Be active in more exciting ways while discovering the city and meeting the community.
Philly is a fantastic city with so many opportunities to venture around while getting some exercise. Since a gym membership can get pricey and being inside working out when the weather is so nice can be displeasing, we’ve come up with eight alternative activities you can do outside to get some exercise.
1. Venture around by bike
Biking is a fantastic way to explore the city at a faster pace. Luckily, there are many bike trails and places to rent bikes, like the Indego bike share program. You can even take bike tours the discover the city better. Some major bike lanes in Philly are:
- East/West on Pine and Spruce Streets
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- North/South on Delaware Avenue from South Philadelphia to Fishtown
- Spring Garden Street from Delaware Avenue to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- 5th and 6th Streets from Spring Garden Street to Chestnut Street
- 13th Street from South Street to Buttonwood Street
- 22nd Street from Race Street to Oregon Avenue
2. Experiment with floating yoga and aqua fitness
Floating yoga and aqua fitness are becoming a more popular way to get exercise in a more creative way too. These activities include doing light exercises on a paddleboard on a body of water. At Aqua Vida, you can give this unique form of exercise a try! Many paddleboard rental places offer these classes in a cool environment like on the Schuylkill River or the Delaware River. If cardio or intense workouts are not for you, this might be a unique alternative.
3. Take an outdoor yoga or fitness class
If you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, try doing classic yoga or fitness outside. Many studios offer classes under the sun and are sometimes much nicer than being in a crowded gym. This is the perfect spring or summer activity for a lovely day! Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen and to hydrate throughout the workout!
4. Travel through Philly’s most iconic paths the Schuylkill River Boardwalk and the Delaware River Waterfront
Run, walk, jog, rollerblade, bike or use any method of transport down these iconic paths that will take you around Philly with a stunning view. The Schuylkill River Boardwalk is a 2,000-foot concrete long path that runs along the eastern shore. The Delaware River was completed in Fall 2020, so it’s a brand new path. From south of Oregon Avenue to the north of Allegheny Avenue, this path is 5.5 miles long. Either of these extensive paths is perfect to venture through and get some exercise in.
5. Try kayaking or canoeing
Indeed, with the Schuylkill River and Delaware River close by, there are many opportunities to try out kayaking and canoeing around, and outside the city. They are great sports that exercise your arms, back, and abs and will probably leave you feeling quite sore the next day. Check out the article above to find some rental places.
6. Play a ball sport at your local park
Many local parks around the city have tennis courts, baseball or soccer fields, and basketball courts, where anyone can practice their skills and enjoy the weather. It’s also a great way to make new friends and meet the community.
7. Swim at a public pool or in natural waters
Swimming is an excellent way to get exercise and enjoy the summertime! The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation department has a neat tool where you can find a public swimming pool near you. If you are feeling more adventurous there are many natural swimming areas outside of Philly to explore. Enjoy a day trip and savor some sunshine, cool water, and nature.
8. Golf in the many courses near the city
Philly has a rich history when it comes to golfing, thus it has many distinguished golf courses. Indeed, golf is an important sport in the US requiring mental capacity while using muscles and physical exertion. Philadelphia is known for having some of the best golfing in the country including the best-ranked golf course just across the Delaware River in New Jersey, Pine Valley. Here are some more courses to discover:
- Pine Valley
- Huntington Valley
- Philadelphia Country Club
- Philadelphia Cricket Club and Merion
[Featured image: @philaparksandrec / Instagram]