Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to take your fitness routine outdoors. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just looking to stay active, there are plenty of local options to keep you moving and grooving. Here are some outdoor fitness ideas that’ll have you feeling the burn while enjoying the fresh air. Your body will thank you and your wallet will, too!
Bodyweight Bonanza
Bodyweight exercises are perfect for a quick and effective workout—without requiring so much as a dumbbell! If you’re looking for a broad grassy area, try Veterans Park or Hartung Park. Or if you want a water view with sand under your feet, head to Bradford Beach or Doctors Park.
Whether you go for grass or sand, try some or all of these bodyweight outdoor exercises to help you get strong and toned:
- Push-ups
- Forearm planks
- Squats
- Jumping jacks
- Reverse lunges
- Mountain climbers
- Burpees
- Glute bridges
How many times you repeat each exercise just depends on how hard of a workout you’re going for. The important thing is that by the end of it, you’re sweaty, out of breath and have sore muscles!
Park and Play
Several MKE parks are equipped with outdoor exercise gear. It’s like having a gym membership without the fees! And if you have kids, they can enjoy playing on the regular equipment while you get your workout in.
- West Milwaukee Park (PDF): Pull up bars, parallel bars, ladder bars, a core station and balance beams are situated in the sand.
- Pulaski Park (PDF): Behind the pool building, you’ll find pull-up bars, ladder bars, monkey bars and balance beams.
- Bradford Beach: Two street workout stations close to the beach offer pull up bars, incline benches, low bars and parallel bars.
- Southgate Playfield: Work your abs and leg muscles with soft rubber mounds perfect for multiple exercise moves.
Rockin’ It
If you’re looking for an outdoor fitness idea that’ll help you reach new heights, try rock climbing. The Urban Ecology Center offers a three-story open air rock wall to test your strength and agility. You can also take belay classes to really build your skills.
Lafayette Wall at Lafayette and Summit (aka Lafayette Hill) is a big limestone wall you can boulder on. Just keep an eye out for any crumbly places, as it wasn’t originally built for rock climbing even though that’s all it’s used for now.
Trailblazing Adventures
Milwaukee boasts some fantastic trails perfect for walking, jogging, biking or even rollerblading. Oak Leaf Trail offers miles (135 to be exact) of mostly smooth asphalt that winds through the city and next to Lake Michigan.
If you’re up for a challenge, tackle the Ice Age Trail for a more rugged adventure. It’s a great way to see the sights and get your heart pumping.
Get Your Fit On
Lace up your sneakers, grab a water bottle and head outside. These outdoor fitness ideas around MKE are waiting for you. Remember, the world is your gym—get out there and make the most of it!
