Gonna Make You Sweat: Offbeat indoor workouts
How do you stay in shape over the winter? Go to the gym, duh. But staying fit doesn't have to be a grind. Here are five ways to spice up your winter workouts without venturing outside.
1.Climbing at Vertical Adventures
One of the best ways to keep your weight down is to lift your body up. Vertical Adventures offers that option for winter workouts by way of indoor rock climbing. Choose from belayed top-rope climbing, bouldering (free climbing at low heights) or the more advanced lead climbing, which involves clipping into a series of anchors. An introductory class is required, and more advanced training is available by appointment.
Price: $10 for a day pass, $45 for a monthly pass, $75 for a 10-visit pass; $25 for first session
Reach for the stars:
Vertical Adventures
6295 Busch Blvd., North Side
614-888-8393
2. SkyRobics at Sky Zone
Looking to put more bounce in your step? Follow House of Pain's age-old advice and jump around.
SkyZone's website promises that jumping on trampolines "strengthens every muscle, organ and cell in your body." The indoor trampoline park offers low-impact morning and evening "SkyRobics" sessions geared toward calisthenics, core exercises and strength building.
Price: $8 per 60-minute class, $40 per month for unlimited classes, $65 for a 10-class punch card and Get Fit Pass
Jump up, jump up and get down:
Sky Zone
459 Orange Point Dr., Lewis Center
740-548-4004
3. Hip-hop dance classes by Michael Nicholson
To paraphrase Jay Electronica, Michael Nicholson's got the people at his back like the Verizon man. Seriously, just watch the video on the certified fitness instructor's website, which features Nicholson and dozens of disciples grooving to DJ Khaled's "All I Do Is Win."
Price: $7 per class, $35 for monthly pass
One, two step:
Columbus Dance Centre
1000-b Morrison Rd., Gahanna
614-759-0502
4. Downtown Dodgeball at YMCA
Many folks miss how easy it was to stay in shape as a kid. Perhaps those same people long for bygone days of gym class dodgeball. The Downtown YMCA and Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District are teaming up to bring those days back and maybe get you in shape too. So show up with at least five of your friends and prepare to duck, dart and evade. The first eight-week session started last week, but another one begins January 19.
Price: $250 per team
Grab life by the balls:
Downtown YMCA
40 W. Long St., Downtown
614-645-5281
5. Rollers sessions at B1 Bicycles
When ice and snow hit the streets, cycling becomes a dangerous pastime. That doesn't have to mean packing your bike away until spring. Beginning in January, B1 Bicycles will open up after hours on Wednesdays so you can put your bike up on rollers and approximate the experience of a group ride. These sessions will be more like parties - owner Casey Karnes plans to bring in DJs and a keg - but that might be just the festivity you need to pound out a 30-mile ride.
Price: Free, but you have to bring your own rollers or trainers
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin':
B1 Bicycles
124 E. Long St., Downtown
614-222-0017
