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Working Out Beyond The Gym: Sports Leagues in Detroit

By Kim North Shine

Looking for a workout away from the usual gym and without the monthly fees and contracts, maybe a way to mix it up staying in shape?

If it's a different kind of workout you're looking for, something creative, fun, maybe sports-related, the options in metro Detroit are plentiful, and many come with one-time fees or are low to no cost.

So grab a volleyball or basketball, a boat paddle or tennis racket – even your Zen – and consider one of these spots for a workout that gets you out of the same ol' gym. Don't forget local parks and rec departments, chuches and schools organize programs too.

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Photo Credit: Thinkstock

City Yoga

Buhl Building, 27th Floor
535 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226
(248) 496-0392
Price: Donation-based. A $10 fee is suggested.
Hours: Noontime classes are ideal for downtown workers Tues and Thurs - 11:45 to 12:30; Mon to Thurs - 6 to 7:15
www.yogaindetroit.com

City Yoga takes yoga to new heights. From the 27th floor of the historic Buhl building in downtown Detroit, yoga instructors teach all levels and several forms of yoga. Classes are donation based with a suggested donation of $10 and classes are scheduled to accommodate the neighborhood. There's a noontime and after work sessions and an emphasis on creating an environment for all skill levels. City Yoga's postures, meditations, breathing exercises in a unique practice space are a great way to stretch a workout.

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Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Stay and Play Social Club

1831 N. Main Street
Royal Oak, MI 48073
(248) 733-9999
Locations vary
Price: Varies.
www.spscdetroit.com

You name the sport, SPSC probably has it. This fall it's volleyball, flag football, bowling, tennis and soccer. You can participate as an individual or as a team. The venues for games and practices are schools, community centers and other public places around metro Detroit. SPSC's offerings extend off the fields and courts with Happy Hours and other social outings.

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Detroit Boat Club Crew

Belle Isle Boathouse
Jefferson and Grand Boulevard
Detroit MI 48218
Hours: June and July and varying months throughout the year
Price: $250 for Learn to Row. Various fees for other levels of participation.
www.detroitboatclubcrew.com

One to put on the calendar for next summer is rowing along the Detroit River at the historic Belle Isle Boathouse. The Detroit Boat Club Crew offers an intro Learn to Row class. After learning the basics, from team rowing, water and land safety and rowing technique and terminology, participants can move up to the recreational rowing program and be part of a team that's been around since 1902. Morning and evening sessions are available, including 14 Learn to Row class meetings. The Detroit Boat Club also offers offsite courses through various municipal programs. Check out the website for more information.

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Joe Dumars Field House

45300 Mound Road
Shelby Township, MI 48317
(586) 731-3080
Hours: Vary
Price: Varies. Courts are rented on an hourly basis. League participation is priced per person.
www.joedumarsfieldhouse.com

The operation run by the former Detroit Piston player and president of basketball operations for the NBA team brings b-ball - and floor hockey, volleyball and roller hockey to the masses with numerous well-groomed courts and good supply of leagues. Play in regular leagues or in pick-up games. If organized sports aren't your thing, there's an indoor golf simulator, a climbing wall, ropes course, bungee trampoline and more.

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Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Detroit Sports Club

20 Mill Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
Locations vary
(248) 840-8200
Hours: Vary
Price: Varies
www.detroitsportsclub.com

Serious competitors turn to the leagues. There's flag football, basketball, kickball and dodgeball coming this fall. Participants and athletes will see a great exhibition of athletic talent and ability. Games and practices are held at dozens of sites across metro Detroit.

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Hansons Running Club

3 South Broadway
Lake Orion, MI 48362
(248) 693-9900

3407 Rochester Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48073
(248) 616-9665

Grosse Pointe store
20641 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pte. Woods, MI 48236
(313) 882-1325

Dodge Park
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
www.hansons-running.com

This runners' outfitter with four stores in metro Detroit gets people up and running - and for free. Through its free training runs, which are geared to all levels of runner, running can be an occasional undertaking or a marathon pursuit. The training runs go Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays from three of the four stores: Grosse Pointe Woods, Royal Oak and Lake Orion, and Dodge Park.

Kim North Shine is a Detroit-area freelance writer who fell in love with boot camp workouts and yoga - a yin and a yang to be sure.

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