Working out — some cannot stand it, while others call it their greatest passion.
Love it or hate it, the Greater Gainesville area, with its ideal temperatures and numerous opportunities for having fun while staying fit, is a top spot for pursuing a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.
Of course, working out is an umbrella term for lots of physical activities. The gym can take on many different forms for a variety of fitness goals or methods, including CrossFit gyms, martial arts studios, yoga centers, athletic clubs or even rock climbing. Gainesville’s array of unique fitness centers, including Gainesville Health & Fitness, CycleBar and Yogapod/Apex Studios, to name a few, cater to the workout regimen of anyone looking for their personal brand of “pump.”
Gainesville Health & Fitness is more than just a gym, but rather a place where beginners and fitness enthusiasts alike can meet their goals, make friends and improve their lives in numerous ways.
Chief Marketing Officer Debbie Lee said GHF has seen a rise in awareness for returning to the gym not just for physical health, but for every aspect of wellbeing.
“This year, we’re really looking at people that are coming back to the gym (after the pandemic) and asking the questions, ‘Why are you coming back and returning here?’ Or, ‘Why are you coming here for the first time?’ Almost hands down, it is all, all, all about the well-being aspect. It’s the mental outlook. They want to be around positivity, a place where people can connect,” she said. “It is so much more powerful than just looking good in your clothes.”
GHF’s three gyms in Greater Gainesville offer numerous amenities, classes and hands-on training with 24-hour access. They also offer a full array of training options, between their full gyms, pool, basketball courts, cross-fit, yoga, Pilates, cycling, personal training and more.
While there are dozens of gyms and fitness centers throughout the Greater Gainesville region, there are many additional ways to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Miles of nature trails, pedestrian-friendly bridges and scenic stretches of hills and prairies provide runners, walkers and cyclists with views they will never grow bored of and plenty of distance to really get the heart pumping. There is not much better for the mind and body than doing yoga or going for a walk in the serene quiet of Payne’s Prairie.
Several local runner’s groups and annual events bring like-minded joggers together. Runners can partake in the various 5K and 10K races held across the area, including the Depot Park parkrun 5k, the Trail of Payne 10K and the Cupcake Race 5K at Hawthorne Trail. The annual Savage Race challenges even the toughest of athletes, with obstacle courses thrown into the mix at this run.
Many gyms and fitness centers in the Greater Gainesville area often host drop-in classes to sample the kinds of workouts offered. A budding passion in kickboxing, Taekwondo or even goat yoga can be nurtured and explored with only an introductory lesson. The variety is limitless.
General wellness is inextricably linked to physical activity. Besides the obvious health benefits, exercise, especially in the great Florida outdoors, can be a calming, serene experience. Endorphins, released during physical activity, act as both natural painkillers and stress relievers, and naturally promote pleasurable feelings from exercise.
Something as simple as feeling the heart rate go up, getting into the zone and pushing the limits can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience.
Annual Races and Events
- Savage Race 5K
- Season of Hope 5K/15K
- Depot Park parkrun 5K
- Trail of Payne 10K
- LifeSouth Race Weekend — half marathon, 5K, kids’ marathon
- Swamp City Obstacle Course Race
- Annual Jack Gamble Melon Run
- The Cupcake Race at Hawthorne Trail 5K
Fitness Groups Gainesville
High Springs Kayaking/Tubing/Hiking/Adventure/Social
For a complete list of local gyms and fitness centers, visit guide.directory/listings.
“The greatest feeling you can get in a gym, or the most satisfying feeling you can get in the gym is… the pump.”
— Pre-governor, pre-Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger famously said this in the 1977 documentary feature, “Pumping Iron.” The film launched not only launched the Austrian bodybuilder to great fame, but also the humble gym itself, inspiring millions to focus on fitness and home in on health.
By Ryan Walsh