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Free ways to exercise around Richmond

You don’t need to pay a membership fee to stay active around the River City

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Pickleball courts are available at Bryan Park.

Photo by RICtoday

While Richmond has no shortage of gyms to chose from, not all exercise has to come with a membership fee. Here’s our guide to getting your workout in without spending money.

🎾 Go to court

Richmond’s parks have public tennis courts galore, but these days it’s the local pickleball courts that have people talking. You can access courts for free at parks across the Richmond area, including Bryan Park, Forest Hill Park, and Broad Rock Sports Complex.

👟 Hit the road

Whether you’re a walker, a runner, a road cyclist, a mountain biker, or some combination, Richmond is a pretty great place to explore. The trails around the James River are beloved among hikers, runners, and mountain bikers alike.

Though better bicycle infrastructure is ongoing, road cyclists still ought to be careful where they chose to ride. If you’re new to cycling, we collected be-spoke advice from our readers on biking around Richmond safely.

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Whether you ride in bike lanes or on single track trails, Richmond’s a great place to traverse on two wheels.

Photo by RICtoday

💪 Pump some iron

If you’re looking for a workout closer to the sort you’d get in a gym, several public parks around the Richmond area have workout equipment available.

Petronius Jones Park has workout gear at the corner of Idlewood and North Allen. The VITA Course at Byrd Park also features calisthenics equipment like pull-up bars. Both of these spots also feature gravel loops for walking and running, if you’re looking to mix in some cardio.

A brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness complex is opening at Broad Rock Sports Complex on Thursday, Sept. 19. The outdoor gym is available in tandem with a free app which coaches users through workouts on the equipment.

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