From SFBW’s sister publication, Lifestyle magazines
It’s a new year, which means it’s time for those all-too familiar resolutions. You know the drill: Eat healthier. Exercise more. Lose the unwanted pounds. Crush the miniskirt.
Fortunately, South Florida offers more than its share of no-frills, chain and boutique gyms—as well as some specialized concepts for those interested in a workout beyond free weights and treadmills.
Whether you want the graceful moves of a Cirque du Soleil performer or the stamina of a boxer, check out the following studios that are ready to work your calves, delts and everything in between.
Location: 6161 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
About: Cycleward, owned by Lisa Anderson (pictured), is Fort Lauderdale’s first and largest indoor cycling studio, offering a high-stimulus workout that includes pulsating music, videos, black-light illumination, and performance metrics projected on a 65-inch-by-80-inch screen. Pump & Grind is the studio’s latest offering, which combines a 45-minute ride to music videos followed by 15 minutes of floor work with kettle bells and resistance bands. Remember to book your bike: Classes are limited to eight clients. Other ways to prepare include drinking water before, during and after your workout, eating a snack 30 minutes before class, and coming early to adjust your bike for seat position and handle bar height.
Website: cyclewardstudio.com
Photo by James Woodley
Locations: 8221 Glades Road, Suite 13, Boca Raton
500 NE Spanish River Blvd., No. 1, Boca Raton
About: Intensityx3 will give you a knockout body well before the 12th round. Training with a group (members are treated like family), you’ll sweat through a combination of kickboxing with fat-blasting and muscle-defining workouts. Classes have three components: Fight—Kickboxing is the foundational program targeting the core through constant twisting and impact. Burning through it all, you’ll throw at least 590 calories out of the ring. Lift—Resistance training gives muscle its shape, increasing resting metabolism and improving hormonal balance. Flight—With the latest craze, high intensity interval training, you’ll improve your cardiovascular system and muscle endurance through intense bursts of activity followed by less-intense exercise or rest. Enjoy knowing you’ll continue to burn calories well into the next day.
Website: intensityx3.com
Location: 2039 Harrison St., Hollywood
About: Ever wondered how Cirque du Soleil dancers perform their acrobatic feats? Now, you can learn about aerial dance and take aerial circuit classes with Ashley Neptune, a former Rockette who performed at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Weekly group classes are held at the Hollywood-based Polestars studio, where Neptune gets attendees off the ground in no time. The aerial circuit classes provide an introduction to the cirque star’s tool kit, including the aerial hammock and silk; heart- and moon-shaped hoops called lyras; slings, poles, chains and nets. In aerial dance, you’ll learn to do drops, rolls and all the tricks you’ll need to master gravity-defying choreography.
Website: ashleyneptune.com
Location: 4861 N. Dixie Highway (Champions for Life), Oakland Park
10016 Griffin Road (Kicks Martial Arts), Cooper City
About: At Mommycise’s two Broward County locations, it’s possible to take care of you without leaving your baby. The signature one-hour Mommy Fitness class includes fat-burning intervals, strength training, cardio and stretching. No heavy lifting here: Each class is specifically designed to get moms back to exercising, using postnatal-safe workouts that incorporate resistance bands, stability balls—and your baby. Yoga and prenatal classes are also available, while additional programs help little ones develop sensory-motor skills. Classes are suitable for babies as young as six weeks and up to toddlers.
Website: mommycise.com
Location: 1215 NE 17th Court, Fort Lauderdale
About: You’ll have a “peace out” experience at this yoga and dance place, where the team promises to create a community-minded and feel-good space. Whether it’s a new position or rhythmic move you seek, your instructor will guide you to be as mentally and soulfully fit as physically adroit. Dance classes, for every level, include Broadway Jazz, CardioFunk and Belly Dance Fusion. Debuting this month is Tap 101. As for yoga, early risers might enjoy Morning Cup O’Flow. Funk & Flow’s core mission extends to events beyond the yoga mat. They want participants to continue the communal feel at “The Love Wins Revival,” a monthly soirée with original music, storytelling and “soap box social action,” with a different nonprofit organization and local business featured each month.
Website: funkandflowstudio.com
