Best Of2025

Best of Cincinnati 2025 Issue Cover
Best of Cincinnati 2025 Issue Cover

Best Retro Uniforms

This could cause some fierce debate, but the debut of Xavier University’s early 2000s white retro uniforms was one of the most well-executed campaigns we have seen in this city for some time. Beginning early in the week, the athletic department at Xavier began planting mysterious QR codes around the campus and surrounding areas, including a link to a YouTube video that mysteriously teased the return of these classic jerseys. Calling back to the David West era of Xavier men’s hoops in the early aughts, it provided the team with the necessary push to get a key win over the Creighton Bluejays, looking crisp as ever while doing it. goxavier.com.

Sports & Recreation

Image: Sports & Recreation
Here are the 2025 Best Of Cincinnati® Reader and Staff Pick winners for Sports & Recreation.

Best Barre: Body Alive

  1. Body Alive
  2. Mayerson JCC
  3. Pure Barre

Best Bengal (Current): Joe Burrow

  1. Joe Burrow
  2. Ja'Marr Chase
  3. Tee Higgins

Best Biking Trail: Loveland Bike Trail

  1. Loveland Bike Trail
  2. Little Miami Scenic Trail
  3. Lunken Airport Bike Path

Best Climbing Gym: Climb Cincy

  1. Climb Cincy
  2. Rockquest
  3. Climb Time Oakley

Best Coach/Manager Pro/College: Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati)

  1. Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati)
  2. Zac Taylor (Bengals)
  3. Wes Miller (UC Men's Basketball)

Best FC Cincinnati Player (Current): Nick Hagglund

  1. Nick Hagglund
  2. Luca Orellano
  3. Roman Celentano

Best Golf Course (Public): Aston Oaks Golf Club

  1. Aston Oaks Golf Club
  2. Blue Ash Golf Course
  3. Devou Park Golf Course
  4. The Golf Club at Stonelick Hills
  5. Avon Fields
  6. Little Miami Golf Center
  7. Shaker Run Golf Club
  8. Twin Oaks
  9. Elks Run
  10. Beckett Ridge Golf Club

Best Health Club/Gym: YMCA

  1. YMCA
  2. Mayerson JCC
  3. Activate Brain & Body

Best Hiking Trail: Cincinnati Nature Center

  1. Cincinnati Nature Center
  2. Miami Whitewater Forest
  3. Ault Park
  4. Mt. Airy Forest
  5. Loveland Bike Trail
  6. East Fork State Park
  7. Sharon Woods
  8. Winton Woods
  9. Bender Mountain Nature Preserve
  10. Devou Park Backcountry Trail

Best Jogging Trail: Loveland Bike Trail

  1. Loveland Bike Trail
  2. Sharon Woods
  3. Wasson Way
  4. Smale Riverfront Park
  5. Lunken Airport Bike Path
  6. Ault Park
  7. Eden Park
  8. Winton Woods
  9. Voice of America MetroPark
  10. Cincinnati Nature Center

Best Overall Athlete (Local): Joe Burrow

  1. Joe Burrow
  2. Rose Lavelle
  3. (TIE) Jackie the Ripper (Cincinnati Rollergirls) and Elly De La Cruz

Best Personal Training/Crossfit Gym: ProForce Sports Performance

  1. ProForce Sports Performance
  2. Activate Brain & Body
  3. Queen City CrossFit

Best Pick-Up Basketball Court: Blue Ash Recreation Center

  1. Blue Ash Recreation Center
  2. Oakley Recreation Center
  3. Observatory Park

Best Pickleball Courts: Sawyer Point

  1. Sawyer Point
  2. Fifty West Burger Bar
  3. Aces Pickleball Bar + Grill

Best Pilates: Body Alive

  1. Body Alive
  2. Embra
  3. The Breathing Room

Best Place to Camp: Red River Gorge

  1. Red River Gorge
  2. Hocking Hills
  3. Miami Whitewater Forest

Best Public Pool: Ziegler Park

  1. Ziegler Park
  2. Cincinnati Sports Club
  3. Mt. Adams Pool

Best Red: Elly De La Cruz

  1. Elly De La Cruz
  2. Hunter Greene
  3. (TIE) Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson

Best Running/Biking Event: Flying Pig Marathon

  1. Flying Pig Marathon
  2. Hudepohl 14K/7K Brewery Run
  3. Queen Bee Half Marathon