Remember how much fun it was when your teachers took the class outside? Sitting on the grass talking about Steinbeck’s The Pearl or Gregor Mendel’s pea plant research was just so much better than talking about it inside the classroom. We’ve found the same thing happens when your gym instructor takes the class outdoors. Exercise becomes a whole lot more rewarding!
We’ve put together a list of classes you can take outside every day of the week on the South Coast this summer. Go take advantage of the good weather and get your heart pumping and/or your muscles stretching! As always, we suggest checking in before you go to make sure the class is still on – and we tried to give you the right places to go to check — particularly when the weather is iffy.
Monday
Well & Fit offers strength and conditioning exercises for a total body workout at Cushman Park in Fairhaven. Taught by Sarah Bates, owner of Well & Fit Personal Training & Cycling, the class is free thanks to generous sponsors. Mondays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 20 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page. Bring a mat.
Sunset Yoga at Fort Phoenix Park. Yoga + sunset = total zen. All levels. Every Monday from 6-7 p.m. $5/drop in. Contact [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven.
Tuesday
Boot Camp with Cherie Blier. Cherie is an experienced trainer who makes it easy to wake up for her 6 a.m. boot camp classes which involve a little of everything (TRX, kettle bells, resistance bands, etc). She makes it inviting for all fitness levels which may be why her classes often have ages ranging from 19 to 52. Watching the morning fog burn off to reveal the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge just makes it all the sweeter. $12/drop in fee (discounts for 5-pack and 10-pack) (also Thursday, Saturday). 6 – 7 a.m. Buzzards Bay Park (at the adult outdoor fitness park behind Krua Thai) on Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Contact Cherie at 774-454-8451 or [email protected] and check out her other offerings here. Bring water and a mat.
Yoga at Cushman Park, Jeff Costa, a Yoga Alliance Nationally Certified Instructor and a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga and Health, presents a gentle yoga series for all levels, designed to introduce newcomers to the basics of stretching and mindfulness and challenge yoga enthusiasts with a focus on compassion for the body. Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 21 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page.) Free. Bring a mat.
Sunset Yoga at Fort Taber. South Coast Yoga offers a class for all levels with movement, meditation, balance, strength and a killer view. 6:30 pm, $5 drop in fee. Contact South Coast Yoga at [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. 1000 Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford. Bring a mat, towel and water.
Wednesday
Yoga at Slocum’s River Reserve. Jeff Costa (see above!) leads weekly yoga classes in the idyllic setting of Slocum River’s Reserve thanks to the generosity of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust and Hawthorn Medical Associates. 8:30 – 9:30 am, July 11 – August 8, with a meditation walk on August 15. Donation based but at least $5 is suggested. Notification of cancellations can be found on DNRT’s facebook page and website. Bring water and a yoga mat. 320 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth.
Paddle Boarding! Divine Power Yoga’s intro class to stand up paddleboards, every week from Apponagansett Park. 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Apponagansett Park & Beach, Gulf Road, S, Dartmouth, $45 includes paddle rental. Sign up here.
SUP Yoga. Paddleboard Yoga? It’s easier than you think! Try it and enjoy the Wednesday night music series at Apponagansett Park. 7:30 p.m. Apponagansett Park & Beach, Gulf Road, S, Dartmouth. $35 includes paddleboard rental; $20 BYOB. Sign up here.
Thursday
Cherie Blier’s Summer Boot Camp, 6 am (see under Tuesday for more information), Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, Buzzards Bay.
Summer Boot Camp. Wayne Goulart leads participants through various exercises that build functional strength and core stability with circuits utilizing light dumbbells and body weight exercises. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 23 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page.) Free. Bring a mat and a set of weights.
Yoga on the lawn. Bayside Restaurant, 1253 Horseneck Road, Westport. $10. Sign up here. Bring a mat.
Sunset Yoga at Fort Taber. A community yoga practice for all levels at Fort Taber (see under Tuesday for more information).
SUP Yoga. Divine Yoga leads a SUP yoga class at Fogland Beach. Fogland Road, Tiverton, 6 p.m. $35 includes paddleboard rental; $20 BYOB. Sign up here.
Friday
Sunrise Paddle. A morning group paddle board ride followed by coffee at Farm & Coast. 7 – 8 am from Farm & Coast parking lot, 7 Bridge Street, Dartmouth. $25 for paddle board rental.Sign up here.
Saturday
Cherie’s Summer Boot Camp (see Tuesday for more details). Cherie lets us sleep in (!!) until 8 am for her fun Saturday version of Summer Boot Camp. Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, Buzzards Bay.
Slow Run Saturdays. Molly McCarthy from Track + Channel leads all levels at Buttonwood Park. Run as many laps (or just 1) around the park as you’d like (1.8 mile loops) at whatever pace you’re comfortable and the group leader stays behind with the last runner. 6:45 am warm up, 7 am run. Meet at the Buttonwood Park Warming House, 1 Oneida Street, New Bedford.
Yoga at Fort Phoenix Park. A community practice for all levels. Contact [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven. Bring a mat.
Weekly Wellness Walks. Join local physicians for a walk around Buttonwood Park. Meet at the entrance to Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford. Spearheaded by the New Bedford Wellness Initiative.
Sunday
Beachside Yoga. Natanya Silverman, owner of The Clearing Yoga, offers an invigorating, Sunday morning beach side yoga practice at Onset Beach every Sunday throughout the summer from 9:30 – 10:30 am. Across from The Inn at Onset Bay, 181 Onset Avenue, Onset. The class is by donation. If there’s weather, this class will meet at the studio: The Clearing, 43 Main St. Buzzards Bay. Bring water and sunscreen.
There you go — something outside and healthy for you every day of the week! Mark your calendars now!
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