The COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated outdoor fitness trends, but the concept has been part of our lives since childhood — playing tag outside at recess, hide-and-seek in your grandparents’ backyard, and riding your bike around the block are just a few examples.
Recognizing the long-term benefits of outdoor fitness, campus recreation centers are rethinking how they can use spaces outside their four walls. Next to traditional basketball courts and soccer fields — space that otherwise went unutilized — has provided unique programming to patrons.
By embracing outdoor fitness, campus recreation centers can maximize space, reduce facility wear and tear, and expand programming to attract more students.
Emmitt Yale, a student fitness coordinator at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, has seen the benefit of outdoor fitness programming and implements it in his rec center.
By removing the confines of an indoor gym, students can be in a space free from judgment and self-consciousness. Organically, outdoor fitness can present itself as more welcoming and accessible for students to engage with.
“It helps eliminate the stigma often associated with traditional gym settings, fostering a sense of freedom and playfulness many may have lost over time,” said Yale. “This environment allows students to reconnect with a sense of joy, helping them to temporarily escape the pressures of academic life and the anxieties that can come with gym culture.”
EXTRA CREDIT: Creative outdoor fitness ideas.
Offering these outdoor programs has allowed Yale and the recreation center to make full use of its facilities while providing students with a refreshing change of scenery.
Yale offers programs like outdoor yoga and more high-energy and non-traditional classes like Glow Kickboxing.
By tailoring programs to student interests and embracing the outdoor environment, Yale has found great success with outdoor fitness.
“This variety keeps students engaged and excited about our offerings and also encourages those who may not typically be drawn to the fitness center to join in,” said Yale. “The outdoor settings often attract a different crowd, expanding participation and enhancing our overall program visibility.”
Stanford University features an outdoor fitness court installed by the National Fitness Campaign. Located near two on-campus residence halls — half a mile away from the main recreation facility — the court features seven movement zones designed to provide a full-body workout. Examples of zones are core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility and bending.
As a bonus, this outdoor gym requires no additional programming, according to Beanie Zollweg, the senior director of Programs at Stanford University.
“One of the main benefits of this type of space is that it removes barriers to entry,” said Zollweg. “People can drop in at any time, try different exercises and tailor the experience to their needs.”
Investing in this self-sustaining and low-maintenance outdoor fitness court has allowed Zollweg to focus on other programming.
EXTRA CREDIT: Tips for creating outdoor fitness spaces.
Aside from the fitness court, the Stanford Recreation Center also programs outdoor group classes and some circuit training options. In the future, they plan to host pop-up workshops and classes around campus to meet students where they are, and offer fitness breaks, mindful minutes and other fun theme-based options.
Zollweg acknowledged Stanford is able to offer all of this because of its green space, which they said can really shift the energy and vibe of traditional classes. Being outside makes experiences feel more transformative for their students.
By having a range of activities, from running clubs to hikes around campus, Zollweg ensures there’s something for everyone. Focusing the programming on flexibility and fun — through impromptu classes and fitness breaks — encourages more students and staff to participate.
Regardless of how much space a university might seem to have, Zollweg said there’s always room to program outdoor fitness — you just have to get creative.
“You don’t always need a large, formal area to create an outdoor fitness space,” said Zollweg. “Look for underutilized areas like courtyards, grassy fields or even old fitness courts. There are a lot of new formats and gear that can bring back an old piece of equipment with modern touches.”
Becky Lewis, the director of University Recreation and Well-Being at Oakland University, also utilizes a National Fitness Campaign campus fitness court. When deciding where to place the court, Lewis was intentional about locating it near the main facility, ensuring those engaging with it could access restrooms and drinking fountains.
This setup also allows Lewis’ team to expand programming opportunities by easily moving recreation equipment outdoors.
EXTRA CREDIT: Check out the outdoor fitness court at UT Dallas.
Outside of the fitness court, Lewis offers other outdoor programming students enjoy and gets creative to fulfill their wants and interests. She said incorporating different campus leaders and staff into their events has been beneficial through The Walks with Campus Leaders event. This program invites the campus community to walk a mile around campus with different Oakland University leaders throughout the summer.
Lewis also said being creative helps, as the university is located in the Midwest, which would normally limit her opportunities for outdoor programming during colder months. However, planning to extend outdoor fitness beyond warmer months is taking full advantage of the practice.
“My advice would be to do what you can, when you can and to try new things if possible,” said Lewis “Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. Students and participants change and just when you think you have them figured out, you don’t, so you have to try something else.”
Lewis said outdoor programming is great for variety and keeping students engaged. Giving people the opportunity to be outside in fresh air and to connect with nature is nice.
“I don’t think we do enough of that anymore,” said Lewis. “We’re so connected to technology and are in our cars these days being on the go and commuting that we don’t pause and use the space we have available.”
Outdoor fitness programming offers campus recreation centers an opportunity to maximize space, reach a wider audience and enhance student well-being in ways traditional indoor facilities may not. Whether this is through structured classes, self-guided workout spaces or pop-up events, embracing outdoor fitness can lead to increased engagement and long-term program success.
Successfully implementing or expanding outdoor fitness is valuable for campus recreation departments and directors. By prioritizing flexibility, creativity and strategic planning, any campus, regardless of size or climate, can make outdoor fitness a beneficial reality.
