Wide Open Spaces: Where to Work Out Without the Crowds

Find fitness Zen with these fun—and crowd-free—outdoor workouts.

The best thing about August? Vacations. The worst thing about August in Philly? All the tourists who vacation here.

If you’ve attempted to run, bike, rollerblade or whatever in Center City lately, you’ve no doubt spent a good portion of your time dodging mobs. Because that’s no fun at all, here are four off-the-beaten-path ways to break a sweat away from the crowds.

For a run that’ll actually clear your head …
Try: The trails at Tyler State Park
Stick to the gloriously wide (and shaded!) paved path, take a detour on the wooded, hilly trails, or mix and match your miles in this beautiful state park in Newtown. Bonus: You can take a dip in the Neshaminy Creek mid-run to cool off.

For a super-relaxing yoga sesh …
Try: Yoga in the Vineyard at Penns Woods Winery
What pairs perfectly with a glass of chardonnay? Yoga. Next weekend, on the 25th, Delco-based instructor Merry-Lita Bliss will host a yoga-class-cum-wine-tasting at this Chadds Ford winery. $35.

For boot camp as the Good Lord intended it …
Try: Full Body Boot Camp at the Cynwyd Heritage Trail
Because burpees are best done in the Great Outdoors, there’s this: Valley Forge Fitness’s head-to-toe drill-down on a tucked-away trail in Bala Cynwyd. Expect to work hard and sweat like crazy. Classes meet on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at East Levering Mill Road and Belmont Avenue. $20.

For fun on two wheels …
Try: Mountain biking at Blue Marsh Lake
The 90-minute trek from Center City to this trail near Reading is well worth it. The 30-mile loop circles the lake and includes stream crossings and lots of steep, short climbs—and fast, fun downhills. You won’t get bored by the scenery, either: Trail segments run through fields and woods and along the water.