Hamilton Health and Fitness

Cold winter wind howls across Ontario, but students of The Swim Academy are keeping warm as they glide through the 90-degree waters of the center’s indoor pools. For more than a decade, the academy’s dedicated and skilled swim instructors have guided students of all ages through the crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, conducting classes within pool locations in fitness centers and resorts throughout the local area. The coaches keep class sizes small and offer programs for all levels of experience, from beginners to high-school athletes to advanced triathlon trainees. They even offer a course for infants, during which a certified Pedia Swim instructor leads tadpoles as young as 6 months through basic water skills. Additionally, the Academy offers lifesaving classes, during which experts teach aspiring lifeguards and swim coaches first-aid techniques, such as how to administer CPR to swimmers and water wings.

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.

According to Cyclepath, Toronto’s bicycle traffic has increased by more than 100% during the past six years. Meeting the needs of this growing population of athletes is Cyclepath’s goal, whether those needs be a fresh set of wheels or the protein bars necessary to pedal straight to Greenland. From racing bikes to cruisers by brands such as Trek and Giant, their large inventory holds an ideal fit for any rider. A knowledgeable staff helps customers navigate through a slew of cycles and accessories, and also performs repairs to keep rides purring like kittens rolling down the street on giant yarn balls.

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 such as Chair Fitness, Sensual Floorwork, and Rock Bottom Bootcamp, 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. She eventually became certified by its founder and namesake, Bikram Choudhury. Following 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.

Urban Yoga's knowledgeable, passionate instructors bestow wisdom and individualized attention upon students of all skill levels during an eclectic mix of classes held seven days a week. The Slow Flow class helps beginners and overexcited river rapids hone their technique with basic Vinyasa poses that focus on alignment and breathing. More advanced yogis can harness the soothing power of soft lighting and music to relax during Yin Yang classes. Like a rigorous seminar in the Village People's "YMCA" dance, the Ashtanga class challenges students to perform a predetermined sequence of poses, beginning with 10 sun salutations before moving on to one of six main series and a finishing resting pose. Blossoming body benders can splay themselves out on their own yoga mats or rent one for an additional $2.