1st Place: The Great Outdoors
2nd Place: Highland Fitness
3rd Place: YMCA

With the open bike paths, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, who wouldn’t want to exercise outdoors? The Chippewa Valley has many places for people to get fit, which is why The Great Outdoors holds the top spot for the second year. People work up a sweat from walking, rollerblading, biking, and running along the Chippewa River trails while we ease into fall. Kicking it up a step in services offered and placement in the poll is Highland Fitness. With three locations, personal trainers, and lenient hours, their popularity has increased from third to second place in the past year. The YMCA of Eau Claire provides a weight room, cardio room, and pool for those who want to take a dip, and the convenient location downtown is vital for a lot of the members. – Emily Diehl