Joburg Tourism shines the spotlight on a few alternative options outside of the gym that will help to get you in shape while tricking you into thinking that you’re actually having fun!
Some say that summer bodies are made in winter and be that as it may, many of us are lagging (our) behind in the health and fitness department, using the excuse (guilty) that we are just not “gym people”, while that may be so it certainly does not justify not finding other workouts and locations throughout Joburg that are conducive for getting the heart pumping, blood flowing and a sheen of sweat to create that dewy summer look!
Parkrun Fun
Free to join, attended by young and old at varying degrees of fitness, Parkrun offers a well organised, safe and pleasant parkland fitness experience. A measly 5km’s in length, register for free to time your workout and keep track of your weekly performance. Follow your progress online as your fitness levels improve while meeting new people and making new friends. Hosted every Saturday morning typically from 8am (this may vary depending on the location) ParkRun South Africa hosts weekly run / walk events at around 26 locations throughout Joburg organised by volunteers and solely run off the support of sponsors and an alternative workout in Joburg contact Parkrun.co.za and to register online.
MTB Soiree
With a strong comeback game since the inception of the Joburg 947 cycle challenge, mountain biking or more fondly abbreviated to MTB is a fantastic way to get the whole family pedalling their way into shape. With so many different cycle parks, tracks and Mountain Bike Trails throughout Johannesburg, mountain bike enthusiasts are spoilt for choice when planning their next weekend ride. For a list of popular routes and to take advantage of this alternative workout option visit MTB Routes or contact the Johannesburg Mountain Bicycle Club.
Pop-Up Workout and Fitness Meetups
Made popular by celebrity personal trainers, social media and various international social workout sessions, pop-up workouts and meet-ups continue to gain popularity including rooftop workouts, CrossFit style social training and even sunrise yoga session in the park. You need not look very far to find various outdoor fitness events taking place in and around Joburg as the exercise circuit starts to heat up with rising summer temperatures. As an alternative workout option we love Letshego Zulu & Khethiwe Mlangeni, founders of PopUpGym who host various group training or teambuilding sessions throughout Joburg.
Dance Fitness Classes
From Zumba, to Latin American, Hip-hop and the latest to hit the fitness-dance scene, moving meditation. We can’t think of a more fabulous way to get fit and have fun than by moving your body to the rhythm of music. With a new style and spin on existing dance genres, making their way to dance floors throughout Joburg, next we’d like to try the new 1920s style hop and swing, jive and Charleston dance meetups or the sultry Afro-Latino music and movement classes. For various dance meet-ups taking place throughout Johannesburg check out Meetup.com Johannesburg for more.
Low Impact High Intensity Training
Including the likes of power yoga, Bikram yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and TRX (total-body resistance exercises), easy on your body, low impact training is a sure way to trick yourself into thinking that you are taking things easy when in fact you are conditioning your core, lowing your blood pressure and breaking a significant sweat. While low impact training protects your joints from high impact injury it is extremely effective in achieving an all-round, total body workout without the pounding of a typical high energy workout session.
Although we are on the cusp of summer with spring etching her scantily clad ways upon us, there is still time to climb out from under your mermaid tail winter throw and into your trainers and tank tops to start getting in shape for summer with these various alternative workout options available throughout Jozi.
