A Fitness Lover's Guide to Boston

The Esplanade
The Esplanade | © Jeff Gunn / Flickr

Freelance Writer

Boston is the ideal city for fitness lovers to visit. Whether you’re into upscale fitness studios or are more of the get outside type, this city has plenty to do to keep you fit and active. The fitness scene has grown over the last decade, and there are niche studios and gyms for everyone – not to mention Boston’s incredible outdoor running paths and green spaces. Here’s a guide to all you need to know about fitness in the city.

Outdoor spaces

HarborWalk

The Boston HarborWalk, also known as the Waterfront, is the city’s public walkway that runs along the entirety of the Boston Harbor. It wraps around piers, wharves, and the shoreline. Once completed, it will run 47 miles (75.6 kilometers) from East Boston to Neponset River. The downtown area of the HarborWalk is the prettiest, offering views of the city. It is a perfect running path for fitness lovers. The path may be flat but has plenty of opportunities for distance runners. Run by the Aquarium, and then head to the Seaport for a workout reward of the beautiful skyline in front of the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse.

HarborWalk

Esplanade

The Charles River Esplanade runs along the banks of the Charles River. It is a beautiful open space with paved pathways, greenery, and docks. Visitors can run along the trails or bike on the paths to get in a workout. There will always be plenty of other Bostonians there to keep you company, especially during the warm months. In the summer, you can also rent kayaks or paddleboards for a workout, and there are often plenty of free fitness classes on the Esplanade then. There are also playgrounds for children and gym bars for adults so that you can get in some chin-ups and stretch.

Charles River Esplanade, Boston, MA, USA

Esplanade

Boston Common

The Boston Common is the largest green space downtown and a perfect spot to get in a workout. You’ll come across plenty of other runners along the park’s paths, and there are also free fitness classes happening during the summer. Here, you’ll also find baseball fields, tennis courts, and open fields for playing football or tossing around a Frisbee™. If you’re a dog lover, this is a great space to meet up with other dog owners or watch the pups play. There is a slight hill in the park, rising to the Massachusetts State House, so this is a good division from the flat Esplanade.

Boston Common, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA, USA, + 1 617 635 4505

Boston Common

Gyms

South Boston Yoga

South Boston Yoga is a yoga studio located not far from the Broadway T stop. The yoga studio runs specialized workshops and teacher training classes. As part of their regular class schedule, they also offer aerial yoga, hot yoga, pilates, “all levels” classes, and more. If you’re visiting Boston, this studio is a perfect place to find your zen.

South Boston Yoga, 36 W Broadway, Boston, MA, USA, + 1 617 315 7448

Aerial Yoga

B/SPOKE Studios

A fan of cycling? If you don’t feel like cycling outside, or the weather isn’t accommodating, try out a spin class at B/SPOKE Studios. Located in the Financial District of Boston, this studio has upscale spinning bikes. First-timers can book a class for only $15, and classes are for all experience levels – you choose your resistance. The studio offers classes that incorporate hand weights, and there is also a fun hip-hop class.

B/SPOKE Studio, 101 Federal St, Boston, MA, USA, +1 617 951 9900

Brooklyn Boulders

Tired of the same old workout? Try something new at Brooklyn Boulders. Everyone here is drawn together by a love for climbing. Learn to belay or try out bouldering with a day pass. Gain muscle and have fun doing it. This rock climbing gym also has a lot of community events going on, as well as classes. If you’re completely new to climbing, try out a Learn the Ropes class.

Brooklyn Boulders, 12A Tyler St, Somerville, MA, USA, +1 617 623 6700

Brooklyn Boulders
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article