The Fitness Scene in Austin
Are you new to Austin, or just looking to branch out from your current exercise routine? You’re in luck! There are hundreds of fitness options here: specialized gyms, nature trails, fitness classes, running groups. Check out my favorites:
What are the best gyms in Austin?
Hyde Park Gym
Hyde Park Gym is my sentimental favorite gym ever, hands down. I trained out of Hyde Park Gym for about 10 years. It is full of the best equipment, but also hand welded equipment, an outside lifting area, and the greatest Austinites you’ll ever meet. It is chock-full of old Austin charm. Day passes run $14.
Big Tex Gym
Big Tex Gym is a fun, high energy atmosphere filled with competitors, pumping music, and fitness enthusiasts. With a staggering variety of equipment, from strongman to powerfliting to all your favorite machines, you’ll find something you love about Big Tex. Day passes are $5.
What are the best specialty gyms in Austin?
Iron Guild Gym
Iron Guild Gym is a strongman training facility with a high quality equipment, drool-worthy turf, and expert strongman coaching from Stephen Moore. You can train for high level strongman feats here, but this facility is not only for competitors. Sled work, for example, is safe and extremely effective for increasing conditioning and burning calories in nearly every population. Contact me or Stephen if you’d like to set up a consult, and talk about 1:1, group training, or online training.
Lord’s Boxing Gym
Richard Lord’s gym is one of my favorite places in Austin. Richard is one of the greatest boxing coaches ever in the game, and today his son Tiger coaches as well. The gym is the personification of old school charm. You’ll work harder than you ever have and love every minute of it. Check it out!
What’s the outdoor fitness scene in Austin like?
In a word, booming! Any time, day or night, you’ll see people out jogging, walking, hiking, or just enjoying the outdoors.
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake, once called Town Lake, runs through downtown Austin. You’ll see tons of outdoor activity on Lady Bird Lake, like canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. Lady Bird Lake connects to Barton and Barking Springs, and Red Bud Isle, which is a beloved spot for dogs and dog owners.
Lady Bird Lake Trail
Lady Bird Lake Trail is a 10 mile loop around the lake, through downtown Austin. You can take shorter routes, or stop off on the boardwalk, or any point around town. The views are beautiful,
Barton Springs
Shh, don’t tell everybody, but Barton Springs is my favorite place in Austin. The spring-fed pool covers 3 acres and stays a consistent 68-70 degrees year round. It is amazing for relaxing by the pool under oak trees, people watching, and a chilly dip. Barton Springs flows into Barking Springs, which is named so because it is dog-friendly. Barton Springs requires an entry fee and maintains open/closed hours, but Barking Springs is not gated or fee-based.
Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy is a man-made, spring-fed pool, also close to the banks of Lady Bird Lake. Like Barton Springs, Deep Eddy has posted hours and fees. It has swimming lanes, is child-friendly, and is shallower than Barton Springs.
Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores, and Town Lake Metro Park
Zilker Park is a 350+ acre area just south of the lake that includes green space, Barton Springs, and is home to many festivals. Austin City Limits and South by Southwest music festivals have events here. When there aren’t festivals, there are open spaces for dogs, kite flying, and even sand volleyball courts for pickup games, and a disc golf course. Auditorium Shores and Town Lake Metro Park are extension of the outdoor fun that happens at Zilker Park. The whole area is worth exploring!