Downtown core exercise spots in Calgary

Calgary’s downtown workers are all about efficiency. But balancing work with family, leisure and exercise time is not always easy. Appealing and easily accessible fitness facilities can help. Early morning training sessions, lunchtime yoga classes and happy-hour squash games are a few of the fitness activities available at these fit spots in the downtown core.

By Jillian Clark

Fifth Avenue Athletic Club

1

2F-715 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2X6

• Phone Number
  • 403-543-4747Primary
• Directions

Fifth Avenue Club was built with Calgary’s downtown workers in mind, and the tidy facility is overseen by personable staff. Under one roof, you’ll find cardio and weight rooms, a massage therapy area, squash courts and a juice bar. With your purchase of a membership, the club donates a portion to a small village in Ethiopia.

Fierce Girl Fitness

2

822 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0E5

• Phone Number
  • 587-352-7167Primary
• Directions

A women’s fitness club, Fierce Girl Fitness focuses on building extreme girl power. Group-fitness and personal-training sessions are available at this downtown facility. Classes are typically one hour in length, but shorter lunchtime sessions are held weekdays. Various classes include spin and yoga as well as strength training and TRX circuits and all of the above in a single class! Try out a drop-in class or purchase a full membership.

Bankers Hall Club

3

315 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4K1

• Phone Number
  • 403-298-4750Primary
• Directions

For many downtown workers, it’s possible to walk to Bankers Hall Club on the Plus 15 walkway system, which is especially convenient in winter. The club offers group fitness classes, personal training, squash courts, a massage and therapy centre as well as nutritional guidance.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Take a swing at these Calgary squash and racquetball courts

Beltline Aquatic & Fitness Centre

4

221 12 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G9

• Phone Number
  • 403-268-2489Primary
• Directions

Beltline Aquatic features a four-lane pool, fitness and weight room, sauna, climbing wall and a gymnasium. In its studio room, the centre even offers group workouts, boot camps, martial arts classes and exercise workshops on yoga and dance. Reasonable admission fees and memberships make this Beltline fitness spot affordably accessible.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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30 Minute Hit

5

100-1324 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0M6

• Phone Number
  • 403-263-3648Primary
• Directions

30 Minute Hit offers women a kickboxing circuit designed to strengthen and empower. This kickboxing gym is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings as well as evenings Monday to Thursday, so you can easily fit your 30 minutes of exercise around your work schedule. This female-only centre focuses on unique circuit training, teaching participants how to exercise efficiently and effectively.

Western Canadian Place Fitness Centre

6

1-707 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1H5

• Phone Number
  • 403-662-2240Primary
• Directions

Western Canadian Place offers it all: squash courts, various group fitness classes, personal training and wellness services. The facility’s trainers are ready to help you reach new physical-fitness goals or to simply stay in shape. You can also meet with a massage therapist to help you relax after a tough class. The centre opens early in the morning from Monday to Friday for pre-work workouts.

The Bow Valley Club

7

370-250 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3H7

• Phone Number
  • 403-265-9074Primary
• Directions

The Bow Valley Club is located downtown in Bow Valley Square and is accessible by the Plus 15 system. Strictly members-only, the facility offers exceptional fitness guidance, training and related services. Sign up for personal training, play squash or indulge in a massage therapy session. After a hard session, grab a seat in one of three dining rooms, or book a casual meeting in the lounge. The club is separated for men and women, promising each the tools they need to reach their fitness goals.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Take a swing at these Calgary squash and racquetball courts

Endurance on 8th Health Centre

8

260-607 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0A7

• Phone Number
  • 403-265-8383Primary
• Directions

Endurance on 8th is a one-stop fitness shop featuring chiropractic aid, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, nutritional guidance and motor vehicle accident treatment. Endurance offers a well-rounded team-approach to fitness, focusing on more than just exercise equipment. This facility also offers fitness-competition coaching, personal trainers for you and your whole office as well as online fitness programs.

The Academy | Gym

9

637 11 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB T2R 0E1

• Phone Number
  • 403-263-3113Primary
• Directions

This Beltline studio offers a variety of classes each day. With yoga, spin, TRX, interval training, strength training, sparring and more, you’ll find activities to fit your lifestyle. The schedule changes daily, but plenty of classes run before and after regular work hours, with condensed sessions around lunchtime. Instructors also provide personal-training sessions for members who need a break from the crowd. Childcare is available.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

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More from Jillian Clark

Jill loves all things fun, fruity and yogi. She recently departed Montreal to try life in Calgary. Here she searches for the perfect balance between the hot room and “real life” and also between healthy living and her love of chocolate. Besides yoga and writing, her favourite activities include making new friends, drinking red wine with old ones, and force-feeding them her gluten-free recipes.

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