The running community in Sheffield is thriving, ensuring everyone from competitive athletes to those looking for an excuse to get some al fresco exercise or make new friends will find something suitable for them. 

Ever wish you could make more time for exercise in your life? Want to start off with something gentle and accessible?

Whether you view it as a way of keeping fit, a way to socialise, a way of seeing nature or a mixture of all three, walking is just about the easiest and cheapest form of exercise around. Arm yourself with some sturdy walking shoes or boots, comfortable clothes and a waterproof, and you’re ready to tackle everything, from an inner-city stroll along a river, to the blustery tips of the Peak’s biggest hills. It's no surprise that Sheffield is spoilt for choice when it comes to walking groups. Here are a few of them.

Are you the sort of person who enjoys going off the beaten track? Who craves adventure but doesn’t like to follow the crowd? Then read on...

Sheffield is the perfect place to go canoeing or kayaking. Rivers, canals and lakes around the city are all easily accessible and offer a whole range of different opportunities to get out on the water.

Don’t worry if you have no previous paddling experience: help is at hand in the form of canoe clubs and centres, which can offer sessions with fully qualified coaches. These venues will also be able to provide you with all the specialist kit you need to get you on the water safely. As well as their main outdoor venues, most clubs will also have access to swimming pool sessions as well, allowing you to practice your skills when it might be a bit too cold to do so outdoors.

For a landlocked city, Sheffield has a surprisingly active sailing community.

With a cluster of reservoirs to the west of the city, where Sheffield opens into the Peak District, as well as country parks to the east, just into the Rotherham border, there is in fact plenty of water to get out on close to Sheffield.

A number of independent sailing clubs operate in the area, which between them sail several classes of dinghies as well as organise regular dinghy racing, training and casual sailing sessions. Read on to find out about them, and take to the water.

With its scenic hills to climb – and free-wheel back down again – and its roads leading straight out to the Peak District, Sheffield is heaven-sent to the road cyclist. All of this makes for a great cycling community.

Lady Canning's PlantationBrought together through a love of bikes, there’s a handful of groups making things happen in Sheffield.