Don't like sports? Try this Swedish method to get fit in 2025!

In summary

Fartlek, a fun and flexible method, allows you to train while having fun with your surroundings.

This approach improves endurance, strength, and health, while being accessible to everyone.

Start slowly with 30-minute sessions per week, then gradually increase the intensity!

Perfect for those who don't enjoy traditional sports, fartlek offers a free and enjoyable alternative.

A Swedish breeze in the fitness world

Are you one of those who avoid gyms and rigid workouts? In 2025, a Swedish method might change your mind! Fartlek, which means "speed play," stands out with its original approach: having fun while moving, without any special equipment. Accessible to all, this inventive method redefines the concept of fitness in complete freedom. So, are you ready to discover this "game" that turns your movements into training sessions.

Fartlek: Training that adapts to your everyday life

The concept of fartlek is based on a simple idea: using your environment to turn your usual movements into a stimulating physical activity. Here, there are no strict programs or sophisticated equipment. Running to a tree, sprinting up a hill, then slowing down to admire the view - that's the principle. 

Each session becomes a game where you alternate between a brisk pace and recovery moments, according to your desires or the opportunities around you. This flexible approach appeals to beginners as well as seasoned athletes!

Benefits that go beyond the game

Fartlek is not only accessible and fun, but it also offers numerous benefits. By alternating between intense efforts and lighter moments, it stimulates metabolism, increases endurance, strengthens muscles, and improves overall physical condition. 

According to Ulrik Wisloff, an exercise and health specialist, this method is so adaptable that it can suit everyone, from athletes to those slowly getting back into physical activity. Plus, the absence of monotony makes each session enjoyable!

Martin Gibala, a researcher on exercise intensity, asserts that these variations in effort can produce results comparable to stricter workouts. So why stick to traditional routines when you can combine health and pleasure?

Some tips to start without pressure

Getting started with fartlek is easy, but it's best to take it easy to fully enjoy its benefits. Catherine Cordonnier, a specialist in health content, recommends starting with 30-minute sessions once a week. 

For example, run to a lamppost, then walk to the next one before accelerating again. Once you're comfortable, you can gradually increase the intensity or duration. The important thing is to respect your sensations and let your body adapt at its own pace.

There's nothing stopping you from being creative! Use stairs, sidewalks, or green spaces for your exercises. By setting your own challenges, you turn every street corner into a playground.

A different vision of sports

Fartlek presents itself as an appealing alternative for those who don't enjoy traditional sports. Free from rigid frameworks and material constraints, it invites you to move freely and turn daily life into an opportunity to stay active. Combine pleasure, creativity, and well-being - that's the promise of this method from Sweden. So why not give it a try on your next walk?