Fair warning: I am not a fitness guru. Between writing for three blogs, weekly visits to Alamo Drafthouse and an unhealthy obsession with “Fallout 4,” my life is a relatively sedentary one. My weekly exercise consists of long walks around town that inevitably end up at a craft beer bar. And I can’t stand gyms.
So, if I’m going to work out, it has to be fun. Running for hours on a treadmill doesn’t do it for me. Lifting weights makes me self-conscious. Luckily for those in the same boat as me, our city is filled with exciting ways to lose those pounds. Get up and get fit in Austin with these fun-filled suggestions. If they can motivate me to turn off the PS4, they can motivate anybody!
#1 Austin Sports and Social Club
A close play at first during an Austin Sports and Social Club kickball game (Credit: Austin Sports and Social Club)
The reigning king of local social sports, Austin Sports and Social Club is one of the best ways to meet people while getting exercise. Their sports list reads like a bad ass gym class. You’ll find everything from dodgeball to indoor soccer to kickball–all with seasonal leagues. And there’s no risk of getting picked last. You can sign up as an individual or with a full team of ultimate Frisbee maniacs.
Austin Sports and Social Club is also incredibly social. Nearly every game has a corresponding happy hour. The organization also holds big yearly events like a ski trip and an epic New Year’s Eve party. This is one of the best ways to meet friendly locals while honing your volleyball skills.
Austin Sports and Social Club plays at a number of venues around town. For full schedules and information on how to join, visit austinssc.com.
#2 Dance Austin Studio
Sure, I’ll admit it. I’ve taken a dance class or ten in my day. It’s fun, expressive and, once you’re in, you’re in. No leaving halfway through because the couch beacons. Dance Austin’s classes range across a variety of musical tastes. From hip hop to pop standards to ballet, this local studio has something for every taste and skill level. As an added bonus, you’ll have a few more moves in your repertoire when you hit your next dance party.
Dance Austin Studio is located at 9012 Research Blvd. For full course schedules and other details, visit danceaustinstudio.com.
#3 Four Elements Aerial and Creative Movement
Ever watch Cirque du Soleil and marvel at the performers’ dexterity? While you won’t find yourself vaulting through flaming hoops, Four Elements has a number of ways to satiate your inner gymnast. From aerial acrobatics to pole dancing (no giggling, fellas. It’s an extraordinary workout), this outside-the-box studio has something for anyone looking for an interesting, entertaining way to get fit in Austin.
Four Elements is located at 314 Congress Ave. Suite 200. For full class listings, visit fourelementsaustin.com.
#4 Ultimate Frisbee
If you didn’t know before, now you do: Frisbee sports are a big deal in this town. While disc golf is the more leisurely of the two activities, ultimate Frisbee is the real work out. The best local resource for disc-tossing fun, Ultimate Player’s League of Austin, has everything from available pickup games to legit leagues that cater to every skill level.
Visit austinultimate.org for more information about leagues and pickup games.
#5 Austin Beer Run Club
Drinks at Uncle Billy’s are the reward at the end of Austin Beer Run Club’s weekly 5k (Credit: Austin Beer Run Club)
Running on a treadmill with no destination sounds about as fun as a root canal. But running with beer at the end? That I can get behind! Austin Beer Run Club’s weekly run starts at Uncle Billy’s on Barton Springs, works its way around Lady Bird Lake and heads back to the beginning for brews and good times. Doing a weekly 5k with sudsy refreshment awaiting at the end sounds like a win-win.
Austin Beer Run Club meets every Wednesday at Uncle Billy’s (1530 Barton Springs Road). Full details can be found at austinbeerrun.club.
#6 Austin Street Hockey
Hockey in Austin? Balderdash, you say? Well, believe it! Perfect for those looking for a killer cardio workout, Austin Street Hockey plays pickup games two to three times a week.
From experienced puck-heads to newbies to the sport, Austin Street Hockey encourages all skill levels to pick up a stick. They also offer skills sessions where you can hone your inner Gretzky.
Austin Street Hockey plays regularly at various locations around town. Visit austinstreethockey.com for times and schedules.
#7 Rō Fitness
Indoor rowing class at Rō Fitness (Credit: Rō Fitness)
When it’s too cold to take a boat onto Lady Bird Lake, get your row on at Rō Fitness, Austin’s premier indoor rowing facility. Low impact and full body, rowing provides a killer workout. Rō Fitness offers group classes in a relaxed, yet modern, setting. They also provide instruction on how to use the machines correctly. For me, this is important because I’m sure I do it wrong. More bang for my workout minute!
Rō Fitness is located at the Waller Creek Boathouse, 74 Trinity St., next to the café. Visit rofitness.com for pricing and the full class schedule.
#8 Hula Hooping at Inner Diva Studios
Once the domain of 60’s beach parties and bad Elvis movies, spinning a plastic hoop around your waist is a ridiculous core workout. Along with a host of other classes, Inner Diva offers three levels of ring-swinging fun. Imagine burning 400 calories an hour while working over 30 muscles at the same time. Plus, it’s a ton of fun!
Inner Diva Studios is located at 10401 Anderson Mill Road. Go to innerdivastudios.com for pricing and class schedules.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What’s your favorite way to get fit in Austin?
Love this article, Bill. Great fun ways to find your fitness tribe in Austin. I’d like to add to the list with Pink Gloves Boxing (you can read about my experience here, http://leahruns100.com/2015/07/31/i-hit-a-boy-and-i-liked-it/) and trail running (try out Women on the Trails and Trail Roots) as a way to shake up your road running rut. Believe it or not, I’m going to give Jazzercise another try! It was all the rage back in the ’90s and is making a resurgence with some new moves and current music.
I’ll second Pink Gloves as well!
You can do 2 of those things – silks (and other aerial arts) and hooping at Sky Candy as well! We also have super fun stuff like Circus Circuit, Aerial Bootcamp, Handstands, flexibility, clowning, and more!
Yes! And if anyone would like to learn a bit more, we have a past article on Sky Candy: http://austinot.wpengine.com/sky-candy-austin.