The Woodlands offers residents various opportunities to stay in shape. From healthy eateries and farmers markets to specialty fitness centers, the possibilities for healthy diet and exercise routines are plentiful.
Clara Stanley-President, The Veggie Lady
The Veggie Lady is a healthy foods market in The Woodlands focused on providing the freshest local produce, dairy and beef that is available for its customers.
What makes up a healthy diet? I believe a healthy diet is made up of fresh quality foods, not processed foods. Local produce and meats hold much more nutritional value than the supermarket counterparts. The reason for this is simple. As soon as fruits or vegetables are picked, they begin to lose their nutritional value. No amount of processed foods can take the place of an actual fruit or vegetable.
What are some of the best vegetables for staying fit? Choosing vegetables that are higher in nutritional value are generally the best bet for staying fit, but adding vegetables of any kind is a benefit. If you want more information on nutritional values of various fruits and vegetables you can look up aggregate nutrient density index, or the ANDI index. This is a scale that rates fruits and vegetables on a scale of 1 to 1,000 based on nutrient content.
What are some creative ways to cook and eat vegetables? There are so many ways to prepare vegetables but if you are trying to incorporate more into your family’s diet without a big ruckus, I would suggest roasting some new types of vegetables. I have found that by roasting veggies, even the most unpopular vegetables like turnips and Brussel sprouts turn into family favorites. Roasting browns the outside nicely and concentrates and sweetens the flavor of the vegetable on the inside.
Janice Stepp-Owner at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA
Instructors at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts aim to teach their students self-defense and self-confidence.
What fitness benefits do each of Gracie Barra’s programs offer? For kids, our [Brazilian Jiu Jitsu] and kickboxing programs teach kids self-confidence, awareness, self defense, discipline and gets them moving while having fun. For our adults, our BJJ and kickboxing programs include beginners to professional athletes. They are sure to get a great workout every time they walk through our doors.
How did the business get started? This gym was originally started by a couple of guys who are still very close to each other and have become great friends of mine: Chad Robichaux and Chris Mattarollo. I may own it now, but without my professors, Alex Morono and Alex Gotay, and coaches Raul Cepeda, Carlos Martinez, and Joel Heinen, this place would not run as efficiently as it does.
What is the best advice you have for beginners? Try something new. It’s fun, different, and you can only get better learning new things to benefit your health.
What makes Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing different from working out at a regular gym? This is a totally different experience from all of your other workouts. I’ve done other methods to stay fit, such as gymnastics, group sports, cross training, CrossFit, the traditional gym, you name it. This is different not only for your physical fitness but also your mental health. Our methods teach self-defense and self-confidence. Everyone in our gym is always willing to help and answer questions. Our doors are open to anyone for free trial classes from as young as 4 years old.
Get moving!
Classes/fitness alternatives
Pure Barre 8000 Research Forest Drive, Ste. 110, The Woodlands 281-298-8997 www.purebarre.com
Crossfit Town Center 9391 Grogans Mill Road, Ste. B-8, The Woodlands 281-292-3053 www.crossfittowncenter.com
The Woodlands Yoga Studio 25126 Grogans Park Drive, The Woodlands 936-446-9087 www.thewoodlandsyogastudio.com
Breathe Pilates Studio 25236 Grogans Park Drive, The Woodlands 281-298-5277 www.breathepilatesstudio.net
Texas Academy of dance arts 26803 Hanna Road, Ste. 501, Oak Ridge North 832-663-5336 www.dancetada.com
9Round 3759 FM 1488, Ste. 475, The Woodlands 281-456-3396 www.9round.com
Ciclocorse 8101 Kuykendahl Road, Ste. 500, The Woodlands 832-848-1457 www.ciclocorse.com
Frog Fitness (Opening in July) 2408 Timberloch Place, Ste. C6, The Woodlands 844-837-6443 www.thenextbigthinginfitness.com
Gracie Barra Mixed Martial Arts 606 Rayford Road, Ste. A, Spring 281-298-3662 www.mmathewoodlands.com
Jazzercise at The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands 281-451-3844 www.thewoodlandsumc.org/jazzercise
The Pod 26447 Hanna Road, Oak Ridge North 281-719-0816 www.podaquatics.com
Fitness clubs
Legends Sports Complex 602 Pruitt Road, The Woodlands 281-298-5700 www.thelegendssportscomplex.com
VillaSport Fitness Club 4141 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands 832-585-0822 www.villasport.com/tw
Goose’s Acre running club 21 Waterway Ave., Ste. 140, The Woodlands 281-466-1502 www.thegoosesacre.com/run-the-woodlands
BioMetrix (opening this summer) 8845 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands 844-800-4450 www.biometrixlife.com
The Woodlands Running Club Locations vary www.facebook.com/groups/50051864120/
Shadow Bend YMCA 6145 Shadow Bend Place, The Woodlands 281-369-4106 www.ymca.net
South Montgomery County Family YMCA 8100 Ashlane Way, The Woodlands 281-367-9622 www.ymca.net
Fitness Club 24 24525 Gosling Road, Ste. D, The Woodlands 281-516-7606 www.fitclubtwentyfour.com
Woodlands Strength and Conditioning 22820 I-45 N., Ste. 4N, Spring 281-881-6538 www.woodlandsstrength.com
