Want to get or stay active in Boston this winter, especially after all that heavy holiday food and with New Year’s resolutions looming? Don’t do boring stuff. Here is a list of eight hot groups, clubs, studios, venues, and events in the Boston area where getting and staying active will be more fun than the average gym.
Multiple Locations
Boston Ski & Sports Club is Boston’s largest social sports organization, with thousands of sports leagues, social events, ski trips, and adventure travel for socially active professionals throughout Greater Boston.
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How you can check it out: Early registration discounts on vacations, ski weekends, social events, and recreational sports teams.
Cambridge
You know when you watch the Olympics and you’re like, “Holy crap, how did they do that?!” Well, it turns out it’s not too late for you to learn gymnastics, too. Cambridge Community Gymnastics is a nonprofit created to support the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School Varsity Gymnastics Team, but it also provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to learn gymnastics. Programs include adult beginner classes, a rec team, and a Special Olympics program.
How you can check it out: Adult gymnastics classes and open gym time at MIT’s duPont Gymnasium in Cambridge are open to anyone, any age, who wants to do gymnastics. Free trial class for any newbie (particpants only have to pay insurance and registration fees). Pre-register online.
Boston, Cambridge, Danvers, Newton, and others
You know how when your grandparents dance it looks really classy and elegant? Well, they learned to dance when they were young. Do you know how to dance? If not, you might consider learning. It’s also a great way to meet people, impress the opposite sex, and get in shape. You can learn almost any type of dance, from salsa to tango to rumba to the waltz.
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How you can check it out: New students can try out a free lesson.
South Boston
Boxers are some of the toughest, most highly conditioned athletes in the world. In a warehouse in South Boston, Peter Welch’s gym has earned a reputation for being a hands-on, no-nonsense, old school community center where world-class fighters train alongside college students, moms, dads, and kids. Boxers can improve strength, speed, stamina, balance, agility, and lose weight. Peter Welch’s gym is known for its welcoming staff. The 50-minute workouts are tough but rewarding.
How to get started: First class is free. After that, a 10-class pass is $100.
Cambridge, Brookline
Almost every single person I spoke with as I was putting this list together mentioned the November Project. So I went to a Wednesday morning workout. Here’s the deal: It’s one of the coolest workouts I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s completely free and is organized and run by a couple of former Northeastern rowers (tall, in stellar condition, and LOUD), named Bojan and Brogan.
How to check it out: Just show up. Start with the Wednesday morning meet-up at Harvard Stadium to run the steps, or meet in Brookline on Friday mornings for hill running.
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Multiple Locations
Parkour is crazy. You’ve probably seen one of the thousands of videos online of people scaling buildings, leaping from roofs, climbing, flying, and just generally acting and looking like ninjas. In reality, it’s totally accessible to everyone. Beginners will start by learning how to move their bodies more efficiently and use the environment as a playground and fitness facility. Blake Evitt is one of the most highly regarded Parkour practitioners and teachers in the country and he lives here in Boston. And you can take a class with him for just $8.
How to check it out: Weekly classes are held on Fridays at Cummings School in Somerville, $12 for drop-ins; Sundays, at various locations, $8 for drop-ins. Multiclass passes are available at a discounted rate.
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
Everett, Boston
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is a giant warehouse full of trampolines, all connected to form one massive rebounding surface for dodgeball, basketball, “Skyrobics” classes, and more.
How to check it out: Dodgeball Derby: Thursdays 6-8 p.m. Yes, that’s dodgeball on trampolines. SkyRobics: Organizers say you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour. First class is $6, subsequent classes are $12.
Somerville
A hybrid rock climbing and innovation center that “blurs the lines between work and play,” BKBS has climbing walls, fitness classes including slackline, a collaborative workspace, sauna, fireplace, and specialty courses and classes. All members receive a free 30-minute fitness assessment with certified personal trainers.
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How to check it out: Day passes are $18 for students and $22 for adults and grant access to the entire facility. Take a Learn to Boulder course for $45 or a Learn the Ropes course for $79.
Adam O’Neill is president and cofounder of Broga Yoga. This article was adapted from BDCWire.com.