Great Ways to Get Exercise for FREE in CT

I may have overdone it on the pie at Thanksgiving. Okay, I pretty much overdid it on everything from November until now. I feel gross. Anyone else out there feeling gross? I need some physical activity in my life. I have exactly zero time to wait and zero dollars to start. Luckily, there are lots of options to get moving at home and around town. Here are some ideas based on where you live.

If you live anywhere in CT.... Or the US... Or Earth.

1. Create an obstacle course with the kids inside or turn up the music and have a dance party! 
2. Follow this FREE 20 minute workout video that can be done from your living room or back yard. If you don't have hand weights, canned goods or water bottles are a good stand-in.
3. Short on time? Try this 7-Minute Workout that's shown to have big benefits for such a small chunk of time. Here is the same 7-Minute Workout on video, so you can follow along without using a timer.
4. Create your own challenge. Choose an exercise like push-ups, and do more each day until you reach your goal. You can start small. For example, start with 5 push-ups when you wake up tomorrow morning. The next day, do 6. Then 8 the following day. Work your way up to your goal. Once you get started with a challenge like this, it can often motivate you to be more active throughout your day.

The following links and schedules were accurate as of 1/2018, please check with the event provider on updates. 

Hartford area

• Hit the ice. Free ice skating is available at Koeppel Community Center at Trinity College.
• Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The East Hartford Public Library always has a variety of fun events, including a Hokey Pokey Party for kids and their families on Tuesdays.  The Hartford Public Libraries also have a lot to offer. Try out yoga for adults, yoga for kids, or dancing to Mariachi and Jazz bands. 
• Go for a walk where it's warm. At the museum. The New Britain Museum of American Art is free from 10AM-noon on Saturdays. The Wadsworth Atheneum is always free for Hartford residents, youth 17 years and younger, and for everyone 4-5PM daily and 10AM-1PM the second Saturday of each month (with additional activities available). The Connecticut Historical Society is free on the first Saturday of each month.
• The East Hartford Senior Center offers free fitness classes for residents 55 years and over. 

Middletown/Meriden area

• Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Meriden: Beat the Street Community Center
• Get some indoor swim time at Maloney High School pool in Meriden. (Must purchase a swim tag for $10/year for adults, $3/year for kids to enjoy free swimming all year long.)
• Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Russell Library often has yoga for free! 

New London area

• Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Public Library of New London has lots of activities, like zumba, for free!
• Go for a walk where it's warm. At the museum. The Submarine Force Library & Museum in Groton is free.
• Visit your local community center to play basketball or even swim. Several schools in the area offer these services. The Waterford Parks and Facilities lists Waterford area activities (PDF).

New Haven area

• Join a game of indoor pick-up soccer. Every Tuesday. See Futsal Indoor Soccer.
• Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In New Haven: Farnam Community Center and Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.
• Join in free Zumba classes when they're offered at BEyond Fitness in New Haven​

Stamford area

• Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Ferguson Library has movement activities with babies and toddlers a couple of times per week.
• Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Stamford: Stamford Family YMCA

Bridgeport area

• Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Bridgeport Library has FREE yoga, zumba, and dance classes EVERY WEEK!
• Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Bridgeport: Bridgeport YMCA and Ralphola Taylor Community Center YMCA.

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For information on activities by day, visit our Free Health Events Calendar.

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*Always check with a doctor before engaging in new physical activity.
**Events and information posted here are accurate as of January 2018, and may change with time.
***If you know of other free physical activities available in your area of CT, please contact us!