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February 11, 2015

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Want to work out but not freeze? Try these

By Wu Huixin | February 11, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

SCIENTISTS believe that working out on freezing days can accelerate blood circulation and provide the brain with plenty of oxygen. Although people know the merits of winter exercise, they are still scared off by the low temperatures. They often will watch TV rather than take outdoor physical exercise in the chilly winter.

Fortunately, indoor gyms offer people alternatives. There, people can work out without enduring the cold weather, and Wi-Fi allows people to surf the Internet during their workouts.

In addition to traditional exercises including running and swimming, fashionable sports have sprung up in recent years, like archery, ice skating and rock climbing. Shanghai Daily found a couple of new-style gyms where you can perform these trendy sports in Hangzhou.

Ice skating 滑冰

Ice skating is a common outdoor sport for people living in the north of China, where lakes and rivers are frozen in winter and the ice layer is thick enough to make it safe.

In eastern China, little snow falls and temperatures are rarely below zero for long, so many areas may not seem the obvious place for that winter sport. But there are skating opportunities in indoor rinks for Hangzhou natives.

Xiyo Rink, located in Chengxi Intime in west Hangzhou, and World Ice Arena, situated in the MixCity Mall in East Hangzhou, are two main ice rinks in the city. Coolant produces cold temperatures below the water, causing the water to freeze. Every three to four hours after the ice has been used, it has to be resurfaced using a device that resembles a giant, motorized squeegee. People are not allowed to skate in the rink during resurfacing time.

The rinks provide guests with ice skates, disposable socks and protective equipment. Skaters are not allowed to carry cell phones, keys and other sharp objects when skating. Beginners are urged to hold handrails, rather than other people, because it’s safer.

The World Ice Arena is offering a five-day winter holiday ice-skating course that costs 1,050 yuan (US$168) per person.

 

• Xiyo Rink

Address: 299 Fengdeng Rd

Tel: 0571-8761-6220

Price: 50 yuan/person/hour on weekdays; 70 yuan/person/hour on weekends

 

• World Ice Arena

Address: 702 Fuchun Road

Tel: 0571- 8970-5666

Price: 60 yuan/person/hour on weekdays; 70 yuan/person/hour on weekends

Indoor rock climbing 攀岩

Adventurers consider rock climbing an extreme sport that conquers nature step by step. A physically and mentally demanding sport, rock climbing tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control.

The sport can be dangerous, as people are easily injured in falls. In addition, climbing on natural rock might cause environmental damage as climbers may remove plants growing in cracks and on ledges.

To avoid potential injuries and other negative impacts, indoor rock climbing has found favor with hipsters hunting for novel and exciting sports. Unlike climbing on natural rocks affected by weather and natural conditions, indoor rock climbing can be done anytime the facility is open, day or night.

Indoor climbing gyms have artificial climbing walls with grips for hands and feet. Grips often are formed to imitate natural rock conditions. To increase the difficulty, some walls take the form of an overhanging crack.

Rock Climbing Doctrine is the most popular rock-climbing gym among Hangzhou rock climbers. It provides customers with rope setups that keep them from injury.

 

• Rock Climbing Doctrine

Address: 49 Jiaogong Rd

Tel: 0571- 58236503

Price: 70yuan/person/hour

Archery 射箭

Used for hunting and combat in ancient times, archery has evolved into a competitive sport in modern times. Shooting arrows at a target for accuracy tests a person’s patience, composure and stability. For those who don’t favor sweaty physical exercises, archery seems perfect to boost arm strength and enhance body coordination.

Qiantang Archer Club is one of the most professional archery gyms in Hangzhou. It features 23 archery tracks, top-level equipment and varied bows including compound bows, flatbows, composite bows, and recurve bows.

In addition, coaches have rich teaching experience; some are former coach members from China’s national archery team. Archers can get the basic idea of how to shoot arrows in a short period under their professional guidance.

 

• Qiantang Archer Club

Address: 262 Wantang Road

Tel: 0571- 8700-7781

Price: 20 to 30 yuan per person, based on the number of bows

Hangzhou


 

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