Friedrichshain Adds Free Outdoor Gym Equipment for Summer Workouts

Outdoor gyms in Friedrichshain are seeing record usage this summer, with visitor numbers at the city-run fitness circuits up 34% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Bezirksamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg released on July 8.

The trend follows a broader shift toward free, open-air exercise options as Berliners look to avoid costly gym memberships that have risen an average of 8.5% across the city since January 2026. For many in the district, the draw is not just the price tag-it's the riverside views and fresh air.

Volkspark Friedrichshain: The district's flagship circuit

The largest concentration of outdoor fitness equipment lies in Volkspark Friedrichshain, specifically along the path near the Märchenbrunnen. The circuit includes 12 stations-chin-up bars, parallel bars, a leg press, and a pull-up rig-installed in 2021 as part of a €180,000 refurbishment funded by the Berlin Senate's Urban Green program. Park rangers report that between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekday mornings, all stations are often occupied, with wait times averaging 5 minutes at peak hours.

A second, smaller circuit sits near the intersection of Am Friedrichshain and Virchowstraße, just behind the Märchenbrunnen café. This one has six stations, including a torso twist and a step-up block, and is less crowded-ideal for those who want a quieter session. Both circuits are marked on the official Berliner Forsten map, available at the park's three main entrances.

Spree-side fitness along the East Side Gallery

Down by the Spree, a newer outdoor gym opened in April 2026 along the stretch between the Oberbaumbrücke and the East Side Gallery. Installed by the district's Grünflächenamt at a cost of €95,000, it features four stations: a rowing machine, a shoulder press, a leg curl bench, and a dip station. The equipment is made from recycled steel and sits directly on the concrete promenade, facing the water. According to a June 23 press release from the Bezirksamt, the spot has already logged 4,200 uses, with an average session duration of 22 minutes tracked via a voluntary QR-code check-in system.

Further along the Spree, at the merge point with the Landwehrkanal near the Holzmarktstraße, a cluster of pull-up bars and balance beams has been improvised by local CrossFit enthusiasts since 2023. The district has not formally sanctioned the setup, but a spokesperson told The Daily Friedrichshain on July 9 that it is “under review” for official inclusion in next year’s budget planning.

For those seeking a structured workout, the Moving Mönkees crew hosts free circuit-training sessions every Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Volkspark circuit, using just bodyweight exercises and the existing bars. Their Instagram group has 780 followers, and turnout this summer has averaged 40 people per session, organisers reported on July 5.

If you are heading out, arrive before 8 a.m. to avoid the rush at Volkspark. The Spree-side stations are busiest on sunny afternoons between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. No booking is required, but bring your own mat for the ground-based exercises-the rubber flooring at the East Side Gallery station is still being installed and won't be complete until August 2026, per a July 2 update from the district's Bauamt.