Summertime sweat: Try out hundreds of outdoor fitness classes in Boston for free!
Banner Food & Travel Sponsored by Meet Boston
Getting fit just got a whole lot more fun. With the nicer weather comes the launch of outdoor fitness programs around Boston. Now residents can salsa, stretch and HIIT their way into the summer, often for free.
Many neighborhoods have their own outdoor fitness programs, but the two that anchor the season are the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series and The Greenway Fitness Program, both sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Between the two programs, hundreds of free fitness classes are offered throughout the spring and summer seasons.
The Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series includes virtual and in-person classes in neighborhoods all across Boston, including Family Zumba with Carmen every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Hunt-Almont Park in Mattapan, Line Dancing with the Boston Rhythm Riders every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse in Dorchester, and HIIT Class with Sinceree every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Horatio Harris Park in Roxbury, among many others.
“Our parks are some of the most powerful tools we have to support health and cultivate community here in Boston,” says Brian Swett, chief climate officer and interim commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation. “By activating public parks with free programming and initiatives like the Summer Fitness Series, we’re not only providing opportunities for physical activity but also fostering social connections and enhancing the overall well-being of Boston residents.”
The Greenway Fitness Program hosts daily classes along the Rose Kennedy Greenway spanning from Chinatown to the North End. This year they’re collaborating with 22 different fitness partners, more than 80% of which are women- or minority-owned businesses.
Classes include Movement & Walking Meditation every Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. at the Armenian Heritage Park, Self Defense on the Greenway every Thursday at 5:15 p.m. on the Dewey Square Plaza Lawn, Flow Yoga by Healthworks every Monday at 6:15 p.m. at the Rowes Wharf Plaza Lawn, and many more.
Popular neighborhood workout series include Seaport Sweat, a program offering more than 100 free fitness classes on the Seaport Common; Fit at The Fenway, a pay-per-class series of outdoor workouts at 401 Park; and The Street Sweat Outdoor Summer Fitness, a series of pay-per-class fitness programs at The Green in Chestnut Hill.
Outdoor fitness classes are a great way to try a new kind of exercise, enjoy the beautiful weather while we have it and meet new people around Boston. It’s not just an enjoyable summer activity; it’s also a smart move for your health according to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of public health for the city of Boston.
“Strategies like the Summer Fitness Series help reduce the risk of chronic disease and are an important part of our city-wide population health equity agenda, Live Long and Well,” says Ojikutu. “By improving access to safe spaces where everyone can engage in physical activity, we are ensuring that Boston is a city where all residents can thrive.”
See the full schedule for the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series at
boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/boston-parks-fitness-series
See the full schedule for The Greenway Fitness Program at rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/fitness
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