When the forecast turns from “charmingly brisk” to “hellish icescape,” our first instinct is to don our most forgiving sweats and lounge around on the sofa until April. But just because it’s freezing outside doesn’t mean we all have to hibernate for the next four months: The city is filled with indoor activities—besides just another workout class or gym session—that will keep your blood pumping and endorphins flowing all season.
6 Super-Fun Ways to Stay Active When It’s Cold AF Outside
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Published Dec 20, 2018
Courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
Brooklyn Boulders
With two locations (Gowanus and Queensbridge), this indoor rock-climbing mecca offers a multitude of activities that could easily fill an entire day, including yoga, fitness workshops, slacklining, free weights and even a co-working space. Not an expert climber? Both 20,000-square-foot facilities offer walls and classes for every skill level.
Two locations; brooklynboulders.com
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
All of Roosevelt Island’s 12 green clay courts are heated in winter (and air-conditioned in summer) to ensure comfortable play year-round. Tennis fiends will love the benefits of a monthly membership (including savings on hourly court time and the ability to make reservations two weeks in advance), but more casual players can pay a day rate to ensure regular use of their tennis whites even in the dead of January.
281 Main St., Roosevelt Island; advantagetennisclubs.com
Scott McDermott
Chelsea Piers Driving Range/adult Gymnastics/batting Cages
The West Side sports hub has plenty of options for an athletic day indoors, including a four-tiered outdoor driving range with 52 heated and weather-protected stalls, a 1,200-square-foot putting green, an indoor putting studio and sand bunker, and two golf simulators. (Clubs are available to rent if you don’t have your own or don’t feel like lugging them across the West Side Highway.) More of a (base)baller? The Field House has four state-of-the-art batting cages with softball and baseball options in speeds ranging from 35 to 75 miles per hour. And if hitting balls isn’t your thing, check out Chelsea Piers’ drop-in adult gymnastics classes ranging from beginner level to elite.
West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park; chelseapiers.com
Courtesy of City Ice Pavilion
City Ice Pavilion Long Island City
Wintry mix spoiling your plans for an outdoor skating excursion? Head to Long Island City, where you can hit the rink on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons and holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. City Ice offers skate rental but recently becameBYOH (bring your own helmet).
47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City; cityicepavilion.com
Courtesy of Trapeze School New York
Trapeze School New York
If you were one of those kids who dreamed of running away and joining the circus, this is the perfect place to start. Try your hand at the flying trapeze at Trapeze School New York’s year-round South Williamsburg location (or in the warmer months, at the Manhattan location atop Pier 40 in Hudson River Park). Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the look-before-you-leap type—each trapeze has a cushy safety net below.
Two locations; newyork.trapezeschool.com
Joffrey Ballet School
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, this venerable dance school (founded in 1953) offers 90-minute drop-in ballet and jazz classes at the beginner and intermediate level throughout the week. If you’re looking for something that, ahem, really keeps you on your toes, the school also offers beginner-level pointe workshops in a series of six-week or eight-week classes.
434 Sixth Ave.; joffreyballetschool.com