Free fitness in Philly: Summer 2016 roundup
Summer is the perfect time to be adventurous and shake up your tired fitness routine. Ditch your indoors routine for something that offers inspiration as well as perspiration. From stone throwing to aqua aerobics to outdoor yoga, Philly has a smorgasbord of fitness events that will challenge your body and mind, and better yet, they are free.
A change of scenery
Swim Philly is a new city initiative which offers free programs like Aqua Zumba and poolside yoga at 5 city public schools, including Lawncrest Recreation Center in the Northeast and Lee Cultural Center in West Philly. And of course there are always old-fashioned laps across the pool. Pool activities are a great way to spice up your workout while still beating the heat.
Sun salutations
Of course, yoga always whips your body and mind into shape, and lucky for you there is no shortage of free series this summer. Athleta on Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square is hosting a free yoga series, starting on Wednesday August 3. Classes will be held every Wednesday in August at 8 pm. Free yoga at Race Street Pier is also back on Mondays through Sunday's and Dhyana Yoga is teaching a free outdoor class at the Franklin Square every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. All you need is a yoga mat or towel and bottle of water.
Wellness Wednesday
Looking for your smorgasbord all in one place? The Oval will be host to fun fitness classes like Cardio Kickboxing with Rittenhouse's CKO Kickboxing, power yoga with Fairmount's Yoga Habit and dance classes with Philly Dance Fitness from Saturday, July 16 to August 19. Try a little of everything this summer. Get the full schedule here.
Bootcamp Philly style
In Philly, fitness is always paired with good eats and drinks. Weston Fitness and Snap Kitchen are still offering their free 60-minute boot-camp style course on Cira Green where afterwards you can shop for your post workout meal at Snap Kitchen, or you can join SWEAT Fitness and City Tap House for their outdoor fitness class and post-workout brunch. Classes from barre to Booty Blast will be held for 10 Sundays at 10 am until August 28 on the outdoor terrace of City Tap House. The class is free then you can stay for brunch and enjoy a complimentary brunch cocktail.
More than a rolling stone
Philly Stones League is offering a free foursome lessons on their unique game of STONES. You may be scratching your head asking yourself, how can throwing a stone challenge me body and mind? Well, according to their website, STONES is a mix of bocce, golf, chess, billiards and basketball. Strength and strategy are needed for this ball toss game that is played through a course of obstacles and boundaries. Teams have to throw their stones at a target ball, and the closest one scores points. Intrigued? Sign up here for free lessons any weekend this summer, 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday or Sunday. Meet at the Stones Course at Boxers' Trail at Mount Pleasant Mansion in East Park (in the woods directly to the right - marked by a sign). All equipment is provided.
Read more Sports Doc for Sports Medicine and Fitness.
