Free Group Workouts in the Sacramento Area | Running, Yoga, Cycling + More

We’ve mentioned some of the best fitness centers in the area, most of which host classes and group workout activities in their state-of-the-art facilities. However, you may not be aware that there are several ways to stay accountable for your weekly exercise that are completely free and open to the public!

Forget about an annual fee and leave those wallets behind, and sign up for one of these fun, active and encouraging groups in the area, focusing on running, yoga, cycling, hiking and walking.

Running

Moms RUN This Town

Moms RUN This Town is a running club created by moms, for the purpose of getting other moms together to run, walk or jog, and socialize. Any skill level is welcome to participate, whether you are a walker hoping to start training for your first 5K or an experienced runner training for a marathon. This national running group has several local charters, in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Rosemont/Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights/Fair Oaks, Roseville/Rocklin, Folsom/El Dorado Hills, Antelope and Granite Bay. Join the free and welcoming group in your neighborhood!

9RUN6

9RUN6 is a fun, free and quick workout group that accepts all fitness and experience levels. They meet at a variety of locations throughout the city for a laid-back, interactive and exciting workout. 9RUN6 meets at 5:30, 6, and 6:25 a.m. each Monday at McKinley Park for a group run, followed by a runner-specific workout that helps with strength and flexibility. 9RUN6 also meets on Wednesdays at 5:30, 6 and 6:25 a.m. on the west steps of the Capitol; the first two times are running groups, and the 6:25 a.m. group meets for a group workout. On Fridays, 9RUN6 meets at the west steps of the Capitol at 5:30, 6 and 6:25 a.m. for a group run. Each Saturday, 9RUN6 assembles for a longer run at 7 a.m., meeting at locations announced each week on Facebook. Individuals decide their paces and distance, but this meeting provides accountability, motivation and camaraderie.

Intro to Trail Running: July 2017

Fleet Feet Sports Folsom & Roseville is hosting a completely free trail training program throughout the month of July. Weekly group workouts take place at 7 a.m. on July 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Fleet Feet Sports Folsom & Lake Natoma. The program features experienced coaches, a training schedule, insights from trail insiders, and seminars to get you acquainted and comfortable with life on the trail. As this program costs $0, the only requirement is that you have an ability to run or run/walk 2 miles and are currently exercising 2-5 times per week. Register now for this informative and exciting training experience!

Fleet Feet Folsom Free Community Runs

If you miss out on their Intro to Trail Running course, Fleet Feet Folsom offers a free community run on the first and third Saturday of every month. Meet at 8 a.m. at their Folsom location for a run around the area with fellow runners! Various vendors will attend with demo shoes for the run as well.

Gold Country Run + Sport

Gold Country Run + Sport is a community-based organization in Folsom with exceptional running and fitness gear that promotes an active lifestyle. They do this specifically with their weekly running group that meets at the Folsom store every Sunday at 8 a.m. Explore the beautiful American River Bike Trail or the trails around Folsom Lake, then return to the store to sip on Folsom Grind coffee and learn about some of the latest running gear. The runs are completely free, open to the community, and are a great opportunity for runners or walkers of all abilities.

Sloppy Moose Running Club

Sloppy Moose is a fun, laidback and carefree running club meeting each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Helvetia Brewing Company. You’ll run 3 miles then return to the brewery for a beer (or water!) and mingle with fellow runners. This club was founded just a few years ago by locals who enjoy the sense of community, fitness, and responsible consumption.

Java Joggers

Java Joggers is a group of runners, walkers and joggers who enjoy being social and exercising in community. They have been meeting in Fair Oaks each Saturday or Sunday for years for a chance to run and walk together and socialize at a coffee shop afterwards. Join this group filled with a variety of fitness levels for a fun and active weekend activity!

Folsom Trail Runners

Travel off the beaten path, quite literally, by joining the Folsom Trail Runners group! Trail running provides less impact on the body than running on pavement, utilizes more muscle groups, improves balance and agility, and is a great way to connect with nature. Experience all of the above with a group run on the weekend, during the night, or in the morning. Folsom Trail Runners typically travels on trails surrounding Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma, Auburn and Cool. All levels of runners are welcome to join; however, it is recommended that you are able to run at least 3 miles at a minimum trail pace of 11–12 minutes per mile prior to joining the group.

Sacramento FrontRunners

Sacramento FrontRunners is a jogging and walking club open to all skill levels meeting at McKinley Park Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. They meet at the corner of the tennis courts at McKinley Boulevard and 33rd Street for a huddle, announcements, and laps around the park. On Saturday mornings, the group meets at Guy West Bridge opposite from CSUS for a run/walk along the American River!

Yoga

Fusion Yoga Studio

Fusion Yoga Studio offers free and donation-based classes at their studio. They believe that yoga is not a luxury but rather a practice they hope to share with everyone. These classes ensure that all who wish to explore the diverse benefits of yoga may pursue them regardless of their financial circumstances. On the other hand, if you choose to contribute financially, your donations will ultimately allow those with fewer resources to benefit from Fusion’s classes. What an amazing way to support the community!

Yoga Moves Us

Yoga Moves Us is dedicated to building healthier, stronger communities by making yoga accessible and bringing free yoga to local parks. They are uniting neighbors, uniting yoga studios and teachers, and ultimately uniting individuals to a practice that is proven to create a healthier lifestyle. The indoor yoga sessions are now coming to a close, and outdoor yoga at McKinley Park is kicking off April 2 and continues every Saturday from 9–10:15 a.m.

Yoga Meetup at the Sacramento Public Library

The library, one of the most calm and relaxing atmospheres, is doubling as a yoga studio with their yoga meetups led by experienced instructor Joan Howell. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome to join this free yoga lesson that will increase strength, flexibility and balance. Just wear loose clothing and bring a yoga mat! This class meets on the second Saturday of every month at 1 p.m.

Cycling

The Hammerin’ Wheels

The Hammerin’ Wheels group promotes all levels of active cycling with events for riders on both paved and unpaved trails/roads throughout Roseville. Their club has three separate “sides,” or style of cycling.

Casual Biking

This is perfect for new road cyclists who want a slower pace or a more beginner-friendly atmosphere. However, this group is composed of cyclists who are casual in attitude, but not necessarily ability. Each ride is usually followed by a fun social gathering!

Road Biking

These rides vary in length and speed and are meant for cyclists who have a combination of experience and/or some sort of athletic ability.

Mountain Biking

This group typically splits into subgroups based on skill level, and travels through dirt trails throughout the area.

Elk Grove Cycling Club

Elk Grove Cycling Club is comprised of members who act as accountability partners for each other, encouraging their fellow members to ride more frequently and to greater distances. This is a non-competitive club that cycles for fun, fitness and socialization. Join their Meetup group to be a part of the next group ride after going through the membership process.

Hiking + Walking

Hikers & Company

Explore the area’s beautiful trails and surrounding scenery and make a few friends in the meantime! Hikers & Company is a group of local explorers who focus on hiking and enjoy camping, dancing, bowling, skating, bicycling, game nights, dinners and much more. This is a friendly and fun group that welcomes adventurers and explorers of all ages and abilities. Keep an eye on their Meetup plans to join their next outing!

Trail Mix Hikes

Trail Mix Hikes has mastered the sport of social group hiking, helping others explore the Sacramento region in addition to several state and national parks throughout Northern California. They embark on a variety of day and evening hikes suitable to different fitness levels both during the week and on weekends. They even add specific interests to some hikes, such as photography, compass skills, or birding, and often end the adventure at nice restaurants, pizza parlors, or with a picnic under the stars.

Sacramento Walking Sticks

The Sacramento Walking Sticks is the nation’s largest AVA-affiliated walking club! This non-profit started in 1984 and is run completely by volunteers. Each Walking Sticks event is open to everyone (even non-members), is non-competitive, and is completely free. Simply submit your email address to get the club’s Walk Alerts with information like location, times, driving directions, etc. What a fun way to stay active and social, no matter your athletic ability!

What free group workouts are we missing out on?

Let us know in the comments below!