Victoria Health and Fitness

The temperature holds at 40 degrees Celsius inside Hudson Yoga's practice room, but it's a phantom heat, generated by 24 panels that radiate warmth in complete silence. At each corner of the room, ventilation screens quietly regulate airflow to all areas of the space, and carbon dioxide monitors keep the atmosphere optimized all class long. Free from the ambient hum of vents and fans, guests can locate peace of mind—and master the poses of traditional hot yoga—without the added challenge of twisting their legs to form ear muffs. More energy efficient than conventional heating, the rigorous climate control is one of many touches that make it clear that the LEED-certified studio was purpose-built for this steamy form of fitness. The 1,600-square-foot practice space hosts up to 55 students at a time for 90-minute traditional hot yoga classes, abbreviated 60-minute heated sessions, and less-frequent non-heated classes, all on a naturally antibacterial cork floor that reduces the impact on hands, knees, and spines.

Though traditional hot yoga is the studio's specialty, Hudson Yoga's instructors hold certifications in an array of styles, helping them to form a well-rounded brain trust that understands yoga inside and out. This eclecticism and experience is why no two of the studio's veteran instructors have the same practice—it accounts for the inflections of Pilates and Thai massage in Maria Filippone's class and the power and precision of Fiji McAlpine's. It also comes out in the studio's special events, such as the workshops and specialized yoga retreats it organizes.

The studio's commitment to serious yoga, however, doesn't mean it's overlooked the peripheral details. Like the filtered water pouring from the shower heads in the changing rooms. Or the dedicated space for hanging and cleaning mats. Or the earthy décor, from grass wallpaper in the lobby to the practice room's ceilings, painted gray to evoke the night sky. Outside the studio, two hours of free parking help drivers get to class on time, and The Hudson's shopping, dining, and soon-to-open Victoria Public Market entice students to linger in the area long after they've stepped off their mats.

Multiple fitness disciplines converge at Studio 4 Athletics. The warehouse-style facility houses two floors and eight training areas, each dedicated to a distinct purpose. The cardio area whirrs with the sound of treadmills and ellipticals, and the strength-training area clinks with the sound of free weights and functional-training equipment. In a cycling room, trainers lead a stationary Tour de France. Other studios play host to yoga, dance fitness classes, and boot camps. Within a boxing ring, instructors teach students how to duel their way to tighter forms, or mix fighting and creative movement into art forms known as capoeira and slap-hopscotch.

Owner Liz Lampard and her elite squad of trainers combine a kitchen-sink approach to fitness with an all-comers clientele policy that welcomes sweat seekers to group classes designed to challenge both the peak-condition athlete and the career couch potato. Innovative, high-octane flex-fusion programs combine an array of calorie-scorching methods, with 45 minutes of cardio and strength training followed by 45 minutes of Vinyasa flow or Yin yoga. Group sessions rendezvous at several area locations for kickboxing and boot camp. The company's online booking system makes it easy for clients to reserve their spot in class and schedule three-round sparring matches with Dynamo's kickboxing instructor or tax accountant.

As golfers line up tricky, round-deciding rolls on the green of the signature 17th hole at Olympic View Golf Club, they might have to block out an unusual sound. Just behind the green, water crashes earthward for more than 60 feet over one of the course’s two waterfalls. The dramatic feature generates a roaring din as well as a beautiful backdrop for players as they near the end of their scenic golfing excursions.

Such tranquil scenes are common on the 6,600-yard course framed by the dense forest of south Vancouver Island and the looming profiles of Olympic Mountains peaks. But the calm can be deceptive, as the Bill Robinson–designed layout aims to challenge. Twelve lakes are interspersed throughout the site, and numerous bunkers intimidate golfers with their depth and walls etched with tally marks. This signature mix of beauty and difficulty earned the club a four-star rating from Golf Digest in 2008, as well as a ranking of 10th Best Public Golf Course in British Columbia by Score Golf in 2011.

The GBC Golf Academy at Olympic View Golf Club aims to prepare golfers mentally and physically for playing the most enjoyable golf of their lives. Located on 14 acres, the academy features nine large grass driving areas with target greens as far as 330 yards. In three short-game areas, players practice putts, pitches, and fake surprise at finding the ball in the cup. The amply appointed grounds complement a teaching philosophy that encourages development of a repeatable swing tailored to the individual’s physical capabilities.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 6,600 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 72.7 from the back tees
• Course slope of 133 from the back tees
• Four sets of tees per hole

As they enter the training circle at Curves, female guests come face-to-face with the smiles of other women. And just as points on a circle share a common distance from the circle's centre, workout participants share the experiences of those nearby by trading stations throughout the 30-minute training session. One minute is spent on a piece of strength-training equipment built for feminine frames and designed to work two opposing muscle groups with a single movement. Exercisers then move on to a recovery station, where they run, jog, or dance to maintain heart rates and keep platforms in place during momentary losses of gravity.