Being home to the world-famous athletics program at the University of Florida, it’s no wonder fitness and sports facilities abound in Greater Gainesville to serve people of all ages, skill levels, and conditioning goals.
Gainesville Health & Fitness Center (GHFC) joined forces with the UF Health Sports Performance Center to provide fitness, health assessments, and training for individuals of every background and musculoskeletal need. Whether you rarely leave the couch or are an ultra-marathoner who dreams of crushing your personal best time, local trainers and physicians alike realize there is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal health and athletic performance and will customize a diet and exercise regimen to meet your individual needs. GHFC has three locations in Greater Gainesville. Xceed Sports Performance prides itself on blending science with sport, focusing on the areas of speed, strength, stamina, power, elastic energy, and mental preparedness to take you to the next level in whichever sport is your focus.
And, let’s not forget about recovery. With a number of sports massage facilities and saunas, including some with infrared technology, soothing those aching muscles after an intense workout has never been easier. Want to fight off fatigue and take your healing to the next level without the excruciatingly uncomfortable 20-minute ice bath? Look no further than Cryotherapy. Three minutes at minus -230 degrees Fahrenheit delivers immediate relief from muscle pain, sprains, swelling, and joint stiffness, as well as improvements to sleep quality and restlessness.
If you prefer group training to an individual focus, why not enjoy one of the CrossFit, Pilates, or Ayurveda Yoga studios? Whether you want a casual environment where new friends and camaraderie take center stage or a butt-kicking, heart pounding.
experience to test your limits with intense boot-camp like routines, Greater Gainesville has group-centered fitness routines to expand both your network and your athletic potential. With over 19 martial arts studios and dojos, self-defense and graceful technique flourish in the disciplines of Judo, Karate, and Jiu-Jitsu. Newer to the scene are studios and groups devoted to Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art that gracefully merges dance, acrobatics, and music. Initially developed by slaves to disguise their fight-practicing moves, Capoeira has a modern-day allure and beauty that truly makes this martial art stand apart from the pack.
Speaking of dance, Greater Gainesville has a variety of studios, lessons, and classes tailored to different styles. From ballet to belly dancing, Irish step dance to Hip-Hop, the intimacy of the Tango to the group synchronicity of line dancing, expand your fitness horizons in a world that does not feel like exercise.
If you prefer a non-talking partner to strengthen your core and warm your heart, there are a multitude of Equestrian centers to choose from. The joys of bonding with horses on a simple trot or causal ride are just as accessible as rigorous racing, jumping, and obstacle course training.
If it’s solitude you’re after, no better place than heading out to the links to enjoy the beautiful fairways nestled aside Gainesville’s spectacular natural backdrops. With two famous Country Clubs and three lush courses open to the public, a day of golfing is arguably the most relaxing way to stay in shape and release serotonin. If you prefer a bit more adrenaline in your fitness routine, an indoor climbing gym, multiple archery ranges, and the Canopy Climbers, a tree-climbing collective that will have you defying gravity and reaching aerial heights among the foliage, might be just the thing.
From junior golf leagues to fastpitch softball, lacrosse, and swimming to soccer and volleyball, youth athletics are well represented in | Guide to Greater Gainesville | CULTURE GUIDETOGREATERGAINESVILLE.COM Greater Gainesville and will keep your kids busy after school and during the summer months with a variety of camps to choose from. There’s plenty for the adults as well with co-ed softball, swimming and tennis leagues, flag football, Frisbee golf tournaments, and even a chance to indulge your inner child with a round of kickball.
Whether you prefer a gym to a golf course, martial arts to dance, a bow-and-arrow to a horse, or a group exercise routine to an individualized focus on your unique athletic ambitions, Greater Gainesville has a variety of fairly priced sports and exercise options and excellent professional trainers to help you meet your physical fitness goals.
Author- Brandon Duff