If watching Andy grunting his way through Wimbledon has inspired you, why not give tennis a try? Tennis For Free has a list of free public courts around the country. Take a few friends to stand at the sidelines shouting, “Come on, Tim!”
Even the most passionate workout-deniers will give walking a go. Just don’t limit yourself to your local park. Writer and walker David Cotton has put together a wonderfully detailed log of 800 tried-and-tested walks in Britain. Explore his brilliant website, then get out and explore the country on foot.
Forrest Gump made it look absurdly easy, but even if you don’t turn out to be a natural at ping pong, you’ll have a laugh trying. There are tables all over the country, and the UK table tennis body, the ETTA, has a handy map on its website to help you find one close by.
Most gyms offer free day-long trials – some even do a whole week – so why not take advantage? It’s only a tiny bit cheeky to abuse this kindness at several gyms. Contact your local gym to see what they can offer.
If you live in the capital, now is the time to join those Zen men in loose shirts throwing strange poses in the park. Tai Chi In The Park offers free taster sessions of this gentle yet energising exercise across London parks throughout the summer.
At the other end of the spectrum, a more vigorous and demanding workout is on offer with free sessions from British Military Fitness. You’ll be trained by serving or former members of the armed forces, and the organisers promise it’s not a boot camp but great fun.
Dust off your rollerblades, or borrow a pair from a teenage boy, and get skating in the streets with the London Friday Night Skate and Sunday Stroll. Skates are marshalled and last about two hours, weaving through the city past some great sights. Hundreds of people of all abilities take part, but the organisers recommend you master some basic skating skills before you give it a go.
Yoga in the park is not one for a wet day (so rules out 75% of the British summer), but it’s half the price of the average drop-in class. Yoga Wellbeing, for instance, offers £5 classes every week in London’s Regent’s Park.
Adults skateboarding do not look good. You’ll probably fall off, you might hurt yourself and, in the worst-case scenario, you’ll fork out for a skateboard that will sit in your attic for the rest of your life. Who cares, though, when you’re on a mission to get fit? Try everything once and you might find something you stick at. It probably won’t be skateboarding, but don’t let that put you off.
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Start working on your running PB (that’s personal best, non-runners) with free weekly 5km timed runs in parks around the country, organised by Park Run.
Dancing doesn’t feel like a sport, but it’s still a great way to work out. A full-on session at a good club night works all your major muscle groups. We recommend disco, house and techno. Stick to water if you’re trying to keep the weight off. Alternatively, find a style that suits you and take classes from as little as £5 for 90 minutes. Dance UK has a list of regional dance agencies on its website, so you can find out what’s on offer in your area.
YouTube has a huge number of exercise tutorials you can follow in the comfort of your own home. The four-minute Dance Workout With Barbie – a psychedelic 90s vision in neon pink – is an interesting place to start. Look out for Jennifer Love Hewitt, aged about 13, pumping the air in the background. Laughter is a great way to tone your abs.
Before you start training for the marathon, sign up for one of the Running School’s open days in Cardiff and Chiswick, where you can make the most of a free taster session to discuss running style, injury history and personal goals.
Swimfit has a terrific selection of free online coaching tools and training programmes on its website. Get clued up, then swim on a budget at your local pool. We have no evidence to support this, but feel lidos and outdoor pools may carry a lower germ and verruca risk.
If you haven’t got a penny to spare, or just like your swim a bit wilder, check out the wild swimming website to find your nearest (and safest) lake, river or seashore.
Fancy yourself as the next Rory McIlroy? Master the basics of golf with six free beginner lessons offered by World Of Golf, available at centres in Glasgow, New Malden, Sidcup and Croydon.
Muscle-bound Madonna is famously devoted to Pilates, and it is a great way to improve flexibility, muscle tone and core strength. Many centres across the UK offer free taster classes – just keep in mind the difference between toned and ripped.
Nordic walking, the technique favoured by stony-faced hikers in head-to-toe Gore-Tex, thrusting poles up and down as they go, provides a full body workout. South Downs Nordic Walkers in Crawley are offering free taster sessions.
If you’re allergic to Gore-Tex, literally or metaphorically, get outdoors, get fit and make a difference by becoming a gardening volunteer with the National Trust for Scotland.
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