Tigard Gyms and Fitness

A star offensive lineman for Stanford University, 315-pound Brian Cassidy—his team up by five touchdowns against Washington State—set up for a routine extra point. Suddenly, a player leaped across the line of scrimmage and landed on Brian’s knee, tearing both his ACL and MCL in one life-changing second. His hopes for an NFL career nearly dashed, Brian moved on to his rehabilitation, but instead he suffered one more debilitation: a herniated disc. Nearly paralyzed, Brian had a breakthrough: as a muscular-training specialist pointed out, his body wasn’t aligned properly, making his recovery nearly impossible. Brian started training with a new focus, emerging months later faster and stronger than ever before—and dedicated to a new multilevel training philosophy that he continues to develop at ADAPT Training.

There, trainers help clients recover from their injuries or simply enhance their personal fitness level by ensuring that four key structural joints—the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles—work in balance with one another and maintain their proper alignment, thereby strengthening the durability and gas mileage of the entire body. Clients participate in everything from classes focused on physical therapy to strength-training regimens to boot camps, all personalized to meet the individual needs of each student.

Bouldering differs from other forms of rock climbing in a variety of ways, such as its heightened social element. When top roping, for example, climbers are more isolated, relying on a partner below to maintain rope tension. But because bouldering is done on lower courses that don't require a rope or harness, climbers are free to scale walls at will, often resulting in people sharing walls and striking up conversations in between surmounting terrain such as verticals, slabs, and roof climbs—overhangs that put climbers' bodies parallel to the floor.

That's how The Circuit Bouldering Gym got started. Some bouldering enthusiasts crossed paths at a local gym and found they all wanted to expand Portland's bouldering options. Today, they welcome guests to surmount courses—including a hanging boulder—ranging from 8- to 17-feet high and surrounded by crash-pad flooring. Boasting one of the largest bouldering-only gyms in the world, they also designed many of their simulated climbing stations as top-out boulders, letting guests experience what it's like to stand atop a boulder in the Rockies or on the moon. Additionally, they instruct guests with programs such as 90-minute intro courses, four-week movement clinics, and programs tailored for kids. Between climbs, a lounge area lets visitors relax and swap tales of defying gravity's relentless bullying.

To further build the bouldering community, the gym's team organizes annual events that include the Pump-a-Thon, a fundraiser for the Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome Educational Foundation, and the Portland Boulder Rally.

As its name attests, Yoga Union is all about togetherness, valuing the strength and support of its student community over the athleticism of its members. Although this community is made up of people from all over the city, its roots are firmly planted in the surrounding Mount Tabor neighborhood; many of the highly trained teachers come primarily from the surrounding homes speckled across the scenic countryside. In fact, residents Annie Adamson and Todd Vogt—who would eventually become co-owners of the studio—fell in love with each other as students at Yoga Union, a testament to the close-knit, supportive atmosphere of the studio.

During the nonjudgmental classes, natural light spills in from the windows onto bamboo flooring, illuminating an open space where bodies of all builds and experience levels stretch, breathe, and hone their "Om" yodeling skills in rhythm.

Vibrant groves of trees and gardens provide a scenic backdrop for year-round driving range practice and miniature golf at Tualatin Island Greens. At the range, 43 synthetic hitting bays (including 25 covered and 12 heated stations) look out onto a vast field with plenty of real estate for Herculean drives and accuracy-testing target areas, including a green surrounded by a moat to keep area lawn gnomes from stealing the flagstick. The range also features target flags at 20, 30, and 40 yards to facilitate short-game practice or serve as the destination for balls hit out of the practice sand trap.

Water trickles over a tiny canyon of bedrock that runs alongside Tualatin Island Greens' mini-golf course. The 18-hole course is situated in the shade of towering pines that, paired with its well-manicured gardens, instill peace of mind as players read tricky slopes and avoid obstacles such as Lilliputian ponds, sand traps, and Olympic track hurdles. Golfers can improve their par-hunting prowess past sunset, as the entire complex has lights for nighttime use. Tualatin's Island Grill is also onsite to keep appetites at bay with burgers, chicken wings, and other savory fare.

Today's Groupon is valid for three 30-minute private lessons at Eastmoreland Golf Course. During the one-on-one lessons, Michael will help improve overall technique and swing mechanics. Learn the fundamentals on the range, in a bunker, on the putting green, or from a tee clenched in an enemy's teeth, just like in the movies. Each lesson is customized to address weaknesses and turn them into birdie-sinking strengths. Michael Charles can help refine the golf game of anyone, from bogeying beginners to full-time aces.

Since 1977, Cascade Athletic Clubs have distinguished themselves from typical gyms with their vast array of amenities, which range from big-screen TVs to a seasonal waterpark. In their fitness studios, instructors boost students’ flexibility during Pilates workouts, lead seniors through age-appropriate workout techniques during Silver Sneakers classes, or teach students how to dance to fast-paced music during Zumba. The dedicated team of personal trainers, meanwhile, help athletes stay motivated on a one-on-one basis, and tailor their regimens to individual goals that range from weight loss to preparing for an upcoming marathon. For independent workouts, athletes can play pick up games on the gyms’ basketball, tennis, and racquetball courts or swim laps in the indoor salt-water pools. They can also bulk up with Life Fitness machines, free weights, and Stair Masters designed to build strong enough leg muscles to conquer even the most daunting out-of-order escalator.