As Britain searches for its next Olympic gold medallists the government is investing money in new UK sports facilities. But whilst the sports stars of tomorrow train for glory in new state of the art sports complexes, most ordinary UK residents can be found keeping fit in Britain’s many parks and playing fields.

A lot of Brits like to keep fit by playing active sports. Take a walk through London’s Regents Park or Hyde Park, for example, and you will see many large groups of people playing rugby or football. Whilst the world famous Wimbledon Tennis Tournament ensures that the UK’s public tennis courts are always full.

Jogging in the UK is also very popular along with cycling, rowing and sailing. In fact the British love the outdoors and make the most of the fact that they live in some of the greenest cities in the world. As a new arrival to the UK you could also make time to discover the great English pastime of playing cricket on the village green, perhaps the most quintessentially English experience that you are likely have.

The UK has many outdoor swimming pools, known as Lidos, which can be found on your local council’s website. And every area has a community sports centre, known as a Leisure centre, where you will find a whole range of sports on offer from yoga to squash.

Gyms

There are 1000s of gyms across the UK, and they are very popular, especially with busy office workers in cities. If you wish to join one you will have to set up a monthly payment plan, and for this you will need to have a UK bank account. You will also be required to complete your first training session in the presence of a qualified UK fitness instructor before you will be allowed to use the weightlifting equipment. This is simply for insurance purposes.

Student Discounts

If you are a full-time student, you will find many cheap subsidised fitness facilities available through your university. You will also be eligible for discounts at all council run leisure centres across the UK.

Walking

Walking in the UK is an incredibly popular pastime, and is known as ‘rambling’. There are 450 UK rambling associations covering the whole country. Thanks to the 2000 ‘Freedom to Roam’ Act, passed by the government, you are now allowed access to all British footpaths including over 17,000 Km of UK coastline. This offers you a great chance to keep fit whilst enjoying the best of Britain’s natural scenery.

By Matt Taylor

KEY WORDS

Places
sports centre
gym
swimming pool
health club
join a gym
get fit
keep fit
lose weight
tone up
personal training/trainer
have a workout
exercise class

membership fees = money you pay to use a gym (usually monthly)
joining fee = a one-off fee that some gyms charge when you join the club
induction = a meeting with an instructor when you first join a gym to show you how to use the equipment, assess your health and organise an exercise programme for you

Swimming Idioms

be thrown in at the deep end = start a new or difficult activity that you are not prepared for
swimming against the tide = opposing the attitude that most other people have
keep our heads above water = deal with a difficult situation (especially financial)
going under = becoming bankrupt
out of my depth = in a situation that you cannot control
in deep water = in trouble or difficulty
on the crest of a/the wave = very successful, happy
drowned our sorrows = got drunk in order to forget our problems

GRAMMAR SPOT

Clauses of Purpose

Use to + infinitive to express purpose:

I’ve joined a gym to get fitter

In order to and so as to are more emphatic.  They are also a little formal:

You can pay your joining fee in instalments so as to spread the cost
We need to arrange an induction for you in order to make sure you can use the equipment safely

The negative is in order not to or so as not to:

You should allow plenty of time in order not to be late for your induction
Make sure you warm up before you exercise so as not to strain your muscles