Is the cold keeping you cooped up indoors more than you’d like? Many folks are eagerly itching to get out and start moving again, especially those with fitness goals and renewed commitments to be more active for the New Year. And let’s face it—winter sports aren’t for everyone! Some of us want to be warm while pursuing our recreational endeavors!
Yet, we still have a lot of winter weather to weather through. But not all hope is lost; a little indoor fitness playtime can go a long way. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we have plenty of options, from indoor rock-climbing walls to other adrenaline-pumping activities. Here are some noted venues to consider when it’s too cold to play outside.
Bouldering Project
This well-respected chain of indoor climbing gyms has locations all over the nation. The one based in DC, though, is the most convenient choice for residents in surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. In addition to rock climbing, they offer yoga, fitness classes, and much more. You can learn about them on the main website.
The Boulder Yard
Boulder Yard has just one location, based in Ballenger Creek in Frederick, Maryland. Here folks can immerse themselves in a 3,000-square-foot rock-climbing gym area with varying difficulty levels. They also boast an in-house yoga studio. Discover more on their website.
ClimbZone
ClimbZone is the nation’s pioneering adventure sports center focused on rock climbing for the entire family. Now boasting a handful of other franchises spread out across multiple states, the first one ever, which is still the primary go-to for folks in the Mid-Atlantic, is the one in Laurel, Maryland. In addition to rock climbing, they feature a family-friendly arcade and soft-play area. Click the website link to find out more.
Delaware Rock Gym
Having opened in 2007 in Bear, Delaware, this is the largest public climbing gym in the state. With such offerings as top-rope climbing and bouldering, Delaware Rock Gym caters to all ages, interests, and difficulty levels. Visit the link to learn more.
The Gravity Vault
Featuring multiple locations, Gravity Vault is renowned as a state-of-the-art, full-service indoor rock-climbing venue designed to cater to all folks, wherever they’re at. Their site in Radnor, Pennsylvania, spans an impressive 16,000 square feet and features fitness classes, clinics, camps, competitions, and fun member events. Two additional locations will be coming soon to Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley. There’s also one slated to open in Arlington, Virginia. Click here for additional information.
iFly Locations
Aside from getting your indoor “high” with rock climbing, why not consider some indoor aerial skydiving? That’s right, it’s actually a thing, thanks to iFly indoor skydiving locations now being located nationwide. What’s more, you don’t get that terrible dropping feeling—just a suspended in-air experience akin to flying, which all ages and thrill levels can experience.
Folks in Maryland may choose from two locations–one in Nottingham and another in Gaithersburg. Virginia residents will find options in Ashburn and Virginia Beach. Pennsylvanians can head to the King of Prussia Mall. Visit the official site to learn more.
Life Time
As Columbia, Maryland’s premier fitness destination, Life Time boasts an array of onsite recreations that folks of all ages can rightfully appreciate. These include resort-style pools, an expansive fitness floor, hundreds of weekly classes, basketball courts, special kids’ spaces, and more. But their 30-foot indoor rock wall reigns supreme. Click here for details.
Lititz RecROC
As the name alludes, this notable gym and rock-climbing facility is based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Highlights include their Ninja Warrior obstacle course and impressive in-house fitness center. Read more about Lititz RecROC on the site.
Movement
Movement gyms can be found in various locations. All carry out the founding commitment of presenting versatile climbing terrains along with onsite strength and cardio training spaces for yoga and other fitness pursuits. Movement locations in Maryland can be found in Columbia, Hamden, Rockville, and Timonium. There are also two in Philadelphia (Callowhill and Kensington) and a gym in Virginia’s Crystal City, in Arlington. Click the link to find out more.
Rapp Rocks Climbing Gym
Spanning more than 3,000 square feet of climbing space, Rapp Rocks is the first indoor climbing gym to open in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Founded by noted outdoor enthusiast Nic Wolfe, the impressive rock-climbing gym features both bouldering and top-roping, as well as a 12×12, adjustable kilter board. Discover more on the website.
Sky Zone Trampoline Parks
Sky Zone Trampoline Parks are located all over the country. Famous for their presentation of freestyle bouncing, dodgeball, fitness programs, and more, this is the ultimate place to play indoors all season long and at any age.
Residents in Maryland can head to locations in Sykesville, Frederick, and Crofton-Gabrillis. An Owings Mills franchise will be opening soon. Virginia residents may head to sites in Alexandria or Arlington. Read more on the link.
Sportrock Climbing Centers
Built for climbers by climbers, Sportrock Climbing Centers are among some of the very first rock-climbing gyms in the nation and the first commercial climbing gym in the DC metro area. Furthermore, they feature the tallest rock walls in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Find them in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Alexandria, Virginia, and Sterling, Virginia. Click here to learn more.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Parks
The ultimate indoor adventure park catering to all ages, you’ll find franchises for Urban Air located throughout the United States and Canada. In Delaware, you’ll find one in Christina. Maryland locations include White Marsh, Glen Burnie, Frederick, and Laurel. Pennsylvanians head to Delco (Springfield), Downingtown, East Norriton, Willow Grove, Royersford, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Altoona, Trexlertown, North Huntingdon, Pittsburgh, or North Fayette. For those in Virginia, sites can be found in Woodbridge, Gainesville, Fredericksburg, and Newport News. Note two openings coming soon—one in Largo, Maryland, and another in Glen Allen, Virginia. Visit the official website for all additional details.
Vertical Rock Climbing & Fitness
With a focus on rock climbing, this versatile gym also features an impressive fitness center and much more. From yoga, pilates, bouldering, and more, offerings are plentiful at both Virginia locations—one in Tysons and the other in Manassas. Click here to read more about it.
Warehouse Rocks
Based in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, here you have a family-friendly climbing gym featuring top roping walls with a vertical height of 30’, bouldering areas that provide 14′ of vertical climbing height, and many more impressive site features, including a kilter board. Visit their site to learn more.
ZavaZone
Presenting an array of multiple attractions all under one roof, this is the ultimate destination for kids and kids at heart alike. Some of their most notable features include High Ropes, a Ninja Warrior Course, a Warped Wall, a Giant Slide, a Pole Walk, a Faceoff Wall, a Blackout Tower, a Parkour, a Stunt Jump, Trampoline Dodgeball, a Battle Beam, and an Observation Zone. You’ll find locations in Rockville, Maryland, and Sterling, Pennsylvania. Click here for all additional details.
There are so many other great indoor pursuits throughout the Mid-Atlantic to consider this winter in addition to these. Just scout around and find the follies that suit you best.