by A. South

Created on: January 04, 2010

For the active type, Richmond, Va is a great city with lots of options.  There is a range of indoor and outdoor exercise possibilities, as well as year-round races to test your abilities. 

*Indoor Exercise
For the gym rats, here’s a list of great gyms and health clubs in Richmond and surrounding areas

ACAC, www.acac.com
This Midlothian gym has all the bells and whistles: a brand new fitness center, classes, training, a 50-meter lap pool, outdoor heated pool, personal training and more.

YMCA, www.ymcarichmond.org
With locations all over Richmond and surrounding areas, there’s bound to be one convenient to your neighborhood.  In addition to a great gym, the YMCA is committed to building strong families with kids and community activities.

Gold’s Gym, www.goldsgym.com
Want to pump iron and get some cardio in?  Gold’s is a great, classic gym with multiple locations in Richmond.

Weinstein JCC, www.weinsteinjcc.org
Part of the Jewish Community Center, the Weinstein JCC has a great gym, fitness center, pool and classes.  They also host swim teams, sports leagues and are hailed as the best, non-crowded gym in the area.

Peak Experiences, www.peakexperiences.com
Looking to take your workout to new heights?  Try rock climbing.  Richmond’s premier climbing gym, Peak Experiences, offers beginner classes for top-rope climbers, boulders, belaying and more.  Even better?  They boast that climbing burns a whopping 700 calories an hour.

*Outdoor Exercise
Itching to get outside?  You’re in luck.  Whatever your sport, Richmond has you covered.

Belle Isle
This city park, accessible only by pedestrian bridge, is a perfect haven in the middle of the city for cyclists walkers and runners.  You’d never guess this island, now home to challenging bike trails and winding running paths was once used as a prison during the Civil War.

 Riverside Drive
Just off one of Richmond’s busiest thoroughfares, Riverside Drive is a haven for runners, walkers and cyclists.  The road, which snakes along the James River is mostly pedestrian, making it a safe and scenic place to enjoy the outdoors.  Plus, runners and cyclists can also go off road on trails near Riverside Drive at Pony Pastures.

Riverside Cycling
This quick loop takes you through scenic Riverside Drive and across the James River, challenging cyclists with hills and abrupt elevation changes.  Along the path, it’ll

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>