25 Free Workouts, Fun Runs, and Outdoor Fitness Events Around Philadelphia in May 2018

Photograph courtesy of Danielle Corcione.

Thursday, May 3

ROOFTOP YOGA Join the Positivity Charge for an evening of yoga, snacks and body positivity. Yoga pro Adriana Adele will be leading a 45-minute soul-quenching flow to kick off the Rooftop yoga Experience as 6:30 p.m., followed by a #realtalk on body positivity led by Positivity Charge co-founder, Parisha Smith. To tie up this evening of wellness in a yummy knot, Sweetgreen will be serving salads for all participants. This event is taking place at The Yard in in Midtown at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 a pop, which you can score here.

Friday, May 4

PRE-BROAD STREET RUN YOGA The Broad Street Run is just about all we can think of right now, whether you’re running or not. To help you work out your trouble spots, Maha Yoga‘s Teagan (who is also running the race!) will be leading you through a runner-friendly sequence. Consider this your final training session. The session kicks off at 6:15 p.m. and will run you $15 at the door.

VINYL YOGA DANCE Kick off the weekend by getting loose with some dance-y yoga brought to you by Mishana Yoga and Wellness. Taking over the Community Education Center every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will be a Mishana-led yoga flow set to the smooth tunes of jazz, funk, hip-hop (and more!) vinyl records, dubbed Vinyl Yoga Dance. Some mats and blocks are available to borrow, but it’s best to bring your own if you have one because supplies are limited! The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and is $12, payable by Venmo (@MishanaYoga) or at the door.

ROOFTOP SILENT BOOTCAMP Fit Academy‘s silent bootcamp is one of the coolest sweat sessions our city has to offer, but when it gets taken to the rooftop, the cool-status ramps up to epic. In celebration of the gym’s four-year anniversary, they’re taking their party — which is, of course, a work out — to the roof of The Fairmount in Brewerytown. The silent bootcamp, if you aren’t already familiar, is a workout done with both the music and instruction given to you through headphones — making it kind of like an independent group workout with killer views. There will be a live deejay and light refreshments — though it’s encouraged that you BYO. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. and will run you $20. Sign up here.

Saturday, May 5

FREE(ish) YOGA ON THE BANKS This Saturday kicks off the Yoga on the Banks season for 2018 which, is pretty darn exciting for all Philadelphians. This donation-based yoga series hosts sessions every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on the Schuylkill Banks, along the SRT. If you haven’t already been, give it a whirl this season — the views, vibes, and flows are priceless. The series begins on Saturday at 11 a.m.; classes are donation-based.

DONATION-BASED REBOUNDING CLASSES Did you know that May is cancer research awareness month? Freehouse Fitness is kicking the theme of this month off strong on Saturday, May 5 with four donation-based classes on their schedule, all benefitting the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The four 45-minute classes are taking place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Peruse the schedule and reserve your spot here. $20 donation, various times.

CHESTNUT HILL WELLNESS FESTIVAL Balance Chestnut Hill (along with B Inspired) is bringing the greater northwest section of Philly a day of wellness — and it’s looking pretty great. Guests will get their heart rates up with classes at Balance Chestnut Hill, then indulge in a juice break and mingle in a marketplace filled with local vendors. The day will end with meditation, talks, and a healthy lunch. The day kicks off at 9:45 a.m. Tickets start at $50; grab yours here.

Sunday, May 6

FREE BARRE CLASSES FOR NURSES Sunday kicks off National Nurses Week and Barre3 Rittenhouse is celebrating in a big way by offering free classes to all local nurses all week long, until Sunday, May 12. Before transitioning to her glamorous life as a Barre3 owner, Stephanie Grimes was a cardio thoracic nurse at Penn, so this week is very near and dear to the Barre3 Rittenhouse heart. To sign up, call the studio to reserve your spot, and be sure to bring your badge as proof of your nurse-hood! Peruse the schedule here.

BROAD STREET RUN RECOVERY YOGA Nearly 12 hours after the start of the Broad Street Run seems like prime time begin the recovery process — you know, after a solid two-hour nap and a pancake-filled brunch. Graduate Hospital’s OpenBox Athletics is hosting a restorative yoga class that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the Monday ahead. Get ready for long holds of forward folds, twists, backbends and other restorative poses led by a yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for athletes. Yoga starts at 6:45 p.m.; grab your ticket here.

Monday, May 7

BROAD STREET RUN RECOVERY YOGA If you’re running Broad Street on Sunday, head to Freehouse Fitness on Monday for a unique session of yoga recovery. The class is Freehouse’s signature Warrior class, which is a yoga-based sculpting class that uses power reels and bungee bands that they’ll tone-down with gentle flows and deep stretches to help those tired and sore muscles recover. Class starts at 7:30 p.m. and will cost the price of a studio drop-in, which is $18, however (attending this class will also score you a second, free Warrior class to use later). Sign up here.

THREE-WEEK BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE Let’s be real: swimsuit season is upon us, even though spring has barely started. Fortunately for us, Core Fitness is here to help with their three-week SHRED program going down weekday mornings at the Art Museum steps from Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 25. Every weekday morning you’ll meet the Core Fitness crew for a 50-minute cardio and strength-training fusion class. It’s $250 for the series, which takes place Monday through Friday from 6 to 6:50 a.m. Sign up here.

Thursday, May 10

SHAKE, SHIMMY AND SOCIALIZE Sometimes, you just feel like shaking it and it’s an added bonus when it can help you towards your fitness goals. Enter Shimmy, Shake and Socialize, a belly-dancing event featuring barre and cardio workouts, refreshments, and local vendors. The best part? The fun directly benefits Soroptimist International of Rittenhouse Square, an organization that assists women through education and economic empowerment. This is a four-hour event that features six mini workouts and takes place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Kaiserman JCC in Wynnewood. Pricing varies; register here.

Friday, May 11

FREE SOLE ACTIVE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION This adorable activewear store hailing from Haddonfield is celebrating being open for one year in the best way possible — with tons of specials and discounts. Sole Active is hosting a party to celebrate this Friday, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. to thank their customers with 15-percent off the entire store, in addition to light bites and refreshments (it is Fri-yay, after all!). The store will also be offering discounts all week long, highlighting a different section of the store every day (Mat Monday, Tight Tuesday, and so on) so be sure to check their social media for the daily scoop. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. and is free to attend.

Saturday, May 12

FREE YOGA AND 2ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Sanctuary Yoga and Mindfulness is celebrating their second birthday with tons of fun and, of course, free yoga. Sanctuary wants to celebrate and thank local yogis for their support by throwing a party, kicking off at 5 p.m., filled with yoga, meditation, and live DJ-accompanied flows. The evening will continue with giveaways, goodies, and tarot card readings. The celebration beings at 5 p.m. and is free for all.

REBOUNDING RELAY If N.E.R.D. and Rihanna’s song “Lemon” — you know, the one that basically just repeats “Bouncin’ around” — is both your favorite song and also your favorite way to burn calories, Freehouse Fitness has just the workout for you. Saturday, May 12 is bringing all bouncing junkies (and rebounding newbs) a four-and-a-half hour nonstop jumping relay, dubbed Rebound Relay. While this event sounds totally intense, you can personalize it to suit your needs — you can schedule breaks, pick your rebounder, and even tag in friends during your sign up — but there are prizes if you hit certain benchmarks. The event kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Sign up is in-studio only. Pricing varies.

FREE LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK EVENTS Because all of Philly’s parks are worth celebrating, there’s a whole week dedicated to showing Philly parks a little TLC — Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Park Friends Network‘s have teamed up to bring us Love Your Park Week. In addition to a citywide day of service in all Philly parks, this week — ending on Sunday, May 20 — is chock full of free nature-filled events that range from chill nature-appreciating walks to strenuous bike rides through Fairmount Park and more. Check out the full schedule of over 50 free events here. Schedule varies.

OUTDOOR YOGA AT PENNSBURY MANOR It’s a fact, plain and simple, that we love outdoor yoga of any kind. But we also really dig when it gets an interesting twist, like this outdoor yoga series at the Pennsbury Manor. This monthly series features a unique style of yoga dubbed Shake your Soul, which combines with movement therapy with elements of Qi Gong and dance. The leaders of this series also offer Shake your Seat, which is done in a chair. Sessions are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Pennsbury Manor. View the schedule and purchase your $10 ticket here.

Sunday, May 13

FREE MONSTER MILERS FUN RUN If you love running and dogs, this monthly running group needs to become your tribe. The Monster Milers and Philadelphia Runner have teamed up to bring us this fun, three-ish-mile jaunt happening on the second Sunday of every month. Link up with everyone at the Center City Philadelphia Runner location at 10:30 a.m. and get ready for a doggo-accompanied run, followed by a 15-percent discount for all participants back at the Philadelphia Runner store. Maybe you’ll meet your new BFF there — furry or human, who are we to say? The run kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and is totally free.

FREE YOGA FOR MOMS Maha Yoga is treating moms to free classes all day this Mother’s Day. They even get VIP treatment in that they don’t need to sign up ahead of time, just show up and tell the front desk that you’re a mom and you’re in. Plus, all moms who practice that day will be entered in a drawing for one of Maha’s handmade eye pillows to help you find your zen outside of the studio. Classes are free for moms all day; peep the schedule here.

Wednesday, May 16

OUTDOOR YOGA With the onset of spring — at long last — comes the joyous days of outdoor yoga. Even better? An outdoor yoga and outdoor happy hour fusion. Core Fitness is taking over Paine’s Park, the green space nestled right beside the Art Museum, one Wednesday a month from May through July. Flow through a nice set of poses to some chill tunes, while sipping on your happy hour favorite. This event is BYO (mat and booze), however there will be extras of both if you need it. Class starts at 6:15 p.m. and will run you $20 for a drop-in; sign up here. BWP readers get $10 off a class or class package with code “bewell10.”

Friday, May 18

ASHTANGA YOGA WORKSHOPS David Swenson, an Ashtanga yoga practice legacy, popping up at Prana Das in Haverford for a week of workshops followed by a 40-hour yoga immersion program until Sunday, May 27. Pricing varies; check the schedule of events and score your tickets here.

WEEKEND WELLNESS RETREAT Wouldn’t it be nice to relive the days of summer camp as adults? Good news: Rise Gatherings is making it happen. This local organization aiming to empower women is hosting a weekend wellness retreat in the Poconos full of outdoor activities, women-centric talks and, of course, a dance party. This event is taking place from Friday, May 18 through Sunday May, 20. Pricing starts at $749 per person; score your tickets here.

Saturday, May 19

SUMMER COUNTDOWN CELEBRATION TORC Yoga’s summer countdown celebration will be full of workouts, healthy snacks, meditation and mingling. The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with their barre and stretch class, followed by tons of yoga and a music meditation, which should wrap up around 3:30 p.m. This event is free to all TORC members with unlimited package options and welcomes non-members to purchase the classes a la carte or a day pass for $50. Contact the studio to reserve your spot; the fun starts at 9:30 a.m.

BIG CLIMB PHILLY The day we have been training for has finally come — Big Climb Philly, a fitness-oriented fundraiser asking participants to climb 46 floors to raise money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Join as a team or as an individual to climb the FMC Tower for a good cause. It’s $35 to register, with the minimum fundraising requirement of $100 per person. Sign up and read more info here.

Friday, May 25

RUNNING, ROCK CLIMBING AND DRINKING If running and rock climbing are your favorite ways to bust a sweat — or, even if they aren’t — you won’t want to miss this fun workout combo: Rock N’ Run. The group will meet at Philadelphia Runner‘s Center City location to kick off a 2.5 mile-ish run to Go Vertical, a rock climbing gym in Northern Liberties. There, the plan is to spend one to two hours climbing and bouldering wrapped up with a drink or two (or three!) at a local bar. The fun kicks off at 6:45 p.m. at Philadelphia Runner and is pay as you go for drinks and climbing.

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