Get Active in Sheffield City

Do you like the idea of a solo sport like walking, running or cycling and need to know the best routes? Or are you a team player with football, netball, boules, or rugby skills? Whether you are looking to play sports or watch from the sidelines, we have the best places to get active in Sheffield, whatever your fitness level and goals. 

Outdoor activities

Sheffield may be a large city, but there are plenty of open green spaces. Enjoy a tranquil walk through the beautiful Peace Gardens, where you enjoy public art, distinctive lighting and water features along the trails. Or if you want just to relax, kick a ball around with friends or enjoy an outdoor picnic, Devonshire Green, Sheffield’s City Park, is a perfect spot. Here you can also find a skate park – in case you’re a bit of a demon on the board! 

Sports facilities

For swimming, the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre is fantastic: home to two Olympic-sized swimming pools, a welcoming gym, over 50 fitness classes a week, and multi-use courts. 

Healthy eats

‍From grabbing something on the go to enjoying a leisurely lunch, you won’t be short of places to eat healthy in Sheffield. Head to Chakra Lounge and enjoy a vegan Indo-Western-inspired post-workout breakfast, grab a quick takeout from Mr Miyagi Sushi, or enjoy a locally sourced Sunday lunch at Silversmiths in the centre. 

Gyms

You get a good spread of gyms in Sheffield, with mainstream centres, independent gyms such as ‘TFC’, CrossFit boxes, and yoga and pilates studios all within the local area. Perhaps you’re Sheffield Hallam student, in which case, why not try the Hallam active gym located on the Sheffield Hallam City Campus.

Where to watch sport

If you love football, you’ll know you can’t beat a good game of grassroots Saturday league, which you’ll undoubtedly see in your local park – but if you fancy something a little different, Ponds Forge hosts a variety of swimming competitions and galas throughout the year. If you’d rather watch live sports, many bars offer this in the city centre. Extra Time Sports Bar has plenty of screens to catch the latest live football or rugby.

Equipment hire

If you are visiting Sheffield or are keen to try out cycling without the investment of buying a bike, you can hire them throughout the city. Russell’s Bicycle Shed has an excellent selection of bikes and e-bikes to help you get around. Sheffield is known for its hills, so be prepared to use low gears and even electric assistance if needed! 

Festivals

Sheffield hosts much-loved food, music, and sports festivals throughout the year. Runners flock to the city in March for the biggest half marathon in South Yorkshire, so sign yourself up or cheer on the runners as you soak up the race day atmosphere. If you’re a foodie, you will love the regular vegan markets and the annual Sheffield Food Festival, where you’ll find food stalls, live music and cooking demonstrations.