Schroon Laker.com is about to bestow a new crown on our little slice of Adirondack paradise: the new Fitness Capital of the 'Dacks!

Besides hosting the Adirondack Long Distance Festival with neighboring hamlets, and our premiere 1-Eyed Bike Riding Classic, Schroon entrepreneurs have not been slouches on the fitness front.

The trail blazer for introducing organized fitness to Schroon is the one and only Deb Philp, who took a huge gamble -- and at the same time fulfilled a dream -- by opening True North Yoga.

From humble beginnings in a church basement, to her landmark, gorgeous Zen palace on Main Street, Deb introduced many to the joys of Hatha,Vinyasa, Restorative and chair yoga.

And we would be remiss in not mentioning True North’s belly dancing lessons, featuring Natalie, from Montreal.

Zumba gurus Cathy Peace and Anna Bentley Hay have really got us jumping!!! They have shown all age groups the joys of working off the pounds in a fun and supportive way, in classes that are both free and fee based.

And as we reported recently, Schroon now has Spin Cycle classes, introduced by Wendy Ryan. Wendy will get your heart pumping and the sweat flying off you as you ride your way around Schroon Lake from her studio, which overlooks the lake.

**Wendy Ryan. Photo Schroon Laker Collection**

These activities of course compliment the great, outdoor sports like biking and kayaking. If you are a full timer or here on vacation, be sure to check out Mountain Air Adventures, run by Towne Store owners Bob and Patti Mehm.

From new Trek bikes to Pelican kayaks and canoes, Bob can deliver to your door step, or drop you and one their kayaks or canoes in at any point along the Schroon River. Our favorite drop in point is at the bridge on Route 74. The ride is picturesque, smooth and easy.

The rentals are affordable and the service is outstanding. Find out more details here.

The Schroon Lake Marina also rents kayaks and was the first local business to introduce Stand Up Paddle Boards (which they also sell). The Marina’s Craig Kennedy swears by them and he’s in the majority.

The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor Participation Report, stand up paddling was listed as the most popular outdoor activity among first-time participants with 56% of all the first-time participants of outdoor activities in 2013, beating boardsailing/windsurfing which had 43% of first-time participants in 2013. The report also cited the median age for stand up paddling in 2013 as 28, accounting for 63% of all the men and 56% of all the women who participated in outdoor activities during 2013

And of course we are blessed with a whole lot of free physical activities: running, jogging, power walking and hiking. Not forgetting the town's golf course and tennis and basketball courts and a crazy little game called Pickleball.