Alterna-Fit
The ever-steady popularity of the treadmill accurately represents America’s attitude toward fitness—that it’s repetitive, monotonous, and probably going to be boring as hell. It’s hard to get excited about creating a killer new body if it means running in place in front of a TV for a few hours a day. That’s why (614) has decided to compile a list of alternative, fun, and engaging ways to keep your booty in shape this fall. After all, doesn’t that wedge of chocolate cake taste a hell of a lot sweeter after an intense day of calorie burning?
Paintball
LVL UP Sports • lvlupsports.com
As of last month, the closest paintball park sat over an hour away—that is, until David Pando, owner of LVL UP Sports, opened a shiny new park in Grove City, just 20 minutes from downtown. But this isn’t just any paintball park. This place is the real deal. “I wanted to build my dream tournament field, and that’s what this is,” said Pando. To attest to the badassery of his newly opened park, globally ranked teams train there every weekend. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a pro to play, and if you are afraid of the slight sting of defeat, we recommend the low impact paintballs.
Silk Ropes
Infinity Aerial • infinityaerial.com
We have all been there—lounging lazily on the recliner, delicious snack in hand, watching Circe De’ Solei acrobats delicately fall and swivel from colorful silk ropes hung from the ceiling, thinking, “I could never do that shit.” Well, actually, you can. Infinity Aerial offers beginner and advanced classes for all you aerialist hopefuls out there. Surprisingly, it is not as tough as you would think. Contorting and dangling your body mid air and upside out is not only a great way to stay in shape, but also an exciting and artistic avenue for physical expression. On that note, they also offer twerking and pole dancing classes…
Ausball
Cyp Club • cypclub.com
This is how they play football down under, Dundee style. Officially known as Australian Rules Football, Ausball combines elements of rugby, volleyball, and basketball into one exhilarating and admittedly bizarre sport. Believe it or not, Columbus hosts its own male and female semi-professional teams—the Jack and Jillaroos, respectively. The men’s team even placed third in the nation in 2013. Want to learn how to play or join an amateur league? On September 7, the Columbus Young Professionals Club is hosting a free Ausball introduction and Scrimmage at Municipal Park in Hilliard. If turns out to be the sport for you, the Co-Rec Ausball League begins September 21 and runs through October 26th.
Trampoline Dodgeball
Skyzone • skyzone.com/Columbus
Imagine stepping into a room where the walls and floors are actually trampolines. Then, imagine being provided large, colorful balls to hurl at your friends while doing a hang dive off of the wall. Dodge Ball and trampolines: a symphonic duet that captures everything awesome about being a kid. Located in Lewis Center, Sky Zone offers trampoline dodge ball as one of many amenities for an alternate workout. In addition, they have Skyrobics, Ultimate Volleyball, giant foam pits to practice backflips into, and even an Ultimate Dodge Ball tournament that all can help burn up to 1,000 calories an hour. Just remember to put House of Pain on your Spotify playlist.
Parkour
Parkour Horizons • parkourhorizons.org
You don’t have to be Ong Bak to jump off of a rooftop onto a moving car anymore. Okay, maybe a couple years training of training at Parkour Horizons would help. As Columbus’s only professional parkour studios, PH offers beginner to advanced classes, boasting their very own indoor parkour studio. Learn to free climb, do a lazy vault or a palm spin, and learn how to evade your approaching ex in the coolest way possible.
Figure Skating
The Chiller • thechiller.com
Sophisticated and stimulating, challenging and fun, the Chiller offers ice-skating classes for all skill levels. With competitively trained instructors, you can learn how all of the sweet spin moves of the Olympians, or, just show up for a relaxing free skate. Don’t worry, if you fall on your ass there is plenty of ice to apply to your bruises.
Rock Climbing
Vertical Adventures • verticaladventuresohio.com
If you have ever seen Sylvester Stallone’s 1993 classic Cliffhanger, than you know the white-knuckled intensity of rock climbing. Whether you are a first-time climber, or an experienced creeper, Vertical Adventures offers a variety of classes that cater to your specific skill level. With the largest climbing walls in town, Vertical Adventures offers to take your fitness to new heights—just try not to look down. •
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