Exercising in Greenwich Village can be a new adventure every day. Put on your sneakers, strap on your iPod and travel down the winding cobblestone streets, up onto the Highline, and off to the West Side Highway. Make sure to incorporate all the aspects of this neighborhood in order to keep workouts fresh and exciting.
Running through history
The Dutch and then the British first settled this neighborhood in the 17th century and their history is still ever present. The homes of Greenwich Village are mostly brownstones with stoops. The word stoop is actually derived from Dutch word meaning "small porch." It was a way to separate the houses in the 17th century from the dusty roads. Incorporate these stoops into your daily cardio. While running down the streets of Greenwich Village, run up and down all the stoops on the street. Face sideways while climbing and descending the stoops in order to target the inner and outer thighs.
Run a Unique Route everyday in Greenwich Village
There aren't many places that have more wonderful street names than Greenwich Village. The streets are wonderfully intertwined, from Horatio to Bethune and Bank Street to just plain Jane Street. Get lost in the bend of Bedford Street or on the "T" shaped Minetta Street. Drop street names in a hat and then pick out as many as you want. Take out a map of the Greenwich Village and connect the streets to create a running route of the day. This is an instant way to go on a different running adventure each time you exercise. The view will be different, which will keep the run exciting and new.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is on the east side of Greenwich Village. This park can be used for all types of activities. Get some friends together for a yoga or pilates session in the park. Go during the summer evenings and have perfect background music sponsored by the Washington Square Music Association. Not only will your body feel great after an hour of exercise, but you will listen to amazing musicians for free.
The Highline
The Highline is a re-appropriated space that opened up in 2009. It was originally an elevated railroad track created to shuttle workers to and from warehouses in the early 20th century. For decades it was left untouched. Many Greenwich Village residents saw this elevated track as wasted space. In a city where grass, trees and open areas are at a minimum, neighbors got together, raised money and created the Highline. Make this a part of every run. It's too good a vantage point to pass up. Incorporate every stair entrance/exit on the Highline and get instant butt toning exercises. Entrances/Exits are at Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, and 20th Street.
West Side Highway
Take your exercise session along the West Side Highway. It runs from Lower Manhattan up to Chelsea. Right on the Hudson, there are wide lanes for running, biking, and rollerblading. Travel south to watch the sunset with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Take some deeps breaths, stretch and enjoy the scenery.
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