Exercising Options in Waukesha

Now that it seems like spring is here to stay, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor exercise in Waukesha.

I’ve been using the weather, busy-ness and other constraints to keep me from keeping fit and, consequently, that five pounds I lost last fall and early winter seems to have come back.

But the warming trend in weather beckons me outside. From gardening to lawn mowing, nature will provide many chances for regular exercise.

In addition to lawn and yard care, though, Waukesha offers many opportunities for free, easy or family-friendly exercise, especially when the weather is nice.

One activity we enjoy is biking.

Biking in has always been a favorite, especially when the children were younger. Speciality bike rentals are available but even just taking the bikes to the park and doing a couple of laps around the river path is fun.

With older children, heading west out of town on the bike trail near the E.B. Shurts and the Fox River Sanctuary is an option. In the opposite direction, cutting through downtown to the bike trail that heads east out of town is possible. Be aware, though, crossing the Les Paul Parkway can be difficult.

Another activity that’s cheap and easy in Waukesha is walking, hiking or running. And don’t forget that Fido needs exercise, too. We like Minooka or the dog park off of MacArthur when our dogs need a more natural setting but we do enjoy walking the dogs at least once a day in our neighborhood.

Frame Park and the Riverwalk and the Fox River Sanctuary are both enjoyable walking/running areas but if you’re looking for more challenge, try scaling Mt. Minooka, infamous among Waukesha cross country runners, the hills of Hartwell Avenue near Carroll University, or further west, off of Madison Avenue and Comanche is Glacial Cone Park.

Another activity we like is canoeing. Usually, we go a little further away but sometimes just paddling around the Fox River near Frame Park is enough. Speaking of paddling, boat rentals are available at Frame Park, too. One memorable afternoon involved renting a canoe and eating a picnic lunch on the river.

Don’t forget about the numerous outdoor sports opportunities like softball, tennis, and volleyball offered by the Waukesha Park and Recreation Department. 

There are many opportunities for exercise in Waukesha. Making the time to have some fun while exercising can be worth it.