City Guide
Fitness and Health
Fitness Centers & Programs
Ann Arbor has many private fitness centers; see the Yellow Pages under Health Clubs for complete listings.
The Health & Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College, 4833 E. Huron River Dr. 975-9950. Elevated walk/jog track; circuit, resistance, and cardiovascular training equipment; free weights; basketball & volleyball courts; lap and warm-water pools; whirlpool. Exercise classes include aquatics, spinning, Pilates, yoga, and core conditioning; classes free for members. Personal training and programs for children offered. Also, a cafe with salads, sandwiches, and beverages; wireless Internet. Student and community memberships available; call for pricing. Mon.-Thurs. 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri. 5 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., extended hours in fall and winter. inquiry@wccfitness.org, www.wccfitness.org
The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center 971-6355. (See General Programs & Facilities, above.) Personal trainers, private swim instructors, group fitness, and water exercise classes year round for adults of all ages and abilities. Free-weight areas; cardio and strength-training equipment. Daily facility fees: resident adults $6 (nonresidents $8), resident seniors (age 62 & over) and youths (ages 3-17) $4 (non residents $5). parks.ewashtenaw.org S
U-Move Fitness 764-1342. Aerobics, aquatics, dance, Pilates, weight training, and a special Lifetime Fitness program for seniors. The CCRB (763-3084), IMSB (763-3562), and NCRB (763-4560) also have weight-training and conditioning facilities open to students and U-M recreational sports members. u-move@umich.edu, www.umove.kines.umich.edu S
Rec & Ed 994-2300, ext. 53233. Cardio, strength training, and weight training classes for adults year round. www.aareced.com S
YMCA 996-9622. Free-weight areas and exercise machines available for members. Aerobics and weight-training classes year round for a fee. www.annarborymca.org S
Jogging & Walking
The city’s plentiful parkland, including long stretches of scenic riverfront pathways, yields miles of off-road running. Many Ann Arborites don’t even have to leave their own neighborhoods to find prime jogging space: the city abounds in residential nooks and crannies secluded from traffic, including a surprising number of jealously preserved dirt roads. The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center (971-6337) has a two-lane, 1⁄12-mile indoor track that’s open most of the day (see General Programs & Facilities, above, for fees) and a free 1.4-mile, 18-fitness-station trail (with directions and equipment) at County Farm Park behind the building. The YMCA (996-9622) has an unbanked 13-laps-to-mile indoor track above the gym. The U-M has indoor tracks at the CCRB (763-3084) and the NCRB (763-4560). Briarwood mall opens its doors early (8 a.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. Sun.) to walkers year round.Martial Arts & Self-Defense
Ann Arbor has many private martial arts studios; see the Yellow Pages for listings.
Rec & Ed 994-2300, ext. 53233. Aikido, judo, karate, sanchin ryu, tai chi chuan, qigong, and wushu year round. www.aareced.com
U-Move Fitness 764-1342. Beginning and advanced tae kwon do for students and nonstudents at the CCRB. www.umove.kines.umich.edu
YMCA 996-9622. Classes year round in aikido, judo, jujitsu, karate, tae kwon do, and tai chi for all ages and levels. Year-round karate and judo clubs. www.annarborymca.org
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Yoga
Ann Arbor has many private yoga studios; see the Yellow Pages for listings.
Rec & Ed 994-2300, ext. 53233. Classes year round in Iyengar, basic, better-back, prenatal yoga, and yoga for strength, plus classes for youth. www.aareced.com
U-Move Fitness program 764-1342. Classes for both beginners and experienced students. www.umove.kines.umich.edu
YMCA 6-9622. The Y’s classes have made Ann Arbor a national center for the study of the Iyengar technique. Introductory classes and Levels I and II; also classes on ageless and pregnancy yoga, sun salutations, and special workshops. www.annarborymca.org
