Best Workouts in Boston
Bostonians don't always get a good rep for their sense of style, but we do pretty well in the fitness department here. There's constantly a new boutique studio opening up, an outdoor class to enjoy in the summer, or a unique class to try.
I feel like I have a pretty good grip on fitness studios and classes in Boston after living here for almost four years, and working at a spa and fitness studio for a majority of that time. I went into detail in February about my fitness journey and how I stay motivated, so make sure to check that out if you haven't already! As a disclaimer, my favorite ways to exercise are spinning, yoga and cardio/weights at the gym, so this post focuses on studios that specialize in this.
exhale: I've talked and posted about exhale a few times before, but want to thank them for truly getting me interested and involved in the Boston fitness community when I started working there in September 2014. I joke that my relationship with exhale is the longest one I've had outside of my friendships, and it's true. Since graduating from college in December, I have stayed on as a "sub" and fill in desk shifts when needed, because I could never truly leave this community.
If you've never been before, try out their Core Fusion Sport for heart-pumping pushups and jumpbacks or Core Fusion Yoga for the perfect blend of burn-inducing isometric movements and stretches. If that doesn't sound like your thing, their yoga classes are amazing and have truly opened my eyes and help me re-center through meditation. In the summer, Battery Wharf offers waterfront yoga classes that you MUST go to, and a cycling studio is also coming in mid-May! The facilities are beautiful and so calming from your daily grind, and I haven't even talked about how much I love our spa therapies. Of course, all of our teachers are wonderful, but give Chrissy, Caitlin, and Amy a try!
New Guest Offers: 2 classes for $25 (valid for two weeks), unlimited classes for $30 (valid for one week)
battery wharf: 2 battery wharf boston, ma 02110 (617-603-3100)
back bay: 28 arlington street boston, ma 02113 (617-532-7000)
the handle bar: This place is my absolute sanctuary. With three locations in Southie, Fenway (my studio!), and Harvard Square, there's likely one that works for you and a class time that works for your schedule. They are always announcing fun theme rides, offer a variety of classes, and every teacher will kick your booty. Another plus is how attentive they are to their riders, from social media to in-class, you can tell they really care. Raisa + Matthew L. always have killer playlists and teach an amazing class!
New Rider Offers: $10 first class, $15 drop-in class for students
fenway: 1336 boylston street boston, ma 02115 (857-239-9789)
southie: 141 dorchester avenue boston, ma 02127 (617-451-1270)
harvard square: 1030 massachusetts avenue boston, ma 02138 (617-714-3367)
boston sports club: You can catch me at the gym almost every day, even if it's just for a quick 20 minutes on the elliptical. BSC has several locations around the city, with additional classes and services based on your location. Like other gyms, you can sign up for a membership by location or a city pass that allows you to go between all of them.
New Guest Offers: one month pass for $30 (valid for 30 days)
allston: 15 gorham street allston, ma 02134 (617-731-4177)
+ 27 more locations throughout the region
I don't go to these studios as regularly as I do the ones I shared above, but I still wanted to give them credit where it's due for giving me a great work out!
B/SPOKE: With two studios in FiDi and Wellesley with classes taught by killer instructors, Aēsop products, hip hop rides, and a pop-up studio on the Cape in the summer, so what's not to love? Aly and Victoria are total bad-asses and respectively teach yoga and Core Fusion at exhale too!
New Guest Offers: through April 15, your first ride is free! (normally $15)
boston: 101 federal street boston, ma 02110 (617-951-9900)
wellesley: 50 central street wellesley, ma 02482 (781-772-1920)