Cancel that gym membership – getting fit can be free and fun! There are options for free fitness classes each week and nearly unlimited hikes and other fun activity 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 fall and winter 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.
Free Fitness in Columbus
F3 Columbus Men’s Fitness Group
FREE peer-led men’s workout group at 10 locations (and growing) in Central Ohio. Workouts are outdoors at parks and parking lots. There are 24 workout options located at 10 different parks, so there are options for everyone! This workout group started over 5 years ago, and has hundreds of guys participating each week.
All workouts are FREE, open to all men at any fitness level, and held outdoors, rain or shine, heat or cold. The encourage making connections and accountability. Workouts are held early mornings, Monday-Saturdays. Read more about the group, and find workouts on the website – and JUST SHOW UP!
FIA Females in Action Fitness Group
FIA (Females in Action) is a women’s workout group that meets regularly. All women are welcome to attend any session. Find on IG @fiacolumbus or the website.
Mission: FiA stands for Females in Action, which is a community of women dedicated to making each other stronger in all areas of our lives through activities that include bodies, minds, and hearts. A FiA workout is a promise, always free, open to ALL women, held outdoors, and ends with a circle of trust.
- Monday 6am: Northam Park in Upper Arlington
- Wednesday 7pm: Tuttle Park (near OSU)
- Saturday 7am: Wyman Woods Park in Grandview
November Project Columbus
This group meets Wednesdays at 5:14am and 6:14am, at stairs behind COSI in Downtown Columbus for a combo of cardio and strength training. ALL LEVELS welcome. Participants are kept distanced from one another; masks required before and after workout.
Photo courtesy of November Project
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 may require registration.
Scenic Hiking Trails
Check out these great nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus – great for all levels!
Dogwood Blackberries in full bloom along the Great Horned Owl Trail
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
German Village Walking Club
Every Saturday at 8 am from the Schiller Park Statue. There are 3 mile or 5 mile route options through downtown, or Schiller Loops – all walking paces welcome! See 5 mile rotating routes through downtown – great way to see the city!
Walk with a Doc at Highbanks
Every Saturday at 8:30 AM. 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.
There are lots of other Walks with a Doc around Columbus too!
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 now offering live classes to do from home for members!
Get 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!
Do you know of any other free fitness in Columbus? Let me know in the comments, or send me an email at news@columbusonthecheap.
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!
Find more FREE at-home workouts here!
Willing to pay for fun fitness events?
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).
So many Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus
Check out Beauty Boost Fitness events. They host fun social fitness events, perfect for meeting up with your friends, OR making new friends! Options include yoga, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, fitness classes, and more!
Or try these unique yoga classes!
Yoga in breweries, yoga in caves, goat yoga, and so much more!
Yoga with goats, or goats with yoga! Whichever appeals to you more! Either way, it’s so fun and you will LOVE these silly goats at Harrison Farm!
photo credit: Heidi Shapiro
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.
Mark your calendar for some upcoming fitness classes in Columbus!
Monday, November 28, 2022
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Friday, December 2, 2022
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Monday, December 5, 2022
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Friday, December 9, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Monday, December 12, 2022
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022
Saturday, December 17, 2022
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Summer-only options
Columbus Commons Weekly Fitness Classes
Enjoy free yoga and fitness classes on Wednesdays at Columbus Commons from May – September 2022
- 12 p.m. – 1p.m: Yoga
- 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.: Commons Cardio
- 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Yoga
Fitness Classes Columbus Commons credit: Randall L. Schieber
Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station in Hilliard
Saturdays, June 4 – August 13, 2022 (except July 2)
The classes are open to all fitness levels and are 50 minutes long. Bring a mat, towel, or a blanket, plus water. Participants must register in advance. (use keyword search for Motivation to find the available dates and to register).
- 7 – 7:50 a.m. High intensity fitness classes with SHED Fitness
- 8 – 8:50 a.m. Yoga with Mat Happy Yoga
Free Yoga on the Square at Easton: TBA for 2022. Every Friday from May 7 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.
TBA for 2022
Yoga in the Park at Battelle Darby Creek: TBA for 2022. 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.
Free Sunday Funday Yoga at lululemon: TBA for 2022. Take a free yoga or fitness class at lululemon Easton and Polaris on Sunday mornings.
Tim Thurston says
Highly recommend F3 Columbus!
F3 workouts…
Are free of charge
Are open to all men
Are held outdoors, rain or shine, heat or cold
Are led by men who participate in the workout in a rotating fashion, with no training or certification necessary
End with a Circle of Trust
Doris (DYOGI) Caceres-Schumick says
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!