Get Fit This Winter on the Forgotten Coast
Health and fitness are two components of living a quality life. The Forgotten Coast, which encompasses the greater Thumb area of our mitten state, offers a growing list of opportunities for you to get fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family year-round. Since the calendar recently turned to January and many of us have health and fitness on our minds, we thought it would be fun to talk about the many indoor and outdoor fitness opportunities that come with the winter season here on the Forgotten Coast. Here is a guide to help you get started.
Outdoor Activities
There is no shortage of outdoor activities to help you stay healthy and fit on the Forgotten Coast year-round. There are plenty of opportunities to hike, bike (fat-tire), snowshoe, or cross-country ski your way to better health. If you can tough the cold there is something truly magical about outdoor activities in a winter wonderland!
Hiking/Walking
Many of our communities offer walking trails and bike paths for your convenience, many of which can still be accessed throughout the winter months. There are nearby nature and hiking trails in addition to scenic country back roads which can boost peace of mind while working toward your health and wellness goals.
Cross Country Skiing
You can cross-country ski across the many open areas throughout the Forgotten Coast or pick a place that offers groomed trails. Here are a few to consider:
Sleeper State Park Day-Use Trails (refer to their Facebook for grooming status)
Check out the Lantern-lit Trail on February 3rd, 2024
Port Crescent State Park Day-Use Trails (refer to their Facebook for grooming status)
Huron County Nature Center - non-groomed
If you find yourself without equipment to Cross Country Ski, contact Port Austin Hardware in Port Austin about renting cross-country skis, poles, and boots. Their pricing is very reasonable!
Ice Skating & Hockey
Ice skating and hockey are iconic winter activities. If you are looking for an opportunity to skate or play you will find the Forgotten Coast offers both indoor and outdoor rinks for your enjoyment.
Snowshoeing & Fat Tire Biking
If you have snowshoes or a fat tire bike you can hit any of the many trails throughout the Forgotten Coast this winter! If not, you can stay at Dark Sky Lodge and Tavern in Port Austin and get a complimentary use of showshoes to access the Steel Bridge Trails located directly behind the property or nearby Port Crescent State Day Use Park or fat tire bikes for the nearby Huron County Nature Center and Sleeper State Park bike trails.
Sledding
Sledding can be a fun way to get a workout in with the whole family! Here are some fun places to go sledding on the Forgotten Coast.
Winter Disc Golf
Take in a round of disc golf on our local courses.
Indoor Activities
There are a growing number of fitness centers, gyms, personal trainers, and fitness classes being offered on the Forgotten Coast! It is impossible to list them all for you, but we thought we would talk about a few to get your imagination stirring. It seems that community Facebook pages have become a great source of information for more local fitness information. Chances are you will find a class or gym near you by doing a quick search online, but feel free to refer to the links below to help you get started.
Indoor Fitness Classes
Indoor fitness classes come in all shapes and sizes. From circuit training to tae kwon do, to yoga and beyond, fitness classes can offer motivation, accountability, fun, and variety to your fitness routine. Check out the list of fitness centers in the links below for more information.
Personal Training
There are many personal trainers throughout the Forgotten Coast who are available to help you reach your fitness goals. Here are some links to help you in your search.
Tumbling & Swim Classes for Kids!
The Tuscola County ISD is offering tumbling classes for kids ages 3 to 7 starting on January 17th. Visit tuscolaisd.org or visit Tuscola Technology Center Adult Community Education on Facebook. They will also be offering swim classes in the near future.
You may also want to check out Thumb Tumblers in Cass City.
Kindermusik for Kids!
Kindermusik classes include music and movement activities for all stages of development so that everyone is comfortable, engaged, and learning! Class is offered for ages 0 - 6. Learn more about Kindermusik.
Fitness Centers
Here are some links to help you find one that fits your health and wellness goals:
