The weather this past weekend was absolutely gorgeous.

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I took full advantage of it and walked 3 miles with my dogs Benny and Paddy along with their cousin Dawson around Grand Rapids.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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I loved seeing so many happy people outside getting in some exercise and enjoying the wonderful weather.

If you're looking to enjoy the outdoors and get in a good workout the city of Grand Rapids is offering a variety of free outdoor workout classes.

Grand Rapids Offering Free Outdoor Fitness Classes

The city of Grand Rapids is brining back it's free Outdoor Summer Fitness Series for its ninth year!

The classes will offer a wide range of workouts including cardio, barre, dance, line dancing, African dance, yoga, zumba, classes at parks and public spaces all across Grand Rapids.

The Classes begin on May 13 and go for 15 weeks.

There is no registration required, just show up and get ready to sweat.

Grand Rapids Free Outdoor Fitness Classes Schedule 2024

Looking at this line up there's something for everyone to enjoy and do regardless if you're a couch potato or a gym rat.

MONDAYS, MAY 13 - AUGUST 19 (NO CLASS MAY 27)

Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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Basic Yoga at Mulick Park from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

  • Description: Discover your inner yogi in a class that builds strength and body awareness. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.
  • Address: 1632 Sylvan Ave. SE (meet at southeast corner of park)
  • Parking: Free parking at lot off Sylvan Ave, or on street

SoulfulMOTION at MacKay Jaycees Park from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

  • Description: SoulfulMotion is an exciting class of fitness and inspiration. This is a high intensity interval training (HIIT) class set to Christian and inspirational music. Designed for anyone regardless of age or fitness level.
  • Address: 2531 Kalamazoo Ave. SE (meet at basketball courts)
  • Parking: Free parking in park

Zumba at Rosa Parks Circle from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

  • Description: Zumba is a high energy, dance fitness class that incorporates Latin and international music. All fitness levels are welcome.
  • Address: 135 Monroe Center St. NW (meet in plaza)
  • Parking: Paid parking at Louis-Campau Ramp and Monroe Center Ramp, limited metered street parking

 

TUESDAYS, MAY 14 - AUGUST 20

Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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Barre on The Blue Bridge from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

  • Description: Barre is a low impact, high intensity total body workout that incorporates elements of Pilates, Ballet and Yoga. This workout is fast paced and set to fun upbeat music. During the workout you will use light hand weights, resistance bands, and your own body weight.
  • Address: Pedestrian Bridge
  • Parking: Paid parking at the Public Museum Ramp and Louis-Campau Ramp

30 Minute HIIT at Lookout Park from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.

  • Description: 30 minutes is all you need to get a full workout in! This class uses high intensity interval training (HIIT) to increase your heart rate, strengthen your muscles, and boost your metabolism. Participants will be given 30 seconds to do as many reps of a single body weight exercise as possible. Then rinse, repeat, with a new move! Exercises will have modified options as well as progressions, allowing each person to decide their own intensity. All fitness levels welcome!
  • Address: 801 Fairview Ave. NE
  • Parking: Free street parking

Glute Aerobics at 555 Monroe from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

  • Description: Ready to sculpt your glutes and tone your lower body? Glute Aerobics is a fun body weight rhythmic class! This class will leave you feeling strong, accomplished, and sweaty by incorporating lower body exercises, dance fitness, high reps and cardio blasts!
  • Address: 555 Monroe Ave. NW
  • Parking: Metered parking at Sixth Street Park lot

Sunset Yoga at Lookout Park from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

  • Description: Add some relaxation to your day. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.
  • Address: 801 Fairview Ave. NE
  • Parking: Free street parking

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 15 - AUGUST 21

Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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Sunrise Yoga at Indian Trails Golf Course from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m.

  • Description: Add some relaxation to your day. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.
  • Address: 2776 Kalamazoo Ave. SE (meet on clubhouse deck)
  • Parking: Free parking on-site

Pumped Up Strength at Cherry Park from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

  • Description: Pumped Up Strength combines functional movement patters together for a fully integrated upper and lower body workout set to the beat of music. Get ready for a party with plenty of squats!
  • Address: 725 Cherry St. SE
  • Parking: Free street parking surrounding park

African Dance at 555 Monroe from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

  • Description: This class combines Afro Dance, a mix of dance styles from across the continent set to pop African music characterized by energetic and cheerful movements and facial expressions, with West African Dance, a more traditionally rooted dance style set to percussion-heavy music using rhythmic hip, torso and limb movements, to create a unique experience for all abilities.
  • Address: 555 Monroe Ave. NW
  • Parking: Metered parking at Sixth Street Park lot

WERQ at Highland Park from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

  • Description: WERQ is a nonstop cardio dance class with fun and unique routines set to the hottest pop and hip hop music. Participants will get a high calorie burn, and a non stop workout, combining repetitive athletic moves with fresh dance steps. Anyone can WERQ it! Bring your own water bottle and towel.
  • Address: 700 College Ave. NE
  • Parking: Free parking at lot off Grand Ave. NE

 

THURSDAYS, MAY 16 - AUGUST 22 (NO CLASS JULY 4)

Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
Credit: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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Basic Yoga at Sixth Street Park from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.

  • Description: Add some relaxation to your day. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.
  • Address: 647 Monroe Ave. NW
  • Parking: Metered parking lot at park

POUND on The Blue Bridge from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

  • Description: Using Ripstix®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND® transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning and strength training with yoga and pilates-inspired movements.
  • Designed for all fitness levels, POUND® provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, getting energized, toning up and rockin’ out! The workout is easily modifiable, and the alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeals to people of all ages and abilities.
  • Address: Pedestrian Bridge
  • Parking: Paid parking at the Public Museum Ramp and Louis-Campau Ramp

HIGH Low Fitness at Calder Plaza from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

  • Description: HIGH Low Fitness is an energetic, fun, low-impact fitness class that incorporates interval training with pop music, and easy-to- follow fitness choreography. This dance based class produces a high caloric burn and full-body toning through its carefully formulated choreography, alternating between intense cardio peaks and toning tracks. No equipment necessary, and options will be given for all fitness levels.
  • Address: 320 Ottawa Ave NW (meet at west end of plaza)
  • Parking: Paid parking at the Government Center Ramp

Basic Yoga at MLK Park from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

  • Description: Add some relaxation to your day. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end.
  • Address: 1200 MLK Jr. St. SE
  • Parking: Free parking on-site

Line Dancing at Roosevelt Park from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

  • Description: Enjoy line dancing while exercising mind, body, and spirit. In QK Linedance we dance to all genres of music and everyone is welcome!
  • Address: 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW
  • Parking: Free parking on-site

I love that the city of Grand Rapids has these classes and plan on checking out a few of them in the coming months.

You can get more details about the free outdoor fitness classes on the city of Grand Rapids website.

Outdoor Games, Gear, and Equipment You Can Rent for FREE From Grand Rapids Gear Library

Grand Rapid Parks and Recreation recently added skateboards to the Thrive Outside Gear Library. Did you know about all the cool stuff you can rent for free? Just about anything you'd need for a camping trip you'll find in the Gear Library at Roosevelt Park Gym, plus team sports equipment, clothing, picnic supplies, even gear for cold weather activities too! The Gear Library is located at the gym at Roosevelt Park at 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW in Grand Rapids. The library is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

Gallery Credit: Janna

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