Bologna offers a club for every sport and hobby. Here is a sampling of activities, how to get started and where to find more information. Make sure that you inquire about what kind of medical note you will need from your doctor if you are planning to join a gym, participate in a team sport of any sort or join a running or cycling club. Sport associations and federations are listed under SPORT, while courts, fields and courses are listed under SPORT IMPIANTI E CORSI. For more information, contact the CONI office.
CONI – Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (Italian National Olympic Committee)
via Trattati Comunitari Europei 7
Tel. 051.580542
www.emiliaromagna.coni.it
UISP – Unione Italiana Sportiva (Italian Sporting Union)
via dell’Industria 20
Tel. 051.6013511
www.uisp.it/bologna
UISP organizes teams and classes for just about every kind of water or land sport.
If you’re a university student, consider enrolling in the CUSB – Centro Universitario Sportivo Bolognese (Bologna University Sports Center), the university’s sport organization. You will receive substantial discounts at gyms and sports centers in addition to becoming eligible to sign up for the CUSB’s gym, classes and teams.
CUSB – Centro Universitario Sportivo Bolognese
via San Giacomo 9/2
Tel. 051.4217311
www.cusb.unibo.it
The Dopolavoro Ferroviario organizes many sports clubs, from soccer to archery to waterpolo. They also offer a variety of courses including foreign languages, photography etc.
DLF – Associazione Dopolavoro Ferroviario
via S. Serlio 25/2
Tel. 051.4193180
www.dlfbo.it
INDOOR SPORTS
The website of the Federazione Italiana Fitness (Italian Fitness Federation) lists special fitness trade shows, courses and events. This is also the point of reference if you would like to be certified as a fitness or sports instructor: www.fif.it.
UP Urban Climbing
via del Fonditore 1
www.upurbanclimbing.it
One of a kind climbing gym with indoor and outdoor climbing, for different levels, different ages (they also have courses for children).
Bologna Danza by Gymmoving
via Azzo Gardino 50
Tel. 051.6490476
www.bolognadanza.com
Offers dance of all types: modern, classical, flamenco, hip hop, salsa and more, for all ages, including children.
Arte Danza Bologna
via Castiglione 21
Classical and contemporary ballet courses for children ages 3 and up and also for adults.
In addition to regular membership fees, most gyms require an additional annual registration quota. A medical certificate is obligatory and some larger facilities provide an onsite doctor’s visit. Most gyms offer a weight room and aerobics classes as a part of the base membership. Special courses like spinning, yoga and pilates sometimes cost extra. Do not expect amenities like towels and shampoo in the locker room. Bring your own accappatoio (bathrobe) rather than a towel if you want to fit in and your own lock for your belongings.
Here are a few of the gyms recommended by IWF members.
Atlas AreaFit
via Vezza 22
Tel. 051.251122
www.areafit.it
A variety of courses and equipment, sauna, stream room and bar, student discounts.
Prime Exclusive Wellness Bologna Centro
via Albiroli 5
Tel. 051.237842
One of the few clubs in the city center with an indoor lap pool. Not cheap.
Palestre Italiane Bologna
via San Felice 99
051.6494926
www.palestreitaliane.it/bologna/san-felice
Modern multinational club with wide selection of courses and all the amenities. Economical, attracts a good mix of very young and not so young.
Palestra dè Poeti
via dè Poeti 3
Tel. 051.237919
www.palestradepoeti.it
Smaller facility in centro, student discounts.
Virgin Active Bologna Casalecchio
Centro Commerciale Meridiana
via Aldo Moro 60
Casalecchio di Reno
www.virginactive.it/bologna-casalecchio
Top-of-the-line big city fitness center with the latest equipment, swimming pool, day care and spa.
Crossfit 2 Torri
via Vittorio Bigari 24A
www.crossfit2torri.com
Swimming is a popular means of staying fit in Bologna. Bathing caps and flip-flops in the pool area are mandatory. Like the gym, bring a bathrobe for drying off instead of a towel. You can pay by the visit or buy a slightly discounted ten-visit pass.
For a complete and up-to-date listing of pools and hours, in and around Bologna, check the website of SOGESE www.sogese.com/piscine-e-palestre and CUSB www.cusb.unibo.it/piscina-record-scuola-nuoto-cusb.
In addition, there is a big outdoor and indoor spa & acqua park which offers treatments and different packages for the whole family, set in the beautiful countryside outside Bologna.
Villaggio della Salute Più
via Sillaro 27
Monterenzio
www.villaggiodellasalutepiu.it
Italians swear by the curative properties of their terme (thermal baths), so much so that when prescribed by a doctor, a visit to the terme is covered by the national health care system. Terme may be visited year-round and some have recreational offerings in addition to their natural springs. You may be asked to complete a release form before entering any terme. Don’t forget your cuffia (bathing cap)!
Terme di Castel San Pietro
viale Terme 1113
Castel San Pietro Terme
www.termedicastelsanpietro.it
Terme di Porretta
via Roma 5
Porretta Terme
www.termediporretta.it
ASIA
via Riva Reno 124
Tel. 051.225588
www.asia.it
Zen meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga and Aikido, discounts are offered to CUSB pass holders.
Centro Natura
via degli Albari 4/a
Tel. 051.235643
www.centronatura.it
Yoga and other courses, massage, natural foods restaurant.
Centro Yoga Le Vie
via D’Azeglio 35
Tel. 051.19982056
www.yogalevie.it
Il Melograno
via Lombardia 36
Tel. 051.6241125
www.centromelograno.it