So to counteract the overindulgence, here are a few pointers on where to get fit in London. Oh, and by the way, all these options are free or dirt cheap, so don’t even try and tell me you don’t have the money to work out…

Free gyms

London has seen an increasing number of “adult playgrounds” opening up in parks over the last few years. These outdoor gyms allow you to do everything from cardio to suspension training without paying a penny.

We’ve got The Great Outdoor Gym Company and Open Gym to thank for running a huge number of outdoor gyms in some of London’s most central parks, making it practically impossible to come up with an excuse not to stop for a workout as you wander between museums. You can find your nearest gym by visiting the links above.

Fitness classes, military-style

If you’re looking for tough love, then British Military Fitness is a good place to whip you fitness levels into shape. Run by current and former members of the armed forces, these classes are notoriously tough but always good fun. You can try a class for free at any of the many London park locations, which include Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Clapham Common, Finsbury Park and Canary Wharf.

Free group runs every Saturday morning

If running on your own doesn’t appeal to you, why not join an organized group? Park Run is a free 5 km timed run held on Saturdays at 9 a.m. in 39 parks across Greater London.

Locations include Finsbury Park, Richmond Park, Highbury Fields, Dulwich Park and Mile End Park. You just need to register online beforehand so the organizers know how many people are coming and then get ready to run! Afterwards the group grabs a celebratory coffee nearby so there’s a nice sociable element to it as well.

Tennis for free

You can suss out where to play tennis without spending up by checking out Tennis for Free. This great charity not only lists details of all the UK’s free tennis courts, but also offers free equipment loans and coaching for all ages and levels.

Not all of the courts profiled on the site need to be booked in advance, so you can just turn up without prior notice. With options like this, there really is no excuse not to start preparing for Wimbledon!

Cheap gyms in London

If the gym is your thing and you can’t face an outdoor workout in the icy winter months, there are several very affordable options in London that don’t require signing long contracts.

Pay As u Gym: Perhaps the most flexible option is Pay As U Gym. The idea is a bit like topping up a mobile phone and you use the money in your online gym account to pay for a one-day gym or swim pass at hundreds of participating health centers. You can choose from really central locations like Covent Garden and Islington, to Bethnal Green and Clapham. The benefit is that the day rate at that particular gym will either be cheaper than anywhere else or only on offer via Pay As U Gym. While there is no flat rate across all gyms, it’s a great option for people who visit London regularly and want to access gyms in different locations.

The Gym: Leading the more conventional budget gym scene is The Gym. With over 30 gyms across the country and nine different centers in London, it’s a fairly accessible option, and all the gyms are open 24/7. The most central London location is Waterloo and day passes cost £5. If you’re looking for something slightly longer term you can pay a £20 joining fee and then £19.99 per month.

Pure Gym: Although slightly less central, with gyms in Oval, Greenwich and Wandsworth, Pure Gym does offer day passes for £5.99, three-day passes for £12.99 and seven-day passes for £24.99, which must be used on consecutive days.

easyGym: And finally, as if planes and hotels weren’t enough, Stelios and the Easy.com team has opened EasyGym. There are currently four locations across the UK, with just one London gym in Wood Green. Not the most central area, but a well-kitted out health center where thankfully the orange paint has been kept to a minimum. Day passes are available for a flat rate of just £5, giving access to a class and all the gym facilities.

Also in our guide

If you’re currently planning a trip to London, be sure to swing by our budget guide to London, which includes cheap hotel recommendations and lots of budget tips. Fitness ideas aside, we have plenty of strategies to share to help you keep the pounds off your travel budget, as well.

The post London fitness: Affordable gyms, classes, and group runs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Canoes and water bikes at Amsterdam Bos
Speelweide 5
1182AD Amstelveen
Open daily from 10:30 AM-7:00 PM (1 April to 1 Oct)
Website

Be it a quiet day on the water or an adventurous tour of the banks, water sports can appeal to everyone. Interested parties can hop over to Amsterdam Bos, an expansive wooded area that offers a number of exciting activities. Among the attractions on offer is the rowing area on the lake.

A day on the lake is a great way to take in the serene surroundings. Visitors can choose between two water-bound options. For something laid-back, check out the canoes, which can be rented for €6 per hour (per person). Couples who want a romantic outing should check out the water bikes, which can be nabbed at €10 per hour.

Mini golf at Amstelpark
Amstelpark 2b
1083 HZ Amsterdam
Open daily from 10 AM-6 PM (July-Aug)
Wed- Sun: 10 AM-6 PM (April-Sept)
Wed, Sun & Sat: 11 AM-5 PM (Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov)
Website

If you are looking for a bit of fun in the sun—minus a strenuous workout, head for one of the city’s mini golf spots. There are a few locations in Amsterdam, but none are as popular as the one in Amstelpark.

Amstelpark’s 18-hole championship course caters to the whole family. The variety of  obstacles means that there’s something for everybody.  If you’re up for more of a challenge, check out the Putting Greens. This recently-constructed course is for the golf fans who want a touch of the real deal.

The Championship course is available for €5 per person and admission to the Putting Greens is €8 per person.

Swimming at Het Marnix
Marnixplein 1
1015 ZN Amsterdam
Check swimming pool schedule on website for times
Website

For a refreshing swim, check out the huge pool at Het Marnix. This is a busy sports center that offers a number of recreational activities.  Since there are a lot of activities going on at the center, it is recommended that you check the schedule on their website ahead of time.

At Het Marnix, you can dive in and go for a good old swim, or even sign up for swimming lessons. For something more vigorous, check out the different “aquasport options.” The entrance fee is €4. (Participating in extra events and classes costs extra.)

The post Amsterdam: Outdoor fun (and fitness) in Amsterdam appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Well, for us it also means days that begin with a butter croissant (268 calories) and end with a creme caramel (759 calories). In between the two — well, let’s not go there. After about a week, no matter how much you’re walking, one can start feeling the pastries.

What’s a Cheapo to do? We’ve tried a number of strategies, but they usually amount to very little (read: Semi-distracted push-ups on the hotel room floor while watching CNN International). There must be a better way to stay in shape, raise your pulse, and sweat off some of those delicious sauces.

Here are five cheapo ways to stay in shape in Paris:

1) Run

It sounds obvious, but if you’re a runner, pack your running shoes when you’re visiting Paris. If your hotel is located anywhere near the Seine, a morning or evening run along the river is a must.

Every Sunday, the city’s “Paris Respire” (Paris Breathes) program closes traffic along the banks of the Seine to automobiles from 9 AM to 5 PM, offering the perfect spot for running, walking, or cycling.

2) Bike

The city-run Vélib’ public bike program allows short-term subscriptions (one-week passes: €5, one-day passes: €1). More than 10,000 cute bikes are available at 750 kiosks around town for 30-minute free rentals. Sign up, grab a cycle, and head for one of the many bike lanes. If you want a better workout, stay on the bike for an hour and you’ll only be charged €1. (more pricing info)

If you’re up for a Friday night adventure, join the “Paris Rando Vélo” group for a free group ride through the streets of Paris. The cycling group meets at the Hotel de Ville at 9:30 PM every Friday night, and on the third Sunday morning of the month at 10:30 AM.

3) Rollerblade

Every Friday night, 12,000-15,000 rollerbladers hit the streets of Paris for a 3-hour speed skate through the city, escorted by the police department. The weekly event is not intended for beginners, as the massive group rolls over all manner of road surface, including cobblestones (yikes).

A more relaxed skating tour, the “Roller Rally” leaves every Sunday afternoon from the Place de la Bastille at 2 PM. Rollerblade rentals are available at Roulez Champions, 5 rue Humblot (Arr 15), Metro: Dupleix (01 40 58 12 22).

4) Take an aerobics or yoga class

The American Church in Paris offers daily one-hour aerobics classes open to the public featuring a different focus every night. Classes are €10 each or €72 for 8 sessions. More information is available here.

Yoga classes are held all over Paris on every day of the week. Check out the extensive list of yoga classes on the AngloInfo website.

5) Go to the gym

The gym craze is just beginning to hit Paris (we’ve heard that several gyms are even getting rid of their smoking sections…). While most chains require expensive memberships that are not practical for most travelers, certain gyms do allow single admissions. Among them:

The Body Gym, 157, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine near the Bastille. (€16 single entrance).

Club Quartier Latin, 19 rue de Pontoise in the Latin Quarter (€19 single entrance).

Find more gyms, classes, and fitness ideas on the Paris Fitness website.

The post Paris Fitness: Five ways to stay in shape appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.