While most folks around here are prepping for parades, fireworks, cookouts, and boat excursions, a fair few stop to think about their fitness. It’s a holiday, right? So why not indulge in red, white, and blue desserts, seltzers, and sparklers? And while all of that is indeed a worthwhile, patriotic experience, it oftentimes feels even more rewarding when you’ve earned it.
This upcoming Fourth of July, The Yard Gym of Holland and Grand Haven are prepped and ready to host a public beach workout at 8 am at Grand Haven State Park. Those who choose to participate should expect an energizing, challenging workout. The catch? It takes place in the sand, right on the lakeshore.
The Yard Gym recently opened its Holland location last December, but its influence has stretched far and wide in the local fitness culture ever since.
The Yard Gym's purpose in fitness is to “bring passion and purpose daily, encouraging growth, connection, and a higher standard.”
“What makes The Yard different is the energy you feel the second you step in—every class is electric, with trainers who push you further than you thought possible and a community that wants to see you win, both inside and outside the gym.” The Yard Gym is in collaboration with Nike Training—by working together, they aim to shape the future of training and forge new standards for training excellence.
The Yard Gym’s programs vary, from strength training to Pilates to run clubs to beach workouts. The offerings span from rig workouts—which prioritize strength and power, to turf workouts—which combine conditioning and compound exercises, to pay day workouts—which bring members together to workout as a team. Whatever your goals are, this gym has an array of programs that, when combined, will curate the perfect split.
The Yard Gym has two other locations in both Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. So, depending where you’re located and what kind of atmosphere you thrive in, there’s likely a location that matches your preferences. They even offer crèche, an in-house childcare service so parents can get a workout in while qualified staff look after your little one.
The Yard Gym is a frequent collaborator with other local businesses, from Ruby’s Acai and Coffee, to Bondi Bowls, to Foxtail Coffee Co. These partnerships combine fitness with a well-earned reward, such as heading out for an early morning run before ending with an acai bowl or coffee afterward. It’s a great way to celebrate the effort exerted after a hard workout, but also connect with the local community.
And that’s exactly the goal of The Yard Gym’s PAYDAY workouts.
PAYDAY is “all about teamwork with individual targets.” Each participant will work on an individual level, but the focus will be on the support of those around them. It’s meant to guide you to success while encouraging others to do the same.
This upcoming 4th of July, The Yard Gym Holland x Grand Haven will host a beach workout at Grand Haven State Park. Here’s some details you should know before you go.
Britney Vanderwege, Lead Front of House at The Yard Gym’s Holland location, answers with this: “We did it as a random fun idea last year with just our Grand Haven location and it was a massive hit!”
The gym’s organizers decided to continue this patriotic beach workout tradition and extend participation to the public, with collaboration by both the Holland and Grand Haven locations.
While The Yard Gym is known for its intense strength classes, its impact extends beyond the walls of the gym itself. Through PAYDAY workouts, local business collaborations, and events that welcome both members and the public, the gym has helped curate a fitness culture that feels more social, close knit, and equally as tough, but without the intimidation.
“We just love to have a good time and work hard,” Vandermege said. “And we are finding others who like to do the same.”
The hope is “not to simply create the largest gym in West Michigan—it’s to create the largest community in the fitness space.” It doesn’t matter if its people coming from other gyms or run clubs, it’s a space where people can come together.
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Vandermege said.
That exact perspective has shaped everything from the beach workouts to communal runs to partnerships with local businesses, shaping opportunities for people who aspire to be active and build connections with likewise individuals. “The hope is to make fitness cool again,” she said. “And slowly but surely, West Michigan is becoming a fitness culture.”
“The beach workout is a bit different as we will have a much larger group than a typical turf session in the studio,” Vanderwege explained. “Because of the large group we have to be intentional about what exercises we program into the workout. You’ll for sure see more body weight stuff than you would in a regular session, but it’ll be a killer workout nonetheless.”
The Yard Gym’s typical workouts in-house rely upon free weights and machines, but since the beach doesn’t come equipped with either, you’ll expect to use your body weight to push yourself (as you’ll be in the sand). It’ll be a high-energy atmosphere. Bring yourself (and maybe a friend), wear a good workout set, have a water bottle at hand, and maybe come equipped with a towel…
The workout doesn’t necessarily end when the final exercise is complete.
“Anytime we do something at the beach, be it yoga, Pilates, run club, or workouts—regardless of temperature—we ALWAYS have a group that’s going in the water,” Vanderwege said. “Everybody seems to love it, and it has become a tradition. So bring your towel!”
For many participants, the post-workout plunge has become just as memorable as the workout itself. It’s a refreshing way to cool down, celebrate the effort as a team, and for this workout in particular, it kicks off the 4th of July with a little sweat before heading out for the holiday activities.
The Yard Gym’s Holland location—as mentioned in this article—is located at 454 Baypark Drive, Holland, Michigan 49424. The other locations are:
Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.
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