JACKSON COUNTY, MI - From bike trails to yoga, Jackson County is full of great places to get active.
Whether you're looking to change your workout routine or have a specific goal in mind, here are five great places to workout in and around the county.
The studio features a range of classes, which last about one hour. Some include power yoga, designed for increasing heart rate and burning calories, as well as Hatha Vinyasa, which pairs breathing with slow movements, she said.
Hot yoga, where the studio is brought up to about 102 degrees, is a popular course. Private classes are also available.
Samadhi Yoga Studio hours vary by class, and more information can be found on its website. To drop in for a class cost $20 and there are package deals for those who wish to attend regularly.
In 2024, the business also expanded to the Grand River Farmers Market to offer free classes to newbies. People can try out the yoga classes 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays through October at the intersection of Louis Glick Highway and Mechanic Street.
Take a hike at a local park or nature reserve
The Jackson County area is rich with hiking destinations, including some with intense trails and beautiful views.
Some of these include the Hidden Lake Gardens, just southeast of Jackson County and tucked away in the Irish Hills at 6214 Monroe Road (M-50). The 755-acre garden, owned by Michigan State University, features over 9 miles of hiking trails, a plant conservatory and the 65-foot-high Reach for the Sky Canopy Walk.
People can also visit the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail, which passes through several counties between its start at Hall Road in Livingston County and its end in eastern Blackman Township. The trails pass through miles of lush woodlands, wetlands and a river along the way.
The trail stretches between Livingston, Ingham and Jackson counties. The Roots trailhead in Jackson County is located at 5998 Hawkins Road.
Join the Jackson YMCA and some of its classes
The Jackson YMCA, 127 W. Wesley St., has many amenities that can suit almost any person's preferred workout routine.
The downtown facility features a fitness center, a free-weight room, boxing room, two group exercise studios, two swimming pools, two gymnasiums, an indoor track and courts for squash, racquetball and pickleball, according to the Jackson YMCA's website.
People can also participate in group exercise classes, including Zumba, spin classes, barre and cardio.
A membership is required and ranges from $19 to $101 a month for individuals or families, depending on ages and the size of the family.
The Jackson YMCA is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday during the summer. More information can be found on the Jackson YMCA's Facebook page and website.
Take a bicycle ride around Jackson County
Jackson County is full of places for cyclists to get outside and moving.
People can visit the county's most popular trail, The Falling Waters Trail, 3720 Weatherwax Drive. The 10.5-mile, 12-foot-wide paved path connects the village of Concord to the city of Jackson.
The Cascades Falls Park, 1401 Brown St., is also a popular destination. The park is Jackson County's largest tourist attractions and is home to several paved paths throughout the more-than-400-acre park.
Those that want to go just outside of Jackson County can also visit the Albion River Trail. The 1.6-mile trail features 10- to 14-foot-wide paved paths in the heart of Albion.
Try Jackson College's new fitness court
Working with Priority Health and the National Fitness Campaign, Jackson College, 2111 Emmons Road, recently opened an outdoor wellness center that prompts users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout.
The Fitness Court Studio features two workout areas separated by a mural wall designed by artists to showcase the setting and inspire people as they go through their outdoor workout.
It is designed to deliver a seven-minute full body workout on one side and an outdoor class area for yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other popular group wellness activities on the opposite side.
Upon arrival, visitors can scan the QR code on the court wall or download the Fitness Court app to access workout routines. The Fitness Court App is available for iOS and Android.