Posts with tag 'Fitness'
4
Cleveland: Where to Train for Your Next 5K
Lace-up your running shoes and fill up your water bottle — it's time to train for your next race! As the warm weather slides into Northeast Ohio, the many trails and pathways around the region are shaking off their snow and inviting runners to go the extra mile in preparation for 5Ks, 10Ks, and marathon races! Even if you're not training to beat your record time, frequent running will keep your form consistent and help you complete each race you enter. Check out these trails located in a few of our favorite green spaces around the Cleveland area.
Big Creek Reservation
4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44144
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The fishing, sledding, and picnicking at Big Creek Reservation are all enjoyable, but the gem of the park has to be the gorgeous Lake to Lake Trail. Connecting Lake Isaac to Lake Abram, this 2.4-mile all-purpose trail crosses through the wetlands and provides a steady pathway for runners entering into their first race to gain their footing.
Punderson State Park
11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury, OH 44065
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Just a short drive from downtown Cleveland is Punderson State Park. While others boat on Punderson Lake or play golf, you can take advantage of nearly 11 miles of trail. Of the eight trails in the park, the farthest is 2.2 miles, while the shortest is a simple 0.1 mile — most hover been 0.75 and 1.2 miles. With such easy and accessible trails available, this is a great place to get a quick run in before you enjoy the park's other amazing amenities.
North Chagrin Reservation
Cleveland Metro Park Drive, Mayfield Village, OH 44143
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The North Chagrin Reservation is a fantastic place for runners who love adventure. Within the reservation is Foster's Run, a stunning trail that connects a newly constructed all-purpose trail with an old roadway. Although this trail connects the Wilson Mills Road Trailhead parking lot with the Forest Picnic Area, you can choose to jump on the Buckeye Trail or Bridle Trail to extend your run. There's also a physical fitness trail on the reservation that offers additional opportunities to exercise.
Acacia Reservation
26899 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
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Looking for a place to run with nature while doing so on a paved path? Acacia Reservation sounds like the spot for you. Their 1.7-mile paved loop trail offers an opportunity to tackle a manageable run or work on your stamina with multiple laps.
Springfield Bog Metro Park
1400 Portage Line Road, Akron, OH 44312
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The Springfield Bog Metro Park is home to the Prairie Trail, an easy 1.6-mile jaunt that leads runners through a gorgeous prairie. This park is less than a decade old and was once unused farmland. As you run, you'll see more than 40 species of plant wave to you as this beautiful new boggy area continues to thrive.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
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The parks and reservations above offer fantastic trails that will surely help you get in shape for your 5K, but we've saved our top pick for last — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This massive park connecting Akron and Cleveland offers up over 125 miles worth of hiking trail for you to break in your running shoes and set your sights on breaking every goal you set. With so many trails to choose from, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know this park inside and out. Here are a few of the trails we suggest you conquer in each area of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Kendall Lake Area Trails
The trails in the Kendall Lake Area are practically built for runners who want to gradually increase their goals. We like to think of them as perfect markers to help track our progress. The Lake Trail is an easy one-mile trail while the Cross Country Trail is a little more challenging at 2.5 miles. Did you guess that the third trail, the Salt Run Trail, was 3.3 miles and the most challenging? Master each one individually, then combine them to really test your limits!
Ledges Area Trails
Here are two sets of trails for two types of runners. Those who are shaking off the rust or are running for their first time will love the easy Forest Point Trail and Haskell Run. Both are only half-of-a-mile long and hardly have an elevation change. The other two trails, Ledges Trail and Pine Grove Trail are each 2.2 miles long and offer a moderate challenge. We love running the longer trails for endurance and hitting the shorter trailers hard for an explosive final sprint to the finish!
Cuyahoga Valley Trails
The Cuyahoga Valley Trails tackle three areas of the park from Station Road to Boston to Everett. Their four loop trails have the following distances: Station Road Bridge to Red Lock 10.3 miles, Red Lock to Boston 8.1 miles, Boston to Peninsula 7.4 miles, and Peninsula to Hunt Farm 9.4 miles. While trekking through these areas, you'll use different pathways including the statewide Buckeye Trail, the Valley Trail, and Towpath Trail. These runs can be quite tiresome, especially if you're still getting into the groove of long-distance running. Thankfully, there are many parking lots lining the trails, which allow you to carve out small sections of them and gradually increase your out-and-back distance when you're comfortable.
Oak Hill and Plateau Trails
If you follow Oak Hill Road north just past the Cuyahoga Valley Environment Education Center, you'll be able to access the Oak Hill Trail and the Plateau Trail. Both trails are loops, with the Oak Hill Trail labeled an easy trail at 1.8 miles and the Plateau Trail stretching just under 5 miles, with a moderate to difficult ranking. Either trail alone offers a solid run; however, what we like most about this duo is the Oak Hill Trail connects to the Plateau Trail at six spots. If 5 miles is too much yet 2 miles is too little, you can break off of the Oak Hill trail, run through sections of the Plateau Trail, then jump back on the Oak Trail to finish. This allows you to make the Oak Hill Trail stretch as far as you desire.
Wetmore Area Trails
The Wetmore Area Trails are quite scenic, so much so that when we aren't training for a race, we love to take the slow route via horseback. You can access five trails from the Hunt House right on Bolanz Road — Wetmore Trail, Butler's Trail, Langes Run Trail, Tabletop Trail, and Valley Trail. Butler's Trail is a quick and easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail while the Tabletop Trail is a little longer at 0.75 mile that acts as a short cut through the Wetmore Trail. The Wetmore Trail and Langes Trail are longer, at 4.5 miles and 3.5 miles respectively, and offer a moderate to difficult run. However, we suggest that marathon runners set their sights on the 19-mile Valley Trail. It's quite a trek, but uninterrupted paths with ranging levels of difficulty offer a chance to really test your strength and stamina.
On Track
Where are your favorite places to run free around Cleveland? Let us know in the comments below!
19
Cleveland: Find Your Om at These Yoga Studios
Did you know the history of yoga in the United States dates back to the close of the 19th century? Over time, yoga has grown from a mystical program associated with the hippie movement and New Age philosophy, to a popular fitness style practiced by more than 36 million Americans of all ages.
With a number of benefits ranging from heart health and pain relief to stress reduction and better sleep, yoga could be considered a nearly perfect form of exercise. Improve fitness and gain inner peace with yoga instruction at these serene but challenging studios in the Cleveland area.
Yoga Roots
3459 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights 44118
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Has an attack of cold feet kept you from trying a yoga class? Problem solved—literally—at Yoga Roots. Restorative yoga classes, designed to provide a calming interval day between more vigorous sessions, are held in a room with heated floors to help you relax. Owners Kim and Scott Curtis, whose own kids make frequent appearances around the studio, founded Yoga Roots to help others in the community discover the same benefits they've received from practicing yoga. New students get a week of unlimited classes for only $20, and members may bring a friend along for one free session. Check the calendar for special events such as "Yoga and Music" and "Candlelight Meditation."
Yoga Strong
1104 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland 44115
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Weights aren't the only way to build strength and power. Yoga Strong specializes in Vinyasa style, sometimes referred to as power yoga. Poses are synchronized with deliberate breathing and linked with graceful transitions, resulting in a flow that enhances physical and spiritual fitness. Focus on toning and sculpting at Barre Fly, a studio adjacent to Yoga Strong offering barre and aerial yoga classes. Explore other aspects of the yoga lifestyle at weekend workshops such as Blacklight Yoga, Bungee Barre, and Inversions. Attend any class as a drop-in for just $8 (cash only).
Bikram Yoga
4850 SOM Center Road, Moreland Hills 44022
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The term "yoga" encompasses a variety of styles, which allows everyone to find a form that suits them. Bikram Yoga is a precise, deliberate form consisting of 26 poses performed in a specific sequence over a 90-minute period. Each pose focuses on a particular part of the body with a goal to promote synergy of body and mind working as one. Studios are heated to loosen tight muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce risk of injury. Try one month of unlimited classes at Bikram Yoga for $49.
Chagrin Yoga
524 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls 44022
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Bikram-style is also featured at Chagrin Yoga, which has been serving the Cleveland area since 2009. In 2015, the studio underwent a total renovation, incorporating state-of-the-art elements such as recycled rubber/vinyl flooring and a Reznor high-heat and humidity system. While Bikram is the main event at Chagrin Yoga, they keep it lively with workshops on other related topics such as Yoga Nidra, a sleep-based form of meditation, and Reiki healing. For all-over wellness, sign up for a massage, Ayurveda, or reflexology session. Newcomers can choose between introductory specials of unlimited classes at $30 for 14 days or $59 for 30 days.
Loving Hands Yoga and Reiki
2959 Hampshire Road, Cleveland Heights 44118
You'll feel right at home in more ways than one at Loving Hands Yoga and Reiki. The studio is located in a charming Craftsman bungalow that was included in the 2011 Cleveland Heights Home Heritage Tour. Owner/instructor Judith Eugene has trained students ranging from age 3 to 93, so you can feel comfortable with her regardless of age or fitness level. Judith is also a trained Reiki Master who offers this healing and stress reduction service to both animals and their humans. Yoga classes are scheduled in quarterly sessions, but you can drop in for a test run before enrolling. If you have allergies, please note that Loving Hands is home to two adorable studio kitties.
Pink Lotus Yoga
18103 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 44107
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At Pink Lotus Yoga, the family that takes yoga together stays fit together. Preteen and teen classes blend yoga instruction with games, music, and props to introduce kids to the benefits of yoga in a playful, non-competitive way. Rather than specialize in one form, Pink Lotus offers classes in several different styles and intriguing variations such as Yindalini, a blend of Indian and Chinese yoga, and Yang, which draws on martial arts techniques. During the last two years, Pink Lotus has co-sponsored a series of outdoor yoga sessions at various parks around Lakewood.
Vision Yoga & Wellness
1861 W. 25th St., Cleveland 44113
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Are you a Boomer living in a Millennial world? Vision Yoga & Wellness, located in the heart of Cleveland's trendy Ohio City neighborhood, welcomes you to Boomer Yoga. Traditional Hatha yoga poses are held for longer amounts of time, resulting in a slower pace and greater body awareness. Boomer Yoga is one of the drop-in Community classes for just $5. Students of any age will appreciate Vision Yoga's stress- and pain-reducing services, including massage, Reiki and craniosacrial therapy, which involves light touching of the skull and sacrum. In 2016, Vision Yoga expanded to Vision Underground, a second location in the basement of St. John's Episcopal Church. The additional studio allows Vision Yoga to better accommodate the ever-growing student base and offer a wider range of services.
Cleveland Yoga
2026 Murray Hill Road, Room 210, Cleveland 44106
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While yoga's roots reach back thousands of years, its dynamic nature makes it fresh and relevant today. Cleveland Yoga is an affiliate of Baptiste Yoga, a relatively modern form originating in 1940. Baptiste is a power Vinyasa style performed in a room heated to 90 degrees to stimulate circulation and keep muscles flexible. Poses, meditation, and inquiry, which is self-transformation, are the three main elements of Baptiste Yoga. The Little Italy studio is also home to the Cleveland Yoga Run Club, which meets at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday for a 45-minute run followed by a 75-minute Hot Power class.
CoreSIX Yoga
24350 Center Ridge Road, Westlake 44145
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Yoga is about personal development, but its group format lets you become part of a community. CoreSIX Yoga has a mission to promote that sense of community by welcoming anyone interested in learning and making their classes accessible to all. On Saturdays, CoreSIX hosts a Powerful Flow yoga class followed by Happy Hour. Participants bring a beverage of choice and light snack to enjoy as they spend time socializing in a relaxed atmosphere.
Oasis Yoga + Wellness
33180 Station St., Solon 44139
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Yoga meets the 21st century at Oasis Yoga + Wellness. In addition to an extensive selection of Vinyasa Flow classes, Oasis has TRX, a strength training program using two adjustable nylon straps and your own bodyweight. Wellness services include infrared sauna and Samadhi float tank to boost the immune system, release toxins, and relieve pain and stress. Oasis has an introductory special of $49 for one month of unlimited classes, and memberships include discounts on wellness services, workshops, and private yoga instruction.
Namaste
Do you have a favorite yoga studio to add to the list? Share it with us!
22
Keep Your New Year's Resolution at These Columbus Gyms
Keeping a New Year's resolution can be difficult, especially when the cold weather encourages us to cozy up on the couch. Warm up your body and feel better than ever by getting out and sticking with your fitness goals this year. From luxurious health clubs to small-group fitness classes, and one-on-one personalized training sessions, these 12 Columbus gyms will help you keep your New Years Resolution in great shape!
The Fitness Loft
625 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
The best gyms build a sense of togetherness and belonging within the community, which is why The Fitness Loft strives to create an all-inclusive atmosphere for those who want to better their lives. With the finest exercise equipment, dedicated trainers who are passionate about health, and fun group fitness classes that make you feel part of The Fitness Loft family, this training facility will introduce you to wellness in exciting ways. Classes range from 30 minutes to an hour and are available throughout the day to accommodate your schedule, even during the most hectic of weeks.
The Athletic Club of Columbus
136 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Having an at-home gym is convenient, but if you want a truly luxurious workout space, head to The Athletic Club of Columbus. This five-star platinum club is known as Columbus' urban oasis for the mind, body, and spirit. A Columbus icon that's prioritized your health since 1912, you'll feel at home in this gorgeous facility. Make new fitness friends in over a dozen group classes. Swim laps in the heated indoor pool throughout the year. Pamper yourself with relaxing spa services after your workout. From certified personal trainers to an on-site restaurant with delicious, healthy dishes, membership at The Athletic Club of Columbus has so many perks that will keep you active all year long.
Kinetic Climbing & Fitness
717 Hadley Drive, Columbus, OH 43228
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Do you want to take your exercise routine to new heights this year? The folks at Kinetic Climbing & Fitness are willing to give your workout a boost — literally! As the leading bouldering and fitness gym in the area, Kinetic challenges you to go beyond your highest limits. Along with traditional indoor climbing walls, their fitness area houses other equipment such as medicine balls, stationary bikes, and free weights so you can get a comprehensive workout even if you keep your feet on the ground.
Chiseled
37 E. 5th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
Everybody is different, physically and mentally. While some of us enjoy fun classes surrounded by our fitness friends, there are some of us that prefer to partake in challenging exercises privately. Chiseled is the number one private training studio in the Short North for many reasons — one of which is that you get one-on-one professional training in an empty gym. You'll never have to wait to use a machine, and you'll always get the full attention of your trainer. No matter your fitness level, you can achieve your wellness goals with customized training at Chiseled.
Sweat Box
935 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
What does it mean to sweat? Find out at Sweat Box, the local fitness studio that has all of the benefits of a large commercial gym. You're not alone in your wellness aspirations — getting you in shape is their goal too. Sweat Box also offers massage and cupping services to help your muscles and mind rest and recover after a fun workout. Get in the best shape of your life and learn what it really means to sweat at the Sweat Box this year.
Arena District Athletic Club
325 John H. McConnel Blvd. Suite 150, Columbus, OH 43215
Contract-free memberships and luxurious amenities in the heart of downtown Columbus — if you're serious about your health, bring your A-game to Arena District Athletic Club. Membership includes all-inclusive benefits like free nutrition consultation, laundry services, top-of-the-line equipment, unlimited group classes, and personal training. Perhaps one of the coolest perks, members also receive complimentary parking enabling you to get a quick workout in before heading out for a night of food and fun around the Athletic District.
Grandview Barbell
1488 Grandview Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
Are you tired of the same old, run-of-the-mill workouts you've been doing for years? Change up your exercise routine at Columbus' most unique training experience. Grandview Barbell is a small studio that delivers huge wellness results. Their HIIT Training and Conjugate Strength classes will keep you focused on fitness. All members also have 24-hour access to the facility, which means you can work out on your schedule without worry.
The Spot Athletics
1515 Delashmut Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
Do you want to get toned, lose weight, and feel great? Would you like to get fast, get strong, and win games? The Spot Athletics is the spot for you. They'll provide the coaching, the planning, and the accountability — all you need to bring is a positive attitude and a willingness to train your body for a great life. The Spot Athletics specializes in personalized training to help you meet your unique health goals. Whether you want to train for a marathon, increase your athleticism, or simply get in the best shape of your life, this is the right spot.
Donskov Strength and Conditioning
7061 Huntley Road, Columbus, OH 43229
To feel better, look better, and perform better, you need a training facility that will bring out your best. At Donskov Strength and Conditioning, they use their knowledge, experience, and passion to help you achieve phenomenal results. Stop in for a free Fitness Strategy Session and let them design a personalized program that's tailored to your specific goals.
11athletics
1600 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43209
View this post on InstagramFinding a fitness community that feels like a 2nd home is what @11athleticsgym strives for! ——
An exercise routine should do more than make you stronger — your fitness level should help you excel in life. 11athletics uses scientifically proven exercises and techniques to deliver real results. You deserve more than a gym; you deserve a space where you can responsibly and accurately meet your fitness goals. Join the community at 11athletics and push yourself to truly excel.
Go: Fitness Center
1459 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
Finding a gym where you feel comfortable and confident in their programs can be difficult. Go: Fitness Center understands the struggle and invites you to try their facility for 10 days, connect with their trainers, and decide if their programs are right of you — no obligation required. Their trainers know that talk is cheap, which is why they're committed to your health even if that means their gym isn't the right fit for you. They hold themselves to a high standard and put a top priority on individual member results. Go: Fitness Center only succeeds if you do.
Ronin Training Center
1012 West 3rd Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
Ronin Training Center is more than a fitness facility — it's a culture that benefits everyone. This innovative fitness company offers Mixed Martial Arts classes such as Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga. Youth and kids sessions are also available if you'd like to get the whole family involved. Learn self-defense, forge new friendships, and fight for the results you desire at RTC.
Where's the best place to find your fit around Columbus this year? Let us know in the comments!
3
The Best Gyms in Columbus | Clubs, Studios + Crossfit
2019 has officially arrived! For us, a new year is a clean slate and an opportunity to make new goals for ourselves for the coming months. Whether you're looking for a place to make your 2019 resolutions happen, continuing a tradition or just looking for a new way to get active — Columbus has a ton of great fitness options! We've rounded up a few of the best places to get active in Columbus, no matter your experience level or interest. We're sure you'll find a gym that fits your needs.
Fitness Centers
Beyond Limits Training
294 East Long Street
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