Alternative Workouts: Fun Ways to Stay Active in Toronto Without a Gym

Want to stay active without having to hit the traditional gym? Toronto is full of unique fitness experiences that make exercise feel more like a hobby than a workout. Whether you’re looking to try something new with friends or want to switch up your routine, we have the perfect list of activities for students to try.

Jump to a section:
1. Puppy Yoga
2. Activate
3. Dance Classes
4. Bouldering
5. Bike Riding
6. Muay Thai

1. Puppy Yoga

If you’ve ever wished your yoga class came with a little extra serotonin, puppy yoga might be exactly what you’re looking for. It essentially combines a relaxing yoga session with playful puppies. These classes offer the perfect balance of movement and stress relief, or in other words, good for the body and soul. While you’ll still get a light workout through stretching and strengthening poses, the real highlight is interacting with the puppies before and after class. It’s a fun way to unwind.

I recommend trying out the Puppy Sphere by Bathurst and Queen.

Cost: Est. $44-$60

Intensity: A very low intensity activity meant to ease the mind and body while boosting serotonin levels.

Seasonality: All year

Recommendations:

• Puppy Sphere 📍 639 Queen St W 🚇 501 Streetcar (Bathurst & Queen)
• Therapy Puppy Studio 📍 575 Yonge St 🚇 Wellesley Station
• PawPals Puppy Yoga 📍 169 King St E, 3rd Floor 🚇 504 Streetcar (King St East & Jarvis St, east side)

2. Activate

If traditional workouts aren’t your thing, Activate turns fitness into a fun lifelike video game. With your friends, you play a series of interactive challenge rooms that test speed, coordination, balance, memory, and teamwork. You’ll be climbing, jumping, crawling, and sprinting without even realizing how much exercise you’re getting. It’s an energetic activity that’s perfect for groups. Also a fun way to combine a hangout and workout in one.

Cost: Est. $30

Intensity: A relatively low intensity workout, more so a fun, active way to interact with friends.

Seasonality: All year

Recommendations:

• Activate at Stockyards 📍 30 Weston Rd 🚇 512 Streetcar (St Clair Ave West at Weston Rd/Keele St, west side)
• Activate at Eglinton Town Centre 📍 24 Lebovic Ave 🚇 Pharmacy Station

3. Dance Classes

From hip-hop and heels to salsa, contemporary, and K-pop, Toronto’s dance studios offer classes for every experience level. Dancing is a great cardio workout while also improving coordination, balance, and confidence. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill or just have fun moving to music, dance is an exciting way to stay active.

I recommend trying out The Underground Dance Centre near Osgoode Station.

Cost: Est. $35

Intensity: Depending on the class you take it could be a low-medium intensity, but intro classes exist if you’re new to dance.

Seasonality: All year

Recommendations:

• The Underground Dance Centre 📍 220 Richmond St W 🚇 Osgoode Station
• DanceLife x Centre 📍 619 Yonge St 🚇 Wellesley Station

4. Bouldering

Looking for something that challenges both your body and your mind? Bouldering is a form of indoor rock climbing that doesn’t require ropes or harnesses, making it beginner-friendly. Every climbing route becomes a puzzle to solve, helping build strength, flexibility, and problem-solving skills. With climbing gyms across Toronto offering introductory lessons and rental equipment, it’s an accessible activity for anyone wanting to try something different.

I’ve personally gone to Boulderz Climbing Centre in Etobicoke, but there are numerous climbing gyms downtown.

Cost: Est. $24 to $30

Intensity: Although it may seem intimidating, bouldering is a relatively low-medium intensity workout. It is very much a do on your own pace and includes different levels of bouldering obstacles.

Seasonality: All year

Recommendations:

• Boulderz Climbing Centre 📍 1444 Dupont St #16 🚇 Bus 26 (Symington Ave)
• Ethos Climbing 📍 128 Queens Quay E 🚇 Bus 114 (Lower Jarvis St)
• Basecamp Climbing 📍 186 Spadina Ave, Unit 1A 🚇 501 Streetcar (Spadina Ave)
• Rock On Climbing 📍 474 Front St E, Unit 4 🚇 501 Streetcar (River St)

5. Bike Riding

Toronto’s extensive network of bike lanes and trails makes cycling one of the easiest ways to stay active during the warmer months. Ride along the waterfront, explore the Humber River Trail, or discover new neighbourhoods at your own pace. If you don’t own a bike, Bike Share Toronto stations are located throughout the city, making it convenient to rent one whenever the urge to bike strikes. Cycling is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors while getting in a workout.

Cost: Est. $15 (for Bike Share)

Intensity: Low

Seasonality: Spring to fall

Recommendations:

• Bike Share Toronto stations citywide

6. Muay Thai

If you’re looking for a workout that builds both physical and mental strength, consider trying Muay Thai. This martial art combines punches and kicks in high-energy training sessions that improve endurance, coordination, and overall fitness. Many gyms in Toronto offer beginner-friendly classes where no previous experience is required. Beyond the physical benefits, Muay Thai is also a great way to build discipline, confidence, and relieve stress.

I recommend trying Diamond Muay Thai + Boxing near South Riverdale.

Cost: Est. $15 to $35

Intensity: Although it may seem intimidating, an intro class is typically required to see how comfortable you are, which allows the pace to be catered towards you.

Seasonality: All year

Recommendations:

• Diamond Muay Thai + Boxing 📍 3 Carlaw Ave 🚇 501 Streetcar (Carlaw Ave)
• TKMT 📍 610 Queen St W, 3rd Floor 🚇 501 Streetcar (Bathurst St)
• SheFighter 📍 14 McCaul St 🚇 Osgoode Station
• Lotus Fitness Thai Boxing 📍 17 Atlantic Ave 🚇 509 Streetcar (Exhibition Loop)

Find What Moves You

Staying active doesn’t have to mean following the same routine every week. Trying new activities can keep exercise exciting while helping you discover hobbies you genuinely enjoy.