Best Summer Outdoor Fitness Activities In NYC
Get outside and start enjoying this lovely weather by participating in activities that only New York City can bring - like trapeze classes, rowing along the Harlem River, or hiking along the beautiful trails of the Greenbelt Preserve. By Carly Petrone.
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Join the New York Road Runners and get in shape for summer. Sign up for one of their weekly races that are perfect for runners of every level. From a lovely one-mile run down 5th Avenue all the way up to the rigorous New York City Marathon, the club's goal is always to help and inspire people through running. Meet new friends while working on your own personal goals, whether it's to finish a 5k or start training for a half or full marathon. Learn more about races that are happening in every borough here.
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Tap into your adventurous side and sign up for a class at Trapeze School New York. Jump off a platform that is 23 feet in the air and feel the thrill of flying through the air. First-timers and beginners are welcome while those more advanced flyers can take part in intensive multi-session workshops. If you'd rather take a private lesson that can be set up too. They also offer other fun options like static trapeze, trampoline, silks, and balancing and acrobatics. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing as well as socks or light slippers. Purchase at least 5 classes at once and receive a discount. Learn more about how to get started here.
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Get out on the water and start learning how to row with the help of Row New York. Join at the recreational or competitive level and start getting fit with people of all ages. It's also a fun team building activity to do with family, friends, and co-workers. Learn how to row in sweep or scull shells along the Harlem River. Teenagers can also get involved with Middle School and High School Rowing classes. This core year-round program combines rowing with comprehensive academic support that prepares students for success both on and off the water. Learn more here.
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Take a trip to Staten Island and go hiking along the beautiful 2,800 acre Greenbelt Preserve. The most popular path is the Blue Trail, an easy-to-moderate 12.3 mile long trail that ascends from Staten Island Boulevard and crosses the crest of Todt Hill, one of the highest points on the Eastern Seaboard between Maine and Florida. If you're looking for more of a scenic stroll, may we suggest The Nature Center Trail? This one-mile long excursion is a semi-circular trail that leads to a native fern garden that stretches out under a canopy of tall tulip, beech, and birch trees. Keep your eyes out for a large variety of songbirds and chipmunks. The Greenbelt is open year-round from dawn to dusk so there's no excuse not to check it out!
Central Park Moonlight Ride
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Do something different and enjoy a bike ride through Central Park. The catch? The ride takes place underneath the moonlight. The folks from Time's Up have put together a monthly moonlit ride that highlights the park's beautiful ponds, waterways, vistas, and structures. Meet at Columbus Circle at 10 p.m. and don't forget your helmet! The next ride takes place on July 3. Check website for more cycling events and rides throughout the city.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
