Getting Active in Prague: Sports, Gyms, Prices, and Locations

Sport is a popular pastime in the Czech Republic, and in Prague there’s no shortage of opportunities to challenge yourself and break a sweat in style. What’s more, many of these come at extremely affordable prices and can be accessed by anyone, regardless of your age or ability level. So there’s no excuse – dust off your sweatpants and get out there.

Gyms

Ah, the gym. It may be the home of terrifying machinery and unflattering mirrors, but it’s also a great place to get into shape, achieve goals and impress onlookers with the sheer athleticism that we know you possess. Gyms are widespread in Prague, and it’s easy to find a membership for around 1000 CZK per month. If you’re lucky enough to work for a Multisport-affiliated employer, you can gain access to a host of gyms across the city for just over 500 CZK a month.

CrossFit Committed is a popular choice for crossfit fans in Prague. It offers month-to-month memberships and a personal trainer by your side throughout the class to provide help and support. Located near the metro station Vltavská, it’s within easy reach of the city centre.

Hammer Strength Fitness, close to the metro station Českomoravská, offers a wide range of equipment, lots of space, and good opening times. You can buy one-time entry for 110 – 180 CZK depending on the time of day. World Class Fitness, located in the centre of Prague, is another popular choice. Both these gyms offer yearly memberships for around 10,000CZK. These are just a few of the many gyms in Prague, and any fitness aficionado should have no trouble seeking out a good training spot.

Winter Sports

The colder months bring plenty of problems, but they also provide a golden opportunity for lovers of winter sports to have some fun. There are plenty of ski resorts close to Prague, such as Monínec which is only an hour from the city and offers inexpensive skiing and accommodation. If you’re more into skating, there are a myriad ice rinks dotted around the city, most of which cost very little to use. There are also plenty of opportunities to try your hand at ice hockey, such as the imposing O2 stadium.

Football

Football, or soccer, is a national sport in the Czech Republic. Prague is no exception, and alongside abundant opportunities to watch football games, there are also a number of options for playing. There are 5-aside pitches at multiple locations throughout Prague, including Zizkov and Letna, which can cost as little as 50 CZK per player. Of course, if the sun is shining, you can always just grab a football and head to a park…

Climbing

There must be something about the Czech Republic that makes people want to run to the nearest rocky wall and climb to the top, because everybody seems to be doing it. There are tonnes of climbing gyms in all corners of the city. The Boulder Bar, close to the metro station Nádraží Holešovice and tram stop Výstaviště Holešovice, is a well-known option. It stays open until late most days and, at 120 CZK entry, won’t break the bank. Boulder Bar runs regular classes and training groups, and – as the name suggests – has an onsite bar where you can relax after training with a cold beer.

A little further out is Ruzyne, which offers a huge climbing wall and frequently hosts large competitions. It’s reasonably priced, and the best way to get there is by taking a train from Masarykovo nádraží  to Praha Ruzyně. In the summer months, it may be a good idea to check out Gutovka, Prague’s largest outdoor climbing wall.

Hiking

Sometimes Prague, like any large city, can become a bit overwhelming. At times like these, it’s always an excellent idea to put on your hiking boots and stretch your legs in some of the beautiful parks and hiking trails nearby. Popular destinations are Karlštejn, located only a short train journey from Prague, and Český Ráj, famed for its beautiful rock formations and countryside.  It’s a little further out, but well worth making the trip.

Of course, you don’t have to leave Prague to enjoy a hike, and areas like Petřín and the many parks around the city offer a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Maybe the best part of hiking is that, apart from the occasional small train fare, it’s completely free. Remember that the weather can get a little chilly in the winter months, so be sure to wrap up

Watersports

The Czech Republic might not have a coast, but that doesn’t mean that there are no possibilities for water sports. The Vltava River, which flows through Prague, provides plenty of scope for fun. It’s possible here to go stand up paddle boarding, an entertaining new activity that has taken the city (or at least the river) by storm. It costs 250 CZK to rent a board for an hour, with a lesson costing 500 CZK. For those who wish to go further afield, the town of Český Krumlov a few hours outside of Prague is a popular destination for canoeing and rafting in the summer. It’s accessible by bus from Prague and takes around 3 hours.

For a slightly more laid-back activity, you can rent a paddle boat for only 70 CZK. Available in the centre of Prague, the boats hold four people and result in a fun hour drifting around the river and stopping at bars.

Other sports

Prague is rife with opportunities to test yourself in various sports in addition to those mentioned above. If squash is your game, then head for the Squash Arbes Centrum, near the metro station Andel. You could also try Pro-6 Sport Centrum, by the metro station Rajská zahrada, which is also accessible by catching bus number 186 to Huta.

For squash, badminton, and table tennis, try Squashpoint, close to the metro station Haje. This offers a variety of sports facilities along with a wellness centre and opportunities to try Pilates and Zumba.

Prague might not have any beaches, but it’s still possible to try your hand at beach volleyball when the weather heats up. Head to Beachklub Ládví, a few minutes from the Ládví metro station, to take advantage of 18 beach volleyball pitches and organised activities. At Žluté lázně, easily reached by taking tram number 2, 3, 17, 21, or 52 to Dvorce, you can enjoy summer sports such as beach volleyball and ping pong.

Finally, when the snow thaws and the sun comes out, the people of Prague flock to parks across the city to go roller skating. You can rent skates at numerous locations and take to the many tracks available. Ladronka is a large sports park which offers skate rental and plenty of space to try out your skills, and can be reached by taking tram number 15 or 22 to Vypich. This is just one example of the many skating areas in Prague; other parks include Stromovka by the tram stop Výstaviště (accessible by tram numbers 5, 12, 14, 15, and 17), and Letenské sady near the tram stop Sparta (jump on tram 1, 15, 25, or 16). Skates can be rented on site.

Honest Tips For Your Prague Stay

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