Fitness Centers
Virgin Active Gyms
There are numerous Virgin Active Gyms spread throughout Cape Town and its suburbs. They generally house extensive cardiovascular conditioning circuits, resistance training and free weights sections, swimming pools and studios for yoga, aerobics and dance lessons.
Call the call centre on 0860 200 911 or visit http://www.virginactive.co.za and use the branch locator to find your nearest branch.
Zone Fitness
Zone Fitness also has numerous branches spread throughout Cape Town’s suburbs. They generally include free weights and resistance machines, cardiovascular circuits, as well as aerobic and spinning studios. It’s perhaps the Cape Town branch that is most worth mentioning, as it is the chain’s only women-only gym. Aside from the usual roster of equipment, the club provides classes in both pole- and belly-dancing.
Call 021 422 2909 for the Cape Town branch, or visit http://www.zonefitness.co.za/ to find your nearest Zone Fitness centre.
Curves Gym
This internationally renowned women’s fitness chain offers women the opportunity to work out in a pressure free, single-sex environment, and offers excellent Pilates classes along with the company’s famous fat-burning circuit.
Visit http://www.curves.co.za/locations/index.php?country=ZA to find your nearest branch.
The Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA)
Primarily Cape Town’s most state-of-the-art sports research facility, SSISA also houses a world class gym. In addition to a full-scale indoor track, the facilities include an extensive free weights area, cardiovascular and strength circuits, and a swimming pool.
Call 021 659 5700 or visit http://www.ssisa.com.
Golf Courses
Note that, given the relatively small number of golf courses in Cape Town, bookings are always essential.
The River Club
Located near Lower Main Road, with its dozen-odd bars and clubs, the River Club makes for a far more genteel experience than most of Obz. With its fully stocked golf shop, 9-hole golf course, 90 bay driving range and extensive chipping and putting facilities, it’s a great place to relax and work on your swing.
Address: Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory
Call 021 448 6117 or visit http://www.riverclub.co.za/
The Metropolitan Golf Course
This venue includes a massive 18-hole golf course, as well as excellent bar and conference facilities. Sandwiched between the V&A Waterfront and the massive new Green Point Stadium, it’s also conveniently close to the heart of Cape Town.
Address: Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Mouille Point
Call 021 430 6012 or visit http://www.metropolitangolfclub.co.za.
Royal Cape Golf Club
This 18-hole course has hosted the South African Open ten times, and is a good challenge for players of any skill level.
Address: 174 Ottery Road, Wynberg
Call 021 761 6551 or visit http://www.royalcapegolf.co.za
Atlantic Beach Links Golf Course
This 18-hole course is situated just meters from the ocean, and features firm turf good for playing low running shots when the wind gets too high. The greens are surrounded by indigenous fynbos, the tough plant genus unique to South Africa.
Address: 1 Fairway Drive, Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand
Call 021 553 2223
Tennis
Many Virgin Active gyms have tennis courts (including the Sea Point and Constantia branches). Visit http://www.virginactive.co.za or call the call centre on 0860 200 911. Here are a few independent clubs with tennis courts in prominent parts of Cape Town:
Camps Bay Sports Club (Tennis courts, Soccer field)
You can book these facilities via The Bay Hotel.
Address: 69 Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Call 021 437 9701 or visit http://www.thebay.co.za
Lawn Tennis Western Province Club
This is where many of the Western Cape’s provincial tournaments are held.
Address: Glen Darrach Road, Rondebosch
Call 021 689 2845
Wynberg Lawn Tennis Club
This is one of the oldest tennis clubs in the country.
Address: Harfield Road, Wynberg
Call 021 762 2556 or visit http://www.wltc.co.za
Swimming pools
Note that most Virgin Active Gyms (listed under fitness centers) have swimming pools. Visit http://www.virginactive.co.za or call the call centre on 0860 200 911 to find one in your area.
Sea Point Pavilion
Alternatively, the Sea Point Pavilion is an outdoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool fed by the Atlantic ocean. It’s where many of South Africa’s top distance swimmers, along with many local lifeguards, do their training. There are also two splash pools for children, and a fully equipped springboard diving pool. No membership is required (admission costs R9.50).
Address: Beach Road, Sea Point (on the promenade)
Call 021 434 3341
Yoga Classes
Note that most fitness centers, including Virgin Active and Zone Fitness (listed under ‘Fitness centers’) have regular yoga classes, along with Pilates and other forms of bodyweight strength conditioning. Alternatively, here are some independent yoga studios:
Yoga Zone
This is Cape Town’s only Hot Yoga studio, with an air conditioning system that maintains constant, high levels of humidity. The studio also has large changing and shower facilities for when you need to clean up.
Address: Yoga Zone City Centre Studio, 10th floor Picbel Parkade, 58 Strand Street, CBD
021 421 8136 or visit http://www.yogazone.co.za.
Anjali Yoga
This inner-city studio offers classes in Hatha yoga, including specific programs for the elderly, children and pregnant mothers.
Address: 2nd Floor, 47 Commercial Street, Cape Town
Call Laura Anjali on 079 103 3744
Earth Yoga
This school offers classic Hatha yoga classes combined with tai-chi style movement forms.
Address: 10 Kloof Road, Sea Point
Call Nadia on 083 446 0728 or visit http://www.earthyoga.co.za
Karma Shala Yoga
This school teaches a synergy of Vinyasa and Hatha yoga styles, and keeps classes to a maximum of 14 students to ensure personalized instruction.
Address: 11 Hatfield Street, Gardens
Call 082 642 5256 or visit http://www.karmashalayoga.co.za
Shanti Cape Town
This school provides morning, afternoon and evening classes in Ashtanga yoga.
Address: 57 Temple House, Corner of Buitenkant and Roeland, Gardens
Call 084 358 9863 or visit http://www.shanticapetown.co.za.
Soccer
Surprisingly, there are very few non-professional soccer clubs for adults in Cape Town. However, the fields situated along Camps Bay Drive, Camps Bay, are open for public use. Additionally, Stadium on Main in Claremont has excellent facilities for indoor soccer, so you can get a game in no matter what the weather. The building also houses facilities for indoor cricket and netball.
Address: Stadium on Main, Main Road, Claremont
Call 021 671 3665
Martial Arts Schools
Dragon Power Martial Arts and Fitness centre
This school teaches Muay Thai kickboxing. Aside from training students for fitness and fighting (Dragon Power’s fight nights are very popular with spectators), the school also offers an extensive gym area.
Address: 9th Floor Tulbagh Centre, Hans Strydom Avenue, Zonnebloem
Call 021 418 8888 or visit http://www.dragonpower.co.za.
The International Kim Loong Wushu Centre
This school offers classes in Wushu performance Kung Fu as well as Wing Tsun and Sanda boxing for competitive and combat purposes. They also offer classes in tai chi, chi kung, and meditation.
Sixth Floor, 112 Loop Street
Call 021 422 2193 or visit http://www.kimloong.org
Harrington Street Boxing Gym
This is regarded as one of the best boxing schools in the country, and has produced several local champions.
Address: 104 Harrington Street, Zonnebloem
Call 0762683322
Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
Any link to the world-renowned Gracie family is a good sign, and this school lives up to the Gracie reputation, providing excellent classes self-defense and competitive jiu jitsu.
301 Anrieth Corner, Hans Strijom Ave, Foreshore
Call 021 425 0603 or visit http://www.renzogracie.co.za
The Samurai Academy of Physical Arts
This school offers classes in various Japanese martial arts.
Stadium on Main, Main Road, Claremont
Call 021 683 2410
Squash Courts
Many Virgin Active gyms have squash courts (including the Sea Point and Constantia branches). Visit http://www.virginactive.co.za or call the call centre on 0860 200 911
Camps Bay Squash Club
Address: The Mead Way, Camps Bay
Call 021 4381811 or visit http://www.cbsquash.co.za.
Rock Climbing
CityRock is an excellent indoor rock-climbing center located in Observatory. It features a huge top rope and lead climbing area, a large bouldering cave and an in-house yoga studio. It also houses the best rock-climbing gear shops in the city.
Address: Corner of Collingwood and Anson, Observatory
Call 021 447 1326 or visit http://www.cityrock.co.za
Lawn Bowls
Camps Bay Bowls Club
Address: The Glen Country Club, Victoria road (Between Glen Beach and La Med)
Call 082 556 2639 or visit http://www.newbiebowls.com,
Wynberg Bowling Club
Address: 27 Wetton Road, Wynberg
Call 021 762 3960
