Agents Answer: Where’s the Best Place in WNC to Stay Fit

We love the abundant variety of outdoor activities that we have in WNC to help us stay fit, like hiking and biking. More recently we added paddle boarding to the ever growing list! This photo [above] is from Lake Jocassee, one hour outside of Asheville. It’s a 7,565-acre manmade lake, fed by seven waterfalls and rivers from the WNC mountains. This makes the water beautifully clear and cool.

—Jodie Tolbert

In Hendersonville, there are two great choices. First, Efitness Studio at 557 S Grove Street. This is a TRX training facility owned and run by Elijah and Tammy Askew. They offer an incredible workout and Eli and Tammy lead you through each one. They are very knowledgeable and two of the nicest people I’ve ever met! Second would have to be the Planet Fitness on Spartanburg Highway right next to Ingles. At only $10 a month, it is a great value!

—Brian Woodward

Asheville’s a vibrant community with people who like to take care of their health and enjoy all the places and programs offered here. My two favorites are the local YMCA and Asheville Community Yoga. “The Y” has several locations in downtown, south, and north Asheville. There are programs for all ages and fitness levels (I LOVE my Hip Hop Fitness Class and Pilates) and they treat everyone equally. Asheville Community Yoga in Woodfin is a nonprofit center that is donation based and well supported by all. Yoga can be both intense and a great stress reducer, depending on the approach, but is always a welcome addition to any overall workout. Join me any time and Let’s Get Healthy!

—Evelyn Zebro

I love HEW: Hard Exercise Works in South Asheville. It is a very fast-growing gym. What I love most is that every day is a different workout. There are no machines, only free weights. The coaches are dedicated to each client’s well being. Even after my full knee replacement, I was back in the gym a week later. The coaches gave me a modification for each movement that I could handle while recovering. The first visit is free, so everyone should give it a try. Each month, there is a hashtag for a great cause that the gym donates money to for every check in. They also collect items in the gym for local disbursement. Overall: Great community feeling while getting a tremendous workout.

—Diane Duermit

My favorite workout is taking a hike with my dog to the top of Bearwallow Mountain. It gives me a fresh outlook and a beautiful view. My dog, Rose, loves it too! Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy has created a hiking trail through this beautiful conserved property along with several other hiking trails in the Hickory Nut Gorge south of Fairview.

—Christie Melear

Pisgah National Forest is my favorite place to stay active. Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, or a simple walk in the woods, Pisgah offers something for folks of all skill levels to enjoy. There are so many excellent, hidden spots to beat the humidity and cool off by a creek in the warm summer months.

—Olivia McCarson

Leila Patterson with AdventHealth in Fletcher has a “boot camp” at their outside track three early mornings a week. It’s better than crunches in my family room.

—Greg Lemke

My family and I love to take our stand-up paddle boards to all of the beautiful lakes Western North Carolina has to offer. Our favorites so far are Lake Santeetlah and Lake Glenville. 

—Bre Powers

My family and I have always loved and appreciated the Blue Ridge Parkway, but this spring and summer, we have grown to appreciate it more than ever. We enjoy hiking the many trails that begin and end around the Parkway, the amazing road cycling—particularly beyond Craggy Gardens and up in the Black Mountains, which rival many famous cycling routes in Europe for beauty and views—or just a relaxing picnic at the countless great roadside spots. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a national treasure literally in our own back yard.

—David Turner

I spent nearly eight years teaching and guiding rock climbing, so I can say without question that I cannot think of another activity that uses truly all of your muscles and always leaves you walking away with a smile and a sense of truly learning something about yourself. On top of all the great outdoor climbs like Rumbling Bald and Looking Glass, we have two indoor gyms [around Biltmore Park] that will help a first timer learn the basics and give you a solid foundation to begin outdoor climbing.

—Jim Davis