The air may be getting nippy out, but that makes it perfect to get out of the gym and do your exercises outdoors, while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage in the afternoons.

One of the best places to do so is along the Lake Gregory Fitness Trail.

Part of the lovely loop trail around Lake Gregory, the Fitness Trail is a scenic 2.5-mile loop, which includes a set of 10 fitness stations, placed throughout.

These stations, called the Steel Challenge Course, all have diagrams and instructions posted at each stop, along with recommended repetition and usage for beginning, intermediate and advanced fitness levels.

Here is a list of the stations you’ll find:

• Station #1 is the leg lift station.
• Station #2, a few hundred yards further down, is a sit-up station.
• Station #3 is near San Moritz Lodge and is a horizontal ladder station, which benefits arms, shoulders and chest.
• Station #4, near the Senior Center, is is a beam jump to strengthen calf and thigh muscles.
• Station #5, in front of Lake Gregory Elementary School, is a body curl bench to strengthen the stomach, lower back and biceps.
• Station #6 is right next to #5 and is a step-up station benefiting the legs.
• Station #7 features parallel bars to work the shoulders, triceps, upper back and forearms.
• Station #8 offers a balance beam for more leg work, as well as improving your core body balance.
• Station #9, near the bathrooms on the northwest side of the lake, features a jumping bar to work the legs.
• Station #10 are chin-up bars to work the shoulders, back and arms.

There are two ways to do the loop. If you start at the South Beach parking lot, located on San Moritz Drive, and go counter clock-wise along the trail, you’ll find Station #1 about 100 yards down the trail. If you’d like a walking or running warm-up, go clockwise instead, and you’ll encounter Station #10 first.

The course is free to use for all ages, but it is not recommended for children under 12 without adult supervision. The course also has several benches along it, if you just need a quick rest.

Have you used the fitness trail at all? Let us know what you think of it.

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