Get festival fit

Wondering how to get your fitness fix while you’re partying at one of the UK’s hottest festivals? Look no further…

You’ve amped up your fitness in the run up to the summer season, then suddenly you’re confronted with a three-day festival, a few hours’ sleep in a tent, munching on falafel wraps, breakfast biscuits, gourmet hotdogs and gulping pints of cider. Eeek. Don’t fear, because the frolics don’t have to get in the way of your fitness regime. In fact, many UK festivals are now embracing all things fun, fit and healthy, so we’ve got seven great ways to get festival fit right here:

Run like the wind at Latitude 
Alexandra Heminsley’s, Running Like a Girl has drawn widespread praise for its entertaining treatment of endurance running, and the journalist and writer will take her book on the road to Latitude, hosting a Saturday morning run around the festival – so make sure you pack your running kicks!

Get on your bike
Many eco-conscious festivals have cycle schemes where you can bike from nearby cities to the festival, but Glastonbury is probably the most famous for putting this in to action and offers campers the opportunity to cycle from Bristol to Glastonbury with a trained team of riders – plus they take your bag ahead for you. Latitude also provides bike racks for those wanting to travel on their bicycle. Bestival encourages a Swim to Bestival scheme meaning people can swim, kayak and row across the Solent for charity or cycle and run from London. You’d definitely deserve a cold cider after that.

Shake that booty
According to Fitness First, on average, a female festival-goer works off 7,200 calories over the course of a three-day festival if you spend eight hours of your day dancing. So, if in doubt, just make sure you throw some extra shapes in front of your fave band or go especially hard in the dance tent. Simples.

Find your chi at Glastonbury
You partied hard the night before and are desperate for a little zen before you eat, sleep, rave and repeat. Enter The Healing Field – Glasto’s go to place for all things rejuvenation and relaxation. There are free yoga, tai chi, dance and Meditation workshops that happen from 9am to 6pm, just a keep an eye out for timings on the notice boards.

Go wild at Wilderness
If you thought the music and entertainment line-up for this year’s Wilderness is pretty epic, then you need to look at what’s going on in The Sanctuary area. Get strong and learn to fly with Gorilla Circus and Acro-Yoga, Aerial Yoga and its Trapeze school or opt for Dynamic and Restorative Yoga classes across two 32ft yurts. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also wild-swimming, forest walks, fly fishing, wild running and horse riding to whet your fitness whistle, then finish off your get fit session with a Rose Radiance REN facial at the Lakeside Spa. And breathe…

Beast it at Bestival
Reggae Aerobics was founded by Chrystle Perkins in 2009, after she battled with her baby weight. Cue five years later and she’s taken her fun (and effective) way to wiggle those hips and workout to Bestival. Did we mention the class can burn up to 750 calories a session? Also new to Bestival is the Morning Glory fitness rave. Forgo the booze and opt for juices and smoothies as you start your festival mornings with glitter, rave paint, yoga, massage, hugs and lots of dancing!

And the just plain bonkers (but amazing) at Secret Garden Party…
Secret Garden Party is known for being weird and wonderful and, naturally, this extends to their fitness activities. Venture to the Games Arena for quintessentially English games, such as croquet with cucumber sandwiches, or do something a little more quirky, like Disco Diva Dodgeball or Wonky Races down a slip ‘n’ slide. Alternatively, head to one of the Action Camps (‘immersive venues of activity to encourage others to participate’), for activities such as space hopper races. Where do we sign up?