Health & Wellness
Beaches are Northeast Florida’s fitness nucleus. In the water, there’s surf and paddle boarding, but self-care extends to the shores as well. Locals stretch their bodies and minds with yoga on the beach, and joggers in JAX hit the sand for group runs.
Waves to wetlands, JAX itself is an outdoor lover’s fitness center for mind, body and soul. Water or sand, trail or gym, Jacksonville is the place for your whole being’s well being.
Quick Resource Links
Miles of seashore and a network of connected trails offer runners peaceful pathways. The Southbank Riverwalk in downtown JAX is a great setting for run, especially for professionals looking for a work break in the city’s core. Switch up your scenery with jog on Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, a railroad from the past where you can sneak peeks at local flora and fauna.
Feeling competitive? Jacksonville is home to several races where you can challenge your friends or yourself. The Gate River Run is the country’s largest 15K and draws people from all over the world. The DONNA Marathon is held every February and is the only marathon in the country that donates 100% of its proceeds to breast cancer research and care for The DONNA Foundation and Mayo Clinic.
Recharge your body and brain with one of many Jacksonville yoga classes. Stretch before you shop on Saturday mornings at Riverside Arts Market’s community yoga or, if you’re looking for something new, goat yoga and kitten yoga are relaxing ways to start your day. You can try it out at the annual Clay County Fair. Say cheers to your chakras at Jacksonville’s breweries that offer yoga.
Loosen up limbs at Florida Yoga and Paddle for an ultimate mind, body and “spirits” workout. The company provides the SUP boards for a water yoga practice and launches from one of USA TODAY’s 10Best brewpubs, Wicked Barley, a local gem on Goodby’s Creek. Each class is followed by a refreshing beverage at the brewery.
After refining your asana at M Body Yoga in Neptune Beach or an aerial experience with SaltAer in Jacksonville Beach, enjoy a kombucha at Fishweir Brewing, JAX’s only kombucha brewery.
For the perfect destination for relaxation, retreat to the Amelia Island Wellness Festival. The multi-day event is all about discovering a natural path to well-being with workshops on yoga, meditation, nutrition and cardio activity on beautiful Amelia Island.
Spin, CrossFit and everything in between, Jacksonville gyms offer endless possibilities. Boutique fitness studios like Define, Power Pilates Plus and Rebel Studio offer a variety of ways to spin, cross train and get moving.
Build your endurance, stamina and more with the top CrossFit studios in JAX. Each offers a unique experience and challenge whether you’re a beginner or seasoned athlete. Our gyms are anything but ordinary, but for a more defined approach these JAX fitness centers provide a wide range of activities from personal training, state-of-the-art machines, martial arts training and more.
Just getting into fitness and need some guidance? The First Coast YMCA is a staple in its community and provides healthy living, social responsibility and youth development programs for all.