Best Warm-Weather Outdoor Workouts

Place for a Quiet Jog
Whether you are in Minneapolis or St. Paul, it is hard to go for a more beautiful urban jog than by running along the banks of the Mississippi, letting the river be your guide. Whether you take the path through Gold Medal Park or head to Harriet Island and enjoy the bluffs, the enduring beauty of the Mighty Miss can’t be beat.

Urban Bike Path
This ain’t Detroit. There are plenty of places for a pleasant weekend bike ride. But Minnehaha Falls has the added bonus of those beautiful falls as well as places to picnic and a relatively central location. Instead of spending your day dragging your bike to the burbs, head to Minnehaha for a leisurely ride. 4801 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls., 612-230-6400

Outdoor Exercise for Kids
Boarders, inline skaters, and bikers head to 3rd Lair SkatePark for the best indoor/outdoor venue the Twin Cities has to offer. Built in 1997, the 25,000-square-foot facility features a stellar course of rails, pipes, banks, and more to keep even the most advanced bowl and street skaters entertained. Plus, there’s a fully stocked pro shop for gear and repairs and a knowledgeable staff of skating enthusiasts. The 3rd Lair also operates The Overpass, an outdoor skate park located under Highway 169 in Hopkins. 850 Florida Ave., Golden Valley, 763-797-5283,

Family Fitness Events
Life Time’s Turkey Day 5K, Reindeer Run, and Torchlight 5K are events for runners and families alike. From the holiday tradition that is the Turkey Day 5k to the Reindeer Run “fun run” and the Aquatennial–associated Torchlight 5k, the events come with cool commemorative shirts, kids' carnivals, and after-race parties and gifts.

Kids’ Game for Adults
Who can’t play kickball? You stand, you kick, you run—it’s easy. And adults are catching on—an estimated 1,100 of ’em participated in leagues all over the Twin Cities and in the ’burbs from Burnsville to Blaine in 2007. From just-for-fun co-rec teams to the more serious “A League” games, it’s nice to be part of a sport that values grilling brats between innings as much as the final score.

Cross Training on the Beach
Exercising with Outdoor Fitness Clubs (OFC) is the perfect way to kick-start your morning during warm-weather months. Founded by local PE teacher Chris Blum, OFC is a small program that meets three mornings (or evenings) a week on the south side of Lake Calhoun. Talented trainers lead multi-level fitness regimens, including cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises—all performed outdoors with the help of picnic tables, benches, medicine balls, and more. What’s to love? No stale gym air, a full-body workout, and a cheaper price tag than most fitness club memberships.

Canoeing and Kayaking
Only an hour outside the Twin Cities, Taylors Falls and the St. Croix River offer a scenic setting for kayaking and canoeing. As one of the healthiest rivers in the country, it boasts abundant wildlife—bald eagles, otters, beavers, and deer—which makes your trip all the more interesting. Venture out for as little as two hours or spend the day on a one-way trip down to Osceola Landing or William O’Brien State Park. Gliding on the water, sun on your face, wind in your hair, you’ll be quick to forget the hustle and bustle of city life—and you’ll be getting a killer upper-body workout in the meantime. 307 Milltown Rd., Taylors Falls

Lake Diving
We love Square Lake for its clear water and beautiful beach, but who knew it was actually one of the Twin Cities’ most popular diving destinations? Scuba divers can explore the lake’s marine life, buried boats, and sunken canoes. And if you’re a novice, take lessons through Scuba Center—Minnesota’s largest scuba diving school—and start exploring what lies beneath. Square Lake Park, 15450 Square Lake Trail S., Stillwater, 651-430-8370; Scuba Center, 5015 Penn Ave. S., Mpls., 612-925-4818; 1571 Century Point, Eagan, 651-681-8434

This article has been adapted from the original, which was published in the December 2007 issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.