Where to Workout in San Francisco--for Free!

It's tough enough to stick to an exercise program when you're at home. But throw traveling for work or business in the mix, and it's easy to give up your workouts.

Ever tried to use the hotel's gym at 6:30 on a weekday morning? There's a sign-up sheet for the weights! Taking advantage of your home gym's "reciprocal guest" programs may not be much better. Sometimes the gym can be a $25 cab ride away. Add the $15 "day fee" and a week's worth of workouts can cost you more than your gym's monthly membership dues back home.

If you're ever in San Francisco, though, there are lots of ways to exercise...for free. Even better, since these are experiences unique to the city, you'll have a chance to mix with locals and get your sightseeing in at the same time.

My favorite exercise event is the Friday Night Skate. Every week when the weather is good, large groups of people roll through the city on a pre-determined route. There is something about skating through the city at night, whooping and laughing with a group of strangers that brings out a really pure kind of childish joy and freedom. San Francisco residents honk good-naturedly at the packs of skaters and are greeted in turn with a lot of yelling and waving. There's no need to worry about "keeping up"--- people of all levels are welcome, and the event is large enough that if you fall behind, you'll just start skating with a different group of people that had previously been behind you. At the end of the route, the finishers gather and the party continues throughout the night. I'm not sure if the calories burned during the skate cancels out the celebratory beers consumed at the end of the night, but you're definitely going to "feel the burn" the next day. For more information, go to: http://web.cora.org/friday.phtml

Another group exercise event is the weekly run, originating every Wednesday at the San Francisco Nike Town, located in Union Square. Although smaller and more of a true workout than the Friday Night Skate, the format is the same: participants meet at a designated location and cover a specific territory. The fitness level of the participants is high and there are serious runners in the group. But there are always people who are also first timers there, and you can choose to run or walk the 3, 5, or 7 mile routes. And of course, for people whose exercise consists of walks around the mall, there is plenty of public transportation around should they want to take a shortcut back. Although the start of the route is in downtown San Francisco, as the run continues, you'll be jogging through the Embarcadero, which, with its flat terrain and expansive sidewalks is perfectly suited for runners. Details can be found on the Nike website, or, http://www.nike.com/nikerunning/usa/home.jhtml?ref=http://www.nike.com/nikerunning#niketown_running_clubs

Feeling more social than athletic? Head down to Crissy Field on a weekend and join one of the pick up volleyball games. Located on Marina Boulevard near the Palace of Fine Arts, the volleyball games are a San Francisco singles tradition, and have been going on for so long there are probably second-generation players. Unlike the previous two exercise options, these games are not always open---sometimes there are teams practicing, or games between locals. Since there will always be spectators gathered around, it's easy enough to stand back and size up the situation first before jumping in. Closed game? Join the crowd and just start jogging on the Marina Green. For a true workout, use the fitness course close to the Buchanan/Avila Street entrance. You'll be rewarded with closeup views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge along with a crisp breeze to cool you off.

When San Francisco was being built, some streets were so steep that it was difficult for either man or horses to reach them. Hence, the tradition of building stairs to connect streets to one another was born. Local lore states that there are now over a hundred of these stairs dotted throughout the city, and some of them are ideal for exercise. The best one I've found are the Lyon Street steps in Pacific Heights. Follow Broadway Street, past the mansions (this area is nicknamed "The Gold Coast") until it dead-ends. There you'll see the beginning of the stairs, and a truly spectacular view of the Bay. I would walk down the stairs, and then jog back up. Be forewarned, though, this is easier said than done. Like an unrelenting StairMaster, you may find yourself getting winded much faster than you think. Better to pace yourself than be reduced to a heaving, panting mess in front of the oh-so-fit regulars who traverse these stairs daily.

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a trip to Golden Gate Park, so why not get a workout in while you're at it? For a small fee you can reserve a tennis court, or take a paddleboat out on Stow Lake. Bicycles can be rented from several businesses across the street from the park. There are pick up basketball games all over, and an occasional soccer one as well. The more contemplative can take a walk in the Rose Garden, one of my favorite places in the city. The fragrant, tranquil atmosphere is conducive to both romantic strolls (mostly of the first-date variety) and solitary meanderings. A thorough guide to Golden Gate Park can be found at: http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/ggpark.shtml

With one of the highest cost-of-living rates in the country, San Francisco is not an inexpensive place to visit. However, because of the city's commitment to open spaces and temperate climate, it can be one of the most unique and inexpensive places to stay in shape.