5 wellness and fitness things to do this weekend Aug 3-4 in Hong Kong

This weekend in Hong Kong, there is so much to do – and so little time. With public swimming pools and other sports and leisure facilities open free of charge on Sunday, and a programme of dozens of free sports demonstrations and challenges across the city, just dive in and see what you fancy.

Here are five ways to spend healthy time. Get moving.

1. Sport for All Day – August 4

There is no excuse not to share in the Olympic spirit and get sporty yourself on Sunday. To encourage people to get active, especially parents and children, free sports and recreation programmes are on offer at Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues across all 18 districts in the city. And most sports and leisure facilities – including public swimming pools – are open free of charge.

A tiny sample of the dozens of sessions available: an agility challenge and hula hoop training at Aberdeen Fitness Centre, and sports climbing and archery at the Island East Sports Centre.

The indoor and outdoor Leisure and Cultural Services Department leisure facilities, including badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms, dance rooms and cycling track are open free of charge, but require advance booking.

Want to go for a cooling dip? There is no need to book to use the Leisure and Cultural Services Department swimming pools; just line up before the start of a session, with admission on a first-come-first-served basis.

If you have ever wanted to see inside some of Hong Kong’s private clubs, you have a chance on Sunday. Yau Yat Chuen Garden City Club, Kowloon Tong Club, Hong Kong Country Club, Aberdeen Boat Club, Chinese Recreation Club Hong Kong and others have joined in and are opening limited facilities for free use on this day.

2. The 67th Sports Festival – City Sports Carnival

Check out the booths featuring sports from skateboarding to shooting and lawn bowls.

It opens from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

3. DB Ice Skating

Looking to beat the heat this weekend? Take the family ice skating at the international-sized DB Ice Rink in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island.

It has four public skating sessions on Saturdays and three on Sundays. The cost is HK$85 (US$11) per session, including skate rentals. To coincide with Sport for All day, it is offering evening sessions at a discounted rate of HK$50.

The rink will also have live streaming of the Olympic Games to keep you abreast of the action in Paris.

4. Yoga Fundamentals and Meditation

To escape the crowds and rest your mind, join a Yoga with Tiffany practice on Sunday morning, from 10am to 11.15am. It is suitable for all levels; beginners are welcome.

The exact address of this small group space will be shared upon registration confirmation. It is an indoor location on Bonham Strand, two minutes from Sheung Wan MTR exit A2 on Hong Kong Island.

Mats and props are available; bring a small towel and water.

The cost is HK$150 for first-timers, HK$250 for returning students.

5. AIA Vitality Hub – Plogging Class

Join a plogging run at 10am on Saturday led by Hong Kong ultra-marathon coach Wong Chun-kiu. He has run across Taiwan, Japan and the United States and is now empowering the #StrongerTogether community.

Meet fellow runners during this one-hour journey while helping keep the streets and trails clean.