5 Things: Shanghai's Best Urban Gyms by Shanghai Habits

By Emily Wetzki, November 5, 2014

A That's weekly series where we ask a Shanghai-based somebody to tell us 5 Things specific to his or her life. This week Shanghai Habits blogger and healthy living enthusiast Line Fricke reveals her five favorite Shanghai Urban Gyms. That means these spots are accessible and open to all at any time and we think there's still a month or so to get out there before the colder weather sets in. Line's tips prove that there are no excuses when it comes to exercising in this city! Check out the blog for some other fantastic tips for staying in good shape inside and out in Shanghai- and some travel tips too.

1. Xuhui Waterfront at the South Bund

My favorite spot for running, playing, doing yoga and other activities is Xuhui Waterfront. Never heard of it? Neither had I, before me and my boyfriend decided to run from our home to the Huangpu River and ended up at this modern waterfront and green recreation area. It’s one of these areas I would expect a modern metropolis to have, and it actually reminds me of the waterfront in Manhattan, New York. Still, I was surprised to find it here in Shanghai! From one end of the waterfront to the other you can do a great 5-6k run with lots of exercise opportunities along the way. Xuhui Waterfront is worth a visit - great for a weekend stroll as well.

2. Suzhou Creek

Suzhou Creek is just a 10 minute bike ride away from my home in the French Concession and I love to go here for a run or a stroll. It’s such a great little escape from the crowded streets and a perfect place to do a run by the water.

I usually bike to the creek and continue along until I reach the Jiuzi Park area where I lock my bike and helmet to a bench and run from there. The Park area is quite easy to recognize as it looks very new with wooden paths, benches and a running track. If I have a good leg-day I’ll run all the way to the Bund and back, which can be between 6-8k depending on where you put your bike/scooter.

There is something really spectacular about running by the creek as it gets broader and broader and suddenly the Pudong skyline shows behind bridges and buildings. Before you know it the creek runs into Huangpu River and you are being stopped by a Chinese tourist for a photo together at the Bund.

3. City Parks

Though most city parks in Shanghai are quite small and quite crowded I actually love visiting them, especially early in the morning. What I have discovered is that Shanghai is a totally different city this time of day.The air is much cleaner, the traffic is limited and the parks are bustling with people doing all sorts of activities (and I mean all sorts). A run, a walk or some yoga in one of the popular parks such as Jing'an, Xiangyang or Fuxing Park is really an experience.

If I’m out for park activities, I often run from one park to another. This way I avoid looping around the same park too long and it pushes me to run a little bit longer when I have another park as my goal. My favorite city park for running is Fuxing Park, which has a decent size as well as a great green lawn which you are actually allowed to access; my favorite city park for a local Shanghai morning experience is Jing’an Park and my favorite yoga spot is the Public Garden of Okura Hotel which is also my 'secret spot' but sharing is caring, right?

4. Century Park

If you get tired of looping around the small and crowded city parks and are looking for some more open space, I can recommend a weekend mission to Shanghai’s largest park: Century Park. Century Park is located in Pudong, east of Lujiazui and it is a bit of a mission to get there from Puxi, but it is worth it! Put on your running gear and jump on Line 2 until Shanghai Science & Technology Museum or Century Park. Alternatively, a taxi from the center of Puxi is approximately RMB25.

Out at Century Park you can run on the running track around the whole park with lots of other running enthusiasts or you can pay RMB10 to get access into the park and its many paths, green fields, big lake and a small tivoli. Century Park and its outside area is fresh, open, green and biiiiiiig. So you can definitely get your marathon training started in Shanghai by doing a couple of weekly missions to Century Park. Bonus? A Century Park mission almost feels like a small Shanghai get-away, so take some time to stroll around, do some yoga and breathe in some fresh Pudong air.

5. Open Cross Fit Jing’an

If you like the sound of Shanghai’s Urban Gyms but prefer not to jump around outside among pollution, traffic and crowds, why not visit Open Gym at China’s “original” Cross Fit gym: Iron Dragon (the name says it all doesn't it?).

Cross Fit shi shenme?

According to Iron Dragon, Cross Fit is 'The Sport of Fitness' and despite its rather rough edges it is said to be suitable for everyone - even weak'ish unexperienced yoga girls like me... Cross Fit is a combination of lots of training systems and philosophies - even elements from yoga are super important as Cross Fit is more than strength - balance and flexibility are essential!

If you want to try this action-packed workout, just hit up 325 Changhua Lu / Kangding Lu in Jing'an district on Fridays after 6pm, where they offer Open Gym and welcome anybody for free. Yes: For free. You don't hear these words too often in Shanghai friends so I'll just repeat the words written with graffiti inside the Iron Dragon Cross Fit box: NO EXCUSES!

Don’t forget to check the Air Quality – I don’t go out if the air is terrible…..aaaaand don’t forget to have fun!!