Embrace the outdoors: Free sports and exercise classes in Philadelphia

Trying to spend more time exercising while it’s still summer?

Keeping a gym membership or attending regular classes can be expensive (and in some cases, inconvenient or inaccessible.) If you’d like to ditch the gym this summer in favor of a more cost-effective, flexible workout, here are some fitness classes in Philly that can help you find a workout community without the price tag.

Zumba’s Latin American rhythms make cardio more fun. But why dance on hard floors when you can practice in water? Aqua Zumba classes give you the same workout benefits as regular Zumba, with the added assistance of being low-impact on your joints. Between June and August, folks over 18 can take free aqua Zumba lessons at two Parks and Recreation locations. Call to register.

🌊 Aqua Zumba Classes

• Aqua Zumba fitness: 📅 Wednesday and Friday, July 5 to Aug. 11, ⌚6 to 7 p.m., 📍6757 Chew Ave. (Pleasant Playground Pool), 📞215-685-2230.
• Adult Aqua Zumba: 📅 Tuesday, June 27 to Aug. 15, ⌚6 to 7 p.m., 📍6000 Rising Sun Ave. (Lawncrest Recreation Center Pool), 📞215- 685-0597.

You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy the health benefits of playing soccer. If you don’t have a team to practice with or are just looking for a new skill to pick up, check your local recreation center or playground to see if they offer free lessons. Register by phone.

⚽ Soccer Classes

• Ac Fairhill soccer: For kids 5 to 12, 📅 Tuesday and Thursday, until Oct. 2, ⌚6 to 8 p.m., 📍2900-30 N. 11th St. (12th & Cambria Playground), 📞215-685-9780.
• Men Soccer Practice: For men 21 to 35, 📅 Sunday, until Sept. 1, ⌚9 to 11 a.m.,📍5800 Chester Ave. (Francis J. Myers Recreation Center), 📞215-685-2698.

Live out your own Rocky dream while learning the difference between a left and right hook. Boxing can provide a space to blow off some steam, improve your hand-eye coordination, and help your cardiovascular health, but classes can be pricey. Parks and Recreation offers free lessons throughout the year.

🥊 Boxing Classes

 

• Parks and Rec. Boxing: For folks 10 to 60, 📅 Monday through Thursday, until Dec. 21, ⌚4:30 to 7 p.m., 📍1100 E. Chelten Ave. (Lonnie Young Recreation Center of East Germantown), 📞215-685-2236.  Call to register.

Whether you are trying to align your seven chakras or increase your flexibility, yoga can help. Before the summer ends, enjoy free yoga classes and practice your asanas by Race Street Pier or near the Delaware River. Don’t forget to bring your own mat and water.

🧘🏽 Yoga Classes

• Wellness On The Waterfront: 📅 Thursday, July 20 to Aug. 31, ⌚6 to 7 p.m.,📍N. Christopher Columbus Blvd (Race Street Pier). Register at eventbrite.com
• Yoga On The Pier: 📅 Tuesday, July 25 to August 29, ⌚7 to 8 p.m., 📍Delaware Park 7801 State Road (Pennypack on the Delaware). Register at eventbrite.com

Spending an afternoon at the pool can sound like torture if you don’t know how to swim. Don’t worry; chances are your local pool offers free lessons. While most are aimed at children, some welcome future mermaids of all ages. Call to register before attending.

🏊‍♀️ Swimming Classes

• Solomon Sacks Playground: Ages 4 to 99, 📅Tuesday through Thursday, July 5 to August 11, ⌚11 a.m. to noon, 📍400 Washington Ave., 📞215- 685-1889.
• Johnny Sample Recreation Center pool: Ages 2 to 99, 📅Monday through Friday, June 28 to Aug. 15, ⌚4 to 5 p.m., 📍280 Cobbs Creek Parkway. Register in person.
• Piccoli Playground pool: Ages 6 to 60, 📅Monday through Friday, July 1 to Aug. 25,⌚4 to 5 p.m., 📍1501 E. Bristol St., 📞215- 685-1249.
• Northern Liberties Recreation Center pool:  Ages 6 to 99, 📅Monday through Friday, June 21 to Aug. 11, ⌚noon to 1 p.m., 📍321 Fairmount Ave., 📞215- 686-1785.
• Hunting Park Recreation Center pool: Ages 4 to 99, 📅Monday through Friday, June 14 to Sept. 8, ⌚4 to 5 p.m., 900 Hunting Park Ave., 📞215- 685-9153.
• Joseph F. Vogt Playground pool: Ages 5 to 90, 📅Monday through Friday, June 27 to Aug. 14, ⌚4 to 4:30 p.m., 📍4131 Unruh Ave., 📞215- 685-8753.
• Shepard Recreation Center pool: Ages 5 to 99, 📅Monday through Friday, July 7 to Aug. 31, ⌚4 to 5 p.m., 📍5700 Haverford Ave., 📞215- 685-1992.

Tennis, karate, dancing, barre, and other specialized activities don’t have to be expensive. These listings can give you ways to experience the sport at no cost.

🎾From Tennis to dance: check out other free outdoor sports

• Barre: 📅Tuesday, July 25 to Oct. 10, ⌚ 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., 📍3001 Market St. (Drexel Square). You can register online, but it’s not required.
• Salsa lessons: 📅Friday, July 21 to Sept. 29, ⌚ 7 to 10 p.m., 📍1569 John F Kennedy Blvd (Love Park). In September, you can catch an extra class from noon to 2 p.m.
• Double Dutch: Age 40 and up, 📅Until Sept. 8, ⌚ 6 to 8 p.m., 📍7200 Woolston Ave. (William B. Simons Center), 📞 Call 215-685-3551 to register.
• Karate: 📅Monday through Friday, until Aug. 23, ⌚ 5 to 7:30 p.m., 📍80th and Mars Place (Eastwick Regional Playground), 📞Call 215- 685-4193 to register.
• Pickleball: 📅Until Dec. 30, ⌚6 to 9 p.m., 📍1000-42 Lombard St. (Charles T. Mitchell, Jr. Park and Seger Recreation Center), 📞Call 215-  686-1780 to register.
• Tennis: 📅Until Dec. 30, ⌚7 to 9 p.m., 📍1000-42 Lombard St. (Charles T. Mitchell, Jr. Park and Seger Recreation Center), 📞Call 215- 686-1780 to register.
• Zumba: 📅July 24 to Aug. 28, ⌚6 to 6:45 p.m., 📍1 S 15th St. (Dilworth Park).

Finding free outdoor classes that are accessible to people living with disabilities proved to be challenging. They either had a fee or were only considered accessible because they had ramps or or pool lifts but with no specialized programming. That’s not to say the city doesn’t have any inclusive programming. Between September and May, Carousel House at the Gustine Recreation Center offers fitness classes focused on people living with disabilities. Details about programming are still in the works. In the meantime, here are some free alternatives to consider, including a free surf class in Wildwood organized by the nonprofit Life Rolls On:

Free classes for people with disabilities

• Surf class:📅 August 6, ⌚8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 📍4300 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ.
• Parks and Recreation Sensory Friendly Swim hours:📅 Days and times vary depending on the location, 📍 Barry, Fox Chase, Heitzman, Kelly, Kendrick, and Mitchell pools. 
• Winter sports: Special Olympics PA has free sports classes year round. Registration for fall sports is currently closed, but in August you can sign up for winter season. Between December to March, folks can take free alpine skiing, figure skating, snowboard, snowshoe, and speed skating classes.📍 Locations vary depending on the sport.