Fitness in Amsterdam
The Dutch way of life is a fit way of life, especially in the nation's capital. Fitness 
in Amsterdam is closely intertwined with the simple act of living. For instance, most people ride their bike to work to start the day off with an invigorating boost of energy.
For those expat fitness junkies that need more, there are many options. In Amsterdam you can choose to join a gym, or take up a team sport, take dance, yoga or Pilates lessons, or resort to what nature has to offer in terms of outdoor sports. No matter your preference expats will find more than enough to keep them in tip-top shape.
In Amsterdam there are many different gyms to choose from, each catering to a different clientele and price range.
High-end gyms, like David Lloyd, offer group lessons, state-of-the-art equipment, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and even a crèche (babysitting area) where you can drop the kids while you work out. They have an array of different membership options, expats can consult their website or visit their nearest location to find a suitable package.
On the other end of the scale, there are many smaller and cheaper gyms, like Your Fitness Center, where there is only access to equipment (machines and weights) and a much cheaper membership.
A quick Google search will show you all the gyms available in your area.
For those expats who don't fancy joining a gym, the prospect of joining a team sport may be more appealing. Expats will find volleyball, handball, field hockey
and rowing are all very popular in Amsterdam. Finding the right club may be difficult because information is generally in Dutch.
"I Amsterdam" is a good point of reference, as they list some clubs that cater specifically to expats. If you join a team, most likely you’ll have one or two training sessions each week, and a game on the weekend. During the summer generally the teams do not train or have games. Team sports are fun and they can be more than just sport. Team members frequently enjoy socialising outside training hours.
For expats who'd rather shake a tail feather or "get down on it", there's plenty of options to move to in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Dance Center offers classes ranging in style from classical ballet through to hip hop, jazz and break dance. There are many levels to choose from, and lessons are open, meaning you don’t need to subscribe and sign up for an entire year. Salsa and Zumba lessons are also very popular in Amsterdam.
Pilates and yoga are great options if you'd prefer a relaxed, full body toning and strengthening exercise method that will develop neuro-muscular coordination, body awareness and better posture. Pilates and yoga can be very beneficial for injury treatment and rehabilitation; though it’s best to get advice from your physician before starting a training program that targets rehabilitation of an injury.
Expats can find Pilates and yoga lessons in most gyms that offer group lessons, but for something more specialised there is an assortment of private yoga or Pilates schools.
There are many good teachers in Amsterdam, and something to look for in a good teacher is proper certification. A certification isn’t required for teaching Pilates, which creates a very open market and produces teachers of very different standards. When choosing a Pilates teacher it’s important to go for a trial lesson, and see how you feel with him or her. Check if he or she asks questions and modifies exercises to make sure you reap maximum benefits from each exercise. Most importantly check that he or she pays close attention to each student and makes sure that the exercises are being properly executed.
Amsterdam offers many options for outdoor sports, mainly in the warmer months of the year. There are two great parks, the Vondekpark and Westerpark, where you can go for a light jog, do some power walking, or even take your in-line skates for a roll.
in Amsterdam is closely intertwined with the simple act of living. For instance, most people ride their bike to work to start the day off with an invigorating boost of energy. For those expat fitness junkies that need more, there are many options. In Amsterdam you can choose to join a gym, or take up a team sport, take dance, yoga or Pilates lessons, or resort to what nature has to offer in terms of outdoor sports. No matter your preference expats will find more than enough to keep them in tip-top shape.
Gyms in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam there are many different gyms to choose from, each catering to a different clientele and price range.
High-end gyms, like David Lloyd, offer group lessons, state-of-the-art equipment, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and even a crèche (babysitting area) where you can drop the kids while you work out. They have an array of different membership options, expats can consult their website or visit their nearest location to find a suitable package.
On the other end of the scale, there are many smaller and cheaper gyms, like Your Fitness Center, where there is only access to equipment (machines and weights) and a much cheaper membership.
A quick Google search will show you all the gyms available in your area.
Team sports in Amsterdam
For those expats who don't fancy joining a gym, the prospect of joining a team sport may be more appealing. Expats will find volleyball, handball, field hockey
and rowing are all very popular in Amsterdam. Finding the right club may be difficult because information is generally in Dutch. "I Amsterdam" is a good point of reference, as they list some clubs that cater specifically to expats. If you join a team, most likely you’ll have one or two training sessions each week, and a game on the weekend. During the summer generally the teams do not train or have games. Team sports are fun and they can be more than just sport. Team members frequently enjoy socialising outside training hours.
Dance lessons in Amsterdam
For expats who'd rather shake a tail feather or "get down on it", there's plenty of options to move to in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Dance Center offers classes ranging in style from classical ballet through to hip hop, jazz and break dance. There are many levels to choose from, and lessons are open, meaning you don’t need to subscribe and sign up for an entire year. Salsa and Zumba lessons are also very popular in Amsterdam.
Pilates and yoga in Amsterdam
Pilates and yoga are great options if you'd prefer a relaxed, full body toning and strengthening exercise method that will develop neuro-muscular coordination, body awareness and better posture. Pilates and yoga can be very beneficial for injury treatment and rehabilitation; though it’s best to get advice from your physician before starting a training program that targets rehabilitation of an injury.
Expats can find Pilates and yoga lessons in most gyms that offer group lessons, but for something more specialised there is an assortment of private yoga or Pilates schools.
There are many good teachers in Amsterdam, and something to look for in a good teacher is proper certification. A certification isn’t required for teaching Pilates, which creates a very open market and produces teachers of very different standards. When choosing a Pilates teacher it’s important to go for a trial lesson, and see how you feel with him or her. Check if he or she asks questions and modifies exercises to make sure you reap maximum benefits from each exercise. Most importantly check that he or she pays close attention to each student and makes sure that the exercises are being properly executed.
Outdoors sports in Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers many options for outdoor sports, mainly in the warmer months of the year. There are two great parks, the Vondekpark and Westerpark, where you can go for a light jog, do some power walking, or even take your in-line skates for a roll.
