Unique workout classes in Vancouver
Vancouver’s many fitness studios offer a wide variety of unique workout options for active individuals who want to mix up their regular routine. Challenge yourself and work up a sweat with these surprisingly fun exercise classes. Trust us, your body will thank you.
Barre Fitness
1038 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T4You’ll be tempted to do your best ballerina impression at this popular barre studio with locations in Yaletown and on the North Shore. Although you should leave the tutu at home as you’ll definitely work up a sweat. Using the ballet barre, the signature Barre Fitness features a challenging series of toning exercises that use weights and resistance balls to sculpt your body. The studio also offers hybrid classes that combine the barre program with heart-pumping cardio, HIIT and bootcamp drills. If you need to recharge both mind and body, the Barre Flow class incorporates active stretching and restorative breathing.
Steve Nash Sports Club Co
201-610 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3T3Wanna work on that beach body during the winter months? Ride the waves indoors during challenging surf-inspired classes at select Steve Nash Fitness facilities across Vancouver. Surf + Sand sessions see participants move through a series of dynamic exercises on top of a unique SurfSET board. You might start off a little wobbly, but these classes are a great option for anyone who wants to improve their balance and develop core strength while having a little fun. The classes also feature weighted sand bells to help lean out and build muscle.
Tantra Fitness Inc
36 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC V5T 1V6Don’t be fooled; pole dancing classes might seem like a fun and flirty way to spend the afternoon but these full-body workouts are incredibly demanding and are sure to leave you feeling sore the next day. Tantra’s Pole 101 sessions cover basic technique (including safety tips) and will help you achieve long, lean muscles, tone your core and improve upper body strength. Once you’ve mastered the foundational movements you can progress to advanced pole workouts and exotic dance classes that incorporate spins, inversions, freestyle floorwork and tricks. This Gastown studio also offers sultry dance classes, aerial workouts and private lessons.
Vancouver Circus School
A-1525 Welch St, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1B5Running away to the circus is as easy as taking the ferry to North Van thanks to this acrobatic institute offering classes for kids, teens and adults. The roster of quirky workshops will help you master a variety of circus arts such as trampoline, handstands, aerial hoop, unicycling, juggling and acrobatics. Would-be contortionists can sign up for the Aerial Silks class and hang from the ceiling while entangled in long supportive fabrics. If you’re looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, expert instructors can help you fly through the air (in a safety harness of course) during swinging trapeze sessions.
AVA Fitness
735 Carnarvon St, New Westminster, BC V3M 1E6Conveniently located just across the street from the New West Skytrain station, this sultry fitness studio offers more than 35 alternative fitness classes in a welcoming and supportive environment. Dance lessons run the gamut from exotic burlesque to contemporary ballet to hip-swivelling salsa and acrobatic pole routines. If sexy choreography isn’t your jam, there’s also athletic fitness bootcamps, kickboxing and a variety of exercise classes focused on conditioning and flexibility training. Bonus: if you strain yourself during a rigorous routine, there’s an on-site massage therapist to help work out those sore muscles.
Yoga Generation
108-2922 Glen Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3B 2P5Looking to take your yoga practice to the next level? Leave your mat at home and head to this Coquitlam studio for an aerial yoga class. Students suspend in the air on fabric hammocks that are designed to help deepen your stretches and increase mobility as you move through a series of inverted postures. Beginners can learn the ropes (so to speak) in introductory classes and then move on to advanced lessons that incorporate challenging inversions, back bends, and deep hamstring and hip stretches. The upside-down movements have numerous health benefits, such as decompressing your spine and reversing your bloodflow.
YMCA
955 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y2The Robert Lee YMCA offers a variety of unique group exercise classes for all ages and fitness abilities. Lessons are available for everything from strength and resistance training to heart-pumping cardio (spinning, dance, step) to low-impact aquafit classes. Unlike other upscale downtown gyms, the YMCA also offers a variety of affordable membership packages for individuals and families in order to make the fitness facility more accessible.
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