Summer is the best time of year to get active and melt away the winter pounds. While we feel more motivated and energized to get fit, the last thing we want is to spend sunny summer days cooped up in a dark gym.

Only in Mississauga do you have a great alternative that allows you to get fit, burn off calories and feel energized all while enjoying the fresh open air. The best part? There are zero gym fees, no membership requirements and you can come and go at any time. That’s because your ‘gym’ is part of the park.

Lake Aquitaine Park, located 4 minutes from Streetsville in the heart of Meadowvale, is home to a 1.4 kilometre fitness loop equipped with body weight fitness machines connected by a quaint path overlooking scenic Lake Aquitaine.

Not sure where to start? Modern Mississauga’s resident fitness expert Alicia Jones breaks down this quick and simple outdoor circuit, which can be repeated 1-3 times for your total body workout.

Power walk or run to each fitness station

Pass station #1 which is temporarily under repair and begin your workout at station #2.

Station #2: Vertical Chest Press

Sit up tall
Hold both handles, thumbs face up
Exhale as you slowly push the bars forwards until your arms are almost straight
Keep a slight bend in your elbows to protect your joints
Inhale as you slowly return to start position
Repeat 15-20 times

Station #3: Leg Press

Sit up tall and place your feet on the foot pads
Keep your knees hip width apart
Exhale as you push your feet into the pads and straighten your legs
Keep a slight bend in your knees to protect your joints
Inhale as you bend your knees once again
Repeat 15-20 times

Station #4: Seated Lat Pull

Sit up tall and grip handle bars, palms facing away from the body
Exhale as you pull the bars down, bend your elbows as they flare to your sides.
Inhale as you extend your arms straight, keeping slight bend in the elbow to protect your joints
Repeat 15-20 times

Station #4: Arm Lift

Move immediately from Seated Lat Pull to the opposite side called Arm Lift
Sit up tall and grip the bars, palms facing away from the body
Exhale as you slowly raise your arms up. Keep a slight bend in the elbow to protect your joint
Inhale as you bend your elbows and return to start position
Repeat 15-20 times

Station #5: Butterfly Open

Sit up tall
Hold the vertical handles, thumbs face up
Exhale as you separate the two bars
Squeeze your shoulder blades back and keep your elbows up
Inhale and you bring the two bars back together
Repeat 15-20 times

Station #5: Butterfly Close

Move immediately from Butterfly open to Butterfly Close
Sit up tall
Place inside of arms against pads, elbows bent at 90 degrees and palms flat
Exhale as you slowly press the two bars together until your hands meet in the middle
Inhale as you slowly control the bars back to start position
Repeat 15-20 times

PRO TIP: Change your fitness level simply by switching your feet

Aquitaine’s fitness machines use your body weight for resistance. While many believe this makes the machine a one level resistance, there’s a secret way to change the difficulty.

For a greater challenge: Use all of your body weight by placing both feet on the metal foot stand.

To make the exercise easier: Place the balls of your feet firmly on the ground, heels high. Push into the ground using your leg muscles and push your back firmly into the back rest. The more you lift yourself with your legs, the less weighted your exercise will be (not to mention you also get a great calf workout).

Alicia Jones, BH Kin, CPTS is a Mississauga and surrounding GTA fitness expert with over 10 years of experience. She is the founder of Destination Fit, a fitness company dedicated to helping people develop their unique healthy lifestyles. She is a fitness writer, a blogger at Alicia Jones Healthy Living and lead health and fitness expert for Modern Mississauga.

NOTE: At the time of publishing, machines 1 and 6 were under construction. This gives you a longer distance to devote to cardio. Continue power walking or running to the next machine.