Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In Issaquah Highlands, residents are fortunate to have access to a plethora of public spaces and opportunities that provide the perfect backdrop for free and effective workouts.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or someone looking to explore new ways to stay active this spring, this guide will help you discover cost-effective methods for working out in Issaquah Highlands.
Beyond the Pavement
There’s a reason Issaquah is known as Trailhead City. With over 1,500 acres dedicated to parks and open space, our community in Issaquah Highlands has plenty of places to walk, hike and bike.
Making up roughly 1,300 acres in the Issaquah Alps, Grand Ridge Park provides a network of trails stretching from I-90 to Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. You can access the trails from Central Park, South Pond or Grand Ridge Drive in Issaquah Highlands.
Trail running is better than pavement for several reasons. The uneven terrain strengthens ankles, while roots and rocks improve agility, balance, stability and coordination—not to mention the therapeutic benefits of exercising in nature and spending time outdoors.
The trails are popular for mountain biking, which activates your core muscles from balancing on rough terrain; upper body strength from maneuvering over rocks and logs; and quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves from pedaling. Biking is also gentle on your joints, especially knees and hips, as a non-load-bearing activity.
Water Tower Loop (3.3 miles) and Issaquah Highlands Loop (3.8 miles) are two easy-to-moderate options for hiking, running or biking. For shorter walks around the community, consider the following routes: Cathy’s Trail (1.3 miles), Firehouse Loop (0.82 miles), Grand Ridge Loop (3 miles), Lee’s Loop (1.63 miles), Mocha to Mountains (2 miles), and South Pond Loop (1.5 miles). Find these trails at issaquahhighlands.com/maps.
Unity in Motion
Joining team sports like soccer, basketball, football and frisbee provides a full-body workout that promotes endurance, strength, flexibility and coordination. Pick-up games are always underway throughout the community. Either join a game or grab some friends and start your own.
Central Park has several courts for tennis and pickleball, both fun physical activities that require balance and decision-making. Pickleball has blown up in popularity recently for several reasons. The sport is inclusive of all ages and skill levels, making it more accessible than many sports.
The Issaquah Highlands Pickleball Group meets at the Central Park Courts every Monday from 4–6 p.m. All are welcome to join the free weekly group and give it a try! Pick up a paddle from DICK’S Sporting Goods or borrow one from a neighbor as you get started.
Additionally, the Sport Court on Park Drive was recently renovated with a new surface that is perfect for pickleball as well as soccer and hockey. Get out and play!
Being part of a team not only enhances your physical health, but it also contributes to your mental and emotional well-being. Unlike solo workouts, team sports bring people together.
They foster camaraderie, encourage communication and ignite a competitive spirit. It’s this sense of connection and shared purpose that motivates individuals to maintain an active lifestyle. So, lace up those sneakers and enjoy the benefits of team sports!
Nature’s Gym
With nearly 30 parks in Issaquah Highlands, and an abundance of public space, there are plenty of opportunities to add a quick workout to your day.
Several of our parks are equipped with calisthenics stations that provide an excellent opportunity for bodyweight exercises. You can utilize these structures for pull-ups, tricep dips, push-ups and more to build strength and flexibility. In the Westridge neighborhood, consider visiting High Street Linear Park to try one of these stations.
Try taking an hour out of your day to climb one of the various staircases in our community. The stairs above DICK’S Sporting Goods, as well as the stairs on 30th Avenue Northeast, make for an effective cardiovascular exercise. Stair climbing increases your heart rate, burns calories and improves endurance.
Take advantage of the grassy public spaces in Issaquah Highlands by practicing yoga and meditation. Open areas like Village Green Park and Kirk Park offer a peaceful environment for stretching, squats and lunges, core exercises or calf raises—among other things.
Strength in Numbers
Issaquah Highlands provides a variety of community groups and events that encourage physical activity and comradery. Consider joining Tai Chi Fitness Class or Yoga Group at Blakely Hall.
Tai Chi Fitness Class meets every Wednesday from 6:30–7:30 a.m. The group, led by instructor Yong Liu, promotes health by reducing bodily tension and stress, improving balance and coordination, increasing joint flexibility, calming the breath, and clearing the mind. While the class is free, attendees are encouraged to bring donations for Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Yoga Group is another free option to discover a new workout activity. The group, which meets on Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m., was started as a way to practice yoga and strengthen the body and mind. Each week, Yoga Group follows different instructors through online videos and tutorials at Blakely Hall. If you are looking for an outlet to reduce stress, improve balance and increase your flexibility, then this group might be perfect for you.
If you just can’t seem to decide which type of fitness class to try, Highlands Council offers Spring into Fitness at Blakely Hall every Saturday in May from 9–10 a.m. This is a great way to try a variety of workouts for free and get ready for summer! Each class is appropriate for all fitness levels.
May 4: The Studio
Come have fun with the Studio in true 80’s fashion! This cardio and conditioning class will have you moving to the upbeat music you loved from the 1980s! Expect a stretch session before enjoying a medium intensity cardio workout. The class will focus on core, leg and arm strength conditioning before cooling down.
May 11: Barre3
Feel the benefits of an efficient and effective Barre3 workout combining strength, cardio and mindfulness that will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered within.
May 18: Infinite Taekwondo Academy
Have fun with an introduction to Taekwondo! Master Euna Lee uses traditional Taekwondo training to help develop strength, fitness, coordination, speed and flexibility.
May 25: Pineapple Life
Join us for an all-levels peek into the world of yoga with Brandi Cohen, the passionate owner of Pineapple Life Studios. Our class is the perfect introduction to the ancient practice of yoga, designed to connect both body and mind.
As published in the spring 2024 issue of Connections >>
