Pursuit OCR

Toronto getting a massive indoor obstacle course

Do you long for a time when it was socially acceptable to spend hours swinging from monkey bars, wading through ball pits and climbing up jungle gyms? A new Toronto gym will will soon let you harken back to those carefree days while helping you to get fit.

Pursuit OCR, located on Dufferin just north of Queen, is a 10,000 square-foot facility and when it opens, it'll be Canada's only indoor adult obstacle course.

"It's an alternative fitness space," say Wil Mclean, who founded Pursuit along with Eddie Chan who owns Bolt Fresh Bar. He wants to avoid the machismo attitudes that permeate many traditional gyms to create a centre that's welcoming to everyone, regardless of their fitness level.

Mclean runs RedGate Bodyworks in West Queen West and is also known for hosting Shameless Karaoke event at the Gladstone Hotel. It seems like he's bringing the same sense of fun to Pursuit OCR. "The whole idea is, you go in there and you sort of play the way kids play at a McDonalds playland," he says describing the course, which will have 19 obstacles.

Along with the giant playground, Pursuit will hold group exercise classes mainly focusing on gymnastics and dynamic flexibility. According to the gym's Facebook page, you'll even be able to learn hand-balancing from a former Cirque du Soleil performer.

Pursuit will also be one the only places downtown offering cryotherapy. While freezing yourself may not sound appealing, many professional athletes and celebrities tout the benefits of standing in a cryogenic chamber (usually -120 C or colder) for a few minutes.

Later this week Pursuit will launch an Indiegogo campaign to help it expand its program offerings. On Sunday mornings, for instance, McLean wants to turn the obstacle course into an indoor park for families.

During the rest of the week, Pursuit's obstacle course will be scalable for all fitness levels, from hardcore athletes to those completely new to working out. It's set to open mid-September. Day passes will cost $20; a 10 pack of passes will set you back $150.

What do you think of Pursuit OCR? Let us know in the comments.

Photo via Pursuit OCR on Facebook.


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