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Boy playing baseball
Photo courtesy YMCA

2017 Family Favorites: Sports and Fitness

#FitFam! Ready to roll, run, and swing your way across Denver? When it’s time to get moving, we recommend these high-energy, reader-approved programs and classes.

Baseball or T-Ball Program

Top Five

City and County of Broomfield Recreation

Denver Parks and Recreation

i9 Sports

Stapleton All Sports

YMCA Baseball

The Winner

YMCA Baseball

Seven metro locations

720-524-2700 | denverymca.org

Whether your all-star is a preschool-aged little slugger, a kindergarten T-ball champ, or a school-aged player ready for pitching, the Y’s coed offerings cater to all ability levels, preschool through sixth grade. Instruction centers on skill development and sportsmanship. Teams practice and play weekly during three seasons: spring, summer, and fall.

Basketball Program

Top Five

Denver Parks and Recreation

Gold Crown Foundation

i9 Sports

TOT Teams of Tomorrow

YMCA Youth Basketball

The Winner

i9 Sports

Dozens of metro locations | i9sports.com

This national youth sports organization delivers outstanding and organized basketball programming to Colorado boys and girls ages three to 14. At i9 Sports, the goal is to help kids succeed in life through sports. With that mission in mind, drills and games give players a chance to learn about sportsmanship while brushing up on fundamental basketball skills.

Ice Arena

Top Five

Big Bear Ice Arena

Edge Ice Arena

Family Sports Center

Ice Centre at the Promenade

Joy Burns Arena at University of Denver

The Winner

Ice Centre at the Promenade

10710 Westminster Blvd., Westminster | 303-469-2100 | icecentre.com

Qualified skating instructors are standing by for small group lessons in beginning and competitive skating and ice hockey, at this family-friendly ice rink. But you don’t have to be a serious skater to enjoy the ice. Take a few laps during public skate hours or try drop-in hockey. The center also hosts birthday parties and seriously fun games of broomball.

Martial Arts Studio

Top Five

Jeet Kune Do (JKD) Colorado

Synergy Martial Arts & Fitness

Tiger Kim’s Academy

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Lone Tree

Victory Martial Arts, Golden

The Winner

Tiger Kim’s Academy

1480 Steele St., Denver | 303-388-1408 | tigerkim.com

For four decades, Grandmaster Tiger Kim’s award-winning studio has incorporated the three major Korean martial arts of Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, and Hapkido into classes and camps that teach physical technique along with respect and discipline. Students strengthen their minds and bodies during hour-long classes. This family-friendly studio also hosts kickboxing classes, women’s self-defense workshops, and drop-off movie nights.

Ski Lessons for Kids

Top Five

Breckenridge Child Ski & Ride School

Copper Mountain Ski & Ride School

Keystone Ski & Ride School

Loveland Ski & Ride School

The Ski + Ride School at Winter Park

The Winner

Keystone Ski & Ride School

100 Dercum Sq., Keystone | 970-496-4170 | keystoneresort.com

From its youth lessons at Camp Keystone to private family lessons and traditional full- and half-day group lessons, Keystone Ski & Ride School fits the needs of skiers and snowboarders of all ages and ability levels. Guests also enjoy unique perks including front-of-the-line chair lift access and insider knowledge on everything from the best restaurants to secret powder stashes.

Soccer Program

Top Five

Broomfield Soccer Club

Colorado Soccer Buddies

Colorado Storm Soccer

Lil” Kickers Stapleton

Skyline Soccer Association

The Winner

Colorado Soccer Buddies

Three metro locations | 719-330-9642 | coloradosoccerbuddies.com

Colorado Soccer Buddies is the only child development soccer program of its kind. Players ages 10 months to 12 years are encouraged to think outside the net—literally—as they learn without balls or nets. Because kids learn best through imaginative play, coaches focus on delivering a nontraditional curriculum designed to develop skills, as well as coordination and confidence.

Swim Lessons

Top Five

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Colorado Swim School

Ocean First Swim School

SafeSplash Swim School

Swim Otters Swim & Ocean Fitness School

The Winner

Ocean First Swim School

3015 Bluff St., Boulder | 303-444-7234 | oceanfirst.blue

SSI-certified teachers emphasize safety and confidence during group classes tailored to age and ability level. Ocean First puts on a water safety program, too, and snorkel and scuba lessons. And little fish won’t freeze their fins off here. Ocean First’s pool is heated to 89 degrees, and has both a shallow end and deep well to help newbies progress quickly.

Tumbling or Gymnastics Program

Top Five

5280 Gymnastics

Dardano’s School of Gymnastics

Gymnastics at Apex Simms Street Center

Gymnastics Unlimited

The Little Gym

The Winner

Gymnastics at Apex Simms Street Center

11706 W. 82nd Ave., Arvada 303-467-7127 | apexprd.org/facilities/apex-simms-street-center

Apex Simms Street Center offers gymnastics, dance, and cheer instruction for all ability levels and ages, from newborn to 18. Programming is available for both recreational and competitive gymnastics. If your child is five years old or younger, drop in for Pint Size Play Time, when youngsters can explore the facility’s gymnastics equipment with a parent or guardian.

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