If you are interested in celebrating the Russian PE Day, you can do that in a fun and healthy way at VDNH on 14 August. The Country's Main Exhibition has prepared an action-packed event schedule. You can try your hand at all-new sports or practice exercises you are already familiar with in the company of your whole family, including children aged six and over.
Dance Mix workshops, part of the Sports Weekend project, will await you from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Stone Flower fountain. The workshops cover the most popular dance styles. Experienced coaches will help any and all guests to master basic dance moves quickly and with ease. Meanwhile, the House of Culture veranda will house zumba and yoga classes and a functional training session from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please bear in mind that a QR code and advance registration is required in order to attend Sports Weekend events.
If you love spectacular football matches, we would like to invite you to the stadium at Ostankino Park between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Team VDNH will be playing against Mytishchi 2.
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., any and all guests of the Exhibition, regardless of age, gender or fitness level, will be able to master the basics of ancient qigong exercises at the venue outside the Chess Club.
And between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m., Anna Osipova, coach of the Russian national crossminton team, will be giving classes on the same spot.
Admission to these events is free to all interested guests.
VDNH has been traditionally considered one of the most beloved sites for active recreation, both among Moscow residents and visitors. Specially for healthy lifestyle fans, Russia's main Exhibition has arranged a selection of the best workout spots. Visitors of any age and fitness level will find something they enjoy doing here.
Versatile Sports Ground for Mini Football, Street Ball and Basketball
Pavilion No. 27 Physical Culture and Sports will take you all out to the ball game: it now has a state-of-the-art outdoor sports ground for mini football, street ball and basketball. The tall iron fence will not allow the ball to roll beyond the sports ground, and special rubber crumb coating with painted markings will make the matches safe and convenient. The venue also has artificial lighting, which turns on after dark. Admission is free, on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Badminton and Table Tennis Court
Fans of racket games should check out the play area between Pavilions No. 58 and 57, where they will find the table tennis and badminton court. You can play there for free between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. All the essential sports equipment can be rented if required.
Yoga and salsa fan space at the House of Culture
Get a boost of energy, improve your mood, master the basic dance movements and steps and feel the Latin American salsa rhythms each Friday from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.; free of charge, but by registration in advance. The classes are taught by Kirill Agishev, prize winner at the World 10 Dance Champions. As per current sanitary requirements, you cannot dance with a partner and will be learning salsa solo.
Want to delve into the wondrous world of the East? Master asana postures and breathing practices? Become more flexible and bendable? Improve your focus and increase your vigour? You can do all of this at yoga lessons on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Please note that classes will resume on 21 August.
Crossminton Court
Crossminton is a relatively young but increasingly popular sport that combines elements of badminton, squash and tennis. Children and adults are welcome to master its basics at special courts not far from the Chess Club. The venue is open on the weekends from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. The equipment is available onsite. Classes are taught by Anna Osipova, coach of the Russian national crossminton team.
Eco Trail
Walking in the fresh air may not be a ‘true’ sport discipline, but it is certainly good for your health. For avid walkers, we are happy to present the Eco Trail in the Wild Nature zone of the Landscape Park. What makes this trail so unique is that it runs at an altitude of 6.5 metres, allowing you to savour the enchanting views over the landscaped parts of VDNH.
Roller Rink
You can learn the key movements of roller sport easily, comfortably and safely at the Landscape Park, not far from Pavilion No. 574. This space is perfect for those who are just starting out: the bright signage gives you hints about the things you need to do at every training stage. The rink is open round the clock, and admission is free.
Qigong for Health Near the Chess Club
Qigong is an ancient practice from the Far East, which combines exercises, breathing practices and meditation and is suitable for people of any gender and age, regardless of their physical fitness. Classes are free and take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Multipurpose Workout Ground
You will find this comfortable open-air sports complex, with an area of over 500 sq. m, to the right of the entrance to the Botanical Garden. It features all types of equipment and accessories for street workouts: classic monkey bars and cascading crossbars, hand bars, a frame with gymnastic rings, wall bars, parallel bars and much more. There even are three rubber makiwara striking posts for boxing, kickboxing or martial arts fans to practice their moves and punches.
Cycling along the VDNH Ring Road
You can come to VDNH with your own bike or rent one and take a ride along the Ring Road. Elderly visitors and people with disabilities can make use of the free service for renting handcycles (a three-wheeled version of a bicycle with a manual drive), which operates from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday to Sunday, on the Northern Loop of the Ring Road. Handcycles are provided only to those who show a valid written confirmation of their disability or retiree status.
Sports Weekend on the Veranda of the VDNH House of Culture and Near the Healthy Moscow Pavilion
The training sessions under the guidance of professional coaches cover five sports: Nordic walking, yoga, zumba, street stretching and functional training. Sessions are free, but advance registration is required. They are suitable for people of all skill levels and last between 50 and 90 minutes. Training starts each Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.
Ostankino Park Stadium and Sports Grounds
You can also have a football match at the Ostankino Park stadium. The pitch has special markings and artificial grass, with a safety net around the perimeter. There is a pair of standard full-size goals at the ends of the pitch. Visitors are free to access the stadium from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays; and from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. The stadium is encircled with six renovated and paved running tracks, with two courts for basketball and volleyball at its sides. There are workout spaces adjacent to the stadium on either end, with outdoor equipment and monkey bars that can be used for free.