No Gym membership? No problem!
Madison has lots to offer to stay active and fit outside and the best thing: It’s Free!
Finally, the warmer weather is here and we have more daylight hours, too. Why not look outside the box and see what Madison has to offer to stay fit outside. Here’s what we found on how to stay active, fit, have fun, get fresh air and meet others that think and do alike.
1. Hiking at Donald County Park or the UW Arboretum, Madison
1945 State Highway 92, Mt. Horeb, (608) 224-3730
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207 Seminole Highway, Madison, (608) 263-7888
Hiking is a fantastic way to explore many of Madison’s parks during the spring and summer months and is easy and fun. It’s a great activity for any age, plus it’s a great cardio workout! We recommend the trails at Donald’s County Park or the UW Arboretum but the number of parks in Madison and surrounding areas are countless. To get the right hiking shoes and gear, check out places like: Fontana Sports, LL Bean, or REI.
2. Running & Walking on Madison’s Capital City Trails
3102 Lake Farm Rd., Madison, (608) 242-4576
One step at a time. Start to jog and run on Madison’s city trails and combine your workout with brisk walking. Every time you step outside, you will go a bit further. Enjoy the outdoors, breathe in fresh air, listen to birds and get your cardio on. The Capital City State Trail in Madison offers excellent running, a scenic 17-mile paved path connecting forests, prairies, and downtown views, linking to other trails like Military Ridge, suitable for all levels with gentle grades in parts and offering year-round access for runners and walkers – grab a friend and get started!
3. Doing a Workout on the UW Madison Fitness Trail, Madison
Lakeshore Path, UW Madison, (608) 262-8244
Why going to the gym when you can workout outside, breathe in fresh air and be away from crowds? The Fitness Trail along Lakeshore Path features nine stations, each with a piece of equipment optimal for targeting specific muscle groups. Go ahead and step out of the gym and onto the Lakeshore Path for a fresh and fun outdoor workout. The website features all workout stations with explanations and videos on how to use them.
4. Meditating at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Middleton
4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, (608) 836-1631
Immerse yourself in nature on beautiful meditation trails at Holy Wisdom. Walk the meditation trail, taking time for contemplation and meditation at each platform. You may use the guided meditations provided by Healthy Minds Innovations, or a practice of your own. It’s a beautiful place to use on your own to meditate, walk, hike and reflect or join in at many of their in- and outdoor activities, nature walks and guided meditation retreats.
5. Fat- or Mountain Biking at Quarry Ridge, Fitchburg
2740 Fitchrona Road, Fitchburg, (608) 270-4285
Maybe this year it is time to try something completely new! Maybe it’s fat or Mountain biking? There are many trails you can choose in Madison but check out Quarry Ridge in Fitchburg. Just minutes from downtown, this system offers technical features, rock gardens, jumps, and steep terrain, popular for both mountain biking and fat biking all year round. You don’t have to own the bike to try it. Madison has several places to rent a fat or mountain bike for a small fee. Try Machinery Row Bicycles, Motorless Motion, or Erik’s Bike Shop. For more places to ride, explore local parks like Badger Prairie, or even our community city trails.
6. Stair Climbing & Hill Repeats at the UW Union Bacom Hill, Madison
1872 Lincoln Drive, Madison
Take the stairs at Bascom Hill! Bascom Hill is the iconic main quadrangle that forms the historic core of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. It is located on the opposite end of State Street from the Wisconsin State Capitol. The vertical movement of climbing stairs and walking or jogging up hills increases resistance from gravity, which helps build leg strength quickly. Stair climbing and hills is amazing cardio. It burns more calories than anything else, so if you’re looking to challenge yourself this spring, give it a try! Of course the city has more hills and stairs than here but it’s our favorite location 🙂
7. Joining The November Project, Madison
Meets Wednesdays at Bascom Hill & Fridays at the State Capitol, both downtown Madison
Check out the November Project Madison which is a bunch of fun, active people of any ages working out together outside, no matter the weather. There is plenty of step climbing involved every time they meet. This group welcomes everyone and it’s free to join. They meet every Wednesday (UW Madison. Bascom Hill) and Friday (Capitol Square, Lady Forward Statue) from 5:45-7:15AM for a free 45min.-90min.-workout. Drop in any time! Join November Project on Social Media to get weekly updates on workouts and events.
8. Joining a Running Club in Madison
Madison has various free running clubs that meet on different days and times and welcome all abilities of runners, beginners to elite so check out the information on their websites. The groups to check out are:
Fleet Feet Madison & Fleet Feet Sun Prairie
8440 Old Sauk Rd., Middleton & 2816 Prairie Lakes Drive, Sun Prairie
Movin ‘Shoes, Madison
528 Park St., Madison
Madison Run Club, Madison
Various locations and times
Saturday Marathon Training, Madison
Various locations, every Saturday with different locations & distances
9. Practicing yoga and mindfulness with Madison Outdoor Yoga, Madison
Practices in parks around Madison, various times
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. When we practice yoga outdoors, we are surrounded by distractions such as birds singing, the wind blowing, or the sun shining. It’s a perfect workout!
10. Outdoor Climbing in and around Madison
Some of the Midwest’s best rock-climbing opportunities are in Wisconsin. This makes Madison a great spot to do outdoor climbs. Climbing involves a mix of hiking, climbing and balancing which makes it a great workout. Best spots to climb near Madison are:
DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK, Baraboo
GOVERNOR DODGE STATE PARK, Dodgeville
PETENWELL BLUFF – Necedah
HILLBILLY HOLLOW – Coloma
To start, check out indoor climbing walls like the one downtown Madison to learn about the sport and its equipment: Madison Boulders Climbing Gym!
11. Swimming at Vilas Henry Park, Madison
702 S Randell Ave., Madison
One of Madison’s oldest parks, Vilas curves along the northern shore of Lake Wingra, offering a sandy beach for summer swims, numerous fishing sites, including two accessible piers. The park’s beach is adjacent to the UW Arboretum and the Henry Vilas Zoo. All which is free!
