What is Friskis&Svettis?

Friskis&Svettis is a non-profit making organisation, the largest chain of fitness centres and one of the best known brands in Sweden. From the first session, which was held in Stockholm in 1978, Friskis&Svettis has grown to over 140 local Friskis&Svettis clubs with 300 000 members in ten European countries.

The mission of Friskis&Svettis is to offer pleasurable and easily accessible high-quality workout for everybody. We want to encourage as many people as possible to adopt a positive, active lifestyle.

In Swedish 'frisk' means fresh or healthy and 'svett' means sweat. Friskis&Svettis aims at creating a bridge between health care and keep-fit activities.

Friskis&Svettis Workout

We call our workout 'jympa'. The concept is based on music, the joy of motion and positive leadership. It is fun and effective, and has been developed in cooperation with experts in the fields of medicine and physiology on the basis of scientific research.

A class of Friskis&Svettis workout integrates all the essential elements of physical training, i.e. warm-up, flexibility, strength, stamina, cool-down and relaxation. Friskis&Svettis workout has three levels of intensity - Basic, Medium and Intensive.

Strength, pulse and relaxation 'jympa' variants, in which the focus is on one of the training qualities, also exist. These sessions can be on both basic and medium level.

There are also workout sessions in which Friskis&Svettis has adapted the basic concept to suit different needs and interests such as back, junior and pregnancy jympa. 'Jympa' for people with disabilities is available at several centres.

Friskis&Svettis Aberdeen offers eight types of workout at the moment:
Back, Basic, Medium, Open Doors, Senior Basic, Senior, Viking Hiking (Nordic Walking), Water Workout

The Back session is a specially adapted programme for those with problem backs.

The Basic session is suitable for those who want to improve their fitness, strength and flexibility. A basic session is straight forward and easy with uncomplicated movements. In these classes jumping is avoided.

The Medium session targets those who are fairly fit and like somewhat tougher exercises, but with gentle movements. The tempo is higher than in the basic session and jumps are included.

The Open Doors session is a specially adapted programme designed for physically and mentally challenged people and their carers and friends.

The Senior Basic session is a specially adapted programme designed for seniors. Participants do strength exercises sitting on chairs. The Senior session is a specially adapted programme designed for fit and healthy seniors. Viking Hiking (Nordic Walking) is an outdoor session, where you learn to walk with sticks/poles. It improves your fitness and is very effective dynamic strength exercise for the upper body. The Water Workout session is suitable for non-swimmers.

What Should I Wear?

Aerobic or cross trainers and loose clothing. You may wish to bring your own aerobic mat.

Friskis&Svettis Instructors

Friskis&Svettis has trained its own instructors ever since it began in 1978. This has been an essential condition for maintaining high quality and for communicating the values that Friskis&Svettis represents.

Instructors are recruited by the local Friskis&Svettis organizations and then sent for training in Sweden.

The basic training covers aspects such as 'jympa', gym, jogging and spin. Training courses for 'jympa', gym and spin are divided into two stages. Stage 1, over four days, is completed by everyone; while stage 2, over 3-6 days, concentrates entirely on the form of training that the participant will lead or give instruction in. Those who complete the two steps of training are awarded a diploma after passing practical and theoretical tests.

The sessions, which are based on music and movement, are prepared by each instructor individually. Each session is unique, therefore, and this personal stamp is an important part of the Friskis&Svettis training concept.

All Friskis&Svettis instructors are also regularly monitored by specially trained monitors.

At present there are sixteen instructors in Aberdeen.

Friskis&Svettis Organisation

Friskis&Svettis’ highest decision-making body is the annual general meeting, which convenes every year. Friskis&Svettis Riks’ committee is appointed at the annual meeting. Every local centre holds its own annual meetings and members’ meetings.

Friskis&Svettis Riks’ head office is in Stockholm. Riks is responsible for the overall and strategic questions relating to managing and developing the operation. Friskis&Svettis is a non-profit chain of fitness centres, and the activities of the centres are still largely financed via membership fees.

Friskis&Svettis Aberdeen

Swedish Style was formed in Aberdeen in 1995 and became an official part of Friskis&Svettis in 2005. Today Friskis&Svettis Aberdeen has more than 900 members and thirty six sessions per week. And we continue to grow!

The organisation is lead by the Committee with five members and three deputy members. Members are elected at the annual meeting in April.

The Committee will be more than happy to hear from you and have your views on how we can make our organisation even better. And if you want to get involved, don't hesitate to contact us!