Outdoor activities have been an intrinsic part of the Finnish culture; the lifestyle that they lead, the general occupation, the natural surroundings and the weather all contribute towards making the Finns, fitness enthusiasts.

Nearly 60% of all adults in Finland see physical fitness and sports as an important part of life. They practice it with diligence, and hence are physically active and fit. The Finns favor walking, jogging, cycling, aerobics, gymnastics, swimming and skiing.

People in Helsinki love the outdoors, so a simple exercise such as picking berries and mushrooms becomes a workout in it self. For those who love trekking, hiking and camping, there are hike trails and camping sites galore around Helsinki. A lot of residents head for the greenery of the woods, or the tranquility of a water body to camp out; as a tourist one is free to camp out and hike as long as one doesn’t disturb anyone or harm the natural surroundings.

In the recent years floorball, downhill skiing and badminton have picked up as popular sports as well. Central Park and Seurasaari are excellent sites for walking and picnicking in Helsinki.

Sport has always been a preferred leisure activity in Finland, and the youth are encouraged to take up some sport or the other. As a nation, the Finns love watching a good game-be it in person or on television.

Football is a hot favorite with children and youth in Helsinki; while some of them are playing under various football clubs, yet others play simply for the fun of the game. The local football team of Helsinki is the VJK who play in the highest league in Finland, the Veikkausliiga.

Ice skating is another sport which has caught the fancy of the Finns. Helsinki has two local teams, HIFK and IFK who play at the Ice Hall of Helsinki in Toolo, cheered on by their eager supporters. Amongst competitive sports, long distance running, javelin throwing, skiing and ski jumping are the sporting activities that the Finns have carved a niche for themselves in.

Helsinki has also been well known as a great host for organized sports. In 1952 the Helsinki hosted its first Olympiad, after the one scheduled in 1940’s was cancelled due to the outbreak of WWII.

The city has seen numerous sporting events being organized in the last 20 years, including the first world championships in track and field in 1983, the European championships in 1971 and 1994. In 1988, the European speed-skating championships were held here, followed by the Ice Hockey World championships in 1997.

Finland’s strong history of organized sports and spectator sports is supported by voluntary work that the community undertakes. There are more than 6,800 functional associations in the country today; and people come forward to take on the roles of instructors, coaches, organizers, physicians, referees and support staff for free.

Such enthusiasm for sports suggests that for the Finns, a sport is serious business. Driven by the love of the outdoors and an enthusiasm to stay fit, Helsinki and Finland as a whole, make up a serious sporting entity.