This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Town&Gown magazine.
As much as I love to get outside for adventure (even in the winter), sometimes when the cold wind blows a little too hard, and when winter sun has already set by the time the work day has ended, I look out my window and say to myself through chattering teeth, “No thanks. I think I’ll stay indoors today.”
On frigid winter days like that, even my dog, Peggy, who is usually up for anything, is happy to stay snug in her bed. If it is too wicked for Peggy to go on an adventure out on the trail, then I know I have made the right choice by staying in. (Of course, in her advancing years, she is making this choice more often then she used to. I can’t blame her; I am getting a little older too).
So on these days I usually make my way over to the gym so I can get my heart pumping and my blood moving through my veins. Whether I lift weights, run on the treadmill or pedal on the bike or elliptical machine, one thing that is always true is that I feel much better after I exercise. But sometimes, when I think about getting on one of those machines, I almost turn around and head back home. I have to force myself to do it.
That’s when I remember that exercising indoors doesn’t always have to feel like a grind. When the weather is not cooperating, there are plenty of options for indoor adventure right here in Centre County that are fun and exciting. From group fitness to indoor sports fields to climbing walls, there is plenty of indoor fun to be had, no matter the time of the year, right here in our own backyard.
Here are a few ways you can keep up your adventurous spirit on those frigid winter days:
Bringing the Outdoors Inside
Have you been inside the Nittany Valley Sports Centre? It is huge. Soccer fields, basketball courts, batting cages, gymnastics training, fitness areas and so much more. Basically, if you want to play a sport, you likely can play it indoors at The Centre.
I know that for me, exercise is a lot more fun when it is engaging. Playing a sport can be a lot more fun than running on the treadmill. So, take a look at what The Centre has to offer. If you are looking for an adventure indoors, no doubt you can find it there.
Scale a Wall
Rock climbing is a growing sport (did you watch the Olympic speed climbers this summer—amazing!), and Centre County has some great resources for those who are interested in getting to it.
Climb Nittany’s spacious location in Boalsburg is designed for people new to the sport and old pros alike. The facility is all about bringing the community together to celebrate this awesome sport, so don’t be afraid to stop by and see what they have to offer. You might find that you have a hidden talent to scale walls, or you might get the strength to overcome a fear with the support of the great team at Climb Nittany.
Speaking of community, that is what the YMCA of Centre County is all about. The State College location’s climbing wall is usually rocking during open climbing sessions or during rock climbing classes.
Get Some Air
Ok, maybe this idea is for those a little more, shall we say, limber than myself, but Get Air State College Trampoline Park looks like the kind of place I would have loved when I was a little more spry. Heck, who am I kidding, I kind of want to try it right now.
The place is a real-life fun house, with 1,000 square feet of trampolines, along with dodgeball, foam pits and kids’ areas. There are also designated times for toddlers, families and those with special needs.
Tag a Friend
While laser tag might not seem like your typical form of exercise, it can be very engaging. I can attest, as I remember huffing and puffing trying to keep up during a laser tag birthday party when my kiddo was younger. Trust me, it is quite a workout.
What-a-Blast Lasertag in downtown State College offers a 2,800-square-foot arena with walls, obstacles, mirrors and hiding spots that make laser tag extra fun for kids of all ages. So, if you are looking for a different kind of indoor adventure, grab some friends and give it a shot (pun intended). T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in central Pennsylvania and beyond.
