If you’re like me, even the thought of working out is exhausting. There was a time when going to the gym fueled me. Now, after having five kids, I struggle to find the time and energy for even a living room workout.
There are plenty of traditional gyms in Columbia, such as OneLife and Planet Fitness. If you want access to multiple gyms with a more personalized touch, there are four Orangetheory Fitness locations in the Columbia/Lexington areas.
While traditional gym workouts are great, they aren’t right for everyone. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of some niche, family-friendly alternatives to traditional fitness routines. The goal is to get active. Hopefully, this list of non-traditional fitness options can help you find what works for you and your family.
For Kids
It’s easier for me to be active if my kids are also working out. Even if I have to wear my youngest in a baby carrier to participate, it’s worth it to get everyone active.
1. ABC Kids Fitness
Founded by former Gamecocks Women’s Basketball alumna, Lauren Wilson, ABC Kids Fitness offers a variety of fitness programs. Although her focus is on homeschool students, Lauren hosts events, such as Health Fairs and Basketball Jamborees, that all students can attend.
Every Friday, ABC Kids hosts a two-hour fitness class for both older and younger groups. My kids absolutely love this! Lauren introduces them to various sports and teaches them about anatomy and nutrition. They are having so much fun, they hardly realize they are working out. The best thing about it is that you can work out alongside them during warm-ups and fitness training. I often have my toddlers off to the side doing the same drills.
In the summer, she also offers free Mommy & Me workouts at various parks. These are intentionally designed to get moms moving with their little ones, even if you have an infant and toddlers.
2. Alpha & Omega Training
If you’re in the Lexington area, Alpha & Omega Training offers both adult and kid-focused training. Fitness trainer Matt Casto offers at-home training. He will bring the workout to you with custom workout plans that are perfect for all walks of life. Matt brings a very personal approach.
Fitness with Childcare
1. Barre3 Columbia Fitness Studio
Barre3 is a wonderful studio that offers classes that focus on strength, cardio, and mindfulness. Owned by Columbia mom Lauren Truslow, each class is designed specifically for women’s bodies. The two Columbia studios (Devine St. and Lake Murray) offer a Play Lounge area with childcare for children of all ages. There is a fee per class and per childcare visit. Be sure to call ahead to book childcare for your workout.
2. Burn Bootcamp
With an emphasis on women’s fitness, this one is a no-brainer for moms. Get ready to feel the burn! This gym takes a more personal fitness approach. You even get one-on-one check-in meetings with a fitness coach. They also offer complimentary childcare! Just be sure the camp times align with your schedule before committing. They have three locations in the Columbia area: Sandhills, Lexington, and Irmo.
3. EQ Fitness
This gym is designed with purpose, emphasizing both personal and group training. They prioritize building a sense of community among members. Each group class includes complimentary childcare, with the first childcare class starting at 7:45 AM. Be sure to plan ahead, as the gym is located on Gervais Street in downtown, and you may need some extra travel time.
4. Wolfe Fitness
Although it’s structured like a traditional gym, their childcare is pretty affordable, so it’s worth mentioning. Their 12-month package includes childcare for just $50. There is only one gym located in Lexington. However, it’s clean and spacious.
5. YMCA
If all else fails, YMCA it is! The YMCA is known for family memberships that allow you to enjoy the benefits of their gym and pool while your children are taken care of. What I appreciate about the YMCA is that their childcare staff is intentional about creating a fun space for the kids. It’s more than just oversight. They also offer summer camps. They have a new Homeschool Swim & Gym program at the Jeep Rogers (Northeast) and Northwest (Irmo) locations. If your children are considering playing sports through the YMCA, it may be worth signing up for a membership. There are four different locations to choose from in the Columbia area.
Walking/Stroller Groups
The next best thing is to get some fresh air! There are plenty of walking groups in Columbia. Here are a couple to check out.
1. Columbia Girls Who Walk
Ready to get out with the girls? These ladies meet up weekly for a two-to-three-mile walk. And when they say “walk,” they mean walk. There’s no pressure to run or speed walk. All walks are stroller and pet friendly. There’s no need to sign up. Simply follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on when and where their next walks will be. They change the locations to keep things exciting for everyone.
2. Mom Stroller Club
This stroller club is more than a walking group. They are intentional about being in community. They take various walking trips together. They also collaborate with other mom groups for meetups at the park and story times. Follow them on Instagram for posts about their event calendar.
City-Led Opportunities
There are quite a few city-initiated fitness efforts. From Pilates in the park to Zumba classes, Richland County Recreation goes great lengths to offer fitness options for everyone.
1. Richland Rec Centers
There are so many rec centers and events in Richland County that it would take too long to list them all. Your best bet is to visit their website and check out the online program guide. The county rec centers offer adult sports and fitness, family fitness, and toddler fitness opportunities.
2. Finlay Park and Gather Cola
Both located in Downtown Columbia; these newly developed spaces have become new hubs for the community. Finlay Park offers a variety of fitness opportunities in the park, including soccer, roller skating, walking paths, disc golf, and pickleball.
Gather Cola, although an outdoor food-and-drink center, also invites fitness instructors to lead training sessions in the quad area.
Pelvic Floor
Since this is a mom blog, it’s only right to include a few pelvic floor specialists. Most pelvic floor therapy modalities feel like fitness training. If we’re honest, our pelvic floor is the last thing on our minds until we realize we tinkle when we sneeze.
1. Prosper and Thrive Health and Wellness:
This is a new pelvic health therapy center, and I must say, from personal experience, Dr. Kelsey is great. I never knew how much other parts of my body affected my pelvic floor. Surprisingly, it’s quite a workout in ways I didn’t expect. She was even gracious enough to allow my kids to come.
2. Soulshine Pelvic Health and Wellness
This pelvic therapy clinic has been around for some time in Columbia and is well-known. The reviews speak for themself. Here, I learned how much my posture and breathing affected my pelvic floor health. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Meghan. She also allowed my kids to come. She even had little toys for them to play with.
3. Empower Pelvic Health and Wellness
This is a cute, unique home-based clinic. Dr. Paige is extremely kind and knowledgeable. Empower offers full pelvic floor care through internal examinations, functional examinations, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and wellness programs.
With so many options for non-traditional fitness, you’re bound to find something that fits the needs of your family. And if none of this work, why not go on a family walk or a bike ride around the neighborhood? Sometimes just getting outdoors can do the trick. Whatever you choose, as long as your family is together, that’s the key.
