Winter Fitness Plan

The new year is well underway, and many people are working toward fitness resolutions they made for 2025. However, cold weather can often derail plans to be more active. If you find that winter is hampering your motivation to exercise, you can bring your workout indoors with various recreation opportunities available on the plateau. Highlands and Cashiers have fitness centers open to the public that are affordable and exceptionally well-maintained options for those striving to move more.

Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center

Located at 355 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers, the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center is operated by Jackson County and offers a 25,000-square-foot facility with a fitness center, indoor track, basketball courts, aerobics room, meeting space and locker rooms with shower facilities. The fitness center includes a weight room and cardio corner, and there is a full lineup of group fitness classes six days per week in the aerobics room and gym, including spin, Zumba and yoga, with sessions developed especially for seniors. There is also room to play pickleball and volleyball, and those who are interested in walking may use the indoor track; 14 laps equal 1 mile.

“A lot of people prefer to walk inside rather than outside,” said Saxon Pratt, Assistant Director of the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department. “The track is a popular option in winter. It’s always going to be good weather in the gymnasium.”

Those who want to join the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center may purchase a 12-visit pass good two years for $80 (Jackson County residents) or $135 (non-residents)—monthly and six-month or yearly memberships are also available. Fees for individual residents range from $70 for a monthly membership to $600 for an annual membership. Non-residents may join at a slightly higher rate. Family memberships are also available with discounts for seniors, students and the military. Memberships cover everything except personal training, including access to the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Its new Olympic-sized indoor pool opened in December and offers lap swimming and aquatics classes such as Aqua Zumba. And, if you just want a warm place to get in some steps, a six-month walking membership is available for $20, offering access to the track in the gym.

While the center has about 1,500 members, Pratt said this is a good time to join and take full advantage of the offerings because winter is a slower time of year before the spring crowds arrive.

“When it’s cold and windy, the Rec Center is a great place to come,” Pratt said. “Basically, we offer a little bit of everything. This is the time to try different things and get out of the cold for the winter months. From Easter to Thanksgiving, we are going full throttle.”

The Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm. Some classes require advance registration. For more information is available at rec.jacksonnc.org.

Highlands Civic Center

The Highlands Civic Center, operated by the Town of Highlands, is located in Recreation Park and is the center for most recreational activities in the Highlands area. The Parks and Recreation Department offices are within the center with a gymnasium, meeting rooms and fitness center. It is located at 600 North 4th Street, a short walk from downtown.

Recreation Director Lester Norris says, “The center has been around since the mid-1980s, but programming has expanded over time to include a full array of activities suited to varied interests and fitness levels. We have great facilities for a small town.”

Highlands’ facilities are heated and indoor. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9 pm, Saturday from 10 to 9 pm and Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5. Prices are reasonable.

In addition to exercise classes such as step aerobics and kickboxing there is a full line of fitness equipment. The facility also has a pool heated to 82 degrees with a retractable cover to keep the deck comfortable year-round. The pool offers water aerobics classes and adult lap and free swim during the earlier part of the day.  Children may swim in the afternoons while lifeguards are on duty. Remodeled dressing rooms are also available to use.

“The water temperature is good,” Norris said. “People really enjoy it.”

Fitness center memberships for one person or families are available for durations of one day, one week, one month, three months, six months and one year. Fees for individuals range from $45 for a one-month membership to $200 for a one-year membership. Pool memberships may be purchased separately or combined with the fitness center. Some fitness classes incur additional fees charged by the individual instructor. Those who purchase at least a one-month membership get 24-hour access to the area housing the cardio equipment and weights, which is a popular option for those who want the convenience of a workout anytime.

In addition to exercise opportunities, many of the amenities—including the pool, meeting rooms and gymnasium—may be rented for birthday parties, anniversaries, showers, weddings, business gatherings and other special occasions. For more information on everything the Highlands Recreation Department has to offer, visit www.highlandsnc.org/recreation.