15 free(ish) ways to stay fit this fall

While layering might be necessary this time of year, you can still save your body from the holiday weight gain curse. Here’s a list of (practically) free events & ideas that can help you stay fit this fall.

Yoga

Average calorie burn: 200/hour 

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: OMB might have been the first brewery to start the “fit for fun” trend. Still going strong for two years now, OMB holds “Yoga on Tap” every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5 and includes one beer. You can drink during the class, or wait ‘til after while enjoying a German style pretzel with beer cheese. Also, check out the sweet swag for sale while you’re there.

Sycamore: Located in South End, the ever-popular Sycamore Brewing offers yoga every Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. for $5. Not free, but the $5 gets you a beer afterwards. Stay for dinner with one of their interchanging food trucks, play a round of ping pong, or discover a new band.

Free Range Brewing: Free Range Brewing made their debut in NoDa back in July with limited open hours. They are now ramping up their schedule and have just added free yoga classes on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Stay after and grab a goblet of Bob’s Pure Intentions – a coffee infused ale that will warm you up and give you an energy boost.

Lenny Boy: This hidden gem of a brewery & craft room offers Yoga every Saturday at 10 a.m. The space is small so get there early to secure your mat. Enjoy the class for $5, which includes a glass of Lenny Boy Kombucha. What’s Kombucha? Only the cool kids are drinking it. Full of probiotics, antioxidants, B vitamins and more, this drink will make you feel amazing, and like the trendiest kid on the block.

Cycling

Average calorie burn: 300/half hour

Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride: Leaving from Common Market in Plaza Midwood, this community bike ride happens every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. The group bikes a different route each time and typically stops for beer toward the end. Get there at 7:45 p.m. to participate and make some friends before you ride. Make sure your cycle has lights, as the days are getting shorter.

Monday Night Bikes and Beers Ride: Weather permitting, Uptown Cycles hosts two different rides every Monday night at 6 p.m. Meet at the store, and decide if you want to pedal at 20 mph or 15 mph. The slower group leaves two minutes later, and everyone meets for beer after. Contact Chris for more information.

Dirty Easy Rides: This one of a kind weekly ride gathers at The Spoke Easy on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Every ride is different, giving you a fresh perspective on the queen city. Rides vary in difficulty, but the group is adamant about making sure everyone has a good time. Make sure your bike is equipped for trails & have fun!

Running

Average calorie burn: 100/mile

NoDa Brewing Run Club: Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., you can count on NoDa Brewing to deliver an all out community run around the historic area. OrthoCarolina teams up with local vendors every week to power this event. Come early to make some friends, and stay after to enjoy a seasonal Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale.

Sycamore Run Club: In addition to yoga, great beer, & food trucks, Sycamore also offers 1, 3, & 5-mile runs every Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Perfect for seasoned runners, and for those just getting their start in this high-impact activity. If you enjoy it enough, become an official club member by sporting their high-end apparel.

Trails at the USNWC: Right in our back yard is the U.S. National Whitewater Center, full of trails that are free for public use. Take an afternoon to escape the city smog and indulge in the outdoors on this beautiful & relatively flat terrain. You’ll be sharing the trails with mountain bikers, so be on the lookout. Otherwise, soak it in!

Triple C Beer Runners: Take a run through urban South End every Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The route starts at Triple C Brewery and goes 5 miles down the Charlotte Rail Trail. This flat trail will give you beautiful skyline views of the Queen City while you try to keep up with the Blue Line. Use the train as a pacesetter for a challenge!

Other 

Hiking: Charlotte is probably the flattest city in North Carolina, despite the rest of the states’ beautiful smoky mountain range. For great hiking, you might need to travel a couple hours north. However, you can burn up to 400 calories at Crowder’s Mountain State park – just 30 minutes south. There are multiple trails throughout this park, most of which lead to an overlook of the region. You won’t want to miss the view just as the trees have changed colors.

Basketball: One of the best things about city parks is the free use of basketball courts. You can burn up to 260 calories playing or practicing for just 30 minutes. Bring your own basketball and meet some friends to start your own team!

Disc Golf: If you haven’t tried disc golf, now is the time. The trees are changing which only adds to the beautiful scenery that you will find on a course. This low-key activity can still burn up to 300 calories in one hour. With over 15 courses in the Charlotte area, you’re sure to find something that fits your skill level. For beginners, try Elon Park’s Eager Beaver or if you’re a pro, be sure to check out Renaissance Park. And don’t forget to pick up a couple discs at your neighborhood outdoors store.

Tennis: Got racquets? Got a dog? Grab your pups favorite chew toy and head to one of CLT’s 90+ tennis courts. Most courts have a practice wall if you are flying solo, or grab a friend for this intense fitness activity. This may not seem like extreme exercise, but the average adult can burn up to 520 calories in one hour running around the court.

Mother Earth has finally given us a break from the heat. Fall in the south is the most amazing time of year, so why waste it inside? Get out, be healthy, and enjoy yourself! And if you’re looking to make more of a commitment to your body, try one of these local gym memberships.

(Photo credit: Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride photo via their Facebook page, Triple C Run Club photo via their Facebook page)