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.
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.
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.
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.