FITNESS CLUBS FOR AN ACTIVE LIFE
Poured by
Aneta Perevska
It is the 21st century. They call it the digital era.
Most of the professions are linked to a desk and a chair and the only exercise we do is maneuvering our fingers across the keyboard. Due to this reason, now, more than at any other time we need some additional physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
Fitness clubs have long been considered as a worldwide trend, where apart from a well-shaped body, one gets a complete mind overhaul, stress relief of everyday life; it is a place where one could meet new people, maintain the balance of calories consumed and burned, or simply a place to forget about your own or even world problems for an hour or two. Certainly you are already aware that the proper balance of energy is achieved only if there is equality between the calories consumed and the calories burned on a daily basis – fitness centers are the perfect place for that (assuming you do not have enough time for any other frequent outdoor activity). By becoming a member in some fitness club you could lose excess weight and excess calories. Whatever else you achieve is a plus.
We have long had these fitness clubs everywhere across our dear Macedonia, starting from small neighborhood gyms with friendly guys who are always there to help you achieve your goal in shaping your body, to luxurious fitness centers – it is up to you to decide, as long as you are doing exercise. Your excuses such as: “we are tired after work (or faculty), we do not have enough time, or we are simply lazy,” are gradually disappearing from the list of excuses, because we all know how important is to do exercise. It would be enough to go to such centers several times, and you could tell the difference.
What I am going to do is to try to give you some ideas about where to do exercise. Your only preoccupation now is to tie your trainers, prepare your bag and head towards (on foot if it is possible) the fitness club which suits you best, both in terms of location and offers.
SKOPJE
In the new shopping mall “Kapitol” you may sweat buckets in the eponymous fitness center where you will find the latest cardio and fitness machines at your disposal, as well as, train bodybuilding and CrossFit. It is not only perfect for those of you who have to get up early in the morning to go to work (it opens at 7 o’clock in the morning), but also for people who work overtime (it closes at 11 o’clock in the evening).
In the newly opened Hotel Russia, there is a professional fitness center, as well as, a “health center,” sauna, massages and physiotherapy, with the aim of fully satisfying, both your body and mind. It is a comfortable and air-conditioned place, with all the details essential for your comfort. It is the perfect place where you could dedicate sometime to yourselves. I will also tell you that this is the place where MZT’s basketball players, as well as, the players from Vardar’s women’s and men’s handball club spent most of their time.
In this list of fitness clubs we will add the Synergy Fitness center which is an excellent alternative if you are keen on socializing, meeting new people or burning calories efficiently while spending time with your friends. A number of group activities are available to you, such as doing yoga or zumba, and consequently, relaxing in spa after the arduous exercise. The saunas are so comfortable that while cleaning your body from toxic substances, you could make some arrangements for the evening with your friends.
Another ultimate experience one could have is in the fitness center in Hotel Plaza, which is more of a cult fitness center being the first one of the sort in Skopje, and still offering the same services as any other world fitness center – starting from personal trainers (do not be shy to ask them for a piece of advice, they are very helpful and they will not judge you if you do not know what exercises you should do; it is not that big of a deal if you are an amateur), to gyms which are fully equipped following the highest standards. Plaza is situated in the city center of Skopje, so no matter which part of Skopje you are coming from; it would not be such a bad idea, occasionally, to put some effort to get to the fitness center on foot.
If you cannot decide whether you prefer to do exercise alone or in a group, we recommend you the Sport Inn fitness center – a promoter of a healthy life and a healthy organism. Their flexible programs will definitely suit the individual needs of every person who will decide to take the first step towards a healthier life. The notion of flexible programs refers to the super cool and interesting programs adjusted to be entertaining, such as the one regarding yoga entitled “yoga workout,” a workout which makes this club unique and which offers a lot more than just a single stretch out and welcoming the sun.
This is only a part of what Skopje has to offer in terms of fitness clubs, whose number is increasing daily. Where do you do exercise? Share some experience and contact us to expand this list. We will keep on researching.
BITOLA
Men and women in Bitola shape their bodies in 02 Universal – a fitness center which is considered a pioneer in its field; although it has been existing for a relatively short period of time (approximately a year), it has already established itself as a modern gym rather different than the traditional ones, offering a place for socializing and relaxing while taking a break from doing exercise. It is a nice change from the short walks along Shirok Sokak (the Main/Wide Street), isn’t it? The club also organizes fun weekend activities such as Cuban salsa classes.
PRILEP
Arena, the fitness center in Prilep, is also a part of the exercise trend, which is a combination of commitment to exercise, healthy lifestyle and relaxation, courteous staff that will always meet your needs and a good chat with friends while relaxing between sessions with a protein shake which is prepared in the center’s buffet. The place is spacious and air conditioned, which means that you will get the best possible experience and great value for money.
KUMANOVO
In Kumanovo, the well-known Elita Klub (Elite Club) is located on the “Oktomvriska” street, in the basement of the building (which means that in summer it is really fresh and pleasant). It is equipped with over 20 gymnastic apparatus, shafts, presses, etc., and it is opened every day from 10 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock in the evening – this is why it is a good choice for those who hate getting up early. This club promotes healthy lifestyle by means of various discounts and promotional prices for those who really desire to make a change for the better.
Share some experience or contact us to expand this list. We will continue researching across Macedonia. Expect new ideas wherever you do exercise.
Provided that you are not really interested into fitness clubs, you could always make a positive change in your lives by going on long walks in the park or on mountains, jogging, doing easy and energetic exercises at home or cycling. As long as you drink a lot of fluids and you are careful what you eat and how many calories you burn; and you spend all of your free time actively, you could say that you lead a better and healthier lifestyle.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of Pivara Skopje.
