Build a Better You: Check out an Outdoor Fitness Park

Working out doesn’t always have to be done in the gym. Especially on those summer days when you’d rather be outside. There is a way that you can do both! Outdoor Fitness Parks are in our community and a great way to make sure we stay on track with our goals and get to be outside. I feel like most people might not know about these hidden gems in our community and want to get them out there and on the map for anyone to use!

The benefits of outdoor fitness parks include:

Accessibility: They provide free and safe spaces for everyone to engage in physical activity, promoting healthy lifestyles.

Mental Health: Regular exercise outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost cognitive function.

Community Engagement: Outdoor fitness parks encourage social interaction and community connections, making them a great place for people to meet and support each other.

Environmental Benefits: They help reduce air and water pollution and provide a safe environment for exercise away from busy streets.

Cost-Effective: Outdoor fitness parks can be a cost-effective alternative to indoor gyms, making exercise more accessible to all.

These parks not only enhance physical health but also contribute to a healthier community overall.

Outdoor fitness parks near you:

Jones Park: On the Southwest side of town, Jones Park is an outdoor fitness park also known as a FitLot. It was brought to the community by AARP. This location is free to the public and even has fitness classes to attend! FitLot offers an intro class that is a one-hour circuit training workout, or an 8-week series to get into a regular active routine. All FitLot classes are 100% free to attend and led by certified fitness professionals. They also offer drop-in classes as well. These drop-in classes offer a full FitLot circuit training workout without having to sign up for the 8-week commitment to a Series. This park can be found at 201 Wilson Ave DR SW, Cedar Rapids 52404.

Noelridge Park: On the Northeast side of town, Noelridge Park also offers an outdoor fitness park. This location does not offer classes like Jones Park, but each machine has instructions on how to use them. It is perfectly placed off the trail that runs around the park. Its equipment is mainly for body weight exercises such as assisted pullups, triceps dips, and many more options. Noelridge Park, outdoor fitness park and Greenhouse can be found at 4900 Council Street NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

These outdoor fitness parks are accessible to anyone and free. They aim to bring the community together in a way that promotes healthy lifestyles. It provides residents with a safe space for socializing while they work out, which can strengthen the bonds between the members of our community. People can get out and meet new people while getting their daily workout in and be outdoors while doing it. Fostering a dedicated fitness community improves the chances that people will stick with their exercise routines and keep moving toward their goals.

This summer think about taking a workout outdoors at one of these outdoor fitness parks located near you!

Isabela Joyce is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist at The M.A.C. She can be reached at IJoyce@the-mac.net.