Whoever heard of a gym within a supermarket?! As odd as it may sound, that's where you'll find the…read moreHealthy Living Center and I love, love, love this place! The door to the center is located next to the Prescription counter at Hannaford. it's the one at 900 Central Avenue. It's free to join and most of the classes are free as well. The programs are underwritten by Hannaford supermarkets, CDPHP and the YMCA. It's brilliant. By keeping people healthy we can reduce the staggering costs of medical care and health insurance claims. There are also free courses on healthy eating run by Hannaford nutritionist Fran Weiss. You'll find the staff very supportive. The classes are fun. The majority of members are seniors, but they make everyone feel welcome. If this is a template for fitness, I hope more centers like this one will spring up across the region!

Do you want to start exercising, but don't know how or where to get started? The Healthy Living…read moreCenter is the place for you. Located inside Hannaford, you'll find a small, supportive, comfortable place to start working out. To get started with your free (yes, free) membership, just bring in an ID and the person at the front desk will get you all set up and ready to begin your fitness journey. The gym itself has some resistance based machines (If you've ever been to Curves, think of that) if you would like to work on strength and several choices for cardio, including a bike, treadmills, ellipticals, and a rowing machine. And, don't worry; the people working there will help set you up on any of those machines. If doing your own thing isn't your cup of tea, the Healthy Living Center also offers many classes throughout the day and evening, some free and some paid. You can check their schedule on the website and sign up 2 weeks before a class beginning at 8am for the free classes (they clearly label the paid, more advanced classes, which are often around $7/class - so very reasonable). There are spin classes, zumba, HIIT, circuit classes, urban fit, and more. Options are also available for personal training (fee). Instructors are great at providing modifications in classes so that all ability levels are able to participate. The reason I've been a member here for more than three years is partially the amazing instructors, like Regina, but also the amazing community of members the Healthy Living Center has attracted. You'll be welcomed and supported; you'll also find yourself among a diverse client base. People of all races, sizes, ages, and ability levels use the gym here. I honestly can't say enough positive things about this beloved little gym and, guys, it's free - you have absolutely nothing to lose by checking it out.

Extremely friendly staff and masters. Very helpful to beginners. Many senior rank judokas to…read morepractice against. All ages from 7 to 70 are present at the classes. Relaxed environment but still in keeping with the discipline and respect that comes from judo. Much of what I have experienced is a "learn by doing" atmosphere, which I personally find extremely helpful. However, all of the senior ranks are willing to step out of randori (free practice) and show you a specific technique if you ask. Even while practicing with a senior rank, I have asked to stop and be shown a technique and they have happily helped me. All of the instructors are registered with The Kodokan Institute in Tokyo, Japan and it shows. Not as focused on competition as some schools and clubs, but there are members who compete. It is a small school and there are really just, changing rooms, an office of sorts, and the mats to practice on. Not a very flashy place, but it is made up for in the welcoming environment and great teaching. Pricing is good ($80 a month) which is competitive for any other school in the area. Judogi are available at the school until you buy your own, which you can do through them. At the time of my joining they offer two free lessons (no commitment) and 1 month free if you join the club. They also offer membership with USJA (United States Judo Association) wich is a national dues fee of $50, but will keep you on record as a judoka and keep a record of ranks earned. Practices are held three times a week so there is plenty of time to fit it into your schedule. I am a PhD student at RPI and I still have been able to find time to make it over at least once a week. A kata class is held on fridays for senior ranks as well. Go. Its worth a look if you are even remotely interested in Judo. The friendly staff is wonderful with kids, and the professionalism and level of skill from the masters is worth the time of anyone wanting to learn more about the sport.

I went in there to check it out, as I am a martial artist who is interested in becoming more…read morewell-rounded and am open to learning styles different than my own. During the course of the conversation, the master asked me if I had any martial arts experience. I answered yes. He continued to ask questions; I would have preferred to keep it to myself, however, I answered him. It came out that I am a 4th degree black belt. He found out that I had "only" been training for 15 years, and he wasn't even polite enough to attempt to hide his shock or disgust, even when I explained the belt progression timeline of my martial art to him. His disdain for a martial art that wasn't judo was palpable. Just because a belt system is faster doesn't mean that it's inferior, and as fellow martial artists, we should be attempting to treat one another's arts with respect, or be open to learning about them and their differences. The kicker was when he was explaining the schedule to me, and said, "You can join in tonight if you'd like. Oh wait. A lot of the guys come in on [this night of the week]. You probably wouldn't want to train with them." This was said in a patronizing, condescending tone. Basically, he was assuming a female martial artist wouldn't want to train with men. I can only hope that he doesn't treat all female students at the dojo with such disrespect. While it may be a great environment to train and learn judo, if this master was any indication of the values and tenets they teach to their students, then I'd give it a hard pass and find a place that teaches courtesy and respect to ALL (not just people who agree with us), as well as teaching in a way that promotes both physical and mental strength for women.

I toured and interviewed every single gymnastics studio in the area and picked Dynasty Athletics…read morefor my little one, I've been blown away by the studio in how great the instruction is, and how thoughtful the programming is. The staff all are extremely engaged, the studio is really clean, and the coaching quality is exceptional. My little one is hypermobile so we have to be thoughtful on her form and we have fairly high standards on instruction (I come from a gymnastics background as well)...dynasty athletics has definitely exceeded our expectations. The owner Jamie went out of her way to answer all of my questions as we got started and is out on the floor with the kids as a coach herself. I'm really glad we are here.

It's difficult to find the words to describe AMI. A school? A philosophy? A community? The site is…read morea wonderful place where a philosophy is taught by the institute's founders within a community. There are classes in a variety of topics related to the study of yoga science and meditation, and opportunities for practicing it. All of this in the midst of the beauty of one of the founders' amazing artwork. The basic 6-week Learn to Meditate course is life-changing, though there is a shorter Saturday morning intro class, as well. Experience it yourself! Tonight I enjoyed one of the monthly Friday "Dinner & a Movie" evenings. A delicious catered vegetarian meal (this one Italian) and a film with discussion (this one "A Little Chaos," with Kate Winslet) with a nice group of people. Very enjoyable!!

American Meditation Institute is a wonderful place for learning meditation. I have been a student…read moreat the institute through distance learning and once a year conferences for the past three years. Learning to practice meditation using the teaching has transformed my life and lowered my stress levels significantly. I recommend that everyone at least take the beginning meditation course as a starting point. Meditation is good for everyone but it takes discipline and persistence. Being a part of the institute gives you support to keep learning and growing. Namaste!

Very professional training barn. Jan is incredibly knowledgeable of the Saddlebred breed and Roger…read moredoes an incredible yearling trainer.

If you want to learn to ride or drive, this is the best place around, hands down. Jan is devoted to…read moreher horses and you'll probably end up learning on a two or three time world champion saddlebred horse that will take good care of you. Great place for beginners and older riders too. Very reasonable lesson and board pricing -- you get a lot for your money and the horses are stunningly well taken care of. Oh -- and did I mention the barn and ring is heated? You can ride all winter!!!

I would almost move to Williamstown to be able to come here regularly…read more It is beautiful and well maintained. The sauna with the outdoor spring fed pool for a cold plunge is so incredibly energizing!

I had a fun horseback ride among the hills and forests of Rensselaer County, only 30 mins from the…read morecity of Troy, NY.

Can't say enough good things about this place . Absolutely breath taking trail rides. Our guide…read moreVern was an absolute pleasure. My wife had rode horses for over a decade. They care about all their horses and have had them for many years. We have been all over the country riding. It's a breath of fresh air when you see trail horses not run into the ground and well cared for . Can't wait to rent the cabin in the fall.

The first class I took from Fred McCagg was a leave no trace seminar at the Albany Pine Bush…read morePreserve. Fred was a former Tae Kwon Do instructor of my wife and she vouched for him being a great instructor and fun guy. He didnt disappoint. We then took a snow shoeing class which was more fun than I can admit. Im NOT a fan of the cold but that was worth it to get out and trek around. This past weekend we took a Field Map & Compass starter class. It was a brief overview of compass use, declination, and using the compass to orient the map and yourself. The class ended with a short hike around Schodack Island park. He also does a more in depth map & compass class which ends with a hike up near Lake George. We will definitely be doing that class as well. Fred is a licensed guide who does offer private hikes. Will probably book one for when I get to the more difficult of the 46 peaks. As Fred would say "Get Outdoors!"

Get outdoors and hike with Dynamic Sport Adventures! The licensed guide Fred McCagg is extremely…read moreknowledgeable and you will most definitely learn a lot from him! 10/10 would recommend!!