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Kick start your New Year with RED January

RED January • Inspiration • Dec 14, 2023 • 5 mins

Join the nation this January by moving every day, to beat the winter blues away. Whether you run, swim, cycle, or choose your favourite fitness activity, set your goal and make this year your most active yet! Find out how you can join Red January!

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We’re proud to again be supporting RED January. So, let's welcome in the new year with a challenge - just choose your favourite activities and get out every day.

We're offering 30% off an annual subscription to OS Maps Premium, to help everyone kickstart their new year and enjoy the great outdoors.

Offer period from 26th December 2023 and the 31st January 2024. Applies to recurring premium subscriptions only. 

What is Red January?

Red January is a nationwide movement that helps us beat the blues away and keep moving throughout the month of January. You can run, cycle, walk or do any activity you wish, as long as you get moving every day!

Women exercising in a field during Red January

Find a greenspace to exercise

Why should I take part in Red January?

Boost your motivation

Even the most active will agree that getting outside in winter can sometimes be a struggle. Dark evenings, dreary weather, and the consequences of too many mince pies over the festive season can leave motivation at an all-time low. If you need some extra support to get out and about this winter, the growing community of 150,000 RED’ers will be there every step of the way so you’ll never be alone. Keep up to speed with expert tips, fitness inspiration and connect with people from around the country.

women running during winter

Enjoy sunrise runs in winter

Stay active outdoors

There are many benefits to exercising outside and getting a daily dose of fresh air. The great outdoors is open to everyone and many activities require no equipment or expense. The variety of exercise you can do outside is probably more than you realise. Here’s some of our favourite ways to stay active for free.

  • Find your nearest greenspace on a map for some body weight exercises. Find tutorials online.
  • Jog around the park and beyond. Start gentle and slowly increase your speed and distance.
  • Walk yourself fitter. Our forests boast some beautiful woodland walks, as do our hills and coastlines too.
  • Leave the car at home and get pedalling. Cycle to work, the shops or to meet a friend. Find a route on OS Maps.
  • Take your coffee outside. A morning walk refreshes the senses and will set you up nicely for the day.
  • Have fun with the family. Play an outdoor game or have a kickabout in your local park.
  • Why not try a new activity? Are you brave enough for a dip in the sea with a friend? Don't forgot your changing robe
winter bike ride

Dig out your old bike

Make lasting changes

Putting one foot in front of the other this January is the first step in building more movement into our daily lives. Studies have shown that it takes 21 days to form a habit so getting active every day throughout the month will make it easier to sustain a healthier lifestyle. An Oxford University-led study of RED participants revealed that 86% percent became more active even after completing the challenge. What’s more, over half also felt a positive impact on their mental health.

man park exercise

Make use of local parks

Sign up to Red January

As well as helping the nation get fit and healthy, RED January raises money for Sport In Mind, the UK charity that uses sport and physical activity to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems. Whether you choose to raise money or not, you can still take on the challenge and enjoy the support of the RED community.

Run, swim, cycle, or choose your favourite fitness activity, set your goal and make this year your most active yet! Sign up today and join the nation in the RED January challenge.

To help, during this January we're offering 30% off OS Maps Premium, so you can find new places to exercise and discover new walking, cycling and running routes. 

Offer applies to an recurring annual OS Maps Premium subscription. Offer running between the 26th December and 31st January 2024. 

Published: Dec 14, 2023 Edited: Dec 18, 2023

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