Fitness in Oslo
Fitness and sport is a Norwegian national pastime. You are likely to see people of all ages, from children on skis to teenagers running to octogenarians on bikes exercising all around the city. Oslo offers any sport you can think of at gyms, in parks and in Nordmarka, Oslo’s district park. Norwegians will often practice several sports at once.
The favourite Norwegian sports are skiing, running, biking, hiking, football (soccer) and handball. Norway has world-class skiing, football and handball teams. Each sport has a championship or race that every Norwegian either participates in, cheers for or watches on TV. Norwegians are very concerned with equality, except when it comes to sports. They are extremely proud of their sports heroes and sports victories. Even historical pride comes into play when it comes to sports.
The Birkebeiner is a national institution. This series of skiing, running and biking races commemorate a political party and an event of national importance involving a former king from the 13th century. Originally a cross-country ski race, the Birkebeinerrennet attracts 16,000 participants each year. The course is 54 km long. The Birkebeinerrittet is the world’s largest cross-country bicycle race, at 94 km, with 17,500 participants. Finally, the Birkebeinerlopet is the largest running race in Norway, with 7,000 participants, covering 21 km, which pass through mountains and forest. Some say that every Norwegian business leader will or should at some point compete in the Birkebeiner.
For runners, there are other options. Trails crisscross parks and forests. The Oslo marathon attracts thousands of participants and onlookers each September. For less serious runners who enjoy socializing, the Oslo Hash House Harriers runs once a week, on Mondays in the spring and summer and Saturdays in the fall and winter.
In the winter, it is still common to see Norwegians practicing sports outside, such as running, hiking, skiing, ice hockey and ice-skating. Kilometres of trails are groomed every week for avid skiers, who leave for the woods right after work, in pitch dark, to hit the floodlit trails. You will often see these skiers walking around the city in their ski boots (cross-country) and carrying their skis as they head to and from the slopes. Nordmarka is popular for skiing, and the metro system takes skiers straight to two ski areas in Nordmarka. At any time of the day or night, trails can be crowded with trim Norwegians skiing in the latest gear.
For those who aren’t as keen on being outdoors in the winter, Oslo offers a wide array of gyms for every taste. The biggest chains are SATS and Elixia, and smaller gyms cater to more specific needs. Often companies will have discounts for their employees at these gyms.
The favourite Norwegian sports are skiing, running, biking, hiking, football (soccer) and handball. Norway has world-class skiing, football and handball teams. Each sport has a championship or race that every Norwegian either participates in, cheers for or watches on TV. Norwegians are very concerned with equality, except when it comes to sports. They are extremely proud of their sports heroes and sports victories. Even historical pride comes into play when it comes to sports.
The Birkebeiner is a national institution. This series of skiing, running and biking races commemorate a political party and an event of national importance involving a former king from the 13th century. Originally a cross-country ski race, the Birkebeinerrennet attracts 16,000 participants each year. The course is 54 km long. The Birkebeinerrittet is the world’s largest cross-country bicycle race, at 94 km, with 17,500 participants. Finally, the Birkebeinerlopet is the largest running race in Norway, with 7,000 participants, covering 21 km, which pass through mountains and forest. Some say that every Norwegian business leader will or should at some point compete in the Birkebeiner.
For runners, there are other options. Trails crisscross parks and forests. The Oslo marathon attracts thousands of participants and onlookers each September. For less serious runners who enjoy socializing, the Oslo Hash House Harriers runs once a week, on Mondays in the spring and summer and Saturdays in the fall and winter.
In the winter, it is still common to see Norwegians practicing sports outside, such as running, hiking, skiing, ice hockey and ice-skating. Kilometres of trails are groomed every week for avid skiers, who leave for the woods right after work, in pitch dark, to hit the floodlit trails. You will often see these skiers walking around the city in their ski boots (cross-country) and carrying their skis as they head to and from the slopes. Nordmarka is popular for skiing, and the metro system takes skiers straight to two ski areas in Nordmarka. At any time of the day or night, trails can be crowded with trim Norwegians skiing in the latest gear.
For those who aren’t as keen on being outdoors in the winter, Oslo offers a wide array of gyms for every taste. The biggest chains are SATS and Elixia, and smaller gyms cater to more specific needs. Often companies will have discounts for their employees at these gyms.
