The snow hadn't settled, but the air was knife chill. Wet leaves everywhere like they thought they were back in fashion. Still, four well-wrapped Goodgymmers rocked up to Stephens House and Gardens for a hard boiled night of raking leaves outside Inky's Stables Cafe.

The yard was covered, but we leafed no stone unturned. We swept, raked and bagged until the yard was safe as houses. Helen, our host, normally does this job by herself. She was grateful, that much was clear. And the café staff? They'd bawl their eyes out to see the yard swept so clean. We stacked four sacks out the back and high-tailed it to a classy joint on the High Road for something to chase the ice out of our lungs.

This was Kirsten's second time out with us and Ben's third. They brought the energy of a dozen Goodgymmers with them. Great to have them at our backs. Ben even wanted to run back, which means some of us clocked up a full 5km round trip. Not bad for a cold, wet, dark and cold November evening.

There'll be other nights and other runs, but this one took more than a few leaves out of the old Goodgym playbook.

Spreading wings out to West Barnet, two game Goodgymmers made their way to Hendon's nature reserve and reservoir, the Welsh Harp, for a plogging session organised by the Friends of the Welsh Harp. There, they were joined by around 30 others on a lovely late autumn sunny Sunday, to help clean up this beautiful green space and the only Site of Special Scientific Interest in Barnet and Brent combined.

It was great to see Cherian at the event, her first mission in a while, and one that took place almost on her doorstep. We're hoping to do more for Friends of Green Spaces in Colindale and Hendon in future.

Between everyone, the event gathered around 90 bags of rubbish, making the Harp cleaner and healthier for everyone, including the birds, to enjoy.

A few GoodGym people came together to do online yoga.. Thanks for coming happy for any feedback or comments..

yoga talk.. Yoga teaches us to find ease in effort, comfort in discomfort, and resilience in every breath. This idea is beautifully mirrored in a concept called hormesis—the practice of facing small, manageable challenges to grow stronger and more adaptable. Whether it’s holding a pose longer than feels easy or stepping onto your mat when it’s cold outside, these moments of deliberate effort cultivate resilience. Let’s use this season to deepen our practice, on and off the mat.

On November 14th, GoodGym Barnet joined forces with Tiny Forest at Middlesex University’s Eco Show and Tell, held in the quad under the impressive glass roof at The Burroughs. It was a perfect opportunity to promote our mission of volunteering, active travel, and environmental stewardship in Barnet.

Representing GoodGym were George, Hamid, and Paul—each with a passion for getting others involved in community-driven activities. The event was buzzing with groups looking to recruit new volunteers, and GoodGym Barnet was there to show we’re in the perfect position to help people dive into a range of meaningful tasks, collaborating with other fantastic local charities and causes.

The energy was high, and even the Mayor took the time to stop by for a chat! We shared insights about GoodGym’s goals and the benefits of volunteering for fitness, community impact, and a deeper connection to the local area. With Mitzvah Day’s theme of “Stronger Together,” the event emphasized collective strength in community action—something GoodGym fully supports.

We had fantastic conversations with students and locals, highlighting our weekly Tuesday evening group runs and other events. For students, it’s a winning combo: get to know the area, make new friends, support the community, and get fit—all in one go!

If you missed it, don’t worry! You can still check out our latest updates and find a GoodGym event that speaks to you. Every session with GoodGym makes a difference, so whether you’re into helping green spaces, active travel, or community resilience, there’s a spot for you.

Ready to make a change? Join us, get involved, and let’s grow together! Check out our latest reports here! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/reports

On a brisk November evening, GoodGym Barnet gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, ready for a run. My trusty computer assured me the skies were cloudy, but the rain on my face hinted otherwise. Clearly, technology and I had a bit of a misunderstanding — maybe the computer was right, and I was simply too human to grasp its wisdom?

The Phoenix was buzzing with a private event, but we still managed to crowd together, number up, and chat. Naturally, the big topic was cinema. Each of us threw in a film recommendation, and, honestly, we’ve got some eclectic taste here at GoodGym Barnet. Here’s what made the list:

🎬 GoodGym Barnet’s Film Picks • The Educators • Howl’s Moving Castle • Once Upon a Time in Anatolia • Round Midnight • Lost Highway • 12 Chairs (Russian comedy!) • Blood Simple (aka: “If you’re into misunderstandings and murder…”)

So, next time you’re scrolling through streaming platforms, consider one of our picks — and if you think we missed a must-watch, add it in the comments!

As we set off, the cold wasn’t quite “recreational ground weather,” so we took an alternate path that felt like stepping into an enchanted forest. With the glow of street lamps filtering through the trees, we ran through a tunnel of golden-brown leaves, looking every bit like we were sprinting through a woodland fairytale. Just one of those rare, perfect little moments that makes GoodGym so special.

Mission Accomplished… with Style! Upon arriving, we met Vicci from the Friends Group who helps care for this hidden gem of a park. We threw on our head torches, which transformed the damp grass and shadowy paths into a scene from a sci-fi movie — an alien planet expedition, complete with litter bags as our “research specimens.” We worked in pairs (perfect for some bonus conversation!) and ended up with a respectable stash of litter, enough to give the area a fresh start.

On our way back, we even caught a glimpse of foxes in the woodland. Their eyes glinted like jewels as they peeked out, a little audience for our ragtag team of trash-collectors.

New Faces and Noteworthy Moments Special shoutout to Ben, joining us for his first GoodGym run, and to Kirsten, returning from a brief break. And kudos to Kubilay, who’s volunteered for an upcoming mission to build a table for a gentleman in Barnet. We also had Anthony, who received a surprise in the form of a small women’s GoodGym shirt (yes, the admin strikes again!). And let’s not forget BT and Rachel, heading off to Norway to catch the Northern Lights—safe travels, and bring back stories!

We ended the night with a warm-down, mutual applause, and some well-deserved refreshments back at the Phoenix Cinema. Yet again, we’d proven that GoodGym is about more than just fitness or service—it’s a way to get out of our heads, connect with our community, and have a blast together, rain or shine.

Ready to join the fun? Come along next Tuesday, and who knows—you might discover a new favorite film and get a glimpse of the foxes yourself!

A few GoodGym members came together to do online yoga.

Yoga talk Yoga is great for runners because it improves flexibility, strength, and balance, helping to prevent injuries. The focused breathing and mindfulness in yoga also aid in recovery and reduce stress, supporting better endurance and performance. Plus, it helps strengthen key muscle groups that support running, like the core, glutes, and legs, enhancing overall stability and efficiency.