Top 5 outdoor workouts

Published on 02 January 2020

Murray Rose pool divers

Dive into Murray Rose Pool


If your New Year’s resolution is to get fit, why not make the most of our beautiful local environment and take your workout outdoors. You don’t need a gym membership, most activities are free and they're right at your doorstep.

Here are five suggestions to get you motivated.

1. Try an outdoor gym

Try a workout with a view at one of our outdoor gyms. You’ll find exercise equipment at Christison Park, Rushcutters Bay Park and Yarranabbe Park.

The exercise equipment is different in each park, ranging from simple static equipment ideal for chin-ups, sit-ups and step-ups, to new interactive and movable equipment featuring cardio and resistance features (similar to indoor gym equipment) such as rowing and stepping machines. Read more about our outdoor gyms.

People exercising at the Christison Park outdoor gym
Christison Park

2. Swim

Cool off and burn some calories with a swim. There’s no shortage of great swimming spots in our local area. Our top picks for laps are Murray Rose Pool, Parsley Bay or Camp Cove. Go early and beat the crowds.

People swimming at Murray Rose Pool
Murray Rose Pool

3. Run

There are lots of interesting – and challenging – running routes in our local area.

If you’re a running novice, start out on a flat route: Rushcutters Bay Park is a good option.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, try something steeper, like the infamous ‘Heartbreak Hill’ heading east on New South Head Road towards Vaucluse. The breathtaking harbour view is a good excuse for a breather.

You could also try one of our area’s epic stair runs. Cranbrook Lane (Rose Bay), the Marathon Steps (Darling Point) and the Cooper Park (Bellevue Hill) stairs will all provide an excellent burn.

Woman running on Cooper Park stairs
Cooper Park stairs

4. Walk

There are many spectacular coastal walks in our local area, and luckily for us, they are far less crowded than the Bondi to Bronte route.

Check out the Hermitage Foreshore Walk and discover some of Sydney’s best secret beaches. Make sure to pack your swimmers.

A bit further down the road, you’ll find a great walking track around South Head. It starts at Camp Cove, meanders through the stunning scenery of Gap Park and finishes up at Christison Park.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could tackle Sydney’s newest coastal trek, the Bondi to Manly walk.

People walking on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
The Hermitage Foreshore Walk

5. Tennis

Grab your racquet and a mate and hit the courts this summer. There are three tennis courts available for hire in our local area at Cooper Park, Lyne Park and Trumper Park.

Cooper Park tennis courts
Cooper Park tennis courts