If you're looking to improve your fitness but like me often find yourself bored of the monotony of…read morethe gym or lack the motivation to really push yourself then BMF could be the answer! British Military Fitness offers outdoor fitness classes led by current or ex-military instructors......but don't be intimidated as although run in an army style, instructors are there to encourage and not force you to do anything you don't want to do. Exercise classes last for one hour and are tailored to three different levels, determined by the colour bib you choose to wear: blue (beginners), red (intermediate) or green (advanced). I went along for a free BMF taster session in Leazes Park (Newcastle) having not done any running before and after an expired gym membership. One year on....I have never returned to gym, rarely missed a session and even ran my first ever half marathon at the back end of 2014. I owe my level of fitness to the fab instructors but also the encouragement of my fellow BMFers. Never before has exercise been so much fun! As a diverse and relatively small group in comparison to other cities everyone knows each other pretty well and are very welcoming......some people even hang around for well earned and guilt free coffee and cake after a Saturday morning session! No two classes are the same which keeps it interesting and whether it be circuit training, pair based exercises or team work the one guarantee is that you will work hard but have fun at the same time. Occasionally equipment may be used like kettle bells or medicine balls but generally exercises involve use of your own body weight. Aside from the people and creativity of sessions week on week, you get to exercise in the fresh Northern air and beautiful surroundings of Leazes Park. Parking is free on some side streets but beware if Newcastle are playing at home due its close proximity.