Stay active together - Summer edition

During any season in Buffalo NY, you can find plenty of ways to get moving. If you're like me, you go out to a lot of these by yourself - it's a great way to make new friends and to get involved in the community. 

If you are really lucky, though, you have a significant other who enjoys doing these sort of activities too! Why go to dinner, when you have have an active date, exploring western NY and getting moving?

Let's explore some ideas for dates that involve fitness-like activities that can be performed as a couple:

• Hiking - this is a really inexpensive way to get active together - all it takes is a waterbottle and some sturdy shoes. Believe it or not, there are a lot of places locally that are beautiful to hike through. Places like Tifft Nature Preserve, the Outer Harbor trails, Gratwick Park, and Chestnut Ridge are just minutes from the city of Buffalo, and have miles of trails and lots of new things to see. Looking for some hiking buddies? Make friends with the Foothills Trail Club on facebook. They have usually at least 4-5 hikes per week, if not more, and it's a great way to find likeminded people who enjoy exploring nearby parks and trails. Or, if you're looking to do some more urban exploring and to learn about WNY, check out Explore Buffalo - it does cost some money, but they have tons of options for local tours with a tourguide to tell you about what you are seeing. 

• Kayaking or Paddle Boarding - with so many places available to get paddling equipment, there's no reason not to grab your honey and head to the water. Some of your options include Longboards At The Beach, Buffalo River Canoe and Kayak Outfitters, BFLO Harbor Kayak, SUP Erie Adventures, and Elevator Alley Kayak. Many even offer lessons for beginners so you will know what you are doing out there. Check out my article on paddling for beginners for more info on this activity. 

• Sailing - if you've never been sailing before, I highly recommend it - it is a blast. I also recommend taking a lesson to learn at least the basics, because there's a lot of ways you can get into trouble pretty quickly (I've flipped my fair share of small boats). For the environmentally friendly couple, this activity has appeal due to the relatively small carbon footprint (compared to speed boats or jetskis). For the active couple, this is a great sport - believe it or not, sailing can be as leisurely, or as active as you want to make it (also, depending on the wind on the day that you choose to go out). For the thrill seekers, you can definitely catch a stiff breeze, throw out that spinnaker (a large sail that catches a lot of wind), and get some serious speed going. For lesson information and rentals, check out Sail Buffalo and Seven Seas Sailing School. 

• Jetski-ing - if you're looking for something with a motor, you can rent jetskis together from Waikiki Watercraft in Grand Island. You can each get your own, or you can get a two-seater if you want to stay cozy. 

• Beach volleyball, softball or soccer - another option to get some activity together is to join a co-ed team together. There are lots of options for beer leagues in the area for softball. Volleyball has leagues at Holiday Sports bar, as well as other bars in the area (check out http://www.buffalovolleyball.net/ for more information). More information about local leagues can be found here. 

• Tennis doubles - find a set of partners and head to your nearest court for a game of doubles. Check out this site for a list of local courts. 

• Pickleball - This is a very popular new sport that relatively recently hit the Buffalo area. Pickleball is similar to tennis, in that there is a net, a ball, and  you hit the ball over the net - however, it uses something like large ping-pong paddles and a whiffleball. You can play at Buffalo Riverworks, as well as several times per week at the East Aurora Healthy Zone Rink. More information about local pickleball is available here.

Photo by East Aurora Pickleball

• Marathon/Triathalon/Ironman or woman training - For those looking for more hardcore fitness together, you could be training partners with a specific race as your goal. Training together is a great way to stay motivated, and to spend time together. There is a local Triathlon club, as well as numerous gyms in the area that will help you set up training programs.
• Acroyoga - if you're a yoga junkie and looking to take your practice to the next level, grab your significant other and head to an acroyoga jam. This activity will test your balance, core strength, and your trust in one another as you lift and balance and fly. If this sounds like it's up your alley, you should be friends with Acroyoga Buffalo on facebook. 

Photo from AcroYoga Buffalo's facebook page