Due to changing quarantine measures, the activities, destination/s, store/s, establishment/s featured in this article might be temporarily prohibited or closed under the latest government policies. LGUs might also implement health protocols and travel requirements. Please get in touch with the establishment/s before visiting. Stay safe!
Most people consider vacation to be an opportunity to unwind and escape from their daily chores. However, lounging around and spoiling ourselves do not need to come at the expense of our own health. Even on vacation, we have to be mindful of our wellness and stay alert and active.
This can be a tough task when you’re in such a charming place like Baguio, where pleasures are present left and right. But with just the right amount of discipline and our list of places in Baguio for fitness lovers, you can still keep in top shape while staying in the City of Pines. So read on to see the top spots in Baguio where you can meet your workout goals!
1. Burnham Park
Burnham Park offers cheap exercise options—some are even free!
Image: Nicole Bontes
Burnham Park is largely popular for activities like boating on Burnham Lake, strolling around the park, and biking. As the city’s green space located right in the center of the business district, it is a common destination for both visitors and residents who just want to stay moving and going as they take in the scenery.
Even before the bike rental shops and boat shops open, the park already teems with activity as soon as the sun rises. In the park’s open spaces, instructors of aerobics, zumba, and tae bo are already up and about with their own portable sound systems to start their session as soon as there are enough people gathered around. You can choose to join any of these open classes, and while there is no fee, those who take part would usually donate between PhP20 to PhP35, which isn’t bad for a lively exercise session.
If these kinds of workouts aren’t your preferred way to sweat out, you may opt to go to Rose Garden around 5:30 AM to train alongside the occasional Tai-chi enthusiasts doing practice there. Overall, walking and jogging around the lake is by far the cheapest—and most peaceful—option of them all.
2. Baguio Athletic Bowl
The Baguio Athletic Bowl is not only for athletes in training but for anyone wanting to stay fit.
Image: Ryan Tabangin
Located at the far end of Burnham Park, near the Children’s Park and the main parking area for tourists is Baguio Athletic Bowl. It is open for public use, and within it is a track oval with eight padded lanes, four of which are dedicated to regular users and the remaining for athletes who train there. You’d probably prefer jogging around the oval because it wouldn’t be too taxing on your feet due to the rubberized padding of the track.
The stadium opens at 5:00 AM, with an admission fee of PhP25 for regular users and PhP10 for students. Senior citizens, athletes, and persons with disabilities can use it for free.
If you ever run out of things to do when staying in Baguio, then a leisurely jog around this ideal exercise venue will surely keep your heartbeat up and body temperature at normal.
3. Baguio City Swimming Pool
The heated swimming pools were first used during a regional athletic competition in Baguio City.
Image: Justin Santos
Another hidden gem that can be found in the Athletic Bowl compound is the Baguio City Swimming Pool. This covered pool complex has one Olympic-sized pool. The pools are heated, which definitely helps swimmers keep their ideal body temperature amidst Baguio’s cold climate.
Athletes can use the amenity for free, especially those who are training for competitions. Regular users can access it for only PhP50. They don’t have lockers available for use so it would be best if you come with a companion who can watch over your valuables.
4. Melvin Jones Grandstand and Auditorium
The field in Melvin Jones is always perfect for an afternoon soccer practice.
Image: @_ladyline_)
The Melvin Jones Grandstand and Auditorium is a popular spot during the Panagbenga Festival because this is where tourists usually come to see the floats up close. On regular days, however, the open field plays host to numerous soccer games, usually between college students. With the influx of foreign students from African countries, many of them would also flock to the field to spend their day playing soccer. During weekends, the spot also plays host to several soccer clinics or practice sessions for kids.
Still, you don’t need to know how to play soccer to visit the grandstand. The field is wide enough for multiple groups of people to play and have fun, so if you just want to do yoga, cardio, or stretching exercises, there is surely a spot for you here.
5. Wright Park
The winding flight of stairs makes sure you get a major cardio workout.
Image: Kristina Sophia Evangelista
Unlike Metro Manila, Baguio can still boast of its green spaces where people can openly commune with nature. One of these places is Wright Park, which is located near The Mansion. Although it may not be as big and wide as Burnham Park, it is still likewise a good spot for a serious cardiovascular workout.
If you’re not up for an intense workout, you can simply enjoy a jog around the park, around the picturesque pond across the main gate of The Mansion. Or you can try scaling the many winding stairs around the park, which feels like working out on your own Stairmaster. Like Burnham, the park is always open and is free for everyone’s enjoyment.
6. South Drive
South Drive is popular among runners, joggers, and bikers.
Image: Johan So
South Drive is a famous running route for local runners, joggers, and bikers because it’s such a scenic road and vehicles rarely pass by. This drive leads to the area of the Country Club and parts of Camp John Hay. Since it can get quite crowded during rush hour, it is recommended to traverse this route during the wee hours of the morning, which is generally considered to be the perfect time for a run or a ride. And because it has one of few remaining patches of forest in the city, it will make for a visually enjoyable experience.
7. Teachers’ Camp
Teachers’ Camp has lots of open space for a leisurely walk or a serious run.
Image: Angelique Lao Flores
Before the Athletic Bowl in Burnham Park had its rubberized tracks, runners and athletes used to flock the Athletic Bowl inside Teachers’ Camp for their routine training sessions. The oval remains open for athletes and regular users to train in. Since the presence of other available grounds means it isn’t bustling with activity these days, you can have a fully focused training session for a minimal fee of PhP35.
The difference between the Baguio Athletic Bowl and the one at Teachers’ Camp is the surroundings. Teachers’ Camp offers more shade and has more greenery than the former, since the oval is located inside the camp’s compound.
July 2020 Update: Teacher’s Camp currently serves as a quarantine facility for returnees.
8. Camp John Hay
The Eco Trail has a lot to offer those who are willing to explore it.
Image: @komiks13, Instagram
If you are up for some hiking, trail running, or trail biking, you don’t need to get out of Baguio City to do that. Inside Camp John Hay are several trails which can be explored on foot or on two wheels, whichever you prefer.
The two more popular trails are the Eco Trail and the Yellow Trail. The Yellow Trail starts at the area near Le Monet Hotel, enters the American Embassy area and exits out near the TreeTop Adventure spot. The Eco Trail on the other hand starts near the Paint Ball area and ends at the old main gate near Panagbenga Park.
Check out our list of fitness centers in Baguio and Northern Luzon or browse the Beauty, Health and Wellness category of the Yoorekka Directory.
Which of these places in Baguio for fitness lovers caught your interest? Let us which workout spot you’re most likely to visit in the comments section below!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on June 15, 2018.
