Skip the gym with these alternative exercise groups

Stay active without ever stepping foot on a treadmill

Stretch with Lululemon

Since its launch in Beijing, activewear brand Lululemon has teamed up with instructors from studios around Beijing to host fitness classes, which are free and open to anyone, from its Taikoo Li North showroom (and its outdoor courtyard, weather permitting). An activewear shop might not be the most ideal setting, but free is free. For a more inspiring backdrop, Beijingers will have to wait until next summer when the company’s next installment of Unroll China comes to town – past venues have been the Forbidden City and Olympic Park (pictured above). Find class schedules and RSVP via WeChat (lululemonathletica).

Learn the ropes at O'le Climbing

Just east of Shuangjing in Baiziwan, O’le Climbing’s centre is the longest-running rock climbing centre in the country with some of the biggest facilities to boot. O’le hosts events and clubs, including the China National Climbing Team’s practice sessions, while visitors can try their hand at standard climbing or bouldering. Entrance is priced at a reasonable 80RMB (including shoes) with lessons in Chinese or English for the uninitiated. Call O’le Climbing (6776 4705) for more.

Dance with No Lights No Lycra

It’s dark, it’s sweaty and the music is turned up loud. At this dance class however, there is no instructor and no choreographed moves to learn. Instead, the founders of inclusive dance movement No Lights No Lycra believe anyone and everyone can dance, and that it may even be more freeing to do so surrounded by a bunch of strangers you can’t see. The group meets at music venues around town every other Monday evening, with an entrance fee of 50RMB going to Pojie Arts, a charity initiative providing arts training for disabled young people. Find the group on WeChat (NLNLBeijing) for more.

Cycle the countryside with Serk

Every Saturday morning, this group of cycle nuts hops in a van and heads for the Beijing hills, where it hosts rides through mountain roads and lush countryside. Cyclists of all levels are welcome; the group will even provide a bike if you don’t have one (rental from 350RMB). Rides typically leave from central Beijing at 5am, weather and AQI permitting. It’s also a pretty amazing way to take in the autumn colours this month, too. Follow Serk’s WeChat (serkcycling) for more information.

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