Sweden has turned out several famous sports stars like football player Zlatan Ibrahimović and swimmer Sarah Sjöström. Swedes love staying active, and with an abundance of physical activities taking place right throughout the year, expats have no choice but to get active alongside the locals. Here is how to stay fit in Stockholm while enjoying the various sports options that are available.
Sport types in Stockholm
Stockholm enjoys seasonal and year-round sports. Summer months see the city's residents enjoy professional and pick-up football games, swimming, and other outdoor sports like tennis. In winter, ice hockey, snowboarding and skiing take the stage. Other sports types like badminton, table tennis, handball, yoga, and indoor bandy (a form of ice hockey that Swedes absolutely love) are played all year.
With an abundance of green parks and well-developed cycling routes, residents of Stockholm can also stay active by walking, jogging, and cycling around the city. Other recreational sports include swimming, hiking, and fishing.
If you want to try some more adventurous sports, Stockholm offers activities like kayaking and sailing between the islands in the archipelago, speed boat tours, and mountain biking trails.
Sports clubs in Stockholm
One of the best ways to enjoy sports in Stockholm as an expat is by joining a club. Clubs are an easy way to practise a sport you love while expanding your social network. Here are some popular sports clubs in the city:
- Stockholm Tennis Meetup group
- Stockholm Fitness Meetup group
- Stockholm Badminton Meetup group
- Mikkeller Running Club
- Stockholm Ice Hockey Association
- Just Football
- Stockholm Climbing Group on Meetup
- Stockholm Hiking & Outdoors Group on Meetup
Fitness centres in Stockholm
Stockholm's many fitness centres offer everything from gym equipment and group fitness classes to teacher training courses for yoga. Many of the gyms offer additional services including childcare, personal trainer assistance, and access to other facilities like squash courts.
Monthly fees can vary depending on membership type: subscriptions with limited access hours (usually before 15:00) can be as low as SEK 200 per month, while all-hours access costs from SEK 400 upwards. Some fitness centres have a binding period so make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up to a membership. Some places offer student, family, and senior discounts so ask about that, too!
Here are some of the biggest fitness chains in Stockholm:
Other sports types in Stockholm
Stockholm offers some unusual sports types, like the worldwide trend of trampoline bounce houses that has reached the Swedish capital. Bounce Inc. is a great place to let off some steam and stay fit while having fun ' and even better, there are special membership options for kids.
The city also offers outdoor gym areas complete with equipment suitable for different ages and levels. These 'utegym' (outside gym) facilities can be found in practically every park. Next time you head off to see the sights and sounds of Stockholm, why not check out one of Stockholm's 38 outdoor gyms?
Spectator sports in Stockholm
Football, or soccer, is a much-loved sport in Sweden. Stockholm hosts a number of international matches each year; expats will love the excitement and buzz of a home game against Sweden's rival Scandinavian neighbours. Tickets and game schedules for all sport types can be found on Ticketmaster and Stockholm Live.
Of course, if crowds aren't your thing you can always settle into one of Stockholm's many cosy sports bars.
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