By the end of summer, we know we’re feeling the effects of all the yummy ice-cream cones we indulged in throughout the season. Who could resist Milk Sugar Love in Jersey City’s Blueberry Cheesecake flavor?! With the kids heading back-to-school, now’s the perfect time to focus on your physical fitness. While joining one of the best gyms in NJ is always an option, we’ve compiled a list of 10 easy Jersey City and NJ fitness alternatives that will help you shake up your exercise routine and have fun while staying in shape!

1.     Kayak in the Hudson River: The Hoboken Cove Boathouse at Maxwell Place is an excellent (and scenic!) place for NJ fitness. The Boathouse allows guests to kayak in the Hudson River from the New Jersey coastline. Their group of dedicated volunteers is happy to help and share their love of the Hudson River with you. The program runs yearly from early May through late September. Bonus: It’s all free!

Address: Sinatra Dr N. & Maxwell Pl, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Website: http://www.hobokencoveboathouse.org 

2.     Sign up for a run: Short and long distance runs are a great way to set NJ fitness goals and to help keep you on track. Check out the Newport Half Marathon, an annual waterfront run in Jersey City. There’s still time to sign up for this year’s race, which will take place on September 20^th. Click here to register today for the NJ fitness event! Bonus: Beer, provided by NJ Brewing Company, and bagels, provided by Cosi, will be waiting for you at the finish line!

Address: 100 Town Square Place, Jersey City, NJ 07310

Website: www.newporthalfmarathon.com

3.     Ride a Citi Bike: Take advantage of Jersey City’s new bike share program by hopping on a bike and exploring your neighborhood! Citi Bike has provided those living in Jersey City with a great option for fitness in New Jersey. With 35 stations installed in areas like Newport, Journal Square, Downtown, Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette, these bikes are easily accessible from almost every area in Jersey City.  Bonus: If you signed up for an annual membership in NYC, it’s valid in NJ, too!

4.     Power walk while you window shop: No reason NJ fitness can’t include shopping! Newport Center Mall is a three-level, 1.2 million square-foot shopping center that’s perfect for an indoor, air conditioned power walk on a hot day.  With over 130 stores, there’s plenty to keep your mind off burning calories as you peruse the merchandise. Bonus: Skip the escalators and take the stairs!

Hours: 10AM to 9:30PM Monday through Saturday and 11AM to 6PM on Sundays.

Address: 30 Mall Dr West, Jersey City, NJ 07310

5.     Rollerblade through Liberty State Park: Break out your old rollerblades and cruise through one of the trails that weave through the 1,122-acre waterfront park. The lush greenery creates an oasis in the middle of northern New Jersey. Bonus: Try and count how many times you can spot the Statue of Liberty from the trails!

Hours: 6AM to 10PM daily

Address: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

6.     Pal around with your puppy: There’s certainly no shortage of dog parks where you and your furry friend can get some exercise at in New Jersey. To find a few of the best ones and read about other NJ residents’ experiences, check out Yelp! NJ’s list of the Top 10 Dog Parks in Jersey City. Bonus: We heard that Hillside Dog Park brings in a dog pool for your pooch to cool off in during the hot summer months. 

7.     Play a pickup game at the Green at Newport Green: A 30,000-square-foot recreational field within the 4.25-acre park has an eco-friendly turf surface that’s ideal for group games or active play. The field is also protected from overheating by a combination of natural plant fibers that retain moisture. Bonus: Relax on Adirondack chairs as you overlook the NYC skyline after you work up a sweat! Address: Washington Blvd & 14^th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07310

8.     Jog along the Hudson Waterfront Walkway: The 18.5-mile boardwalk runs through nine municipalities, including Bayonne, Jersey City, Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg, North Bergen, Edgewater and Fort Lee, making this a great place for fitness in New Jersey and a convenient option for any one in Hudson or Bergen County. Bonus: The views of Lower Manhattan are unbeatable!

9.     Pick up a paddle on your lunch break: Grab a coworker or have a friend meet you at Newport Green for a round of Ping-Pong in the park. All that back and forth is a great way to get your arm muscles working and your blood pumping while you get some fresh air.  Bonus: Newport Green offers free WiFi, so you can still check your email in between rounds!

10.  Find a FREE class: Prefer to work out in a group setting? Every week in Hoboken an introductory class is sponsored by a local NJ fitness establishment and offered FREE of charge. Classes include barre, kickboxing, Zumba, yoga, power fitness, cross fit and more. The options are endless so it’s almost impossible to get bored! Click here to see the full schedule. Bonus: Hoboken is easily accessible from other areas of New Jersey via NJ Transit, PATH train and Light Rail.

There are so many opportunities for fitness in Jersey City outside of the gym, and seeking out activities in NJ like these makes staying in shape easy and enjoyable. We hope you find these ideas helpful as you jump into a NJ fitness routine this fall!

Be sure to check out our other articles for tips on things to do in Jersey City and New Jersey!