Jill loves all things fun, fruity and yogi. She recently departed Montreal to try life in Calgary. Here she searches for the perfect balance between the hot room and “real life” and also between healthy living and her love of chocolate. Besides yoga and writing, her favourite activities include making new friends, drinking red wine with old ones, and force-feeding them her gluten-free recipes.
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We’ve all been there: carrying a few extra pounds, taking the stairs at work is harder than it should be, and the sofa is our best friend after a long workday. Resist the couch-potato lifestyle, boost your energy and whip your bod into shape at one of these boot camps. Image credit: iStock.com/Christopher Futcher.
Great baby shower gifts can be fun and practical or simply a treat for mom at a thrilling and stressful time when she could use a little self-indulgence. At these gift shops, baby-gear spots and maternity boutiques you’ll find toys and clothing as well as bed and bath gear for newborns, but also thoughtful treats for the mom-to-be.
Of course we should show our moms that we love them year-round, but Mother’s Day is the perfect time to spoil our favourite ladies a little bit extra. These shops carry a wide and unique selection of gifts that are worthy of your favourite mom. Image credit: iStock.com/promicrostockraw.
Calgary is an artistic city. It features its own art school (ACAD) and a great many art-supply shops provide creative inspiration as well as artistic tools. Whether you’re a painter of panoramas inspired by Calgary’s mountain and prairie surroundings, a portrait painter, potter or police sketch artist, you’ll find everything you need at these artful shops.
Time dedicated to creativity has been proven to help busy adults relax and recharge – and we all need more of that! Let your creative juices flow with visual art lessons or open studio time at one of Calgary’s many accessible art studios.
Whether you have two left feet but wanna shake it like a Polaroid picture, or you’re an experienced hoofer out to acquire new dance-floor moves, there’s a class for you. These dance schools offer instruction in footloose forms from two-step, salsa and jazz to popping, locking and hip hop.
Skip the cardio – let’s pump some iron. Whether you prefer to do your weight training alone, with a group or with a side of stretching, there’s a city gym for you. Crush your excuses, and build your bod at one of Calgary’s notable weight-lifting gyms.
For those of us who collect great reads, buying used books is a budget-friendly way to build a home library. Alternatively, most second-hand bookshops accept trade-ins for cash or credit. This list includes specialty used shops as well as shops offering textbook buybacks and second-hand stores that carry books. Image credit: iStock.com/Maxiphoto.
Getting in shape and staying fit on your own is not easy. If you crave some direction and motivation in your exercise regime, these fitness centres offer personal-training sessions along with tons of additional fit-spiring activities.
Tennis is a great game to help you keep fit while socializing with a friend. Though the local outdoor season is short, there are many courts in Calgary where beginners and diehard players can enjoy a leisurely match or enrol in lessons. Whatever type of tennis player you are, these are some of the best places to fine-tune your topspin.
Hungry workers need a quick place to eat, drink and be merry on their hour-long lunch break. Downtown Calgary’s army of office employees is always on the lookout for new or undiscovered lunch spots. The following restaurants serve midday meals that are both speedy and satisfyingly delectable.
A game of squash or racquetball always provides a fun and energetic workout. These explosive sports focus on agility, strength and reflexes, but are also a battle of wits between you and your opponent. Plenty of Calgary community clubs and health centres offer courts, lessons, private bookings and inter-club tournaments. Here are a few of the top facilities.