Boston’s Best Hidden Gem Fitness Studios

No disrespect to the big-name brands, but sometimes we find ourselves itching for a workout we’ve never tried before—and for a gym that’s not packed wall-to-wall for every class. That’s where these eight gyms and studios come in. They all boast high-quality classes, teachers, and amenities, while flying just under the radar.

Until now, that is. Get ready to try some of Boston’s best hidden gem fitness studios.

A class at Body Burn by Ray/Photo by Ruby Ewing-Wallace

BodyBurn by Ray

Way out in Belmont, this studio is offering group classes that would be right at home among Boston’s best gyms. Its circuit training classes use unique motorless cardio machines—such as a moving rock climbing wall, a crank cycle, a self-powered treadmill, and more—that are easy on the joints but hard on your workout.

4 Church St., Belmont, bodyburnbyray.com.

The Clubs at Charles River Park

Pools are a hot commodity in downtown Boston, and this year-round Massachusetts General Hospital property has both the city’s biggest outdoor pool and an indoor option for the chillier months. After you’re done splashing around, take group cycling, yoga, strength-training, and cardio classes; join a personal or group training session; or kick back with a beverage from the seasonal Jugos pop-up.

10 Whittier Place, Boston, clubsatcrp.com.

Fisique

This Financial District sports club is frequented by some of Boston’s fittest people. (Think: Barry’s Bootcamp instructors.) It offers group fitness classes including Spin, yoga, Pilates, HIIT, and TRX, as well as personal training.

50 Congress St., Boston, fisiqueboston.com.

Inner Strength Studios

Outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Boston sits this wonderful Watertown yoga studio, which counts fan-favorite Rebecca Pacheco as a teacher. Expect a warm community, plenty of regulars, and good, old-fashioned yoga classes that nail the basics.

309 Main St., Watertown, and 29 Hudson Road, Sudbury, innerstrengthstudios.com.

A class at Peter Welch’s Gym/Photo provided

Peter Welch’s Gym

If you want to feel like you’re working out in a spa, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want to train like a real fighter—and see results accordingly—this South Boston spot is your place. Classes are led by real fighters, and the quality of the workout makes that abundantly clear.

371 Dorchester Ave., Boston, peterwelchsgym.com.

Sadhana Yoga

This hole-in-the-wall South End studio may be confined to one room, but it packs in plenty of classes with top-notch instructors including Izzy VanHall, Cam Ciccone, and owner Tatyana Souza. Its sister studio, Coolidge Corner Yoga, is also well worth a visit.

15 Worcester St., Boston, sadhanaboston.com.

Shred

Venture out to Quincy, and you’ll be rewarded with the chance to take SurfSet, a trendy workout that takes place on a mock surfboard and fires up your core as your ride simulated waves. It also offers cycling and Pilates classes for when you don’t feel like hanging 10.

453 Washington St., Quincy, shredbody.com.

Aerial yoga at Swet Studio/Photo provided

Swet Studio

This LGBTQ-friendly gym in the South End offers some of Boston’s most unique group fitness classes. (Aerial barre? Meditation cocooning? Hip hop aerial yoga? It’s all there.) It’s also got welcoming, unpretentious vibes that make you feel right at home.

480 Tremont St., Boston, swetstudio.com.

Did we miss your favorite hidden gem? Let us know in the comments.