Things to Do in Avondale

Although Bikram Yoga Avondale’s classes always cycle through the same 26-pose sequence, the practice is anything but boring. The repetition gives practitioners a pretty clear point of reference when it comes to tracking their progress over time, and the addition of sweltering heat challenges even the most adroit yogi. The heat of the Bikram studio boosts the heart rate, so the sessions function as cardio workouts, and the poses stretch and strengthen every major muscle group. Some even maintain that it boosts the immune system and improves focus. Since its inception, its grab-bag of benefits has attracted the admiration of high-profile adherents such as Shirley MacLaine and President Nixon—who first invited its founder, Bikram Choudhury, to the United States.

The instructors at Bikram Yoga Avondale, all of whom trained with and were certified by Bikram himself, infuse each lesson with their personality, adding a touch of variety. The new facility features a state of the art heating and ventilation system, new waterproof and anti-microbial carpets, along with larger changing rooms and additional shower facilities. To keep boat-loads of fresh oxygen coursing through circulatory systems, the staff deep cleans the facility with ardor, and deploys a state-of-the-art ozone air purifier.

Inspired by the idea that getting fitness results should be fun and surprising, Imagine That! Dance and Fitness' teachers entertain and enrich clients with subjects such as Zumba, cheerleading, and tae kwon do. In that vein, instructor Monica Saldana claims Zumba classes—in which students swivel hips and incinerate calories to Latin-inspired tunes—always feel like a party, mostly due to the messy breakups staged by teenage actors. Hip-hop and break-dance classes sample other styles of music as teachers train bodies to perform their powerful, rhythm-fueled dance steps. Youth-centric Zumbatomics classes motivate kids to shed sweat like their parents, while tae-kwon-do sessions challenge them to learn discipline, focus, and self-defense.

Born in 1945, Fred Amator's Arizona-bound life began on a dairy farm southwest of Phoenix. Later, work took him across the state, from the Sonoran Desert and Mogollon Rim to the Grand Canyon. During his Jeep tours, the CPR-certified driver's intimate knowledge of Arizona comes alive as he escorts two–four guests on desert journeys full of historical anecdotes, rather than mirages of Benjamin Franklin greedily chugging water.

During expeditions, Amator’s passengers take in panoramic views of the Gila Bend Mountains, off-road past the native trees and cacti around the White Tank Mountains, or potentially spot coyotes and rabbits at Margie's Peak. Amator also accompanies guests on three-hour trips to a farm in West Phoenix, where they observe fields full of growing cotton and the beginning of vegetable season before touring a dairy.

At Ape Index Rock Climbing, instructors lovingly referred to as "apes" assist climbers of all fitness levels as they scale walls that stand at more than 32 feet tall. Owner and instructor Amos Cox designed the gym to include more than 75 top ropes, a bouldering tunnel, and a 3-D globe that challenges climbers with its rounded façade and active volcanoes. Climbing paths range in difficulty to accommodate guests of various ages and experience levels, which makes the gym an ideal place for family bonding, birthday parties, or other group activities.

Tumbling balls and clattering pins echo across the gleaming hardwood alleys at Glenfair Lanes, where bowlers of all ages strap on multicolored kicks for group play. Fluorescent bulbs shine neon shades onto alleys until 1:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night during neon bowling, where orbiting disco balls, flashing lasers, and excessive Blade Runner quotes add flair to game play. Tournament bowlers can clink chalices of beer and soda to celebrate strikes, and pintsize players can fuel up for youth bowling sessions with saucy slices of pizza.

Stocked with mud, obstacles, and more mud, the inaugural Kiwi Dash 5K sprawls across more than 100 acres to test racers with an arsenal of mental and physical challenges. Huffs, puffs, and fist bumps sweep through the course as individuals and teams attempt to conquer 15 hurdles, which remain a mystery until race day. As an alternative to stuffing their pockets with bulky grandfather clocks, dash participants will be equipped with electronic chip timers to determine the three fastest male and female racers, who, along the person wearing the best costume, will receive an award. The Blues, Bruise and BBQ after party serves up a fully charged celebration of the day's collective accomplishments with live music, a motorcycle show, beer, and 65 barbecue vendors vying to transform muddy fingers into saucy fingers.