Kick start your New Year with RED January

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.

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!

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.

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 local greenspace 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 woodlands boast some beautiful winter walking routes, 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?

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 in 2021 and beyond. An Oxford University-led study of RED participants in 2019 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.

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 2022 your most active yet! Sign up today and join the nation in the RED January challenge.

To help, we're giving you 1 month free trail of OS Maps so you can find new places to exercise and discover new walking, cycling and running routes. Click here and enter code REDJAN at check out to try it for free.

Offer applies to the 1 month standard OS Maps subscription and expires 2 February 2021. 1 month free subscription runs from date of activation.