By Oliver Ohmann
May has come, the Berliners are swarming out. In the new theme month we will show you what our city is up to. Because: Berlin is ALWAYS on the move.
The capital also has the very best conditions for healthy exercise. 729,622 Berliners are members of one of the 2,400 sports clubs. The largest associations are footballers (206,000 members), gymnasts (95,000) and college athletes (68,000). The clubs with the most members are Union (49,200), Hertha (45,200) and no joke: The German Alpine Club, Section Berlin (23,200).
But even without a club, you can work up a sweat. Seven percent of Berlin are public parks and recreation areas, around 6000 hectares for jogging, trimming and dancing. There are 61 pools spread across the districts, the largest and most famous outdoor pool being the Strandbad Wannsee.
Miles of cycle paths keep you fit, from amateur tours to mountain stages up to the Grunewald Tower. In the Grunewald, Tegeler Forst and at the Müggelsee you can go hiking. With the new Germany ticket, you can take the train to the surrounding area at low cost.
The Fitness-4 of the BZ
Four BZ reporters will face a very special challenge again this month. Our “Four for Fitness” will report regularly on how the additional movement benefits them.
► Sara Orlos Fernandes goes to the slopes regularly now. The goal: jog the B96 from home 9.6 kilometers to the Victory Column. “I’ll be happy if I can make it from Mariendorf to Mehringdamm for the first time. But then I reward myself with a currywurst and shandy. So much self-care is a must.”
Sara Orlos Fernandes wants to go running regularly Photo: Christian Lohse
► Johannes Malinowski has opted for the gym. “Somehow you have to stay fit, that’s why I’m going to train regularly in the gym around the corner.”
Johannes Malinowski wants to go full throttle in the gym and get really fit Photo: Christian Lohse
► Larissa Hoppe: “From now on, I want to do push-ups every day. Always until my mini muscles are burning and nothing works anymore. This is currently the case after two push-ups. But the goal is clear: 20 push-ups – more or less clean – in a row.”
► Katja Colmenares wants to go very high on foot. “Elevators and escalators are passé for me now. I take the stairs. By the way, our BZ editorial office is on the 12th floor.”
Katja Colmenares wants to take the stairs instead of the elevator in May Photo: Christian Lohse
Be curious to see what our Fitness-4 will experience during the theme month.