Sport for Free or Cheap in Berlin

Looking to get fit, meet new people, or just mix up your daily routine? Yet, you have a a typical researcher’s salary? Look no further! Here we’ve compiled a rough guide to the many affordable sporting opportunities in Berlin…

Hochschulsport
The largest, most affordable, and certainly most varied source of sporting opportunities comes from Hochschulsport, a loosely organized body providing many classes run out of universities. And saying ‘varied’ is no exaggeration: there are the usual suspects, like yoga, basketball, or aerobics, but also the more exotic Japanese Stick Fighting or Hula Dancing. What’s more, many schools offer 1-2 day excursions, for example, to go sailing or hiking. Depending on the sport, classes run from about 20-100 euros per semester, slightly more for non-students. Each university runs their own Hochschulsport webpage, so finding a course that you want in an area that you can manage can be a challenge, but usually pays off…
HU: http://bit.ly/1WaTFPA
FU: http://bit.ly/1MCARqS
TU: http://bit.ly/1SoZ0Dx
HTW: http://bit.ly/1SoZ1r2

University Gyms
If team activities aren’t your first choice, and you prefer to get down to the basics, all major universities in Berlin have gyms that can be used by students and others at relatively low prices. The HU, for example, operates a small gym close to the Mensa, as well as one in Adlershof. The FU’s gym (‘KRAFTKLUB’) is less central, operating in the University center in Lankwitz. The TU’s gym, on the other hand, is located on the border between Moabit and Charlottenburg. All three gyms have membership for students between 15-30 euros/month, although the TU also requires an additional ‘Introduction Course’ (presumably to prevent lifting-related mishaps), which costs about 13 euros.
HU: http://bit.ly/1DMmU5g
FU: http://bit.ly/1VxspfE
TU: http://bit.ly/1r94pmC

(Practical) Hiking
All of these opportunities are great, but what about if you want to use your free time to get away from it all? Despite being a large city, Berlin has some wonderful hiking opportunities that may be closer than you think. The website “Wandebahnhöfe Brandenburg” has an extensive list of trails that can be reached by public transit, i.e. hiking from one train station to another. Another great set of trails is provided by the “66-Seen Wanderweg” (66 Lakes Trail), which makes a grand tour around Berlin, stopping at – you guessed it – plenty of lakes. Finally, there are a number of regions easily reached by regional trains which provide some beautiful scenery, and other great options for hiking, biking or boating. These include the Uckermark (approx. 1 hour North of Berlin), and the Märkische Schweiz, a National Park about 2 hours to the East.
Wandebahnhöfe Brandenburg : http://bit.ly/1U1Cpw8
66-Seen Wanderweg : http://bit.ly/26a5ESg
The Uckermark: http://bit.ly/1WArjyG
The Märkische Schweiz : http://bit.ly/1MCB7pX

Water Sports
What about sports for those who choose to leave dry land completely? If you want to get back to nature, Berlin has an incredible number of lakes, many with beaches and associated infrastructure (changing rooms, showers, etc.). Most are free, although some (i.e. the beaches at Wannsee) do charge an entry fee. And the best-known ones tend to get crowded on hot summer days. However, there are dozens to choose from, so there’s likely to be something for everybody!
Lakes of Berlin: http://bit.ly/20PsSt1
However, if it’s cold or you just want to do some serious laps, the city of Berlin also maintains a large network of public pools, both indoor and outdoor. Prices have gone up recently (a normal ticket costs about 6 euros), but there are ways to reduce the price, particularly by swimming at non-peak hours (10:00-15:00), buying tickets in bulk, or buying 45-minute passes. Hochschulsport also offers various water sports, so be sure to check the links above for other opportunities.
Pools in Berlin: http://bit.ly/1WArvOw

Free Sports
Of course, if you’re looking for a free way to get a good workout, Berlin hosts a hodegepodge of free sporting activities almost every day of the week. The website Gratis In Berlin hosts a listing of user-posted ideas, ranging from relaxation exercises to the enticing ‘Knight Training’. In addition, many studios or fitness courses offer a first session for free (aka ‘Schnuppertraining’), allowing you to shop around for the best option. Ditto for big-name fitness studio chains, although many have tricky contract clauses that can keep you coming back… whether you want to or not.
Free Sports in Berlin: http://bit.ly/1Vweje3

So whatever type of sport or activity you’re looking for, it’s likely that you can find it in Berlin at an affordable price. Have we missed anything? Has anyone ever undertaken some of the more peculiar options mentioned here and want to tell us about it (looking at you, knights!)? Be sure to let us know at cns-newsletter@charite.de.

by Constance Holman, PhD Student AG Schmitz
this article originally appeared June 2016 in Volume 09 Issue 02 "The Sporty Brain"