It’s summer – the kids are out of school, and some days the fog even burns off before lunchtime.  Have a house that’s full of energy, but want to avoid the long drive out to Sky High or Six Flags?  Check out these opportunities to get active without going far:

1. Richmond Main Street Fitness Classes

Build in a weekly exercise routine with classes in Zumba and martial arts, provided by the Richmond Main Street Initiative.  Master Taylor’s martial arts classes are for adults and children ages 6 and up, while Willa “Bontle” Willis leads Zumba classes for anyone over the age of 12.

The best part? These classes are free, thanks to funding from the Kaiser Permanente Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Initiative.  $5 donations are accepted, but entirely optional.

BBK Center for Health and Healing
310 9th Street, Richmond
(9th Street and Macdonald Avenue) 

Zumba: Thursdays, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Martial Arts: Saturdays, 10am-11am

Click here for more information.

Photo courtesy of richmondmainstreet.org.

2. Bridges Rock Gym

Just adjacent the Pacific East Mall, which straddles the Richmond/El Cerrito border, Bridges Rock Gym packs an impressive amount of activity into one building: bouldering, slacklining, yoga, fitness equipment, massage, and even saunas. 

The main focus at Bridges is bouldering, or climbing along and over short rock walls without a rope.  While the gym does offer classes and camps, no experience or membership is needed to simply rent a pair of climbing shoes, hop on the wall, and discover your inner monkey.  Admission is $14; shoe rental is $4.

Waiting for a boulder-happy friend to finish climbing?  The upstairs lounge area also has free wifi.

Click here for more information, or check it out in person:

Bridges Rock Gym
5635 San Diego Street
El Cerrito, CA 94530

Photo courtesy of indoorwalls.com.

3. San Francisco Bay Trail

Richmond claims the largest portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail of any city, and offers much more than a scenic walk.  Bike, jog, or stroll along the bay – and while you’re at it, get a dose of history at the Rosie the Riveter Museum, enjoy a picnic at Miller/Knox Park, or bring the furry members of your family along for an adventure at Point Isabel’s dog park and the Sit & Stay Café.

Check out a recent NBC Bay Area feature on Richmond’s Bay Trail here.

Want to walk the shoreline with a group?  Join Richmond’s third annual Walk to Nature event on Saturday, August 29, as Richmond families explore the city’s parks and practice good health by walking from the Richmond Greenway to Miller/Knox Park.  Find more information about the event here.

Sights to see along the trail:

Rosie the Riveter Museum
http://www.rosietheriveter.org/
1414 Harbour Way S #3000, Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 232-5050 

Miller/Knox Park
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/miller_knox
900 Dornan Drive
Richmond, CA 94801 

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/pt_isabel
2701 Isabel Street
Richmond, CA 94804

Photo courtesy of pointrichmond.com.

4. Richmond Plunge

The recently renovated Richmond Plunge – complete with a stunning indoor mural of Miller/Knox Park by Richmond artist John Wehrle – offers a wide variety of swim classes as well as recreational swim time for families.  From traditional lap swim and family-friendly tot splash to Aqua Zumba and “Aqua Slimnastics,” there is an activity available for almost every age and skill level.

For more information, check out the Plunge schedule here. 

Richmond Municipal Natatorium, or “The Plunge”
1 East Richmond Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
510-620-6820

Photo courtesy of ci.richmond.ca.us.