10 Ways To Stay Active In Madison In The Summer

Without a doubt, summer is one of the best times to work out and stay active. Gorgeous weather, beautiful views, and (hopefully) more free time inspires all of us at Rec Sports to take advantage of what Madison has to offer. The following list will give you different options to PLAY HARD. GET FIT. LIVE WELL. throughout this summer.


What’s a better time to take advantage of the great weather and beautiful views of the lake than summer? Our Outdoor Fitness Trail offers lots of different ways to work out that can easily be integrated into your routine. The nine different stations located along the Lakeshore Path allow you to target specific muscle groups throughout your workout. Visit this page to learn about the different stations and how to use them!


Intramural Sports aren’t just for the school year. This summer we’re offering:

  • 4v4 Flag Football
  • Basketball
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Ultimate Frisbee

Sign up on IMLeagues as a free agent or with a team. You can still register for the Spikeball Tournament (8/7).
Enrolled in summer classes? You’re already a member! If not, you’ll need to purchase a student summer membership to have access to a lot of these activities, including intramural sports. Don’t sweat it though, it’s super easy and we’ve put together a summer pass here


Believe it or not, Madison is home to a lot of parks. Like, a lot. Some of the closest parks to campus include James Madison Park on the north east side of campus, Vilas Park to the south west (quick run to the zoo anyone?), and Hoyt Park on the west side. If you can’t tell from the above picture, we recommend sunset runs to really take in the view of Lake Mendota.


Whether you have no prior swimming experience, or just want to brush up on your skills, you’re in luck! We have beginner and advanced beginner group swim lessons available this summer in June and July. Looking for more of a personalized experience? Check out our private and semi-private lessons on our Swimming & Scuba page for more info about both lessons, including registration and pricing.


We LOVE our personal trainers, and we’re confident that you will too. Our team is passionate about helping members reach their personal fitness goals, and they’re nationally certified, so you know they’re legit. They’ll work with you to create a fitness program that works for you (or you + a friend if you choose partner training). Our Personal Training page has all the details you need, including different types of sessions, pricing and links to register.
Interested in joining our team? Our ACE Personal Trainer Exam Prep Course will prepare you for your career as a personal trainer, and taking it may qualify you to work with us as a trainer. Win-win! Registration for the September class opens in July.


Even in the city, there are ways to get in your fix of nature. The UW Arboretum offers plenty of it, with nearly 20 miles of trails. There’s parking if you want to drive or bike there, and the Metro Bus stops there too. It’s free to visit, so you have no excuses to not check it out.


Are you a morning person? We’ve got the workout for you. Outdoor Bootcamp is designed for you to start your day with a full body workout with minimal equipment. This is a fun atmosphere for all fitness levels, so don’t be afraid to join us for an early morning workout! 7:00 may be early but you’ll feel more energized than after that second cup of coffee.


Not that we need to tell you, but the Terrace is arguably the best place to be during the summer. Brats, live music, late night music, what’s not to love? Social and mental health are just as important as physical health, so take some time to relax and enjoy one of those Madison sunsets we all love so much.


Do you like to get your inner zen on? Starting off your morning by doing yoga at the beautiful Allen Centennial Gardens is a great way to get you relaxed and ready for the day. There are still sessions left starting in July, and you can visit our website for more information and to sign up.


Biking isn’t only a great way to stay active, but can also be a healthy, green alternative to driving. Luckily for us, Madison is equipped with bike paths and lanes across the city, making commuting by bike super easy. Don’t have a bike? BCycle Madison has you covered. Drop in to any of their stations to rent a bike and hit the open road.


What’s your favorite way to PLAY HARD. GET FIT. LIVE WELL. during the summer? Use #ActiveBadger to show us how you stay active and you could be featured on our social media!