Staying active while starting university in a new city can feel overwhelming. This guide explores free and low-cost options to maintain fitness, it shows you don’t need an expensive gym membership to stay healthy at uni.
Making the most of what’s on campus
If you’re a resident of Ranmoor or Endcliffe, there’s a free, fully equipped gym at The Ridge in Ranmoor, open 24/7. Including: weights, cardio machines, and lifting equipment. Even the busiest students are able to fit in a session, due to the gym’s flexible opening times. Students living in Allen Court also benefit from free on-site gym facilities.
Playing sport is a great way to stay fit in a fun setting- and the University of Sheffield’s Goodwin Sports Centre makes it easy. The facility hosts a 638sqm sports hall, three squash courts, and two full-size 3G synthetic pitches. With affordable pricing on court bookings and activities, it’s the place to try new sports.
Furthermore, the University of Sheffield has 60 sports clubs and teams, social and competition level. These clubs offer affordable memberships with regular socials as well.
What Sheffield has to offer
Endcliffe Park is located right next to Endcliffe accommodation and every Saturday at 9 am, the park hosts parkrun, a free 5km event open to everyone. The friendly atmosphere encourages anyone to take part.
Sheffield is next door to the Peak District, which offers free hiking spots for all. The 272 Peak Link bus towards Blue John Cavern provides access to the Peak District. Routes include Mam Tor, an easy climb suitable for all. Here, students don’t have to rely on gyms to stay active.
Setting yourself a goal is a great way to stay motivated. The Sheffield Half Marathon happens annually with the 2026 race on Sunday, 26th March. With time to train, anyone can partake. It’s a chance to push yourself outside the academic sphere and raise money for charity.
Trying something new
There are many exciting sports open to students wanting to try something new.
There is a massive climbing scene in Sheffield, which is a fun full-body workout. The University of Sheffield’s own Mountaineering club offers many socials and climbing activities. From Foundry Mondays to Wednesday climbs, you can get involved in something a bit different.
For women wanting a relaxed club, ‘Run for Fun’ Sheffield is perfect. This is a female-only run club for a slower run or walk. They offer paces from 6:30 km to 8:30 km making sure everyone has someone to run with.
Fitness at home
A gym isn’t for everyone, so there are options for students wanting to stay fit in their accommodation.
During lockdown, Keep Fit with Joe Wicks kept the nation moving. All of his workouts are available on YouTube, many requiring no equipment at all. Everyone has access to free, under 30-minute workouts.
Final tips and advice
Moving to a completely new city can be overwhelming for all, so it’s easy to forget about health. Joining a sports club or a walk with friends is a way of keeping active without spending money. It’s clear what we have available on campus: free gyms, teams and facilities. Proving that in Sheffield, everyone can stay fit without breaking the bank!
