By admin 
Exercise is one of the most vital activities a person can do, as having a weekly regimen can combat health conditions and diseases, improve mood, boost energy and produce many other benefits.
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However, it’s not easy to get started.
Lack of motivation and time are some of the biggest barriers to exercise. Additionally, it’s not cheap to buy new equipment or go to a training facility.
Thankfully, most cities and towns have designated areas for physical activity, where people can exercise for free.
In and around Columbia, there are several areas that provide accessible machines, equipment and trails. Here are places open to the public in the city that are great for exercising:
Free areas around Columbia to exercise
Finlay Park
The recently renovated Finlay Park has several sports & recreational courts that are open to the public.
If you want to train your muscles, the park has a Prisma Health Fitness Court filled with several movement zones. Each zone offers hundreds of exercises and trains different parts of the body through functional movement patterns, according to its website.
There’s a free Fitness Court App in the App Store and on Google Play that shows participants all the exercises available at the fitness court.
In addition, there are dedicated areas for pickleball, tennis, soccer, roller skating and disc golf. There’s also a playground for children.
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The address is 930 Laurel St.
West Columbia Riverwalk Park
On the other side of the Congaree River in West Columbia is the Riverwalk Park, where people can run or jog with an amazing view of the river. There is also free workout equipment along the trail.
The address is 109 Alexander Road.
Owens Field Park
If you have a skateboard and have been looking for a place to learn some new moves, Owens Field Park is the place for you. The skate park is 15,000 square feet and features a street plaza, stairs, rails, and bowls ranging in depth from 4 to 12 feet.
Besides the skate park, there is a wide-open field open for all sorts of recreational activities, such as soccer, track, football and much more. An 18-hole disc golf course is also available for free.
The address is 1401 Jim Hamilton Blvd.
Greenview Park
Greenview Park is a multi-sport complex that offers recreational amenities inside and outside of the park. It has multiple ball fields, a nine-court tennis facility, an outdoor swimming pool, a walking trail, a playground area and a picnic shelter. The swimming pool is closed for the season.
The address is 6700 David Street.
Rosewood Park
Rosewood Park isn’t just a playground for children anymore. The park has a paved trail for walking, skating, or bicycling, and the city recently added another Prisma Health Fitness Court.
Similar to the fitness court at Finlay Park, this fitness court provides the community with free fitness infrastructure that allows users to leverage their own body weight through seven movements: core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility and bend, according to a press release.
Each station is designed for people of all ages and abilities, encouraging users to move at their own pace and comfort level.
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The address is 901 S Holly St