Three Fun Fitness Options Coming To Gowanus
GOWANUS – Whether axe-throwing, archery, fencing, shuffleboard, rock climbing, or canoeing on the canal, there are lots of ways to be active and keep fit in and around Gowanus.
Now locals can add three more fun fitness options—circus arts, a swim school, and a climbing gym.
The Muse Gowanus, 303 3rd Avenue (between Carroll & 1st Street)
Founded by dancer/acrobat/aerialist/bullwhip & fire performer Angela Buccinni, The Muse opened its second outpost in Gowanus in June, offering a variety of classes in the circus arts. Professional performers lead adult, family, and kids’ classes in acrobatics, trapeze, aerial silks, tumbling, juggling, and more.
With another location at 350 Moffat Street in Bushwick, The Muse doesn’t clown around, described on the company’s website as a “creative community” that celebrates the circus “as therapy, as fitness, as a form of play, and especially as high quality art and spectacular entertainment.”
Goldfish Swim School, 620 Degraw Street (between 3rd & 4th Avenue)
“Opening this winter” reads the sign in front of this 15,000-square-foot-plus former wholesale/storage facility. A NYC DOB application confirms that a portion of the first floor of 620 Degraw is being converted into a swim school.
Founded in 2006, Goldfish Swim School is a national chain with 80 schools open or opening soon in more than 26 states as well as Canada. With locations in Long Island and New Jersey, Goldfish currently does not have any outposts in New York City. The school offers year-round swim lessons for kids between the ages of 4 months to 12-years-old, “teaching swim and safety skills while building character.”
Though not free, the new Goldfish Swim School might serve an alternative for some families when the nearby Double D pool closes and moves for the Superfund cleanup.
The Cliffs Climbing + Fitness, 233 Nevins Street (at Butler Street)
With locations in DUMBO, Long Island City, and Westchester, The Cliffs is planning to open a 40,000-square-foot climbing, yoga, and fitness facility in Gowanus. The new venue, slated to open in 2020, will feature 36,000 square feet of climbing terrain, two dedicated floors of bouldering, roped climbing with 40-foot-high walls, and a 4,400-square-foot outdoor terrace with even more climbing space, making it “New York City’s largest climbing gym.” Instructors and “state-of-the-art climbing training” will help beginners develop the skills needed to climb the walls. Climbers of all ages and skill levels are welcome.
The brand new $18 million facility will also offer a full fitness gym, saunas, yoga, group fitness, and a retail shop selling climbing gear and apparel.