Welcome to Fresh Air Fitness

A local gym is a great place to get in shape for many people. Most offer a nice variety of fast paced fitness classes, loud thumping music, high tech machines, hunky guys clanging free weights around and ah yes, fit women in spandex! If that scene motivates you, and you have the money to invest in your health in such a way, then go for it and enjoy it all!

There is another option for those who may prefer a quieter, less intimidating and nearly no cost way to workout which I call "Fresh Air Fitness."

Fresh Air Fitness is located on the other side of that door of your home or office. It offers beautiful, colorful surroundings, songs of birds, minimal to zero equipment and spandex, only if you like to wear it. 

The really cool thing about Fresh Air Fitness is that the exterior decor is always changing with the seasons. Right now, the color schemes are bright, eye popping autumn colors and the accompanying sound of crunching leaves under your feet. The air is on the cooler side and quite refreshing! 

Fresh Air Fitness also offers a variety of fun, engaging activities at little to no cost–like walking, hiking, street or trail biking, stand up paddle boarding and more! Pick and stick with your favorite activity or mix it up with others to cross train.

The fitness class offered for today requires that you grab your most comfortable walking shoes which have good tread, layer your clothing for comfort, bring along a bottled water and hit the walking trail at located just off Spot Road in Cumming. Click on the link to locate both entrances of the park.

In this gorgeous county park, the hiking trails are excellently maintained but do have spots of rocks and roots so a little care while walking is important. I highly suggest a pair of trekking or walking poles to prevent twisting an ankle and to aide in maneuvering the rougher spots. I teach my walkers a special technique that emulates cross-country skiing but without the snow or skis that incorporates all the muscles of the upper body and turns a walk or hike into a total body workout. This technique also makes ascending and descending the hills a lot more enjoyable and protective of the joints.

If you are a new hiker or have been pretty sedimentary for a while, I would recommend the shorter, easier trail from the Bettis-Tribble Gap parking area up to the Indian Seats which offers an amazing view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can print off a map here. The Green trail section is about 1.6 miles and the incline is easy to medium. 

For the more adventurous and in shape hiker, accessing the trail from the Spot Road entrance–where the incredible visitor center is located–provides you with a hefty incline hike up to the Indian Seats and by completing the entire outside loop (green and blue sections) of the trail can give you a robust 3+ miles hike.  

Grab a friend or spouse and make a regularly scheduled hike part of your plan for better fitness, a healthier outlook and a closer relationship.

If you would like to try out walking poles and learn the fitness technique, contact Glo Winters, glo@myhealthystrides.com. Individual and group workshops available.