Montreal Fitness

Find a Montreal gym that fits your budget, lifestyle and preferences, from basic, no-frills weight rooms to full service fitness centres.

Think pole fitness is for strippers? Think again. This is one of the most challenging workouts I've ever tried. And I can't think of a stripper who could pull off these moves, a discipline poised for Olympic inclusion.

Miranda Esmonde-White is a Montreal stretch and strength trainer whose programs have helped breast cancer survivors regain mobility of their arms. Her moves trim everyday waistlines, make wattles dissappear and eliminate lower back pain. Olympic athletes refer to Miranda for help in improving performance, including Alexandre Despatie. Even NHL hockey pro Max Talbot took a fancy to Miranda's ballet-inspired routines. And the best part? You can practice it daily, for free!

The culmination of a Cirque du Soleil/Reebok partnership intent on making exercise more fun for women, Jukari Fit to Fly promises a "smile while you're sweating" routine. Inspired by Cirque du Soleil moves, Jukari apparently makes you feel like you're flying.

Muscular endurance and strength (particularly in the upper body) as well as enhanced flexibility are just a few of the benefits rock climbing offers. Montreal's top rock climbing facilities, including Horizon Roc and Allez-Up, are listed.

Inline skating courses for adults are offered at Montreal's extreme sports centre Le Taz, complemented by skateboarding, waveboarding and BMX biking facilities, complete with indoor skate park and speed inline skating arena.

It's not just the body that needs a workout. The benefits of meditation are numerous and increasingly undeniable as a growing body of empirical research confirms anecdotal evidence touting meditation's positive impact in reducing stress, acting like a fountain of youth on the mind and body. Consider incorporating this ancient practice in your lifestyle with a little help. Find out where you can attend a free guided meditation session in Montreal.

Tai chi is practiced by millions in China and it's more mainstream than ever in the west as a form of low impact exercise and as a stress reduction technique suitable for nearly everyone of every fitness level, including athletes, young children, seniors and people unable to participate in moderate to intense aerobic activity.

Finding a yoga studio in Montreal is not particularly difficult. Finding a yoga studio in Montreal that offers free classes is another story and yes, they are far and few in between. But I scoured the city and found an almost handful of freebies as well as a couple of very affordable options!