Very few experiences can beat Fitness for Free..exercising outdoors. We have just returned from Over Haddon and small village in the Peak District overlooking Bakewell and it’s an fitness heavan.
The stone cottages of Manor Farm provide a relaxing and welcoming base for some of the most enjoyable free fitness programmes you’ll ever find.
From Manor Farm it’s just a short downhill walk to the start of the Lathkill Trail a spiraling downhill walk which puts all the emphasis on easy walking style and begins to build great calves and butts.The road descends into a river valley which then offers two distinct options for the next stage of the session.
1. An easy, but fast, flat walk along the river towards Alport and Youlgrieve, safe pathways except for one section near the beginning of the trail with a short rise over uneven stones (could be an ankle breaker if your not careful)..but then it’s plain sailing along mainly wide open paths with plenty of over taking space.
2. Cross the bridge over the river and the track rises up the other side of the valley just as steeply as it came down.This session would be primarily an endurance session with lactic acid building up in the thighs pretty quickly.
3.At the end of the Lathkill trail in Alport you have three more choices.Turn straight around and go back along the river for a speed session:return to Over Haddon by road which is far more testing because of the steep gradients or continue to Youlgrieve by road and then back to Over Haddon, again a route for the endurance athlete.
In sessions 1 and 2 there are numerous opportunities for circuit or bodyweight sessions on the way always remembering that the climb back to Over Haddon weights for you.
This is one of those climbs that always promises that the peak is around the corner, with the last 100 metres being some of the stiffest inclines.
Session 3 is far to dangerous in terms of traffic for anything other than concentrated walking or running.The road aren’t particularly wide and dry stone walls make jumping out of the way difficult.But, so long as you’re careful it shouldn’t be a problem.

Whichever way you go the return to Manor Farm is always a welcome site and the quiet, relaxing attitude of the people around there makes recupperation easier.
To read more about the benefits of outdoor exercise follow me on www.warwick-personal-trainer.com or www.balancehealth-fitness.co.uk