5 Most Interesting Fitness Activities in Cape Town
With the mountain and the sea at your doorstep, Cape Town offers plenty of fun activities to discover. But, with the beautiful outdoor views also comes a thriving social scene. In Cape Town, come 5pm, it’s a toss-up between what’s more popular: fitness activities, or after-work happy hours. In a city where yoga pants are just as likely to show up at the bar as they are at barre class, there’s no shortage of distractions to make you forget all about your plans to work out.
But, fortunately, for those who find traditional gyms a snooze fest, there are plenty of fun and unique ways to stay fit in the Mother City. Because, sometimes you need something a little outside-the-box to get you motivated. To help you mix up your workout, we found five of the most interesting fitness activities in Cape Town — from slipping on roller skates to trying out the fastest-growing sport in the world.
Here are our picks for unique fitness activities in Cape Town:
Ignite Fitness: A Gym, just more!
Tired of your traditional gym? Check out Ignite Fitness — where you can “HIIT the gym for less”! When it comes to finding unique gyms in Cape Town, Ignite is a real gem! With plenty of locations in Cape Town (find them in Claremont, Somerset West, Milnerton and St. Georges Mall), Ignite Fitness offers clients a space to build mental and physical strength. With exciting classes and Arenas such as Blood, Sweat and Tears, Tread & Shred, Rumble and hybrid classes like The Gauntlet, this unique fitness centre offers so much more than your regular gym.
Ignite Fitness is what you get when you combine the freshness of boutique studio workouts with a traditional gym format. Utilise the equipment for a solo workout on days when you want to go it alone, or join in on the fun with fellow members for a variety of HIIT, resistance, and strength workouts with a trainer leading the way.
With its unique approach to the gym format, it’s no surprise so many members, including influencers and celebrities, choose Ignite Fitness. Think open spaces, interesting equipment as well as blood-pumping tunes mixed with party lights. Whether you opt for a morning, lunch or evening session – it’s always a vibe!
Fees start from R200 per month. Visit the Ignite Fitness website for more information. Ts & Cs apply. Click here to book a free day pass.
F45 Training: Group training with a ‘team’ vibe
If you love exercising in a group, then F45 Training may be just the vibe you’re looking for. F45 is a global fitness community specialising in innovative, high-intensity group workouts that are fast, fun, and results-driven — all within 45 minutes. For those in Cape Town, you can’t go wrong with F45 Training Woodstock. This unique gym is one of two F45 studios in central Cape Town and prides itself on its welcoming and inclusive environment created by a dedicated team of trainers.
F45 Woodstock is a super welcoming fitness studio, no matter if you’re a newbie or a regular, you’ll feel like you are among friends while working out. Whether you’re converting from a big traditional gym or haven’t worn running shoes in 3 years, you will feel right at home. F45 is all about offering members a safe space where they can achieve their goals while having a great time!
F45 studios also offer members the F45 challenge, which includes a nutrition and training programme focused on holistic wellbeing with prizes for the winners. There are no additional costs involved for the F45 Challenge, you simply need to be a member during the challenge period to participate. Click here to find out more about the upcoming F45 Challenge and F45 Woodstock.
Fees start from R1,000 per month for an off-peak membership. For more information about joining F45 for a free introductory session, email woodstock.admin@F45training.co.za.
Padel Tennis: Game, set, & match with this new trend
If tennis seems too stuffy for you, and squash a little too manic, then try padel. Padel is a hybrid between tennis and squash, and is said to be the fastest-growing sport in the world, with more than 10 million people playing in over 60 countries. It can be played in groups of mixed ages and abilities as it is not dominated by strength, technique or serve.
An important skill in padel is match-craft, as points are won by strategy instead of by sheer strength and power. It is played mainly in a doubles format on an enclosed court, surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mesh, about a third of the size of a tennis court. The rules are broadly the same as tennis, although you serve underhand and the walls are used as part of the game, with the ball allowed to bounce off them, similar to squash.
There are several clubs and courts around Cape Town, including Africa Padel courts in Camps Bay, Gardens, and the V&A Waterfront. Costs start from R400 per outdoor court per hour (R100pp), Africa Padel members get 25% off.Â
SUP Cape Town: WhatSUP?
Why not make the ocean your playground for your next sweat session, and take up Stand-Up Paddle boarding? Located in the V&A Waterfront precinct, near Battery Park, SUP Cape Town offers SUP board rentals as well as introductory lessons in Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) boarding. Rental boards can be used on the canals around the V&A Waterfront precinct, but they also offer long-term board rentals for holiday trips if you want a board to take with you. During the summer months — from December through to February — SUP Cape Town also rent boards on Clifton 4th beach.
Board rentals start from R150 for 30 min.
Rollercade: Skate yourself fit
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram Reels or Tik Tok, then you’ll know that roller skating is back in a big way. Not just a past-time for children, this exciting trend made a huge comeback in the US and now the trend is coming hurtling towards South Africa with the opening of a brand-new roller-skating rink in Cape Town.
Located at Battery Park in the V&A Waterfront precinct, Rollercade Cape Town promises to offer loads of fun for the whole family with a roller-skating rink, games arcade, pool tables, and a lounge area. Decorated with a fun disco vibe, the indoor skating rink is sure to bring back memories of a by-gone era for more mature ‘kidults’. Roller-skating is a fun way to break a sweat and get your blood pumping so join in on the fun for an hour-long session and try something new.
Rollercade offers adult-only (no under 16s) slots from Thursday to Saturday from 19:00 – 21:00. If you’re keen to skate, then you’ll have to book online and slot into one of the 2hr sessions. Each session is R150 per person and includes skate rental and safety gear.