Every year begins with big plans to exercise more. It’s time to say goodbye to festivities and get serious about getting in shape.
But exercise doesn’t have to be tedious or boring. Metro Atlanta is teeming with creative, painless and, yes, fun ways to burn calories. There is something for everyone — from rock climbing to Bollywood dance classes to easy strolls along the Beltline. Skip the gym membership and try something new for $10 or less — even free.
Dance
Dance 101, located in the Toco Hill neighborhood of Atlanta, caters to adults with little to no formal dance training (but also offers classes for students who are coming back to dance or are seeking more challenging classes). With the feel of a SoHo loft and featuring Moroccan pillows, cozy seating areas and fresh-cut sunflowers, the dance studio offers more than 110 classes — including classical dances such as ballet, tap and jazz, but also a diverse mix of styles such as salsa, hip-hop and Bollywood. Many classes mix simple dance steps with a high-intensity aerobic workout.
The owner, Ofelia de La Valette, is an inspiration, opening up the dance studio for adults when she was one month shy of turning 47 years old. She is now 57.
Coming up: an (almost) free week of classes. At the Atlanta location, Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, take up to seven classes for free (there’s a $10 fee to register); and, at the Alpharetta location Jan. 19 to Jan. 24, take unlimited classes for free after paying the registration fee. These classes attract big crowds; best to try and avoid peak hours after work if possible, or go another time in January to take advantage of other specials.
$20 for a drop-in class; $15 per class for a 10-class card. 2480 Briarcliff Road, Suite 11, Atlanta. 404-542-3887. 735 Highway 9 (near Windward Parkway), Alpharetta. 404-545-8048, dance101.org.
Another option for adults: $8 for one Zumba class; other styles are $13 per class; 10 classes with no expiration date for $100. Dance It Off, 6780 Roswell Road, Suite D210, Atlanta. 770-512-7500, danceitoffstudio.com.
Rock Climbing
Why not take your full-body workout to new heights this year?
You don’t even have to go outside to go rock climbing. And, in metro Atlanta, you’ve got several options for challenging your mind and body by ascending an indoor rock wall.
In fact, the metro area is home to some of the nation’s largest indoor climbing facilities. Stone Summit Climbing and Fitness Center, which opened in Atlanta in 2010, has 30,000 square feet of climbing surface. A second Stone Summit opened in Kennesaw in December and features 32,000 square feet of climbing space.
Stone Summit is by no means limited to seasoned climbers. The upper level contains a workout area, complete with elliptical machines, treadmills, exercise bikes and a weight room. Users can join Stone Summit for a flat rate and have access to everything from the climbing wall to exercise classes to cardio machines and weights.
But the climbing areas are definitely the main feature, and careful planning went into crafting every inch of walls as high as 60 feet. Instead of walls that are made to look like real rock, Stone Summit’s main climbing area features brightly colored holds and sharply angled walls.
Stone Summit also has several options for those just getting started.
Special areas can be reserved for corporate events, birthday parties and the like. Staff is available to assist the group to make sure everyone enjoys the experience.
6 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. $18 day pass (with gear) for adults; $15 for one day pass (with gear) for children. Five-visit passes are $70. Unlimited-use memberships are as low as $55 per month. Stone Summit, 3701 Presidential Parkway, Atlanta. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sundays. 2801 George Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw. 678-720-9882, ssclimbing.com.
Other indoor climbing options: Atlanta Rocks Intown, 1019 Collier Road N.W., Suite A, Atlanta. 404-351-3009, atlantarocks.com. Adrenaline Climbing, 460 Brogdon Road, No. 100, Suwanee. 770-271-1390, adrenalineclimbing.com. Wall Crawler Rock Club, 1522 DeKalb Ave., No. 2, Atlanta. 404-371-8997, wallcrawlerclimbing.com.
Beltline
From bike tours, to sunset hikes to yoga and aerobic classes (all free), you can take advantage of the Atlanta Beltline, a popular loop of parks and trails in the middle of a bustling metropolis.
Four trails totaling about 7 miles are now open. All feature at least one continuous mile of wide (12 to 14 feet), paved scenic paths with secure footing, where no cars or motorized vehicles are allowed (wheelchairs are OK).
One of the offerings is the free Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Walking Tour, led by a Trees Atlanta docent, which explores the Eastside Trail. It’s a great way to learn about trees and find out interesting facts about the Beltline while also getting a workout.
Tour groups meet Fridays and Saturdays behind Parish Restaurant, 240 N. Highland Ave., in Inman Park. Tours from October to May depart at 10 a.m., returning at 11:30 a.m.; from June to September, tours begin at 9 a.m. to beat the heat. Reservations are required. Participants must check in by 9:45 a.m. October-May and 8:45 a.m. June-September.
Also popular are the How to Ride Your Bike classes (for adults and children); ElliptiGo exploring (essentially an elliptical machine on wheels that can go on trails); and play days, which involve classic games like kickball as well as newer games like bubble-suit soccer.
For a complete schedule of activities, and to register, go to beltline.org.
Mall walking
So, maybe you are shaking your head at the thought of heading to a mall for a fun way to exercise. But these shopping destinations are climate-controlled, level ground, buddy-friendly and offer a free place to work up a sweat.
And, in a place that’s never too hot or too cold, you can take advantage of many malls opening up two hours before normal shopping hours for walkers — the mall nearest you may offer one of the quietest places around town for an early-morning workout. Walkers are also welcome during normal mall hours, though crowds can make it tough to keep a steady pace.
At Phipps Plaza, a full lap around the mall’s Level 1 or Level 2 is equal to a half mile.
Opening time for walkers is 8 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays at the following malls: Mall of Georgia (3333 Buford Drive, Buford, simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia), Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, simon.com/mall/lenox-square) and Northlake Mall (4800 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, simon.com/mall/northlake-mall). Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, simon.com/mall/phipps-plaza) opens the doors located by security on Level P2 of the parking deck at 7 a.m. daily for walkers.
SkyRobics
Folks are jumping into fitness with indoor trampoline aerobics classes.
An instructor takes participants through a low-impact combination of advanced calisthenics, core exercises and strength-building aerobics. It all takes place on trampoline courts.
$10 per class (first introductory class is $5), $19.99 for unlimited Sky Fitness monthly membership. 9-10 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays, and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Parents can bring kids to the 9 a.m. class. Or skip the class and go the Sky Zone and jump (with or without the kiddos) in the 32,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines, plus have access to dodgeball, Sky Slam and the Foam Zone. $10 for a 30-minute jump (adults and children). You must wear special socks, which cost $2. Sky Zone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park, 560 Old Peachtree Road N.W., Suite 300, Suwanee. 1425 Market Blvd., Suite 100-A, Roswell. 678-745-9900, skyzoneatlanta.com.
About the Author
