Fitness Centers
Ann Arbor has many private fitness centers; see the Yellow Pages under Health Clubs for complete listings.
The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center (971–6355; see General Programs & Facilities, above) offers aerobics classes year round for adults of all ages and abilities; free-weight areas, cardio and strength-training equipment are available to the public for a fee. Daily facility fees: resident adults $6 (nonresidents $8), resident seniors (age 62 & over) and youths (ages 3–17) $4 (nonresidents $5). S
U-Move Fitness (764–1342), offers aerobics, aquatics, dance, Pilates, weight training, and a special Lifetime Fitness program for senior adults. The CCRB (763–3084), NCRB (763–4560), and IMSB (763–3562) 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
The YMCA (996–9622) and Rec & Ed (994–2300, ext. 53233) offer free-weight areas, exercise machines, and aerobics and weight-training classes throughout the year for a fee. S
Jogging & Running
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 indoor track that’s open most of the day. (See General Programs & Facilities, above, for fees.) For free, you can run the 1.4-mile fitness trail at County Farm Park (971–6337) behind the rec center. The trail has 18 fitness stations with directions and equipment for various exercises. The YMCA (996–9622) has an indoor track suspended 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 (7 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) offers aikido, judo, karate, sanchin ryu, and tang soo do throughout the year. www.aareced.com
U-Move Fitness (764–1342) sponsors beginning and advanced tae kwon do for students and nonstudents at the CCRB. www.umove.kines.umich.edu
YMCA (996–9622) offers classes year round in aikido, haedong kumdo, judo, jujitsu, karate, tae kwon do, and t’ai chi for all ages and levels. Also, year-round karate and judo clubs. www.annarborymca.org
Related Topics:
U-M Nature Areas
Horner-McLaughlin Woods. Ninety-five-acre wildflower sanctuary and nature preserve just south of M-14, off Ford Rd. west of Dixboro Rd., used primarily by the U-M for research and teaching fieldwork. Public access is difficult.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro. 647–7600. The gardens’ spacious indoor conservatory highlights different climatic regions. The first room is filled with tropical plants, including award-winning orchids and striking bromeliads. The central greenhouse holds plants of warm-temperate climates, a bonsai exhibit, and an exhibit of insectivorous plants. A collection of cacti and other desert plants fills the desert house, which opens onto a formal outdoor perennial garden. Other theme gardens feature wildflowers, perennials, herbs, and shade-loving and New World plants. The surrounding 350 acres are crisscrossed by walking trails and feature mature woodlands, wetlands, several ponds, and a tallgrass prairie. Matthaei has two new family-friendly accessible nature trails; docent-guided tours can be arranged. It also sponsors classes, workshops, family activities, and other special events. The gardens’ Friends group sponsors the Spring Plant Sale in May. Outdoor gardens and trails open daily 8 a.m.–sunset. Indoor conservatory and garden shop open Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Wed. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., closed Mon. Admission to the conservatory: adults $5, school-age children $2; free Fri. noon–4:30 p.m. www.mbgna.umich.edu
Nichols Arboretum. 647–7600. One of Ann Arbor’s most popular nature spots, this university preserve occupies 123 acres of land rising irregularly from the Huron River. The forests of the “Arb,” crisscrossed by long, winding trails, include tree species collected from all over the world. Equally treasured are its prairie grasslands, insulated by forest and landform from city noise. Gardens include the popular peony gardens that bloom each year in early June about the time of the Arb’s annual Shakespeare productions; the Centennial Shrub Collection, with fragrant early-blooming lilacs and other shrubs; and rhododendrons in the shady, restful Heathdale Collection. The Arb’s recently restored riverfront is a popular spot for a picnic. Nichols Arboretum observes its centennial in 2007, and there will be a special Arb celebration Sept. 29. www.mbgna.umich.edu
Saginaw Forest. 662–8011. This 80-acre woods on Liberty Rd. west of Wagner is owned and operated by the U-M’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and is used primarily for field study and research. It consists of several forest plantations dating back to 1903, has long been used for testing forest management techniques, and provides excellent wildlife habitat. Its path around Third Sister Lake is a favorite of dog walkers and cross-country skiers.
Yoga
Ann Arbor has many private yoga studios; see the Yellow Pages for listings.
Rec & Ed (994–2300, ext. 53233) offers classes year round in Iyengar, restorative, better-back, & gentle yoga, and yoga for strength, plus classes for youth, preschoolers, and pregnant women. www.aareced.com
U-Move Fitness program (764–1342) has classes for both beginners and experienced students. www.umove.kines.umich.edu
YMCA (996–9622) classes have made Ann Arbor a national center for the study of the Iyengar technique. In addition to introductory classes and Levels I and II, there are classes on ageless and pregnancy yoga, sun salutations, and special workshops. See the online program guide (www.annarborymca.org) for schedules and fees.
