By Jonathan Lawrence
With winter now over, many will now turn to face the dreaded gym. The gym can be crowded and loud and without a routine, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are other Calgary alternatives to working out that can be more structured, interesting and fun. [Image source: istockphoto.ca/klubovy]
Instead of sparring with a lonesome punching bag, learn the real art of boxing at one of Calgary's state-of-the-art studios. Boxing studios are quickly gaining popularity in Calgary, including Rumble Boxing Studio on 17th Avenue. Punching a heavy bag to high-energy music while a motivator pushes you forward will completely change how you view exercise.
Other options include Southpaw Boxing Gym – located in the southeast – the largest boxing gym in Calgary. UNDRCARD Boxing Studio, located downtown, has a unique, nightclub-inspired atmosphere.
Spin classes, such as YYC Cycle, revolutionize traditional indoor cycling by combining a high-intensity full-body workout, upbeat music and strobe lights.
Spin classes are becoming wildly popular in Calgary, as they not only vastly improve your cardiovascular health and tone your muscles, but also bring people together from the community. One Cycle Studio in Mission is always packed with cyclists of all ages and Peloton Cycling is conveniently located downtown.
Nothing is more effective for developing core strength than CrossFit, a modern workout program meant to improve everything from stamina to speed to balance. CrossFit is all about high-intensity training with a wide range of workouts, but much like spin class, Victoria Park Crossfit states the community aspect is what makes CrossFit so effective.
The programs at each CrossFit studio – or “box” – are unique, so make sure to visit different studios to choose one that’s right for you, including CrossFit Ramsay, CrossFit Calgary Inc. and CrossFit MOST.
Dancing doesn’t have to be the product of alcohol – it can also be a fun and engaging workout. At Free Spirit Dance, fitness classes include the Ballet Barre Blast, which uses basic ballet exercises to strengthen and tone muscles and build flexibility and the Beach Body Barre, which utilizes weights and resistance bands. To develop balance, the Yoga Cardio Beat class incorporates yoga poses with dance music for the best of both worlds.
Each class is suitable for all ages and experience levels. If you’re feeling particularly bold, try Strut Fitness and Dance for pole dancing lessons and burlesque-style workouts, among many others.
Ninjas are arguably the toughest and most agile humans on Earth. Now you can train like one at InjaNation – a 55,000 square foot indoor trampoline-filled playground. The fitness regimen focuses on obstacle course racing and incorporates other physical activities such as wall climbing and dodgeball.
Participants use movement and their imagination to train their body and mind to work in teams. This workout style is aimed at all ages and has something to offer the competitive athlete, the casual athlete and the whole family.
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Indoor climbing is on the way up in Calgary – no pun intended. For those who can’t make it to the mountains or would prefer to try scaling a rocky wall in a safe, controlled environment, indoor climbing is an excellent way to practice your top-roping and to learn how to belay – not to mention burn some calories and strengthen your core. Some of the best wall climbing facilities are the Calgary Climbing Centre in the south, the Calgary Climbing Centre in the north and the University of Calgary.
If there’s one thing these activities have in common, it's that they focus on community and working together – something the traditional gym can sometimes lack. So do yourself a favor and try one of these alternative workouts, and maybe you’ll make some friends along the way.
