamed up with Japanese skincare and makeup brand Shiseido to help you relax. After an immersive 45-minute yoga session in a Grade II listed chapel in Fitzrovia, you’ll have a mindful makeup consultation with Shiseido’s new Synchro skincare range. All attendees get a goody bag, too.
Hibernation Yoga Workshop
26 October, 13:00, £20
Frame Farringdon
It’s getting colder and darker and Strictly’s on the telly, yep, it’s properly autumn now. This 90-minute workshop is the perfect thing to ease you into winter. Starting with some warming Vinyasa Flow, you’ll then relax and get cosy with some restorative yin yoga. Lovely.
The NSPCC Gherkin Challenge
27 October, £20 with £250 fundraising target or £149 self-payment
The Gherkin, Liverpool Street
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to run all 38 floors to the top of the Gherkin? Now in it’s 10th year this tower run has raised more than £1m for the NSPCC, which is not to be sniffed at.
AS a reward for you dizzying efforts you get some pretty amazing views, and you can have a couple of glasses of champagne at the top. Get the lift down though, you’ve deserved it.
FREE
How to Find More Purpose in Fitness
29 October, 18:30
Lululemon Regent Street
If you have a goal or a reason for doing something, you’re more likely to stick to it. So this workshop in conjunction with Impact Marathons, helping you find more purpose in fitness, could be good if you’re floundering a bit or your mojo’s gone temporarily AWOL.
You’ll take part in a social 4k run and stretch followed by a discussion with ultra-runners Bec Watson and Sophie Power – who you may know from that famous photo of her breastfeeding during the epic UTMB race, yoga instructor Jess Mckee and Impact Marathon Series Race Director Bec Watson.
Topics will cover the power of community and social sweating as well as running for the benefit of others.
Halloween Dance Cardio with Samsung KX
31 October, 18:45, £5 (free to Frame members)
Samsung KX Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross
Yes! Got to love a halloween dance class. Get yourself down to Coal Drops Yard and learn the steps to some spooky hits led by instructors from Frame. Glitter and face painting are provided and it only costs a fiver!
Rocky Horror Show Workshop
31 October, 19:30,
Frame Fitzrovia
More spooky dance moves are going down over at Frame Fitzrovia. In this 90-minute workshop you’ll get your creep on to tunes from Rocky Horror. Fancy dress is encouraged, no dance experience is required.
London Halloween 5k and 10k
31 October, 20:30, £24
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
We did this last year but it fell a few days after Halloween so there was less fancy dress than we would have liked. This year, it’s on All Hallows’ Eve itself though so expect to join pumpkins, zombies, witches and ghouls as you run around the Olympic Park. Very cool Halloween-themed medal, too.
Got the intel on any November fitness events? Send them over to charlotte@lungesandlycra.co.uk
Want to see what went on last month? You’ll find the best September fitness events here.
