Bachelorettes weren’t part of the original business model, says Dan D’Agostino, Go Ape USA’s managing director, who just launched a second location in Williamsburg. But wedding parties now represent 5 percent of the company’s sales. “I’ve been told by visitors that it’s the one healthy activity everybody can do. You don’t have to be a great golfer or know how to ride a mountain bike,” he says. 

It’s also an activity men are willing to do for bachelor parties. Ben Prosser, 29, who lives near Baltimore, had no clue what his friends had in store for him. “But they know me pretty well. I’m a gym rat, a runner and I like the great outdoors.

“A typical bachelor party wouldn’t do it for me,” says Prosser, who was psyched to have a morning with his buddies flailing, making fools of themselves and hollering like Tarzan. 

“Then we took off for Dewey Beach and did more typical bachelor party shenanigans. But I didn’t have to lie about one thing,” he says. “My wife was thrilled.” 

Guys looking to please their fiancees may also want to explore rock climbing. Earth Treks, a climbing gym with locations in Rockville, Columbia and Timonium, used to see one booking a year for climbing classes for bachelors and bachelorettes. Last year, it had five. “Some of them think it’s an original idea and they’re surprised to find out they’re not the first,” says programming coordinator Amy Gounaris. 

Given that rock climbing involves learning how to belay — which means helping hold the rope so your partner doesn’t fall off the wall — it’s a good preparation for marriage, adds Lillian Chao-Quinlan, president of Sportrock Climbing Centers, which has locations in Alexandria and Sterling. “Since you’re expecting your wedding party to do things for you, it’s not a bad test,” she says. 

Other fitness facilities sensing an opportunity to attract bachelorette parties include Epic Yoga, just south of Dupont Circle. Studio director Emma Saal has been coordinating a deal with a nail salon so it’s easy to do both activities. And indoor cycling studios Revolve in Arlington and ZenGo in Bethesda have clients setting up their first bachelorette events. 

“I’ve turned 30, I’m getting married, I want to be in shape,” says Kelly Weaver of Kensington, who heads to ZenGo three times a week. “This is important to me — it’s what I do with my time. I want everyone to reap the benefits and feel good, and maybe I’ll jump-start a friend’s fitness routine.” 

Or at least have a good party.

Hallett edits the Fit section of Express.