14 Fitness Studios Worth Checking Out in the ‘Burbs
The suburbs may be hipper than you think. Suburbs photo via Shutterstock
You’ve heard it a million times: Boston is one of the fittest cities around. But it’s not just Boston Proper that loves to get its sweat on—Greater Boston is bursting with top-notch suburban fitness studios, from Pilates to cycling to CrossFit. Whether you live in Wellesley, Waltham, or Wayland, there’s a place for you to get a fantastic workout in the suburbs.
FitHouse. Studio photo provided
1. FitHouse
FitHouse in Woburn is not your typical gym. The studio emphasizes community, gaining confidence, and spiritual health through a mixture of cycling and “training” (things like yoga, Pilates, and strength training) classes. Even if the training classes don’t appeal to you, the wide-variety of cycling classes alone should be a draw.
Single cycle class is $20, single training is $16, and packages are available. 6 Cummings Park, Woburn, 781-281-0030; fithouseboston.com.
Pure Barre Newton. Barre photo via Facebook
2. Pure Barre
If an exercise routine inspired by ballet sounds like a piece of cake, you clearly haven’t tried barre yet. Squat, point, flex, and lift your way to a dancer’s body with Pure Barre, a nationwide chain of barre studios with locations all over Massachusetts, many of which are in the Boston suburbs.
Locations in North Andover, Boston, Burlington, Lynnfield, Newton, Wellesley, and Westford. Visit purebarre.com for more information.
The Studio Empower. Studio photo provided
One of only a handful of studios in Massachusetts to offer the Lagree Fitness method, Newton’s The Studio Empower is for the Pilates devotee looking to try something new. Lagree uses Megaformer M3s—essentially souped up Pilates reformers—to work muscles until the point of total exhaustion. We’re tired just thinking about it.
First class is $10, drop-in classes are $35, packages are available. 81 Union St., Newton, 617-467-5451; thestudioempower.com.
Btone Fitness. Studio photo provided
Move over, Newbury Street—Lexington boasts a Btone Fitness location all it’s own. Like The Studio Empower, the Lexington studio offers Lagree Fitness classes for your dose of high-tech Pilates, as well as bootcamp and barre. Added bonus: Your first class is just $5.
Class packages available. 30 Waltham St., Lexington, 781-861-7587; btonefitness.com.
Boston Rock Gym. Studio photo provided
If your gym routine has you so bored you’re falling asleep on the treadmill, try Boston Rock Gym. Beginners can take instructional classes and seasoned pros can climb privately, so there’s a way for anyone to reach new heights. The gym also offers outdoor climbing all year round. (Ice climbing, anyone?)
Prices vary. 78G Olympia Ave., Woburn, 781-935-7325; bostonrockgym.com
Endurance Pilates and Yoga. Studio photo provided
As the name suggests, this Arlington studio’s focus is Pilates and yoga, but there are also kettlebell, Tabata, and barre classes. The studio also offers specialized programs for new moms, dancers, athletes, and brides-to-be, and has one of the best student discounts in Greater Boston.
First mat class is free, other prices vary. 446 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-648-0894; endurancepilatesandyoga.com.
Spinning Lotus Studios. Studio photo provided
Ever left a yoga class and felt like you needed a cardio workout? We have. At Spinning Lotus Studios in Wayland, you can have the best of both worlds. The newly opened studio offers both yoga and cycling classes (on RealRyder bikes, no less) so you can be zen and still get your sweat on.
$18 per class with package deals available. 16 Boston Post Road, Wayland, 508-358-6616; spinninglotusstudios.com.
Body in Motion. Studio photo via Facebook
Barre is all the rage these days, but Wellesley’s Body in Motion is doing it a bit differently. In addition to more classic barre classes, the studio has just started offering “BarfusionSPORT,” a workout that combines the principles of barre with an intense bootcamp vibe. There are also HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, classes available.
First class is free, single class is $22, packages available. 180 Linden St., Wellesley, 781-235-7774; wellesleybodyinmotion.com.
H.Y.P. Studio. Blacklight yoga photo via Facebook
Let’s be honest: The idea of taking a 105-degree Bikram yoga class can make even the most enthusiastic yogi nervous. If you’re looking for a happy medium, try H.Y.P. Studio in Wellesley. H.Y.P., which stands for Hot Yoga and Pilates, offers classes taught at a comparably cool 80- to 85-degrees or 90- to 95-degrees so you can go into downward dog without passing out.
Drop-in classes are $17, packages are available. 50 Central St., Wellesley Square, 781-444-5551; hypstudio.com. Locations also in Needham and Medfield.
Shiva Shakti Yoga Center. Yoga photo via Facebook
If you’ve ever arrived at what you thought was a beginners-welcome yoga class only to be met with an onslaught of arm balances and headstands, Shiva Shakti Yoga Center in Waltham is for you. The studio handily and clearly divides its classes by level, while still offering restorative yoga that is open to all.
Drop-in rate is $17 with packages available. 315 Moody St., Waltham, 520-247-1915; shivashaktiyogacenter.com
CrossFit Newton. CrossFit photo provided
11. CrossFit Newton
With a slogan like “Pain is temporary…victory lasts forever,” you can guess what type of workout you’d be getting at CrossFit Newton. For those who haven’t tried CrossFit before, it combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio for a full-body butt kicking. If you’re skeptical, no problem—the gym allows you a free introductory class and has beginner classes on the schedule.
$20 per class with packages available. 166B Riverview Ave., Waltham, 617-833-0340; crossfitnewton.com.
Spynergy Cycling Studio. Studio photo via Facebook
It may be in the ‘burbs, but Spynergy was the first cycling-only studio in Massachusetts and is now the biggest. The Wellesley studio offers interval training style cycling classes, some with specific music themes—how can you say no to a “Women With Attitude” class?—and has time slots from early morning to evening.
$18 per class with packages available. 386 Washington St., Wellesley, 781-235-0520; spynergywellesley.com.
Forever CrossFit. CrossFit photo via Facebook
13. Forever CrossFit
No matter what your health goal, Forever CrossFit in Watertown is there to help. The CrossFit-certified trainers at the gym will help you improve your fitness, one deadlift and rope climb at a time, as well as offering nutritional counseling. Free intro classes are also available Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
191 Watertown St., Watertown, 617-964-1188; stayforevercrossfit.com.
14. Dahn Yoga
To exercise your mind, body, and spirit, head to Dahn Yoga in Arlington. The nationwide string of yoga studios, which teach a specialized combination of yoga, tai chi, meditation, and martial arts, emphasizes energy training and strengthening the brain. Sounds like just the thing after a long, stressful work week.
$20 per class with pacakages available. 325 Broadway, Arlington, 781-648-9642; dahnyoga.com.
Do you live in the suburbs? What’s your favorite exercise studio?
