The 2026 Commonwealth Games are now underway in Glasgow, and if you've been enjoying the summer of sport as we have, you'll probably be finding yourself quite inspired to get out and get moving!
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature 16 sports in total: 10 able‑bodied sports (including athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, track cycling, bowls, artistic gymnastics, 3x3 basketball, netball, and weightlifting) and six integrated para sports such as para athletics, para swimming, para track cycling, para powerlifting, para bowls, and wheelchair basketball. All these are great sports and can be a super fun way to keep fit!
We've put together easy ways to get moving and try sports this summer! You never know - you might be on the winner's podium by the 2030 Games!
Check out our UK Bike Week post for some great items for any aspiring cyclists!
Running
Running features heavily throughout the Commonwealth Games, from Athletics tracks to Triathlons, to many of the athletes' training and preparation. Running can be a bit of a marmite activity, but it has loads of benefits to our health and wellbeing, and sometimes the thought of running can be worse than actually getting out there! If you're new to running, make sure you're fully warmed up before hitting the road, well hydrated, and plan a safe route to take. There are also different apps you can use to guide you on interval running - a mix of running and walking, and a great place to start to build your endurance. The NHS Couch to 5K is a great place to start.
You can get running shoes, but if you're just starting out, as long as you're comfortable, then standard trainers are ok too! A great, and cheap, purchase is this Running Vest*, which can hold your phone, water, and any other essentials like keys and energy sources while you're out and about without them holding you down. This also doubles up for hiking, cycling, and any outdoor activity, so even if running isn't for you, it's not a wasted purchase.
Running Vest
Swimming
Swimming is another great activity for keeping fit, and in the middle of a heatwave, the pool seems an ideal place to be! Supportive of your joints, swimming can be a good alternative for those who find running on tarmac and treadmills causing discomfort on their joints.
Many leisure centers have pools you can pay to use without being a member.
Boxing has been rated as the hardest sport of all; however, if you're not training to fight, it can actually be an amazing way to get fit, improve confidence, and make friends! A lot of boxing clubs offer classes that are purely fitness-based, with no pressure to get in the ring! There are many general box-fit classes too, where you won't learn boxing technique, but you'll still work up a sweat and learn new skills!
If you are training regularly, it's a great idea to get your own gloves and dry them out after every use. We recommend these RDX Boxing Gloves* - the 10 - 12 oz are ideal for pad and bag work, and the 14- 16 oz are great for those who are a little more advanced and thinking about sparring.
RDX Boxing Gloves
The Opening Ceremony
If you were feeling a little more inspired by the opening ceremony than the games themselves, it would be wrong not to mention the start of the show, the Tunnock's Tea Cake. We've found this bumper pack of 36*, ideal for snacking on throughout the games - as they're individually wrapped, they're ideal for having in stock for when you fancy a sweet treat!
Tunnock's Tea Cakes
Editorial Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only and is not advice or a recommendation. Please do your own research before making any decisions.
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