Our mild December is a good time to try Junius Morgan’s outdoor fitness class. Morgan, 53, is a trainer with his own studio in Phillipsburg, NJ, who leads an hourlong Central Park Fitness Tour. In the park, the amateur boxer leads groups, jogging from one landmark to another with breaks for historical info and exercise. His workout features a lot of boxing moves because, Morgan says, “The boxing workout gives incredible cardiovascular results, but it’s low-impact — unlike running.” Here’s his tour.
1. Columbus Circle
Start with a full-body stretch at the base of the Maine Monument.
2. Heckscher Playground
Do 20 situps and leg-lifts at the largest of the park’s playgrounds, which opened in 1927.
3. Wollman Rink Promenade
Get into boxing, with demonstrations of proper stance and throwing jabs, by the circa 1949 rink.
Wollman RinkMassimo Vitali4. The Dairy Visitor Center
Fifty jumping jacks at the first building to open in the park — where New Yorkers used to be able to get fresh milk and ice cream. It was also seen in “The Muppets Take Manhattan.”
5. Sheep Meadow
Another boxing demonstration shows the proper technique in throwing a hook. The 15-acre Sheep Meadow was used as a training ground for the 7th Regiment Reserves prior to World War I.
6. Statue of Balto
Do 20 lunges in front of the statue commemorating the Siberian husky who led a sled team through a blizzard and delivered medicine to Nome, Alaska, in 1925.
7. Statue at Pilgrim Hill
Run five wind-sprints up the hill where Native Americans sold the island of Manhattan to the Dutch.
8. Bethesda Terrace
More boxing demonstrations here work to develop punching endurance at the “Angel of the Waters” statue in the fountain, from 1864.
9. Tavern on the Green
The final boxing demo, an endurance combination, is at the building that used to house the sheep from the Sheep Meadow.
The end: Columbus Circle
It’s time to cool down and stretch.
Central Park Fitness Tour, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $15 to $25 per person in group tours, $60 for a solo tour (by appointment only). Boxing mitts are supplied. 917-776-0009, unlimitedfitnessnyc.com




