Cancel that gym membership – getting fit can be free and fun! There are over 15 options for free fitness classes each week and nearly unlimited guided hikes around Columbus. Grab a fitness buddy and enjoy all of the options for free fitness in Columbus. You’re more likely to stick to it if you have a friend for accountability, and it’ll be more fun to be social while you sweat!
Whether you’re looking for yoga, dance, cardio, or bootcamp – you’ll find lots of options here! If exploring nature is more your cup of tea, you’ll find dozens of hikes this summer with Columbus Metro Parks for all levels.
Fill in your calendar with the following options for free hikes, yoga, and fitness in Columbus, and make a commitment to healthy habits.
Various Days each week
Columbus Commons Weekly Fitness Classes: Classes have changed to a small group format. Registration is required! Yoga, Bootcamp, and Yoga/Pilates Fusion are offered Monday and Wednesdays through September.
Fitness Classes Columbus Commons credit: Randall L. Schieber
MetroPark Hikes: There are nearly 20 Columbus MetroParks around Columbus offering great hiking trails. There are various hikes for all levels, hikes for families, ages 50 and over, pet hikes, and more. Guided hikes are not currently being offered.
Scenic Hiking Trails: Check out these great nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus – great for all levels!
Canoeing and Kayaking: Get on the water for some fun and exercise! There are plenty of places to rent kayaks, canoes, and SUP, and great places to explore by water around Columbus!
Roller Skating in Columbus (admission applies, but many discounts are available)
- Skate America in Grove City: Great pricing and plenty of discounts
- Skate Zone 71 near Morse Rd: Tons of skate parties with character visits. Little kids skate is on Saturday mornings. There are also discounted days, young teen nights, and adult nights, and more
- United Skates of America on Refugee Rd: Lots of family skates, character skates and discount days
Active fun for kids and teens: Scroll down for the active fun section, including trampoline parks, indoor swimming, open gym, and more (admission applies for most).
SilverSneakers®: Health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare Advantage Plans. Membership includes access to every participating gym and fitness center in the network, plus they are not offering live classes to do from home for members! That’s a membership at more than 15,000 locations, plus fitness classes for all abilities led by SilverSneakers trained instructors at gyms and other locations. There’s a Silver Sneakers App too! Some gyms may still be closed; check before you go for hours, closures, and restrictions.
Monday Fitness
Mondays in Summer only
Yoga/Pilates Fusion at Columbus Commons: 7:30 am (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Bootcamp at Columbus Commons: 8:30 am (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Yoga at Columbus Commons: 12:00 pm (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Relaxing Yoga at Blendon Woods currently cancelled
Tuesday Fitness
Tuesdays in Summer only:
Yoga at Partner’s Park in Marysville: Cancelled for 2020 The Union County Family YMCA’s certified instructors will be conducting yoga classes at Partners Park tba in 2021. The classes are free.
Wednesday Fitness
November Project Columbus: This group typically meets Wednesdays at 5:14am and 6:14am, at stairs behind COSI in Downtown Columbus for a combo of cardio and strength training. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, In-person workouts are currently suspended, please join us virtually on Zoom, 6:14am only*** https://us04web.zoom.us/j/493901704 #FreeFitness group – ALL LEVELS welcome.
Hoof Hearted Running Club: Join Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen every Wednesday at 6pm for the Weekly 5k Vision Quest. It’s free to join the run! Afterwards, enjoy half off drafts for the rest of the night! Earn those drinks! #getlitgetfit
Wednesday in Spring/Summer only
Yoga/Pilates Fusion at Columbus Commons: 7:30 am (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Bootcamp at Columbus Commons: 8:30 am (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Yoga at Columbus Commons: 12:00 pm (see all dates here). Limited participants. Registration required.
Tai Chi at Partner’s Park in Marysville: Cancelled for 2020 The Union County Family YMCA’s certified instructors will be conducting Tai Chi classes at Partners Park on tba in 2021. The classes are free.
Thursday Fitness
Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station: Thursdays, September 3 through October. Enjoy a morning yoga and fitness series in Hilliard’s Station Park featuring local instructors! Fall Classes at 7 AM with SHED Fitness features a circuit-style full body workout. Classes are free, and will be cancelled if the temperature is under 45 degrees. Registration is required!
Friday Fitness
Free Physically Distance Yoga on the Square at Easton: Every Friday from June through September, do a little yoga al fresco at the Easton Town Center Town Square from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Brought to you by Life Time Fitness, this basic yoga class is designed for beginner and mainstream fitness participants to focus on strength, conditioning and flexibility.
Saturday Fitness
Yoga Outside the Box: Every Saturday at 10 a.m. through September. Classes are free, and will be led by several Black yogis throughout the summer at MPACC BoxPark, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave, Columbus. You must bring your own mat. See schedule here. Events are cancelled in the event of rain.
Yoga in the Park Series Merion Village Summer Fundays: Every Sunday at 10 am through September. Classes are at Moeller Park (261 Hanford St. Columbus). Guests must bring a personal mat to use during the class as no public mats will be available. All mats will be placed at least 6 feet apart to maintain safe social distance. Must wear a mask until you are on your mat.
- Saturday, August 29th w/Amanda Reynolds-Snavely
Seven Studios | https://livethesevenlife.com/
AR Snavely Fitness | https://www.arsnavleyfitness.com/about - Saturday, September 5th w/Kiernan Yeates
GIVE Yoga | https://www.giveyoga.com/about-kiernan - Saturday, September 12th w/Tiffany Wedekind
Wanderlust Studio | https://www.wanderlustcbus.com/yoga-classes - Saturday, September 19th w/Erin Lombardo
GIVE Yoga | https://www.giveyoga.com/about-erin
Erin RX | https://erinrx.com/ - Saturday, September 26th w/Leah Westwater
GIVE Yoga | https://www.giveyoga.com/about-leah
Walk with a Doc at Highbanks: WALKS ARE ON HOLD. Held every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. this walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Sabgir of Mount Carmel Clinical Cardiovascular Specialists will lead the walk featuring blood pressure checks, pedometers, healthy snacks, recipes and information to make better lifestyle changes, and opportunities to talk with the docs. Walks will be indoor at the Polaris Mall in the cooler months. There are lots of other Walks with a Doc around Columbus too!
Yoga in the Park at Battelle Darby Creek: CLASSES ARE ON HOLD. Enjoy some peace out in nature with free Yoga in the Park on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30 a.m. Class is appropriate for all levels; teens and up.
Saturdays in Spring/Summer only
Yoga at the Church, tba for 2020. Free weekly hatha yoga. A monetary or food donation is appreciated for the church’s needs and Food Pantry. No RSVP. Just show up 5-10 minutes before class with a yoga mat/or large towel and water. For people new to yoga or wanting additional support, if able, two blocks and a strap also recommended (Note: a small towel can be used in place of straps for most poses). Kirkersville United Methodist Church, 180 E. Main St., Kirkersville, OH 43033.
Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station: Every Saturdays, June through August 1. Enjoy a morning yoga and fitness series in Hilliard’s Station Park featuring local instructors! Summer classes start at 7 AM with SHED Fitness and 8:00 AM with Mat Happy Yoga. Classes are free. Registration is required!
Sunday Fitness
Free Sunday Funday Yoga at lululemon: Classes on hold. Take a free yoga or fitness class at lululemon Easton and Polaris on Sunday mornings.
Free Fitness Classes at Athleta Easton: Classes on hold. Athleta offers free fitness classes and events throughout the month; check calendar for details.
Can’t get out of the house?
YouTube: There are tons and tons and tons of fitness videos on YouTube. Whether you want yoga, kickboxing, calisthenics, or something else, you’ll find it on YouTube. Stick with the ones with tons of followers, likes, and positive reviews, so you don’t waste your time.
Fitness apps: There’s an app for that! There are plenty of free exercise apps on iTunes or GooglePlay. Popular exercise apps include 30 Day Fitness Challenge, 7 Minute Workout, and more. Download the app, commit to opening it once a day, and do SOMETHING! Even a little bit of exercise will help!
Do you know of any other free fitness in Columbus? Let me know in the comments, or send me an email at news@columbusonthecheap.
Mark your calendar for some upcoming fitness classes in Columbus!
Monday, March 1, 2021
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Monday, March 8, 2021
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Winter Fitness Options
Sledding Hills in Columbus: Sledding may seem like more fun than fitness, but you’re sure to feel all of the uphill walking in your legs the next day. It totally counts (and burns calories), so hit these hills when it snows!
Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus: Once you get your legs under you, you’ll get a great workout! Indoor ice rinks have sessions year round. (admission applies to indoor sessions)
Columbus Metro Parks Winter Hike Series: Hike specific Metro parks each month, and get your passport stamped to earn a prize.
Here are some other fun hikes for the winter!
Alley Park: This park in Lancaster has more than 350 acres to get lost in and the covered bridges look gorgeous covered in the winter snow.
Clear Creek Metro Park: Clear Creek in Rockbridge is Ohio’s largest nature preserve, and with nine trails you’re bound to come across many of the 2,200 plant and animal species that call this preserve home. Insider Tip: Check out the Creekside Meadow trail for the best views.
Chestnut Ridge: Chestnut Ridge is the first ridge in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Carroll, Ohio, and is great for bird watching. Bundle up and enjoy the scenic walk around the lake.
Indian Run Falls: Only about 20 minutes from Columbus, find beautiful icicles and frozen waterfalls on this easy, family-friendly hike.
Hayden Run Falls: Hit a frozen waterfall double feature and check out Hayden Run Falls in Dublin. Fun fact – I got engaged at Hayden Run Falls one January in front of the frozen waterfall.
Yoga at the Church
Every Saturday from 10:00am-11:00am. Hatha Yoga. Free weekly event; however, a monetary or food donation is appreciated for the church’s needs and Food Pantry. No RSVP. Just show up 5-10 minutes before class with a yoga mat/or large towel and water. For people new to yoga or wanting additional support, if able, two blocks and a strap also recommended. Kirkersville United Methodist Church, 180 E. Main St., Kirkersville, OH 43033. See you then!