Since the main mode of transportation for most New Yorkers is their feet, it's no surprise that folks here are in good shape. But, New York is also home to plenty of free exercise activities, from conventional cardio to fencing. That extreme pedestrian commuter lifestyle coupled with sweat-inducing exercise is just what you need if you're trying to sweat off those excess winter pounds. Whether you're practicing deep breathing exercises at a yoga class or building your core strength in pilates, chances are you'll walk around the next day feeling the burn. In a good way. Here's a list sorted by location of popular free classes around the five boroughs.
Free Fitness Classes
- Alley Pond Park:
- Location: 228-06 Northern Blvd. Douglaston, NY
- Phone: 718-229-4000
- Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/alleypondpark/events/page/1
- Classes:
- Alley Pond Adventure Course (for the kids):Sundays 10 am and 1:30 pm (register at 9:30 am and 1 pm respectively)
- Ally Pond Tai Chi: Fridays at 9am
- Brooklyn Bridge Park:
- Location: 1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY
- Phone: 212-803-3822
- Website: www.brooklynbridgepark.org/go/programs-/-events/waterfront-workouts
- Classes:
- Pilates at Pier 1: Tuesdays from 7pm to 8pm (register by 6:30pm)
- Bryant Park:
- Location: Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Sts.), New York, NY
- Phone: 212-768-4242
- Website: www.bryantpark.org/calendar/apr.php?y=2010
- Classes:
- Fencing at Fifth Avenue Terrace at 41st Street: Fridays 1pm to 2pm
- Yoga on The Lawn: Tuesdays 10am to 11am, Thursdays 6pm to 7pm
- Tai Chi at the Fountain Terrace: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30am to 8:30am
- Fort Tryon Park:
- Location: 1 Margaret Corbin Drive, New York, NY
- Phone: 212-795-1388
- Website: www.forttryonparktrust.org/fitness.html
- Classes:
- Fitness walking at Margaret Corbin Circle, Cabrini Blvd at Fort Washington Ave: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30am to 8:30am; Saturday: 8:30am to 9:30am
- Sunrise Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 6:30am to 7:30am
- Sunset Yoga on Abby's Lawn: Wednesdays at 6:45pm to 8pm</li.
- Little Bay Park:
- Location: 208-52 Cross Island Parkway, Bayside, NY
- Phone: 718-224-9642
- Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/Q010A/events
- Classes:
- Yoga at the Hockey Rink: Saturdays 9am to 10:30am
- Riverside Park South:
- Location: The Plaza Hotel at 66th St., New York, NY
- Phone: 212-408-0219
- Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/riversideparksouth/events
- Classes:
- Pilates: Tuesdays 6:30pm to 7:30pm
- Yoga: Wednesdays 6:30pm to 7:30pm
- Socrates Sculpture Park:
- Location: 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY
- Phone: 718-956-1819
- Website: www.socratessculpturepark.org/programs/fitness.php
- Classes:
- Capoeira (Brazilian martial art): Saturdays 12pm to 1:30pm
- Yoga: Saturdays 10am to 11am
- Pilates: Sundays 10am to 11am
- Tai Chi in the Park: Sundays 11am to 12pm
