Research suggests that those who attend group fitness classes lose more weight, demonstrate higher levels of performance and are more likely to stick to a workout routine than their solo counterparts. The same is true for recreational sports. Adults who join team sports experience reductions in blood pressure, an increase in aerobic fitness and lower levels of negative feelings like anxiety and depression.
Reap the benefits of group fitness by joining and exploring the abundance of sports complexes, fitness clubs and gyms Coastal Virginia has to offer. Here are a few ideas.
Virginia Beach Field House
Virginia Beach
Adult leagues, sports camps, drop-ins and pick-up games – you name it, the Virginia Beach Field House has it. Register your team or sign up as a free agent to join a host of sports leagues from soccer, basketball and volleyball to kickball and
flag football. BeachFieldhouse.com
Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex
Williamsburg
Established in 2000, the WISC is at the heart of Williamsburg’s sports community. In addition to an adult soccer league and the wildly popular pickleball, the WISC is also home to a fully equipped fitness center that hosts group classes like HIIT, bootcamp, yoga, barre and more.
TheWISC.com
North End Run Club
Virginia Beach
What began as an impromptu running group in 2016 is now a flourishing community of hundreds of marathoners and novice joggers in Virginia Beach. The NERC group runs every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at different locations across the Southside. Monitor NERC’s social media for exclusive pop-up runs, too. NorthEndRunClub.com
Norfolk Run Club
Norfolk
Explore the beauty of Ghent, Downtown Norfolk and the deep blue water of the Elizabeth River by hitting the pavement with the Norfolk Run Club. The group meets up twice a week at varying locations like parks, breweries and other urban spaces. Get your miles in on Wednesdays at 6:20 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m. Facebook.com/RunNFK
Parks & Recreation
All Cities
Joining your city’s local recreation center not only gets you access to state-of-the-art workout equipment, pools, special event spaces and group fitness classes, but also sports leagues. Try your hand at co-ed softball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, pickleball and more.
Backyard Sports Club
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton
With leagues across the Southside, Backyard Sports Club is the perfect way to engage with the community. All leagues are co-ed and include wiffleball, kickball, softball, dodgeball, sand soccer, bowling, volleyball, football, bar games, cornhole and axe throwing, just to name a few. BackyardSportsClub.com
Virginia Beach Sports Center
Virginia Beach
This oceanfront development is the newest and largest indoor sports complex on the East Coast. Here, athletes can compete for championship titles in basketball, dodgeball and volleyball. The Virginia Beach Sports Center offers select open gym dates too for adults looking to improve their sports skills without the pressure of competition. VBSportsCenter.com
Colonial Road Runners
Williamsburg
Colonial Road Runners(CRR) is the run club of the Greater Williamsburg area. This group doesn’t simply run trails either. As a member club of Road Runners Clubs of America and USA Track and Field, CRR is serious about their workouts. Join them for weekly interval training, local running events and more. Facebook.com/CRRonline
