Here are some comments from people who have been Open-gyming over the last few years about the benefits of outdoor exercise.....

Hilary Judge
After a day inside a building or travelling, I just love being outdoors for an hour, getting myself moving and getting fresh air in my lungs.   I have never liked indoor gyms (what's the point) so this is great for me.   A big pull now is the social side - we have developed a good cammaraderie and have a great instructor who responds to the many different demands of the class and makes it fun!  No easy task.

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Christie Dennhey
Open Gym makes exercise do-able: I was never motivated enough to go to an indoor gym and do a proper work-out - I find it dull, boring and repetitive. I was looking for something that I would enjoy, that wasn't indoors, and that would motivate me to get out and want to do some exercise.

The Open Gym is a great combination of being out in the fresh air, using the beautiful local parks we have, and having the motivation of a trainer to put you through your paces with a real variety of exercise in a fun way, with a nice bunch of people! It's affordable too. The hour always flies by, and I always feel better for having been.

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Helen Bowman
I had been looking for a way to improve my fitness when a friend told me that she had been to an Open Gym class at Hilly Fields.  I was nervous, as I knew I was very unfit, but she reassured me that the class was varied and friendly.  My first class was hard work but I was pleasantly surprised when Phil, the coach, sent me an encouraging email.

I have been attending regularly for about ten months now, and my fitness is the best it has ever been!  I have a fairly stressful job where I'm cooped up indoors all day, and I've found that Open Gym classes give me an opportunity to run about in the fresh air.  I've worked very hard to improve my fitness and I keep coming back because I'm not prepared to lose it now!  The classes are friendly and sociable, and I feel much more connected to my area and the local community.

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Jennifer Cheong
Moving to Islington from Paddington, I really missed having a big park at my door step. A quick google search later I found Open Gym starting up at Highbury Fields. A little sceptical at first – how could we do exercise in such a small park? I soon learnt that you don’t need much room to do a few rounds of a circuit, leapfrogs, wacky wheelbarrows and the dreaded bleep tests. Open Gym is a motivating and surprisingly fun morning workout. Being a regular, it’s now harder not to keep turning up – the shame of missing a Saturday morning workout as well as the pain you feel when you miss a few weeks!

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Simone Hong
Why I like Open Gym
Exercising in the outdoors is so much more preferable than going to a smelly (and expensive) gym! I get to breathe in fresh air, take in my beautiful surroundings and actually push myself much harder working with an exercise group who are friendly and fun. Our PT trainer is amazing, he's motivational and tough, exactly what you need on a Saturday morning with a hangover after an indulgent Friday night out with work colleagues :-)

Why I decided to come along in the first place
I needed to redress my work/life balance and the decision between exercising alone or with a group of like minded people wasn't a hard one to make. I also liked the idea of exercising in the fresh air - it makes such a difference and is, for me, the way forward.

What makes you keep coming back to Open Gym
The people! I really like the group (we've been together since January) and our trainer is great. He gets the right balance between fun and serious exercise, and I am motivated to go every week without fail.

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Morwenna White
Open gym has changed my life! As a working mum on a 9 till 7 schedule I have no time to spare just to keep fit when I could be spending quality time with my family. With open gym I get a lot more than just exercise. I keep fit; I get fresh air and I engage in a community project that leaves me feeling happy and satisfied not to mention reinvigorated.

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Claire Stewart
Why did you decided to come along in the first place? 
I don’t like conventional gyms but wanted to get fit

What makes you keep coming back to Open Gym?
Its outdoors, we have a great trainer & the camaraderie with the group! Its a good price and I’m seeing results in my overall fitness and strength & I know I won’t have the same dedication to the training on my own, we motivate each other.

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Ulrike Hogberg
Why do you like Open Gym!
It's great fun and the trainer makes you work hard but with the right amount of pushing and motivation which makes it totally worth it. Also, being outdoors makes it a lot more fun that being confined to a dark gym!

Why did you decided to come along in the first place?
To see how it worked and how good it would be - it exceeded all expecations!

What makes you keep coming back to Open Gym?
The variation of exercises but most importantly the trainer Mark who is excellent and for a super cheap you get a personal trainer, sharing with a few others of course.

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Amy Baker
Why do you like Open Gym 
I love the fact that it is outdoors; full of friendly locals.
Why did you decided to come along in the first place?  I thought I would be more inclined to go to an "open air" gym 

What makes you keep coming back to Open Gym? 
Peer pressure! The nice thing has been that I have become friendly with one or two others - the email on Wednesday afternoon from one of them has sometimes spurred me into attending! That and I do genuinely enjoy being in my lovely local park and doing some exercise; something that I don't think I would ever be motivated to do on my own.  

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Maria Munroe
Why you like Open Gym!
Its outdoors; friendly (they actually remember your name every week and address you by your name) and knowledgeable trainers (almost like having a personal trainer); close to home (no need to use a communal shower!!)

Why you decided to come along in the first place
Had a baby five months ago and wanted to get back in shape. However because life with a baby (with children) can be unpredictable, open gym allows me the flexibility to book ten minutes before the class. After attending a few classes decided to try the standing order which still allows me flexibility as its true true value for money.

What makes you keep coming back to Open Gym
Varied workouts, impossible to get bored (I usually get bored going to a regular gym), trainers are very encouraging. It helps when someone points out how much better and stronger you are getting week by week, just when I was thinking I'm not getting any better at this.

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Katrin Schlenzka
I ran the Race for Life event in Blackheath and saw the Open Gym stand. I do yoga and some running but I thought this could be a good all round workout. I went along on Saturday to my first class and loved it! Now I have signed up monthly and I think the prices are very reasonable. I had considered.

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Dane and Gaelle Morrisaeu
Why we like Open Gym:
OUTSIDE, doesn’t matter if it is raining or if the sun is shining, it is always fun. Hate the gym and feel like a robot on the treadmill while training.  First time we decided to come along: loved the idea, a way to get fitter, but in a different manner Great instructor, easy to book, great seeing the same people every week - we are actually very committed!! Friendly environment and a very positive way to working out.