Make Hall County Your Gym: Find Fitness in Everyday Places
By: Gwen Hawn, University of Georgia Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for Hall County
When you hear the word “gym,” what comes to mind? Maybe treadmills, weights, workout classes, or a monthly membership? What if your gym was already all around you?
As the University of Georgia Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent here in Hall County, I encourage families to look at our community through a different lens. You don’t need expensive equipment or a gym membership to add more movement to your day.
The key is that you get moving and keep moving because physical activity benefits your overall health in so many ways. Staying active promotes a healthy weight and reduces risk for many chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. It can also help your mental health by reducing your risk for depression and anxiety and helping you sleep better. According to the CDC, only 23% of Americans meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
We want to change that for Hall County and are inviting the entire community to get moving and view Hall County as a place for movement and wellness. Physical activity looks different for everyone, so here are a few ideas for free and low-cost opportunities to add physical activity to your everyday life:
Take a walk or go for a jog at one of the 20+ public parks throughout the city and county. Parks such as Laurel Park and Longwood Park offer paved paths, while other parks, such as North Hall Community Center and Linwood Nature Preserve, offer nature trails, and still others like Mulberry Creek Park and Community Center offer indoor walking tracks.
You might prefer a bike ride on a local nature trail somewhere like Don Carter State Park, which you can visit for free by checking out an annual State Park Pass from one of our Hall County Libraries. If you prefer a paved path, you could hop on the Midland Greenway or any section of the Highlands to Islands trail system.
Maybe grab a soccer ball and the kids and head to Allen Creek Soccer Complex or Tadmore Park for an afternoon of family fun. Another great family activity is visiting one of the several park playgrounds. Many local parks also offer free facilities such as pickleball, tennis, sand volleyball, and basketball courts. There are also disc golf courses, skate parks, and soccer and baseball fields.
In Hall County, we are also fortunate to be able to enjoy physical activities on Lake Lanier such as kayaking or paddleboarding. Several parks offer free access to Lake Lanier, including Lanier Point Park and Lake Lanier Olympic Park. Fall is a beautiful time of year to take advantage of the numerous outdoor spaces our county has to offer! Get outside. Get moving. Your body and mind will thank you.
Park Resources in Hall County
Check out Hall County and Gainesville City’s websites for more information on the parks and resources available in our community.