Recreation

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation

Recreation Division

About Our Recreation Programs

Welcome to the Recreation division of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation - where there's something for every age and every ability in every season! Our department offers a wide variety of programs designed to help the Grand Rapids community get active, stay connected, and enjoy the great outdoors. 

We provide year-round classes for adults and kids of all ages including fitness classes, swim lessons, youth sports, music lessons, and more. Older adults will find welcoming classes in Fitness Gold, our free senior program open to ages 18+ and designed to be low-impact and high-fun.

Beyond classes, you'll also find unique experiences across the city - from ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle or snowshoeing in our parks in winter to golfing at Indian Trails Golf Course, kayaking on the Grand River, or enjoying free outdoor fitness classes in the summer. No matter the season, Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation provides inclusive, high-quality programs that make it easy to get active and enjoy the best of what our city has to offer.

Did You Know We Offer Recreation Scholarships?

We believe everyone deserves affordable recreation programs in Grand Rapids. We offer scholarships to reduce recreation fees by 25% to 50% for qualifying households. Please fill out this application to see if you pre-qualify for scholarships.

Adult Fitness Classes

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation makes fitness welcoming, enjoyable and affordable with a wide variety of adult classes offered in two-month sessions. From high-energy cycling, Zumba, POUND, and strength training to calming yoga, Pilates, and gentle movement, our classes support every fitness level and interest.

Our format lets you try something new or build a steady routine without long-term contacts or expensive memberships. With certified instructors and sessions offered year-round, it's easy to find a routine that fits your lifestyle. Whether you're starting your wellness journey or looking to level-up your workouts, GR Parks & Rec provides an encouraging, community-focused environment that helps you stay motivated, build healthy habits, and feel your best.

Classes shown below are representative of year-round class offerings. Classes are subject to change or cancellation. To view current classes, click the registration button.

Barre

Light weights, resistance bands, and your own body weight are used in this low impact, high intensity workout that incorporates elements of pilates, ballet, and yoga. Small range movements and high repetitions help you build strength, endurance, and flexibility. 

Cycling

Powerful music and pacesetting help build leg and core strength along with endurance as you climb steep hills, move across flat roads, and master cycling intervals. Class options include cycling and a mix of cycling and upper body strength training.

HIGH Low Fitness

Experience a modern twist on low-impact aerobics in a non-stop, action-packed mix of cardio and toning tracks that will take your fitness to the next level. This no-equipment format uses simple, set choreography to create an effective steady-state cardio workout. HIGH Low is easy to follow and a total blast! Adaptable to all levels of fitness, you can go low, but you will always leave feeling HIGH!

Kettlebell AMPD

Heart-pumping music combines with light kettlebells for this fun, full-body workout. Kettlebell AMPD combines the benefits of strength training, functional movements, and cardiovascular exercise in a way that's safe and effective for all ages and fitness levels.

Line Dancing

Line dancing brings the fun through choreographed movement set to all genres of music.

Pilates

Using resistance bands and Pilates balls and rings, this class improves posture, circulation, flexibility, balance, and endurance while reducing stress. All movement is done on a mat.

POUND

Embrace your inner rockstar in this class that uses lightly weighted drumsticks made specifically for exercising. You'll become the music as you combine cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements. Let loose, tone up, and rock out!

Pumped Up Strength

Grab medium to heavy dumbbells in this resistance training workout that builds lean muscle, boosts metabolism, and enhances total-body strength. Progressive layering and compound movement target the entire body through standing and mat-based sections in a beat-driven format.

Rowing

Rowing and strength training combine in this high intensity class that combines rowing machines and hand weights to improve endurance and strength.

Strength & Power

A laser-focused strength class that will work all your muscle groups with a variety of exercises including isolation moves and compound movement. Modification and challenges are available to customize this workout to your preferred level.

Strength, Core, & Balance

A full-body training class that uses dumbbells and bodyweight exercises to challenge your muscles, strength your core, and improve stability.

Vital Movement

Using only seated and standing poses, Vital Movement combines yoga stretches and light core work to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Great for anyone who needs to stretch, improve range of motion, or need to modify their practice during injury recovery.

Water Aerobics

Build core strength, conditioning, endurance, and all-over toning in this pool-based class. This is a low to no impact class featuring deep and shallow water exercises. Float belts are available.

WERQ

WERQ is a nonstop cardio dance class with fun and unique routines set to pop and hip-hop music. 

Yoga

Our yoga classes include basic, gentle, and power options to help you build strength and body awareness as you increase flexibility and decrease stress. Virtual classes are also available.

Zumba

Zumba is a high-energy class that mixes dance and cardio to improve endurance, lift your mood, and keep you energized through every step set to Latin and international music. All levels are welcome at this party!

Swim Lessons, Water Aerobics, & Lap Swim

We offer aquatic programs that help individuals of all ages feel confident and safe in the water. Our swim lessons start at six months old with a parent and continue through age 14 with four different levels, giving young swimmers a supportive place to learn essential skills and grow at their own pace.

Adults can stay active with low-impact water aerobics or join beginner-friendly swim lessons designed to improve comfort and technique in a judgement-free environment. Lap swim is available at our outdoor City pools during the regular summer season.

With skilled instructors and community-centered pools, our aquatics programs make it easy for families and individuals across Grand Rapids to enjoy fun, safe, and accessible experiences in the water all year long.

Classes shown below are representative of year-round class offerings. Classes are subject to change or cancellation. To view current classes, click the registration button.

Parent and Me Swim Lessons

Ages 6 mo - 3 yo

In this parent/child class, participants will learn basic swim and water safety skills. Parents will learn how to safely work with their child in the water, including correct hold and support form. Children will enjoy the water through games and songs as they learn swim foundations like submerging and kicking.

 

Preschool Level 1 Swim Lessons

Ages 3-5

Young swimmers will build confidence and a positive relationship with water through age-appropriate water safety skills and swim foundations including submerging, floating, and the movements of front and back crawl.

Youth Level 1 Swim Lessons

Ages 6-14

Youth Level 1 (YL1) skills build upon previously learned skills at the preschool level. YL1 continues to build a positive water relationship while mastering swim foundations. At the end of YL1, participants will be able to perform swim foundations independently or with minimal assistance.

Level 2 Swim Lessons

Ages 6-14

Continuing from Level 1, Youth Level 2 (YL2) focus on proper technique for foundational skills through repetition to build endurance and muscle memory. Participants in YL2 will learn how to float, glide and move forward in water with no support while preparing for future swim strokes.

Level 3 Swim Lessons

Ages 6-14

Youth Level 3 (YL3) provides guided practice and technique emphasis on skills built in previous levels Participants will learn and practice survival floating and improve their front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke technique while swimming longer distances. Participants will also learn headfirst entry and begin learning butterfly foundations. 

Adult Swim Lessons

Ages 15 and up

Our adult swim lessons are designed for anyone ages 15 and up who want to learn basic swim skills including floating, water safety, breathing techniques, and foundational swim strokes in a safe, controlled setting. This class is great for those who are brand new to swimming or have an existing fear of water. 

Water Aerobics

Ages 18 and up

Build core strength, conditioning, endurance, and all-over toning in this pool-based class. This is a low to no impact class featuring deep and shallow water exercises. Float belts are available.

Youth Sports & Recreation

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation offers youth programs designed to help kids grow, play, and thrive — right here in our community. From sports like soccer, futsal, and baseball to creative classes like ballet, hip hop, and guitar, our programs give children safe, welcoming spaces to learn new skills, build confidence, and make friends.

With experienced instructors and affordable options, families can easily find activities year-round that fit their schedules and interests. Whether your child loves movement, teamwork, or creative expression, GR Parks & Rec is committed to providing fun, high-quality youth programming that supports healthy, active lifestyles for families across our city.

Activities shown below are representative of current youth programming. Classes are subject to change or cancellation. To view current programs, click the registration button.

Youth Ballet

Ages 3-4

Little ones explore the basics of ballet through imaginative play and movement with an emphasis on coordination, balance, and flexibility as they learn simple ballet steps and terminology.

Youth Hip-Hop

Ages 6-8

Dancers will refine basic hip-hop technique and begin learning essential moves while gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and history of hip-hop. 

 

Trampoline & Tumbling

Ages 4-8

Young athletes are introduced to the fundamentals of this official USA Gymnastics discipline, focusing on power tumbling, double mini trampoline, and Olympic-style trampoline.

Futsal

Ages 10-12

Players will build their skills as they learn from certified coaches from MPFA through age-appropriate drills and game play. 

 

Tae Kwon Do

Ages 7 and up

Discover the fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do in this class focused on flexibility, concentration, balance, and self-defense. This class is perfect for kids, adults of all ages, and even families looking for a fun and empowering activity to do together.