EXERCISE AND STAY WARM
Keeping fit out of the great outdoors
“Colder than Iqaluit.” The radio announcer’s words inflicted some pain. But then I went outside and things near and dear to me started freezing and failing, shrinking and shrivelling. The pain on this, the 94th day of January, reached a new level altogether. But come hell or high windchills, one thing is clear: I will recreate. I’ll just do it inside.
Yes, spring in Calgary is not one of the finer things in life. About the only thing predictable about it is its unpredictability. This year especially, it’s been a belligerent little bully.
Thankfully, Calgary is laced with outstanding indoor places to throw a ball, climb a wall, spin a wheel, swim a lap and so on. And every month, it seems, the options grow. There are hundreds of places to have some fun and burn a few calories. And — happy happy, joy joy — none require you to dress in goose down and fend off frostbite.
Here are a few of my favourite places to play (indoors, of course) when spring rears its ugly head.
B-LINE BIKE PARK
With 66,000 square feet of jumps, berms, ramps and rollers, the brand new B-Line Bike Park near Marlborough Mall is a thing of beauty. Thanks to a green-level skills area, ultrasmooth track, women’s nights and a massive foam pit (perfect for people dying to get airborne who don’t want to die), this is not just a hangout for dudes and daredevils. However, if you want to see some crazy stunts, some of the top freestyle BMX riders in the west are regulars in the BAR (otherwise known as the big air room).
Public drop-in rates are $30 a day. Yearly memberships are $800. Bike and pad rentals are available and, provided yours is clean and in good working order, you can bring your own bike. blinebikepark.com ■
THE CRUX CLIMBING AND BOULDERING
Boasting one of the tallest climbing walls in North America (nearly 25 metres high!), the Crux Climbing and Bouldering in northeast Calgary (also near Marlborough Mall) is a hidden gem. Considering the signage is basically non-existent, hidden is an apt description. However, thanks to Groupons and excellent beginner courses that have exploded in popularity, the facility is definitely on the map of Calgary’s courageous climbing community. Solo climbers can hone their skills in three spacious bouldering areas and, if you’ve got a climbing partner and have passed the safety and belay test, you can challenge your finger power on the towering walls and get primed for the legendary cliffs of Yamnuska.
A day rate is $16 or $14 for students, and there are a variety of other pass options, including $500 for a year. thecruxclimbing.com ■
GRAND SLAM GOLF ACADEMY
For golfers, this spring has been downright depressing. Even the diehards who like to smack it around on the tundra at Fox Hollow in early spring (or winter) have had to swap their sticks for snow shovels. (You know you have a problem when golf in the Arctic Archipelago is more appealing.) Thankfully, Calgary boasts a number of indoor spots (the outdoor heated stalls at Golf Canada Calgary Centre also work) where you can perfect your banana ball. The new Grand Slam Golf Academy, for example, is a sweet oasis for swingers.
With state-of-the-art simulators (Torrey Pines, anyone?) and hitting bays, training equipment only found in the top studios in the world, full food and beverage service, a short-game practice area and the only RoboGolfPro in Western Canada, the Grand Slam Golf Academy is perfect for snowbound Calgarians who need to satisfy their golf cravings.
One hour playing 18 holes on one of four courses on the simulator is $45 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. Youth rates are $5 less. gsga.ca ■
RALLY POINTE VOLLEYBALL CENTRE
To become a volleyball fan, you either a) need to watch the famous pool volleyball scene in the movie Meet the Parents, or b) check out Rally Pointe Volleyball Centre in southeast Calgary.
With eight indoor hard courts and six outdoor beach courts, Rally Pointe is a one-of-a-kind facility that was an early pioneer as a volleyball-only centre in North America.
With leagues, lessons, camps and clinics — and $9 public drop-in games on Fridays — that run throughout the year and not just during our wretched spring season, there is something for everyone.
Court rental on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons are $55 an hour. rallypointe.com ■
REMINGTON YMCA AT QUARRY PARK
The YMCA’s rich history dates back to 1844 in London.
The first one in Calgary was built in 1909 on land leased from the Canadian Pacific Railway and was called the Calgary City and Railroad YMCA.
Since then, our ever-growing collection of YMCAs is the best in Canada.
One of my go-to locations for a brief, low-intensity workout (I don’t move like I used to) is the new Remington YMCA at Quarry Park.
With over 100,000 square feet of open sunlit space — including a gymnasium, running track, six-lane swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, library and much more — this is one of the crown jewels in the collection.
Drop-in rates range from $5.25 to $15 and there are a number of pass options. ymcacalgary.org ■
Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, our lovely city will look — and feel — a little less like Nunavut.
But if it doesn’t, it’s comforting to know we have plenty of awesome indoor options to recreate. And fear not — January will one day be over.