WHERE TO DO SPORTS IN ACCRA
There are a plethora of sporting activities on offer in Accra, from outdoor cross train activities and boxing classes to Yoga, Pilates and Zumba. Personal trainers in Ghana are reasonably priced and can help you achieve your fitness goals, either at the gym or in the comfort of your own home. Speaking of gyms, you’ll be spoilt for choice, as there are so many great gyms to choose from, covering all the different neighbourhoods.
Fabulously kitted out and fully equipped, Fitness 1 Gym in One Airport Square features a state of the art set-up (050 811 8888 / 024 779 0346 – www.fitness1stgym.com). Also on the cutting edge of all things fitness-related is Fit Rip in Dzorwulu, which not only offers a fully equipped gym and group training classes but also a strong focus on functional and cross fit style training (030 278 1325 / 050 127 8924 – http://www.fitripgh.com/).
New kid on the block, California Fitness in the Palms shopping centre just off Spintex, is the latest addition to the mix (055 399 2945 – http://www.californiafitnessgh.com/home/). The Circuit Gym in Cantonments offers boot camp style workouts in an intimate group setting (020 088 9588 / 020 775 6937). For lovers of functional fitness and cross fit style workouts, there is the established and well-loved Crosstrain Ghana in Cantonments (024 431 6236 / 057 431 6236). Mint Fitness Club in Meridian apartments offers a variety of classes including Zumba and Yoga (024 842 0472) and Pippa’s Health Centre in Osu is still a firm favourite for those living around Osu (030 222 4488 – http://pippasfitness.com/). There is also Pulse Fitness Ghana in East Legon situated in the Lizzy Sports Complex (030 251 9675). The French fitness store Decathlon in the Junction Mall offers free group work out classes on certain days of the week (030 397 0041).
For lovers of Pilates-based training, try the excellent P4 Pilates studio in Airport Residential (055 720 2333), Cantonments and now also newly opened in East Legon. Yoga options are plentiful: from Bliss Yoga in Airport residential (www.blissyogaaccra.com), Accra Shala Yoga in Airport residential and Cantonments, and Mint Fitness Club in Airport residential.
Dancing is also a great form of exercise and a wonderful way to meet new people and get in shape: Yvonne offers group and private classes at Fitness 1 Gym, (or at a venue of your choice, such as in the comfort of your own home), contact her at 026 340 0537.
For those who would prefer to run, walk or cycle outdoors, the University of Ghana in Legon is a perfect spot and there are many social running and cycling groups one can join. A newly formed cycling group created especially for ladies, is now up and running, contact Denyse on 020 144 8359 for more information!
Fans of outdoor activities will appreciate the hiking, rock climbing and abseiling on offer not far out of Accra. Check out Brave Hearts Expeditions (https://braveheartsexpeditions.org/) and Ghana Mountaineers (http://ghana-mountaineers.com/) – both have active groups on Facebook to arrange regular activities and outings for adventurous and thrill-seeking time spent in nature!
There are plenty of other sporting activities to keep you busy from surfing and kite surfing (though for these two, you’re better off going out of Accra, so (Tills Beach for Kite Surfing, and Kokrobite and Busua for surfing) to golf (both Achimota Golf club and Bok Nam Kim golf course in Burma Camp are good options) and cycling (Velocity Cycling Club and The Gladiators Cycling Club are two great cycling groups that meet up over the weekend for rides out of Accra). Tennis is also on offer at either the Villagio apartments or the Accra Lawn Tennis Club.
