A healthy body is key to a healthy mind. Exercise has the potential to reduce anxiety, depression and negative mood according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. Therefore, implementing daily physical activity into your schedule can be beneficial both internally and externally. The summer offers students time to try new hobbies, ranging from art to exercises. If you’re looking to build muscle, maintain your body or simply stay healthy over the summer, here are some activities and locations you can visit in South Florida to either begin or continue your fitness journey.
Everglades National Park – Outdoors
For those interested in the outdoors and looking for an excursion, the waterways and trails of Everglades National Park offers individuals not only the chance to exercise, but also see South Florida’s native wildlife. Offered activities include hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking and, if you have the gear, fishing.
Everglades National Park’s outdoor paths snake through natural terrain with land trails available in three main regions of Florida, two of which are local to Broward County. Whether a walk, extended hike or bicycle trek is desired, trails can be selected based on location, difficulty and desired activity. Regarding location, Pine Island offers short trails including the Gumbo Limbo and the Pinelands Trail. Based around Flamingo Road, the West Lake and the Snake Bight Trail can be found as well. Please see this link for a full list of available trails.
This year, May 3, 2025, the Everglades National Park hosted a 5K walk. Of the participants were eighth grader Madeline Zhuravel and sophomores Heidi Klink and Alicia Krissel. “The Everglades run was so fun. Part of the reason I did it was because I was looking to start running, and this gave me a goal to work towards as well as a place to improve from,” Zhuravel said.
The park also offers paddling routes for canoeing and kayaking for those looking for an upper-body workout with a side of marine scenery. These routes run through locations such as the freshwater marsh, mangrove forests, the 10,000 Islands and the open waters of Florida Bay. Paths vary in duration, with some taking a few hours to travel while others requiring several days. If desired, guides are also available for hire. The Flamingo Paddling Trails have varying levels of expertise necessary, with both beginner-friendly and experience-oriented pathways. Please see this link for more information regarding rentals, locations and guides.
YMCA – Indoors
For an air conditioned location to workout in the heat of the summer, the YMCA offers young adult memberships to youth 11 to 19 years of age starting at $19.99. This includes access to both the gym and pool. Additionally, students can enroll in teen and adult fitness classes. One of the programs offered is the youth strength training course, where individuals learn how to safely use gym equipment before they begin exercising on their own. For more information, please visit the YMCA of South Florida website.
Calisthenics – At home
Calisthenics is a type of strength training that utilizes personal body weight during exercise. It can be done easily at home with little to no equipment and is a viable way to increase strength, endurance and flexibility. Calisthenics encourages adaptability; for example, if a specific exercise is too difficult, a modified version is also available. Likewise, if an exercise is too easy, there are options to experiment with more challenging variations. Skills that are often learned at the beginning of an individual’s calisthenics journey include push-ups, pull-ups, squats and handstands. As time progresses and strength is built, technique can be improved and additional exercises can be added. For more about calisthenics and additional exercises, visit this website.
Heritage has its own indoor weight room, used by fitness classes as well as athletes and teachers. According to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, physical activities can decrease an individual’s risk of developing certain ailments. Specifically, exercising regularly can reduce an individual’s likeliness to develop heart disease by 25 to 50%. (Photo/Iangel Abreu)
From left to right, sophomore Alicia Krissel, eighth grader Madeline Zhuravel and sophomore Heidi Klink celebrate after finishing the Everglades 5K together. “If you’re going to do this, especially recreationally, I would recommend bringing a friend or two along on the journey. This way, you can hold yourself accountable,” Zhuravel said. (Photo/Mrs. Zhuravel)
