Working out — some cannot stand it, while others call it their greatest passion. Love it or hate it, the Greater Tampa Bay area, with its warm temperatures and numerous gyms to have fun while staying fit, is a top spot for pursuing a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.
Of course, working out is an umbrella term for lots of physical activities. The gym can take on many different forms for a variety of fitness goals or methods, including CrossFit gyms, martial arts studios, yoga centers, athletic clubs or even rock-climbing. Greater Tampa Bay’s array of gyms cater to the workout regimen of anyone looking for their personal brand of “pump.”
“The greatest feeling you can get in a gym, or the most satisfying feeling you can get in the gym is… the pump.” Pre-governor, pre-Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger famously said this in the 1977 documentary feature, “Pumping Iron.” The film launched not only launched the Austrian bodybuilder to great fame, but also the humble gym itself, inspiring millions to focus on fitness and hone in on health.
While there are hundreds of gyms and fitness centers throughout Tampa Bay, there are many additional ways to be active and have fun doing it.
Miles upon miles of nature trails, pedestrian-friendly bridges and causeways and stretches of smooth shorelines provide runners, walkers and cyclists with views they will never grow bored of and plenty of distance to really get the heart pumping. There is not much better for the mind and body than doing yoga or going for a walk on the beach at sunrise, in those early morning hours when it is the most peaceful and relaxing, or taking in sunset views over the bay while going for a run.
Several local runner’s groups and annual events bring like-minded joggers together. Runners can partake in the various 5K and 10K races held across the area, including the Dunedin Oktoberfest 5K, the December Hot Chocolate 15K/5K in Tampa and the St. Pete Beach Classic 5K/10K in January.
Municipal parks — such as Brown Park in Clearwater Beach, North Shore Park in St. Petersburg and Glencliff Park in Westchase, to name only a few — house basketball hoops, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. These facilities are perfect for more recreational workouts that not only keep the body in good shape, but can lead to a great time with friends as well.
Many gyms and fitness centers in Greater Tampa Bay often host drop-in classes to sample the kinds of workouts offered. A budding passion in kickboxing, Taekwondo or even goat yoga can be nurtured and explored with only an introductory lesson. The variety is limitless.
Healthy lifestyles and fitness routines are no longer a niche subculture, but a dominant, driving force in the lives of many. GTB’s temperate weather, accessible parks and regular active events foster a fitness environment unlike any other. Feeling the burn yet?
Gyms in Greater Tampa Bay
There are hundreds of gyms to choose from, for any kind of fitness level, workout style or age. For a complete list of local gyms and fitness centers, visit tampabay.guide.directory/listings.
Healthy is a way of life
Greater Tampa Bay is frequently named one of the healthiest places to live, with many residents prioritizing self-care, mental and spiritual wellness and staying active:
America’s Healthiest Cities — Tampa
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area frequently makes an appearance on Mindbody’s annual Wellness Index, which recognizes the 50 healthiest cities in America. Tampa, specifically, has been in the top 20 on this index for the past three years in a row, peaking at No. 8 in 2020.
Mindbody surveys approximately 20,000 residents in each major city about several aspects of wellness, including connection to community, stress levels, workout habits, alcohol consumption, spirituality, self-care practices and more, to determine rankings in the index.
American Fitness Index — St. Petersburg, Tampa
St. Petersburg and Tampa often compare favorably to the national average in the American Fitness Index, a ranking of America’s 100 largest cities.
According to the index’s criteria, “cities that rank near the top of the Fitness Index have more strengths and resources that support healthy living and fewer challenges that hinder it.”
The American College of Sports Medicine gathers data from a variety of sources to determine rankings in the index, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, Feeding America, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and others.
Here is how Tampa and St. Petersburg compare in the 2021 index:
- St. Petersburg
- No. 1 — percentage of residents meeting aerobic activity guidelines
- No. 6 — percentage of residents exercising in the previous month
- No. 41 — overall rank
- No. 62 — personal health rank
- No. 17 — community and environment rank
- Tampa
- No. 57 — overall rank
- No. 64 — personal health rank
- No. 37 — community and environment rank
Check out a piece on local yoga guru Mya Cato of Meeyogi here!
