Recreation

JoyRide

Armadillo Boulders

If there’s one thing we know for sure, 2020 has been a rough year, and we all can’t wait to start fresh in 2021. What if I told you you could skate, bike, and even climb your way out of the last year’s doldrums? There’s no better way to refresh our spirit than with a new fitness hobby.

Skate, Bike, and Climb Out of 2020 and Into 2021!

By Drew Henry

Here are four suggestions - for the old souls, we’re headed to a retro roller rink; for the risk-takers, we’re going to a skatepark; for the fitness enthusiasts, we’re taking a spin class; and for the adrenaline junkies, we’re going rock climbing. Get ready because we can’t wait to roll, spin, and ascend into 2021. It’s time to take on the challenge, so grab your gear, your face mask, and your sense of adventure. Let’s go!

THE ROLLERCADE

Trying something new, especially a new hobby or sport, can be a little intimidating. So why not venture out with a sport that is nostalgic, like roller skating? The Rollecade is a family-owned San Antonio tradition since 1959. In fact, you’ll skate (and fall) on the same hardwood floors since the place opened.

Skating is a great lower-body exercise; working your calves, quad, glutes, and depending on your form, it can even work your core. Like walking or jogging, skating provides a great cardio workout too.

Located near the Alamo Quarry Market, this fun spot is just a quick 15-minute drive from downtown. This 20,000 square foot facility features a classic 50s snack stand, arcade games, a disk jockey playing hits from the disco era through today, and even neon light shows. Skate rental is available as well as lessons. Admission is nominal, ranging from $3 to $10 depending on the night. Skating is a sociable form of exercise for all ages and a great way to enjoy music. Skating feels more like a dance party than a workout.

ROSEDALE SKATEPARK

Awaken your inner thrill-seeker. Grab your board and get ready to shred because we’re off to the skatepark. Rosedale Skatepark was designed by Gridline Skateparks in 2012 and features 6,000 square feet of half-pipes, handrails, ramps, and pools. Located on the West Side of San Antonio, this park is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. Admission to this public park is free, but it is up to you to supply your own longboard, rollerskates, or BMX bike. This should be a blast! Take a complete 360 from 2020 and start fresh by learning some new tricks like an ollie or heelflip. You may just surprise yourself and become the next Tony Hawk! (We recommend watching some skateboard tutorials on YouTube first through.)

JOYRIDE CYCLING + FITNESS STUDIO

JoyRide Cycling + Fitness Studio is known for challenging workouts and positive vibes. That sounds like just what we need in the new year! JoyRide has state of the art cycling studios located at The Pearl near downtown and in the Alon shopping center in North San Antonio. The instructors curate indoor cycling or spin classes to the beats of music ranging from techno and pop to oldies while promoting health, motivation, empowerment, and most importantly – joy. In 2021, they’re bringing the experience home with both the JoyrideGO app and JoyRide At-Home Bike.

There are no excuses for skipping your New Year’s resolution to get fit now. The app offers on-demand live fitness classes, including signature cycle classes and offthe-bike classes like pilates, barre, and yoga, which can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. The signature cycle class requires a stationary bike, while other courses use hand weights, minimal props, and body weight. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry. JoyRide has also partnered with Stages Cycling to launch a new JoyRide At-Home Bike, a custom indoor cycling bike available for purchase at a discounted price through JoyRide. Membership to JoyRideGo starts at under $40 a month and includes classes ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, making joyful fitness attainable in the new year.

ARMADILLO BOULDERS

Are you up for an adrenaline rush both physically and emotionally? Then go rock climbing! Start your adventure with rock climbing in a gym first. Armadillo Boulders is located just blocks from The Pearl and three minutes from downtown. This state of the art rock climbing gym and yoga studio offers over 5,000 square feet of bouldering terrain and space to build your skills and selfconfidence. If you’re up for a challenge, you can hit the bouldering wall and take an introductory or training class. Armadillo Boulders offers over 100 bouldering challenges to overcome. Plus, they switch up the rocks to add 25 new challenges weekly. That means you will never get bored of climbing, even if you become a regular. Build your strength and skill indoors before heading outside. Armadillo Boulders offers a coffee and kombucha bar. Grab a drink from the bar after scaling a wall, and recount your experience with others – now that sounds like invigorating fun.

No matter how you start the new year, remember to do so safely. Wear a mask, check local updates, and wash your hands often. These fitness experiences offer some great outdoor and at-home options, plus dedicated protocols and procedures to ensure safety on site. Do your part and start 2021 off right!

Armadillo Boulders

WRITER’S BIO

Drew Henry is a writer, content creator, and founder of the Design Dudes blog. When he’s not writing, he’s out exploring all Texas has to offer. View his work at DrewHenryWrites.com and get some home design tips at DesignDudesLife.com. Follow on Instagram: @design_ dudes & @drewhenrywrites

Rosedale Park

The Rollercade

click on this:

THE ROLLERCADE Therollercade.com

ROSEDALE SKATEPARK

Sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec

JOYRIDE CYCLING + FITNESS STUDIO

Joyridestudio.com

ARMADILLO BOULDERS Armadilloboulders.com

CENTRO’S ART EVERYWHERE INITIATIVE BRINGS 10 NEW LARGE SCALE I ART P I E C E S DOWNTOWN

Centro San Antonio installed ten new community art installations downtown in 2020. They invite San Antonians to return downtown, witness the displays of local artistic talent, and enjoy the offerings of micro-businesses in the urban core.

“Downtown is a place for extraordinary experiences, where our memories are made and become the stories we tell. It’s beautiful to see them articulated via art,” said Andi Rodriguez, Vice President of Cultural Placemaking at Centro. “This initiative is not only an opportunity to support local artists but an opportunity to support small and local businesses through an enhanced urban landscape and foot traffic generated by interest in these new pieces.” Centro has commissioned several pieces through this program, including “Elevated Melanin,” the temporary word art at Travis Park written by San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson in July. “SA Is Amor,” an immense mural on the side of the Traveler’s Hotel on Broadway, was completed at the end of November. “Touch,” a street-level mural on Herwick’s Art Supply building, is a piece by Suzy Gonzalez emphasizing unity in the face of challenges. “Instructions For Use For Adapting To Our State of Constant Change” is a mural on the Maverick Apartments and is a collaboration between Anthony Dean Harris and Justin Parr to offer comfort and stability in the face of a global pandemic. The mural “And Yet We Bloom” by Kat Cadena now adorns the pedestrian corridor along Houston Street at the Navarro intersection. Further down Houston Street, CPS Energy and Weston Urban have partnered with Centro to create a student nature photo exhibition at the base of Frost Tower across from San Pedro Creek entitled, “Picture Your World.” Rodriguez says that all these new community art pieces were made possible through partnerships with the City of San Antonio, local property owners, and local businesses. “We have committed ourselves more than ever to highlighting the incredible artists and arts industry in San Antonio,” said Matt Brown, Centro CEO. “Downtown is the arts and entertainment epicenter of the city. Art Everywhere allows us to reinforce and expand our special San Antonio culture by complementing the existing arts institutions such as Ruby City, Blue Star, Hemisfair, the Majestic Theatre, The San Antonio River Walk, San Pedro Creek, ArtPace, Hopscotch, The Tobin Center, and the San Antonio Museum of Art- to name a few.” To learn more about Centro’s Art Everywhere Initiative, visit centrosanantonio.org