As we get in to month 2 of New Years Resolution time, I realized I needed to write about other options to take advantage of when it comes to working out. We all know the big box gyms, what they are all about, the cost associated, and all they have to offer. But I got to thinking, there’s other options and a lot of people don’t know about them! So here I have compiled a list of the top 5 alternatives to a traditional gym. I would love to hear your comments and ways that you have pivoted and created new and innovative ways to get your workouts in.
Boutique Fitness
While boutique studios had started rising in popularity in the 2010’s, once the Covid madness hit, these small businesses took a HUGE hit. Most of the time, boutique fitness studios are owned and operated by someone in your community. They are regular people who are usually incredibly passionate about fitness and usually particularly keen on certain brand or modality and want to share it with their community. These boutique studios are sometimes limited in what they offer but if you are super excited about one type of workout and money isn’t really a factor (as these studios tend to be relatively expensive) this is probably a great choice for you. Not only that, but you will be supporting a small business owner! Some studios I have worked for are Cyclebar, Shred415, and local yoga studios. Studios I have worked out at are Dose Yoga, Flowcorps, AKT, and Yoga Soullective.
Martial Arts or Boxing Studio
This is a personal favorite of mine because I thoroughly enjoy martial arts and boxing. I love punching things and kicking things and getting my aggression out and on a pad or focus mitts. There are probably a bunch of local martial arts studios in your area but sometimes you have to look hard for them. They sometimes don’t have a heavy social media presence and tend to rely on word-of-mouth referrals from their base of supporters. This one can be a little intimidating if it’s your first time. I remember taking my first class at Krav Maga Raleigh and I was really nervous. The instructor made me feel really comfortable though and I had such a great time. Knuckle Up Boxing Gym is also an incredible studio with an amazing owner, staff, and gym. My daughter boxed there for a while when she wasn’t able to play soccer. Most of these gyms also offer a free introductory class to see if you like it before you pay for a membership. This is a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and speed.
Home Gyms and Fitness Apps
This option is really for those who tend to be fairly self motivated and may not like the idea of having to travel to go to a gym. Maybe you are home with kids and can only get in a 20 minute workout while the kids nap. Maybe you have a small apartment gym and you don’t know what to do with the equipment that is there. There are some really cool apps that can cater to your specific needs and requirements. Some of the apps I have used are the Peloton app, iFit, and Planet Fitness. If you are short on time, you can filter your workouts to any length. If you don’t have any equipment, you can filter the workouts to be just bodyweight. And if you want to focus on a certain body part, you can filter for that. There are also some really great youtube videos and content that is absolutely free! My own personal favorite youtuber is The Fitness Marshall!
ClassPass
This goes back to number 1 a little bit. If you really like boutique studios but don’t really want to restrict yourself to just one, Classpass is a really great option. You can choose to purchase a certain amount of credits each month that will enable you to use multiple studios at once. I know a LOT of people who take advantage of this option. You can also use it in other cities if you travel a lot. I always enjoy taking classes at other studios in different cities. The one drawback of this option is that there are some cities that have limited options, some classes are more “expensive” than others in that they require more credits, and once you use your credits, you have to purchase more. However, this is a much more cost effective option than having multiple memberships at different locations.
Take up a sport!
This is another fun one! Believe it or not, there are probably a bunch of options to join leagues of different sports in your area. I know in Raleigh there are leagues for golf, kickball, soccer, pickleball, tennis, dodgeball, and softball to name a few. There are run clubs, cycle clubs, and racquetball clubs. If any one of these is appealing to you just do a quick google search or check for facebook groups. There’s something out there for everyone!
Whatever you decide is the best option for you is going to be good. It’s great to get your body moving and it’s also a really cool way to meet new people. Some of my favorite people I have met working out! What are your favorite ways to integrate movement and fitness into your life?
