RAC Group

Most treadmills require sneakers, or a really rubbery pair of feet. But a special treadmill at The Rochester Athletic Club obliges athletes to don ice skates. The hockey treadmill sends 50 square feet of simulated ice whizzing beneath the skates of training players. Not only can players practice passes along the front lip of the treadmill, where a puck glides to and fro, but they can also tweak the speed and elevation of the treadmill to their skill levels.

This specially calibrated treadmill embodies the contemporary nature of the 28,000-square-foot gym. The modern space's programs include group fitness classes, personal training, and wellness courses for patrons more than 50 years old. Classes utilize abundant cardio equipment, a circuit of Cybex weight machines, and high-definition televisions. And with the Paint Creek Trail and Rochester Municipal Park next door, workouts can get back to basics during boot camp and other seasonal outdoor classes, such as how to outrun a squirrel.