Since the government has eased restrictions for all sports venues in Bangkok, many are eager to get back on the fitness track. Besides the obvious go-to gyms, there are alternative venues where you can sweat it out with new activities. From climbing a (pseudo) cliff to aiming for baseball home runs, Guru presents a list of alternative sports venues that would make your comeback to a fitness routine even more exciting and challenging.
Jump Master Skate Haus
(Photos: Jump Master Skate Haus)
Tucked away on the 3rd floor of standalone Chaipattanasilp Building in Talat Noi, next to Phadung Krung Kasem canal, indoor skatepark Jump Master Skate Haus has opened its doors a month ago, further proving that Charoen Krung should be hailed as a "hipster neighbourhood". Built on the concept of "Feel like home", the venue is like an industrial loft-style, blending contemporary touches with an old-fashioned concrete structure, while its polished-wooden ramps allow surf skaters to show-off cool moves. The place is fitted with wave banks, giant slopes and a mini pump track -- just to name a few -- for that quintessential skating experience. Jump Master Skate Haus opens for private sessions only. Rental fees are priced at B1,500 for up to five skaters and B2,500 per session for up to 10 skaters. There are four sessions each day and each lasts an hour and 50 minutes.
Jump Master Skate Haus, 3rd Floor, Chaipattanasilp Building, 951 Charoen Krung Road / Open daily from 10am-8pm / Visit FB.com/JumpMasterSkateHaus.
Rock Domain Climbing Gym
(Photo: Rock Domain Climbing Gym)
Take your exercise to new heights, literally, by visiting Rock Domain Climbing Gym, which claims to be Thailand's largest rock climbing gym. On Bang Na-Trad Road, this 1,100m² indoor rock-climbing gym features an 11m-high artificial rock wall for bouldering, aka free foam rock climbing. It offers everything from caves to top-out walls, from overhangs to straight climbs and route difficulties of all levels, allowing climbers to challenge themselves whether they are a beginner or have been climbing for years.
Don't worry if you are a newbie at this extreme sport because the gym offers a free one-on-one session with a trainer. Besides, you can hook yourself up with an auto-belay device that prevents you from slipping out of the cliff. The day-pass costs B400 for adults and B300 for children below the age of 18 or subscribe to monthly access with rates starting at B3,350 for adults and B2,750 for children. They also offer equipment rental, including shoes (B100), harnesses (B50), ropes (B200), belay devices (B20) and chalk bags (B20).
Rock Domain Climbing Gym, 1780 Bang Na-Trad Road / Open Mon-Fri from 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun from 10am-9pm / Visit FB.com/RockDomainClimbingGym.
Flow House Bangkok
(Photos: Flow House Bangkok)
There's no need to leave Bangkok to ride a few waves, Flow House Bangkok is for diehard city surfers. Situated at Sukhumvit's lifestyle complex A Square, Flow House Bangkok delivers ocean waves right in the heart of Bangkok with its wave machine, creating endless waves to sharpen your surfing and bodyboarding skills. Although there is neither a salty breeze nor sand, its tiki-inspired decor evokes tropical beach vibes. At the same time, its bar/cafe whips up comfort foods and smoothies and a shop that sells surf equipment and surf-inspired apparel and accessories so you can immerse in the beach club vibe. The rates for flow-riding start at B690 per hour (Thu and Fri from noon-3pm), or you can enrol in its one-year membership for B3,990, which allows you to surf for three hours at a time.
Flow House Bangkok, 120/1 A-Square, Sukhumvit 26 / Open Thurs-Sun from 10am-9pm / Visit FB.com/FlowHouseBangkok2.
D-Sports Stadium
(Photos: D-Sports Stadium)
Many know Donki Mall on Thong Lor 10 houses the first local store of Don Don Donki in Thailand (the second being at The Market Bangkok Ratchaprasong and the third in Seacon Square), but there are other interesting Japanese imports, as well. Located on the 5th floor of Donki Mall Thonglor-Ekamai, D-Sports Stadium is a multi-sport complex/entertainment venue, featuring a variety of sport offerings. Think badminton courts, bouldering areas with auto-belay devices and a boxing ring, while the highlight of this place is an automatic baseball batting cage. Four batter boxes offer a space for aspiring baseball batters to release their power while concentrating on the ball for that home run. However, sometimes you may feel the wrathful roars of people next to your station who missed the balls while being mocked by an animated pitcher displayed on a pitching machine.
Apart from all the sports that you sweat out with, this place also offers party and entertainment zones where you can take a break with some easy-moving activities like snooker or arcade machines. Unfortunately, these zones are temporarily closed due to safety measures but the sports zone is completely open. A pass costs B150 per hour.
D-Sports Stadium, 107 Thonglor 10 / Open weekdays from 11am-8pm and weekends from 9am-8pm / Visit FB.com/dsportsstadium.
SUP Station Thailand
If you do not have plans this weekend, why not book a SUP (stand up paddleboarding) session at SUP
(Photos: SUP Station Thailand)
Station Thailand. Take a sightseeing tour of Pathum Thani on the Chao Phraya River by paddling a SUP board. SUP Station offers two routes to explore the neighbourhoods along the river, either an easy one to flow with the current or the difficult one to paddle upstream. Each route will take you to through different Pathum Thani's riverfront tourist attractions like Wat San Chao market, where you can dock your board alongside its pier for a quick snack break.
There is no limit on your paddling distance because the equipment rental fee is B500 for two hours and your four-legged friends are also welcome on board. They are also setting up a SUP crew for their monthly river cleaning workshop, which you can check their schedules on Facebook. ProTip: Apply sunscreen liberally to your face and body and bring a water bottle along on your trip because you will be exposed to Thailand's heat.
SUP Station Thailand, 23 Moo 3, Bang Luang, Pathum Thani / Open Tue-Fri from 8am-7pm and Sat-Sun from 7am-8pm / Visit FB.com/supstationthailand.
