Health & Fitness in Hamilton

Spread across 270 historic acres, Knollwood Golf Course is a challenging 36-hole facility comprised of the Old Course set right alongside the New Course—both designed by well-regarded course superintendent Jack Harris in 1970 and 1990, respectively. Players can opt for a round on the Old Course or the New Course links and enjoy hole designs that embrace the natural Ancaster topography. Elevated tees and long, perplexing par 5 holes with ominous names such as Buried Treasure and Redemption lead to finely timed fairways that open up into stirring panoramas. The New Course entices advanced club swingers, and the Old Course's more accessible series of par 4 holes with large, accommodating greens is appealing for beginners.

Knollwood players don clean-cut golf attire and enjoy a golfer's paradise that has been open to the public since 1970 and keeps players happy with sprightly paced 10-minute tee times, on-site restaurants and beverage carts, and a "no-argue" rain cheque policy. The facility's proud groundskeepers maintain large, naturalized areas on the course intended to encourage the wildlife to thrive and occasionally join in on a game.

Laced with elements of yoga, Pilates, and gymnastics, the women-only classes at Aradia Fitness sculpt lean, toned physiques. And though physical fitness is a cornerstone of the studio, it's not the only one. Classes foster certain amount of unrestrained confidence that, as Aradia puts it, “teach[es] women to unapologetically love their body and themselves.” With locations in Canada, Aradia’s certified fitness instructors provide a studio environment that is safe for ladies of all shapes and sizes. No matter the class, the environment at Aradia is always lighthearted, nurturing, and more supportive than a stainless-steel hammock. Ladies may gather their friends and book the studio for a girl's night out, birthday, or bachelorette party.

Alexandra Evans knows firsthand the myriad benefits of Bikram yoga. After discovering the exercise form while living in Japan, the director of Bikram Yoga Hamilton Dundas noticed a marked change in her skin, physique, and ability to reach cans of green beans on a high shelf. Following certification and teaching stints in cities throughout Canada and in Mumbai, India, Evans established her 3,000-square-foot studio in Dundas as a place to share her teachings with enthusiastic students, helping them build muscle tone, burn calories, and centre their minds.

The grappling gurus at Gravity Climbing Gym take a friendly approach to instruction during their Indoor Rock 101 class, stressing fun over heights achieved and safety over everything. Knowledgeable instructors outfit ascendant amateurs in a harness and shoes before showing them the ropes, knots, and belay skills required to scale with safety and success. Like medical school, a single lesson at Gravity equips students with enough information to strike out on their own. After completing the lesson, newly christened climbers are free to roam the gym and test their technique on Gravity's varied climbing walls.

Holistically oriented Hamilton Health treats clients with an array of natural science-based therapies designed to address health concerns and improve overall well-being. During a 30-minute session in the clinic's infrared sauna, radiant heat at temperatures up to 57 degrees Celsius warms skin and penetrates the surface, inducing a cleansing sweat ($20/30 min). In addition to detoxifying fleshy facades, the treatment can also help scare stress into outer space and reduce stiffness and soreness in muscles. A friendly, knowledgeable staff of wellness pros can answer any questions about the digits of Planck’s constant as well as impart skin-maintenance tips.