Fitiva
Fitness in Munich: where the city really trains
Munich trains outdoors. The Englischer Garten, the Isar and the Olympiapark are close to the centre, and the city makes good use of them. If you're new here, you don't need a membership to get started. Just the right places.
Contents8 sections
Englischer Garten
The classic, and rightly so. The Englischer Garten stretches north from the old town for several kilometres, with a network of paths that's enough for any run.
Source: muenchen.de, English Garden, as of 09/2026.
The south around the Haus der Kunst, Eisbach, Monopteros and Kleinhesseloher See is flat, and in the evenings lots of runners are out here. Further north, in the Hirschau up to the Aumeister, it gets quieter and the paths get longer. Ideal for your long run at the weekend.
Olympiapark
If you want hills, head to the Olympiapark. The Olympiaberg is about 56 metres high and was built after the Second World War from the rubble of the destroyed city. Today it's Munich's most honest training partner: short, steep, merciless. Ten times up at a run, easy back down, and your legs know what they've done.
You can warm up around the Olympiasee, and the Munich Action Park has a calisthenics area with pull-up bars and parallel bars for dips and static exercises.
Isar
South of the Wittelsbacherbrücke, the Isar becomes a sports stage: gravel, water, and in summer people out until late at night. The riverside path is good for intervals, because you can run a long way without traffic lights.
In the Isarauen in Untergiesing there's also one of the city's free fitness trails, with 20 stations. You'll find all the trails further down.
Westpark
Underrated, and relaxed because of it. The Westpark was created in 1983 for the International Garden Exhibition, covers 60 hectares and is split in two by the Mittlerer Ring, Munich's ring road, each part with its own lake. Landscaped hills and valleys, less hustle and bustle than in the Englischer Garten. Good for beginners and for anyone who wants to run in peace.
Every Saturday at 9 am, the Westpark parkrun starts here: 5 kilometres, free, walking allowed. The city's second parkrun is in Riemer Park in the east.
Free outdoor training
Munich has several free fitness trails that are open around the clock. At each station, a board explains the exercises.
Untergiesing
Isarauen
20 stations with a horizontal bar, a balance course and a slalom. Take the U1 to Candidplatz or the U3 to Brudermühlstraße.
Neuperlach
Ostpark
Stations for abs and back, developed with the Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (German Olympic Sports Confederation). Take the U5 to Michaelibad.
Messestadt
Riemer Park
Around 15 pieces of equipment for all ages and a slackline. Take the U2 to Messestadt Ost.
Obersendling
Südpark
Dip stations and pull-up bars for a full-body workout. Take the U3 to Machtlfinger Straße.
In the woods
Perlacher Forst
20 stations spread through the woods, for stamina and stretching. Start at the north entrance, take the U1 to Mangfallplatz.
Source: muenchen.de, Free fitness trails, as of 09/2026.
From May to September there's also "Fit im Park", an open sports programme run by the city: yoga, Zumba, dance and fitness in various parks, free and with no sign-up. The current programme is on the city's website.
Indoors: the scene
When it rains or you want some guidance, Munich has a wide choice of studios for Pilates, yoga, boxing, CrossFit and functional training. Many offer trial classes. Before your first session, ask what a class costs and whether there are packages.
In Fitiva you'll find coaches and events near you on the map, filtered by sport, and book directly in the app. At launch, coaches and events are available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The map shows you who's on board in your neighbourhood right now.
Tips for newcomers
- Start with a group. A run club or Saturday's parkrun is the fastest way to find people with the same rhythm. How to find your group is covered in our article on run clubs.
- Train early or late. After work the parks are packed. Early in the morning you have them almost to yourself.
- Make the most of the lakes and mountains. The S6 takes you to Starnberger See, the S8 to Ammersee, and the regional train gets you into the mountains in just over an hour. If you're building endurance, you've got a great Sunday ahead of you here.
- Find a coach who knows the places. Someone who stands with you at the Olympiaberg plans differently from someone who only knows spreadsheets.
Frequently asked questions about fitness in Munich
Where can I train outdoors for free in Munich?
On the city's free fitness trails, for example in the Isarauen, Ostpark, Riemer Park, Südpark and Perlacher Forst. From May to September there's also "Fit im Park", with free classes and no sign-up.
Where's the best place to run in Munich?
Flat and long in the Englischer Garten, with hills in the Olympiapark, for intervals along the Isar and quietly in the Westpark. To start with, a loop in the south of the Englischer Garten is plenty.
Where can I find a running group in Munich?
The easiest start is parkrun, every Saturday at 9 am in Westpark and Riemer Park. There are also lots of run clubs that organise themselves via Instagram. The directory socialrunclubs.de lists them by city.
Are there Fitiva coaches in Munich?
At launch, coaches and events are available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You can see on the map who's on board near you right now. Tracking and Ava don't need a coach nearby and work everywhere.
