Why you should do a charity fitness event

Fundraising and fitness have long gone hand-in-hand. From cycling London to Brighton for heart disease to dancing away for three hours at Pink Aerobics for breast cancer, there are plenty of ways to do your bit to work up a sweat for charity. If you’ve never done a charity fitness event before and need a little extra convincing, here are our top reasons why you should do a charity fitness event.

1. The obvious: it’s for a good cause
You can’t really argue with that. Donations in any way possible are always admirable, but really getting stuck in and putting your back into a charity deserves an extra pat on the back, we think. Plus, it’s usually a really successful way to get friends to donate, too.

2. It’s sociable
There are some really fun charity events that are usually done in teams, so it’s a great way to spend the day with some old friends, especially if you suck at meeting up. No one can back out, either, since it’s for charity! Next reunion, sorted.

3. It motivates you
Sure, the charitable aspect of fitness-based fundraising events come up trumps, but signing up to a race or event is a good way to light a fire under you. It gives you a goal, which gives you a reason to lace up your trainers and get moving.

The next step

Now that you’re open to the idea of doing a charity fitness event, here are our top five events to choose from:

1. Race for Life
We love the Race for Life. The run for Cancer Research UK has really made a name for itself for being a fun, welcoming and light-hearted event, seeing women of all ages get together to walk or run 5 or 10K for a good cause.
raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org

2. Tough Mudder
Simply sauntering along a path just isnt enough for us these days, it seems. We want mud and obstacles, we want sweat and tears! Okay, maybe not tears… This 12-miler might seem long but it’s broken up with loads of unique obstacles and their participants have raid £600,000 for Help for Heroes so far.
toughmudder.co.uk

3. Yorkshire Three Peaks
Three peaks, 24 miles, 12 hours. Hike the Yorkshire Dales for the British Heart Foundation and soak up some of Britain’s most scenic views in the process. Oh, the post-event BBQ goes down well, too.
bhf.org.uk

4. Cycletta
Macmillan’s women-only Cycletta events range from 20-100km, so you can get involved no matter how well-versed with the saddle you are. Supported by female cycling legend Victoria Pendleton, the cycles takes place all over the country so it’s easy to take part.
humanrace.co.uk

5. Channel Swim
If swimming the distance of the English channel sounds like a big deal, it is! But the Aspire Channel Swim lets you cover the 22 miles (the equivalent of the distance of the English channel) in your own time, at whichever pools you like. The money raised goes to helping those with spinal cord injuries.
aspirechannelswim.co.uk