How to start a fitness journey in Northwest Arkansas for the new year
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
If you're looking to move more or ramp up your fitness routine in 2025, here's how to do that in NWA.
Get started
π€ΈββοΈ If you're not sure what workout is right for you and don't want to commit to an activity that might not be a good fit, consider checking out low-cost community centers that often offer traditional gym equipment, plus walking tracks, sports, swimming pools and a variety of fitness classes.
- Try the Bentonville Community Center, Rogers Activity Center, The Jones Center in Springdale or the Yvonne Richardson Community Center in Fayetteville.
- Use your resources: Walmart and Sam's Club employees and their families have access to the Walton Whole Health & Fitness. University of Arkansas students and employees can use on-campus fitness centers like the HPER building.
Join a gym
ποΈ Lots of local options exist like Fayetteville Athletic Club, J Street Gym in Bentonville, Ozark Iron Gym in Fayetteville, ClubHaus Fitness at Mount Sequoyah or Elm Street Gym in Springdale
- Plus, chains like Orangetheory Fitness, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness have NWA locations.
Lean into an activity
π₯ Blow off steam with kickboxing at Fayetteville Fitness Kickboxing or Inferno Martial Arts in Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Siloam Springs and Bella Vista.
π§ Try a yoga studio like Yoga Story in Bentonville Bee Well Yoga in Rogers Trailside Yoga & Beyond in Fayetteville YogaGypsy in Fayetteville
π§ Rock climbing is an unconventional but effective workout. Check out Boulders and Brews in Fayetteville or Climb Bentonville.
π² The Razorback Greenway and NWA's extensive trail network makes walking, running and cycling easy β and free.
- Plus: Cycle with a group like Women of Oz, Northwest Arkansas Cycling or Bike Bentonville.
