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commonly played in the United States.
Skating continues to be very popular, especially in-line
skating. It's not uncommon to see people skating down streets and
sidewalks, or on special paths in parks and along urban lakes and
waterfronts. In-line skating has largely replaced roller skating (on
four-wheeled skates), but there are still roller rinks where you can
skate indoors and listen to music. Ice rinks are widely available for
ice skaters, and people also skate on frozen lakes and ponds in
winter.
FITNESS FREAKS
Although there are many severely overweight Americans, there
are just as many who regularly do some kind of exercise. In this
land where people will not walk to the store, walking as a form of
exercise is incredibly popular in all its forms, from casual strolling
to intense power walking. Jogging and running are other popular
and inexpensive forms of exercise.
Gyms and health clubs are found everywhere. They can be
quite affordable; so many people have memberships, which they
probably don't use as often as they intended to when they first
joined. However, the people who do go regularly tend to talk about
time they spend in the gym with an almost religious zeal.
MOVIES AND THEATERS
Watching movies is another very popular leisure activity, both
at home on video and TV, and at movie theaters. Movie tickets are
not very expensive, with tickets costing between $5 and $10.
Movie theaters and multiplexes also offer a variety of discount,
such as reduced prices before a certain time or on a particular day.
There are also discount theaters that show movies that have already
played at regular theaters (first-run theaters) for a while.
Admission to these second-run theatres is only about $1 to $2.
Some cities also have revival or art movie theaters, which
specialize in foreign and art films, as well as classic old movies.
Most Americans use the word "movie" when talking about a
film, although "film" is also used, especially when referring to the