The beginning of January is an exciting time for everyone who wants to kick off an exciting year with the quest of good health and exercise. It is also an exciting time for your local shoe store that has rows and rows of your favorite brands like Brooks, Hoka One, New Balance, On Running, and Altra. We offer a wide variety of sizes, widths, and colors and our trained staff can get you in the perfect footwear to keep you in your best form while you increase your cardio!
We asked our Facebook peeps to tell us some of their favorite places here locally to burn some calories. We had a lot of great tips on excellent trails and parks like Million Park and Battlefield Park among others.
Many of the responses enjoy a good walk at Lake Reba. If you’ve ever walked it, you probably know about the challenging hill as you turn away from the lake and alongside the 10th fairway at Gibson Bay.
We also saw several recommendations for White Hall Park in Northern Madison County. It’s morning time views with fog rising from the lake are absolutely breathtaking. It also provides a variety of views of the White Hall Mansion which was built by Cassius Clay himself. Just like Lake Reba, White Hall offers plenty of challenge but also long stretches of flat trails. If you go in the morning, you’re almost sure to see at least one deer.
Some of the most challenging outdoor hikes can be found in Berea. The Pinnacles offer a variety of trails and lead to some of the most breathtaking views our state has to offer. If you’ve never hiked to the Indian Fort Lookout, you’re in for an incredible treat. It’s been a favorite for locals since well before any of our time.
Eastern Kentucky University earns its nickname, “The Campus Beautiful” during all four seasons. With beautiful buildings, old trees, and plenty of pavement, it provides an excellent setting to get some exercise and enjoy beautiful surroundings. Personally, I have always loved the area along Lancaster Avenue and the Ravine, but we had a number of recommendations on Facebook to visit the Woodchip Trail. I can’t wait to get on campus and try it out!
For some people, finding time to get their steps in each day is difficult because of their work schedule. Several clever people shared that they use opportunities within their job to stay active. If we put our minds to it, this is probably something all of us could do a little more of!
For those rainy days that we don’t like to get out, a lot of people visit the old Richmond Mall across from us here at Soft Shoe. If you haven’t been there in a while, it’s definitely worth a visit to see some of the local shops that call it home.
We have numerous options in Madison County to get on a treadmill or stationary bike, or if you plan to amp up your workout regime by adding in some more intense training, here’s some of the local places that received some recommendations.
We also received some tips that might not be the most helpful, but they did at least give us a good laugh!
Wherever you decide to exercise, please always remember to make sure your shoes fit properly, wear good socks (we sell thousands of pairs of compression socks every year), and wear reflective clothing if you’re out in the dark.
Stay Safe and Shop Local!
This was put together so well!! Love it
Behind Waco school before I became temporarily unable to due to health
Crystal, we hope 2020 is a year of nothing but good news and good times for you! You’re such a great customer and nice person!
So cool!
I’m blessed to work with special needs adults, we walk around Lake Reba, Whitehall Park and we go to Richmond Mall when the weather is bad. I’m glad my clients enjoy walking with me. After work I go to the gym to get a good sweat on!
Love to hike at the Pinnacles in Berea!
Walking at Richmond Mall is a great place to get some exercise.
The Pinnacles in Berea is a great hike and workout!
I prefer the woods. Trails the up and down hills crossing paths with wildlife. Sitting along the banks of the water. Peace and serenity. A great place to run, quiet meditations alone with the creator
Great ideas for outdoor activity!
Great ideas for outdoor activity! Thanks for sharing!
A lot of great suggestions.
I would love to do more running outdoors. I will definitely look some of these places up.
White hall park
Gonna have to try some of these places!
Oh I loved reading this and hearing about all the different places definitely makes me want to go and check them all out ? This was very interesting and I always enjoy the different blogs. Thanks for sharing .
White Hall, by far. It’s so peaceful and there are so many options on changing up your route while you’re running.
You were definitely right about Lake Reba and Whitehall. We have some beautiful scenic spots for walking and getting in some good cardio!
White Hall
I get plenty of exercise at work!
Love Whitehall beautiful an peaceful.
I agree with the comments regarding Lake Reba. I think it’s just so beautiful.
Lake Reba❤??♀️
Scenery is beautiful
I like walking/running at White Hall Park. Great support with Run Richmind running group there on Sat AM
I need a new pair of tennis shoes!!
Thanks for all Soft Shoe does for our community!
Love this!
The fairly new walking track by the Pinnacles is super nice and they just extended it! When it gets warmer I’m going to go use it a lot!
I like to walk anytime anywhere.
I love the Pinnacles too! All great suggestions! ??♀️
I live in Berea, and I love walking around the campus. It is so peaceful. After seeing so many people talk about the places above I want to go walk there!
Nice blog ?
White hall park 🙂
Love walking at Lake Reba.
I go to Everybody’s Gym in Irvine but I love to walk outside on nicer days.
Great article!
I love walking at Brushy Fork in Berea!it has easy trails and tough trails and is absolutely beautiful year round!
A lot of good choices year round in Madison county!
Lake Reba!
I want to try white hall soon.
White Hall park has a great walking trail
I’m a big fan of the Y!
Thanks for creating this, it provided me with some great places to check out once it warms up this spring.
Million Park off Tate’s Creek Road is wonderful!
My dog and I love running at Whitehall and Lake Reba. I also like working out at Edge Body Boot Camp.
Whitehall track!!!! It’s around a beautiful pond, beautiful scenery, you can see the entire track, restrooms, benches to rest, playground for kids while walking/running, lots of close parking, and never crowded!!!!
I LOVE to exercise in Irvine, KY. Especially during the sunset. Walking or running around the block. It makes for a beautiful scenery!!
I love to walk at Berea College and Indian Fort Theater is beautiful as well. Berea Community School has some nice walking trails.
I love to walk at Lake Reba, the track at B. Cadillac Middle School or behind Waco Elementary. My son rides his bike while I walk/jog.
It’s about time for a new pair of running shoes from Soft Shoe!
Thanks for highlighting my comment! 🙂
I love walking on our street on pretty days sometimes we go to our school playground
Richmond athletic club is as good as it gets! No better place to get a lift in and talk to some friendly people.
Oh I loved reading this and hearing about all the different places definitely makes me want to go and check them all out ? This was very interesting and I always enjoy the different blogs. Thanks for sharing .
We Love walking around Berea College and around the town. You can get good exercise and you can also look at the Beautiful city I live in.
Richmond athletic club is definitely the best. Super supportive community and always feels so good to be there!
Berea Fitness
I have recently started working out at GetFit. I highly recommend the pound class. It is fun, energetic and works every part of your body. My body is currently suffering from the soreness of my first class!
I love to walk around Berea College and Berea Community school. They have some nice trails down from Boone Tavern as well.
Lake Reba is BEAUTIFUL..