Carver Gyms and Fitness

Sculpted into 300 acres of glacial depressions that form kettles and kames, Pinehills Golf Club's pair of 18-hole, par 72 championship courses seamlessly incorporate the stunning landscape, earning acclaim from Golf Digest, Golfweek, and Golf Magazine as top public courses in the state. The Rees Jones Course is cleaved through a dramatic glacial imprint left from the Ice Age, showcasing 7,175 yards of wide fairways and very few water hazards for a layout that plays similarly to a links-style course. Hole 15 is a 509-yard par 5 behemoth that demands the toughest carry of the round, about 200 yards. The uphill hole reaches the highest point on the course, which offers views of the surrounding topography, as well as the five bunkers that await errant shots or displaced sunbathers on their way to the green.

The Nicklaus Course was built one year later and presents a serpentine layout of dramatic elevation changes and small, slick greens. Undulated fairways are characteristic of this young course as it winds through dense clusters of coniferous and deciduous tree lines that burst with color in autumn. The course places a premium on precise approach shots rather than gunpowder-filled golf balls in order to avoid the gauntlet of bunkers on nearly every hole. The course culminates at the 18th hole, a 476-yard par 4, as well as a cerulean pond that golfers must carry in order to reach the small, contoured green in regulation.

Pinehills' practice facilities and clubhouse are what set the club apart from other public and private courses. Complete with five large putting greens, a 60-stall driving range, and three chipping greens with bunkers, the practice area is an ideal host for Pinehills Golf Academy. Lessons and clinics pair apprentice golfers with expert PGA instructors, who hone swings with the help of V1 digital swing-analysis technology. After a day on the course or at the range, the East Bay Grille quiets rumbling stomachs with clam chowder, burgers, and steaks.

Jones Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Length of 7,175 yards from the farthest set of tees

• Course rating of 73.8 from the farthest set of tees

• Slope rating of 135 from the farthest set of tees

• Four sets of tee boxes

• See the scorecard

Nicklaus Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Length of 7,243 yards from the farthest set of tees

• Course rating of 74.3 from the farthest set of tees

• Slope rating of 135 from the farthest set of tees

• Four sets of tee boxes

• See the scorecard

Inside Plymouth's historic Post Office Building, the bustling of envelopes changing hands has been replaced by the sounds of steady breathing. Certified personal trainer Alicia Andreson works with her experienced staff—all of whom hold teaching certifications—to gently correct their students' alignment aboard mats and apparatuses, including the ubiquitous reformer. They guide one-on-one Pilates sessions and small-group classes that tighten cores, demonstrating classic mat poses, boot-camp-style maneuvers, and yoga stances. To complement their exercise regimens, they offer nutritional counseling and wellness programs. They develop custom healthful diet regimens that help patrons flatten their tummies more safely than standing in front of a firing cannon.

To help women achieve their fitness goals, the certified personal trainers at Get in Shape for Women focus on four areas: weight training, cardio training, nutrition, and accountability. Each of their small-group sessions are tailored to each exerciser. The trainers modify exercises to suit up to four ladies' fitness levels, beginning by calibrating 30 minutes of strength-training drills—such as free weights, lunges, and squats—to each student's abilities. Then, they do 25 minutes of cardio—the trainers might start beginners with a walk on the treadmill or light elliptical training, and challenge more advanced exercisers to high-intensity interval-training sessions for increased results.

The trainers supplement the group workouts with nutritional planning centered around the concept of eating six small, balanced meals six days a week. They set aside the seventh day for a bit of indulgence, be it eating a favorite sweet or lusting openly after bacon. To track ladies' progress toward reaching their goals, the trainers measure their weight and body-fat percentage every two weeks.

Drawing on more than a decade of spinning experience, Jody Pugh captains a team of lively instructors at Just Ride!, an indoor cycling studio that was crowned one of Plymouth's best health clubs by the readers of WickedLocal.com in 2011. The quality of the instructors is matched by the fleet of Keiser M3 bikes, each equipped to track cycling stats including revolutions per minute, distance, heart rate, and amount of baseball cards needed to make an authentic motorcycle noise. Atop the stationary two-wheelers, riders of all fitness levels pedal at their own pace during classes such as the novice-friendly Begin to Cycle! or Music Video Cycling!, a high-energy workout fueled by music videos on a big screen.

A climber slowly ascends a steep rockface, supporting all his weight on the smallest of footholds. Ignoring the heights, he searches for another place to grasp, finding purchase on an oval stone. His final step to the top rewards him with the thrilling satisfaction of beating the beastly incline and views of children running across the floor.

Carabiner's Indoor Climbing rock gym, one of the tallest in New England, brings the sport of rock scaling to urban residents. Walls that range from 15- to 65-feet tall grant visitors of all skill levels climbing routes that strengthen muscles, improve body awareness, and serve as a training ground for the NYPD’s Spider-Man division.

Certified climbers start visitors on their paths to climbing autonomy with personal belay classes that cover basics and safety tips. The gyms also offer grounded fitness with weekly yoga classes.

A family-friendly atmosphere at the Airport Golf Fun Center lets guests of any age unwind with games of mini-golf or hone their skills with long shots on the driving range. Putt past obstacles, undulating turf, and ball-swiping seagulls on the 18-hole mini-golf course. Beautifully landscaped, the course winds past a plethora of ponds, water falls, and baffling water rises. Golfers can also refine regular-sized skills on a short game practice area outfitted with a putting green, sand trap, and purse-lipped fans. The 45-stall range lets clubsmen unsheathe drivers for full-fledged shots from tee-boxes dressed with real grass or artificial turf.