Trade in your gym membership for a day in the park with these tips from a local fitness coach.

Playgrounds aren’t just for kids. This summer, venture to one of Milwaukee County’s many calisthenics parks – outdoor spaces outfitted with exercise equipment – for some fresh air and a free workout.

“Adding strength training to a workout plays a great role in challenging your muscles and building endurance, because you’re pushing yourself outside your normal exertion,” says, Ryan Mleziva, owner of Brew Fitness Milwaukee. Not exactly sure what’s what? Here’s how to get a great workout at a calisthenics park. 

MEET THIS YEAR’S FACES OF MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee Magazine connects you with the most trusted and enduring local businesses. Here, we introduce you to the people whose hard work makes these businesses successful. 

You can use any playground bar for pull-ups, but most calisthenics parks have dedicated bars for working your arms, shoulders, back and core. If you’re new to pull-ups, Mleziva suggests creating momentum by jumping. Jump up, grab the bar, and then pull yourself up until your chin is over the bar. “While you’re hanging, do a leg raise or knee tuck to work your core,” he says.

Use step-up station, bench or playground equipment that is about knee height to work your legs and buttock muscles. Slowly step up and down one leg at a time, loading all your weight into your leg. Try not to push off your lower foot.

If you bring a resistance band, any park with a post – or even a tree – is an ideal spot for bicep curls, chest press or rows. Hook the band around and use the post as if it were a cable machine, suggests Mleziva.

Many park workout areas have incline benches for core workouts and pushups. Stand in front of the bench and squat down with your hands on the bench, shoulder-width apart. This inclined position strengthens your chest and core without straining your shoulders or wrists. If the park doesn’t have an incline bench but does have a low bar, try pushups on it. 

Parallel bars offer a great way to strengthen your upper body and arms with dips. Standing between the bars, hold them and straighten your arms as you jump up. Then, using your core strength, lower and lift your body.

Subscribe Feature Stories Archive Shop for Back Issues Current Issue

Advertise Careers Contact Internships Submission Guidelines Subscribe to our Newsletter

Restaurant Listings Top Docs Best of 2021 Wedding Venues Calendar