Find your fitness game for 2019

Late January is a great time to recharge those New Year's resolutions with a new activity or exercise plan.

“Beginning your fitness journey now will make your summer a more enjoyable experience,” say the experts at Peak Health and Wellness Center.

But you don't have to wait until summer to have fun while getting fit.

Peak's Tennis Center in Hayden has four new, indoor pickleball courts, the only indoor courts in the area dedicated to the quickly growing sport.

Peak will host a grand opening of the pickleball courts on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Hayden Tennis Center, with a complimentary, level-based, open play pickleball event.

“One of the biggest attractions of pickleball is that everyone can play it,” said Peak Health and Wellness managing partner Gary Retter. “It's easy and one of the most addictive sports. It's just fun.”

A paddle sport, pickleball is described as a mashup of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Pickleball players hit a plastic ball similar to a whiffle ball, over a net that's a bit lower than a tennis net.

The game's popularity has seen meteoric growth in recent years.

The number of players has jumped by more than 10 percent, year over year, for much of the last decade. There were 2.8 million pickleball players in the U.S. in 2017, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's Participant Report.

Retter said it reminds him of the rise of another sport.

Racquetball was just gaining popularity back in 1982 when the Ironwood Athletic Club, now a Peak Health and Wellness Center, first opened. The game soon rocketed into the nation's recreation and sports culture.

“I feel this is exactly what's happening with pickleball,” Retter said. “We're so excited about being involved in the growth of pickleball.”

Every dues paying member at Peak Health and Wellness has access to the pickleball courts in Hayden, and guests can pay a $10 guest fee to play, Retter said.

The center offers an introductory pickleball workshop, with classes on Tuesday mornings, and offers open play times with designated levels of play.

For those seeking other ways to get in shape, Peak Health and Wellness Centers offer a variety of programs and fitness equipment.

Peak has three locations, Peak CDA is located in the Ironwood hospital district. Peak Post Falls is located next to Super 1 Foods on Mullan Avenue. Peak Hayden is located near the Prairie Shopping Center.

Each club will host an open house on a special day this month.

Peak Post Falls - Wednesday, Jan. 23

Peak CDA - Thursday, Jan. 24

Peak Hayden - Friday, Jan. 25

On those days there will be special demonstrations at each facility from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.thepeakid.com