Outdoor Fitness in Northern Ohio

Being outdoors with sunlight and fresh air helps boost our Vitamin D, lessens our anxiety and improves our sleep. Yes, we know summer weather in Northern Ohio can be brief and flukey, which is why you need a game plan for taking your fitness fun outdoors.
Put the bike or kayak rack on the car and gather up sunscreen, water bottle, helmet and other gear the sport requires so when the weather forecast and your calendar align you can head out the door in a jiff.

Here are 5 sports to enjoy in the outdoors.

1.    Bike

Stationary bikes get us through the winter but there is nothing like hitting a bike trail to really enjoy biking. And finding a bike trail in Ohio is easy. 

The North Coast Inland Trail spans nearly 100 miles across northern Ohio, from Lorain to the Toledo area. The Lorain County Metro Parks’ portion is a completely paved path and runs from Lake Erie in Lorain through Oberlin to the county line in Wakeman.

For a more ambitious ride consider the Ohio to Erie Trail. “This scenic 326-mile trail links the Ohio River to Lake Erie, primarily on rail trails and canal paths. It traverses four major cities, numerous quaint small towns and miles of pastoral countryside,” according to the trail. The website features interactive maps, so it’s easy to plan a trip of any length between Cleveland and Cincinnati.

2.    Swim

That great lake in our backyard isn’t just for boating and fishing. A few nearby beaches for swimming include Lakeview Park in Lorain, Main Street Beach in Vermilion, Nickel Plate Beach in Huron and East Harbor State Park Beach in Marblehead. Inland, visit Findley State Park in Wellington. 

If you prefer an outdoor swimming pool, head to Splash Zone in Oberlin.

And it’s never too late to learn how to swim. According to U.S. Masters, about one-third of adults in the United States can’t safely swim the length of a pool. You can easily find an Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor by searching the Masters directory by zip code. 

3.    Play Tennis

Maybe this is a sport you once enjoyed but have stopped playing because you don’t know where a public court is located. Good news – the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has a “find a court” directory that can be searched by zip code or city. For instance, within 25 miles of Oberlin are 73 public courts, many located at schools and parks.   You can also use the directory to find a coach or tennis program.

“Did you know, playing tennis just 3 hours per week can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by 56%?  Or, as one long-term study shows, tennis players add 9.7 years to their life over sedentary individuals?” according to USTA. 

4.    Play Pickleball

People young and old, continue to jump on the pickleball bandwagon, according to USA Pickleball:
•    In 2024 Pickleball continued to maintain its status as the fastest-growing sport in America for the fourth consecutive year;
•    The Pickleheads database now includes 68,458 courts, with 18,455 new courts added in 2024;
•    The 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships featured wheelchair pickleball as a competitive division for the first time;
•    USA Pickleball continues to support a strong membership base of 62,260.

“Pickleball is fun, social and friendly! The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game,” USA Pickleball says. 

But it’s that last phrase – “can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game  – that keeps many on the sidelines. Check out the USA website videos on pickleball basics, serving, strategy and safety (court shoes are a must) and more before you head to the nearest court for an afternoon of pickleball.  

5.    Paddle 

Northern Ohio offers lots of opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding – Vermilion and Black Rivers and Lake Erie shorelines to name a few - as well as spots to rent equipment for an afternoon or longer.  

• West River Paddling Co. in Vermilion is open daily (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are not required but recommended. 
• 41 North Coastal Adventures in Lakewood offers rentals, along with guided tours and classes for all levels. 
• If you want to explore an island by kayak contact Kayak the Bay on South Bass Island or Kayak Rental on Kelleys Island.