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 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.
Free Fitness in Columbus
Columbus Commons Weekly Fitness Classes
Enjoy free yoga and hip hop fitness classes on Wednesdays at Columbus Commons from June 2 – September 29, 2021.
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 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
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).
Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus
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!
Beauty Boost Fitness
Join Beauty Boost fitness classes aimed to bring like-minded women together for self-care and wellness. It’s a great way to discover new workouts with friends.
Monday Fitness
Mondays in Summer only
Relaxing Yoga at Blendon Woods tba for 2021
Tuesday Fitness
Tuesdays in Summer only:
Yoga at Partner’s Park in Marysville: tba for 2021 The Union County Family YMCA’s certified instructors will be conducting yoga classes at Partners Park. The classes are free.
Wednesday Fitness
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
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
Hilliard Trail Ride and Lunch: Wednesdays, May – August, 2021
Grab your bike and explore local paved trails and try some new lunch spots each week on Wednesdays. Each ride is approximately 10 to 16 miles long with a scheduled lunch stop. Beginners are welcome; no riders are left behind. The ride is free, but registration is required. Participants must buy their own lunch and provide their own bike locks. Helmets are required. Some on-road riding may be required to reach the restaurant. Meet at 10:15 a.m., the ride starts at 10:30 a.m.
Hip Hop Fitness at Columbus Commons: Wednesdays from 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm. Waiver required; advanced reservations recommended, but walk-up accepted if waiver is signed.
Yoga at Columbus Commons: Wednesdays from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Waiver required; advanced reservations recommended, but walk-up accepted if waiver is signed.
Tai Chi at Partner’s Park in Marysville: tba for 2021 The Union County Family YMCA’s certified instructors will be conducting Tai Chi classes at Partners Park. The classes are free.
Thursday Fitness
tba
Friday Fitness
Free Yoga on the Square at Easton: 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.
Hilliard Trail Ride and Dinner: Select Fridays, May – September
Go on an evening group bike ride on the Heritage Rail Trail and try some Old Hilliard restaurants during DORA! Each ride will be 13 miles long, starting at Hilliard’s Station Park and riding the Heritage Rail Trail out and back. Beginners are welcome; no riders are left behind. The ride is free, but registration is required. Participants must buy their own dinner and provide their own bike locks. Helmets are required. Meet at 5:45 p.m. at Hilliard’s Station Park (4021 Main St.), and the ride starts at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 14, 2021
Friday, June 11, 2021
Friday, July 9, 2021
Friday, August 13, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Saturday Fitness
Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station in Hilliard: Saturdays, June 5 – August 14, 2021
Motivation at the Station runs through August 14 (except July 3). 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
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!
Fitness and Yoga Outside the Box: Saturdays through September 30 at 9 am (yoga) and 10:15 am (fitness). Classes are free, and will be led by several Black yogis and wellness creatives throughout the summer at MPACC BoxPark, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave, Columbus. You must bring your own mat. See schedule on Facebook. Events may not be held every week.
Yoga in the Park Series Merion Village Summer Fundays: tba for 2021.
Walk with a Doc at Highbanks: Check schedule for 2021. 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: tba for 2021. 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.
Sunday Fitness
Free Fitness Classes at Athleta Easton: Athleta offers free fitness classes and events throughout the year; check calendar for details.
Free Sunday Funday Yoga at lululemon: Classes on hold. Take a free yoga or fitness class at lululemon Easton and Polaris on Sunday mornings.
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!
Do you know of any other free fitness in Columbus? Let me know in the comments, or send me an email at news@columbusonthecheap.
Willing to pay for fun fitness events?
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
Mark your calendar for some upcoming fitness classes in Columbus!
Friday, October 22, 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Friday, October 29, 2021
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Friday, November 5, 2021
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Sunday, November 7, 2021
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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!