Local Businesses Want to Keep You Fit

In a recent Patch article, “,” we featured great hiking spots to help moms shake off the stuck-inside, winter blues while getting some exercise and fresh air. Old favorites like Double Rock and Loch Raven prove how lucky we are in this area in terms of having options to stay fit.

In addition to those great outdoor venues, Parkville-Overlea features many fitness-related businesses. In the end, no one has an excuse for being sedentary around here. From biking to dance to fitness clubs, something exists to suit your needs. If one thing doesn’t stick, there’s a business banking that you’ll move on to one that suits you better. Now put down that remote and try a few of these on for size:

You’ll find several traditional gyms in the Overlea-Parkville, Rosedale and Fullerton areas. Call each site to determine if there’s a joining fee, monthly fee and/or commitment to keep up a membership for a period of time. FYI: Planet Fitness,  8821 Pulaski Hwy., 410-391-2010; Spunk Fitness, 8502 Kelso Drive,410-238-0044.

At , the emphasis is on allowing a woman to burn maximum calories in minimum time. You go from one piece of equipment to the next for a full-circuit workout. The entire workout should take 30 minutes.  FYI: , 2160 E. Joppa Rd., 410-663-4318.

Also popular with women is Zumba, a high-energy, mega calorie-burning dance workout. The lists a Zumba class. FYI: 410-802-0547 or e-mail: tmamo@verizon.net.

For those who have special needs or a want one-on-one environment, provides undivided attention with cardio and weight training, as well as extras such as nutrition guidance. FYI: Atlas Personal Trainers, 9621 Harford Rd., 410-256-3662; 410-804-8689.

You can combine mental discipline with a physical outlet. Many parents enroll their children in martial arts programs as a way to teach them how abiding by rules and following through can be rewarding.

Tae Kwon Do translates to “the art of the foot and fist.” Parents encourage children to practice martial arts as a way to build self-esteem. If we adults are honest, we’d have to admit that adulthood has caused a few dings to our self-esteem, so while we learn methods to defend ourselves physically, Tae Kwon Do is a great way to shore up the adult sense of self-esteem. The and focus on discipline as well as self-defense. FYI: , 1744 E Joppa Rd., 410-882-9006 and , 6647 Belair Rd., 410-444-4580.

Dancing with the Stars certainly has renewed an interest in dance, and with its vigorous movements, you’ll get a workout that’s as thorough as any traditional aerobics course.

At , you can learn everything from traditional pointe ballet to Hawaiian steps to belly dancing to hip-hop. FYI: Anita's Dance Studio, 8908 Harford Rd., 410-665-8115.

focuses on children, teens and young adults.  FYI: A Step Ahead Dance Center, 3615 E.Joppa Rd., 410-661-1220.

Some people (myself included) can’t understand the concept of running on a machine that never takes you anywhere. The Parkville Rec. Council has a constant cycle of organized sports for those of all ages.  FYI: , 8601 Harford Rd., 410-661-4556.

Registration is under way by Baltimore Tennis Patrons for the spring tennis program at Parkville Middle School. If you’re not sure if tennis will be your game, but you’d like to give it a try, they’ll provide loaner racquets. Classes and practices range from beginner to advanced. FYI: Baltimore Tennis Patrons, 410-296-2100, or e-mail: tennis@tennispatrons.org.

sells name-brand bikes and accessories. The trained staff will let you try out bikes for fit to make sure you end up with just the right bike. FYI: Performance Bicycle, 1991 E. Joppa Rd., 410-882-7770.

As the weather breaks, outdoor swim clubs provide a fitness option as well as a chance to relax on a warm summer day. Woodcroft Swim Club is a private club that has been a gathering spot for Parkville families for several generations. Like Woodcroft, Hillcrest Swim Club is a private club, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Pine Ridge offers basketball and horseshoe facilities as well. FYI: ,  8640 Richmond Ave., 410-665-9846; , 7500 Queen Anne Dr., 410-668-9240 and , 9230 Old Harford Rd., 410-882-7382.