The winter weather in West Columbia has been apparent this week. And when it’s cold, the inclination to go outside for exercise diminishes. Going to the gym offers a warm, controlled environment, that’s ideal when it’s too cold outside.

The gym is also an excellent, consistent option for staying active in winter, offering physical and mental health benefits. A work out in the gym boosts your mood, increases immunity, and burns calories, according to a Mayo Clinic report. Staying active also enhances endorphins and that helps you fight the winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.)

Fortunately, if you don’t want to go outside to get a workout, there are several gyms in West Columbia.

“We see an uptick in cold weather,” said Daniel Hatfield. He’s the general manager of Revolution Fitness, in Westside Plaza Shopping Center at 2307 Augusta Road. It’s beside Hobby Lobby and used to be MUV. Daniel said physical workouts can: strengthen the mind; enhance mental clarity; improve confidence; and help relieve stress and anxiety.

To keep you active, Revolution Fitness offers: group fitness classes (including Zumba, Step, and Yoga.) also offered are: Small Group Training (semi-private personal training), and one-on-one personal training.

HOTWORX is a different kind of workout.

HOTWORX opened at 114 State St. in West Columbia in December of 2023. HOTWORX is in a remodeled historic River District space. The location was chosen because Owner Tara Johns “fell in love” with West Columbia’s State Street. Two years later, they are glad they came.

“It’s been great. We have clientele from USC, Columbia, Lexington West Columbia and Cayce,” said HOTWORX Manager Addison Price. “And we’re particularly busy in the winter months, when it’s cold outside.”

Christy Henderson of West Columbia said she goes to HOTWORX more when the days are shorter. “A workout there helps my mood and it makes me feel better when the weather is cold,” she said.

HOTWORX offers a virtually instructed exercise program created for users to experience the many benefits of infrared heat absorption, while completing a 30-minute Isometric workout or 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session.

Planet Fitness is another high-profile gym. It’s in West Columbia’s Danwood Shopping Center at 2410 Augusta Road. Heather Parker of West Columbia is a Planet Fitness regular.

“When it’s not so cold I walk outside along Botanical Parkway,” she said. “I am a member of Riverbanks Zoo and I walk on the zoo grounds often. I start my walk on the West Columbia side entrance. But with the cold weather, I go to Planet Fitness. There are more than 10 treadmills there, and I can walk in comfort.”

Planet Fitness offers high-quality fitness with low startup fees, no-commitment options as well as the PF Black Card where you can get added membership perks. It provides a clean and welcoming workout environment with a friendly staff and certified trainers who are ready to help.

There are other gym options in West Columbia, too:

Health Directions, connected to the Lexington Health hospital system, is at 3239 Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia. With colder weather more Health Directions come inside for their fitness training. Health Directions offers boot camps in addition to programs like “Exercise is Medicine ” to teach high-risk participants proper exercise routines.

Temple Gym and Physical Fitness Center is at 536 Meeting Street in West Columbia.Temple offers personal training and group fitness classes including strength training, cardiovascular training, and active recovery.

Granby Village Fitness Center is in the Granby Village Shopping Center at 1505 Charleston Highway, West Columbia It’s an old-school gym featuring free weights, kettlebells and weight-training machines.

Granby Village Fitness Center has a friendly staff, and the gym offers day passes if you want to try it out. Members have access 365 days a year and personal training services.

If it warms up, you can still go outdoors to work-out on West Columbia’s Riverwalk.

Visitors come to Riverwalk to walk, run, and bike. There is also exercise equipment on Riverwalk for a well-rounded workout with a beautiful view of the Congaree River. There are 11 pieces of exercise equipment strategically placed on the Riverwalk path. Get a combination of a strength and cardiovascular workout on the approximately one-mile stretch of the Riverwalk, in either direction from behind the amphitheater.

West Columbia offers many opportunities to keep up your exercise routine. Be sure to contact a local gym and beat the winter cold.