There’s nothing that gets me going more than a good workout. After enduring a hard session at the gym, my endorphins soar high, I feel grateful for my healthy body and what it does for me to keep me strong and well, and mentally, I feel like I could quite literally take on the world. That extra surge of energy I get post-workout will always keep me wanting more.
What I love about exercise is that it’s not one size fits all, and there’s definitely not one way of doing it. Truly, going for a 30 minute walk might not seem like much, but your health and wellbeing are seriously thriving from that mere half-hour. From yoga to cycling to bootcamps, there’s a million ways of exercising, and most importantly, this means you can find something that you absolutely love and works for you. For example, I find that I can sincerely live off of yoga.
But hold up guys. It’s summer, and I’m all about trying new things. Gym every day? I don’t think so. To add some spice and variety to your workouts, it’s never a bad idea to try out a new place and see how well you enjoy it. Thankfully, Miami is jam-packed with places where you can get your heart racing and your body moving, all in the name of fun. Let’s explore all the different places where you’ll be wanting to workout this summer that are not the boring, old gym, shall we?
1. Olympia Gym
Want to get out of your comfort zone this summer? How about trying out a place that offers more than one option! Olympia Gym in Aventura offers multiple classes a day, including spinning, barre, Zumba, yoga, and boxing. Get out your yoga mat from under your bed and dust off your boxing gloves, because you’ll be coming back here day after day. If you sign up here, you can get a three-day free gym trial pass. Our student wallets are #winning.
2. CycleBar
Indoor cycling has never been more fun. Sometimes you get off your bike and you promise yourself you’ll never do it again because it was that hard. At CycleBar, you’ll be having so much fun, you won’t want to get off your seat! The classes are all given by super enthusiastic instructors, and the music playing will have you singing and dancing on your bike the whole time. Lucky for us, there’s a location super close to the BBC campus, and one a few minutes away from the MMC campus.
3. Barry’s Bootcamp
Their signature red lights will have you thankful other people won’t be able to tell how hard you’re really sweating. At Barry’s, every single day is a different muscle group. For example, Mondays are for arms and abs, while the weekends are full body. The best part is their Fuel Bar, where you can pre-order delicious shakes to have ready for you after class. In Miami, Barry’s is conveniently located in Aventura, Midtown, and Miami Beach.
4. Bar Method
Working out at the Barre is all the rage right now. And no, we’re not talking about the snack bar. Think of a ballet studio, and the barre that goes around the whole room. Now imagine how amazing it must feel to use the barre and have your own bodyweight work for resistance. Talk about an awesome and unique workout! Bar Method also incorporates floor core exercises, so you can build those baby abs, too. South Miami’s location is calling our name!
5. FIU Wellness and Recreation Center
If you’re an FIU student and have yet to check out our awesome Rec Center, you’re missing out…big time. There are free classes offered for students everyday, starting from super early hours to super late for my night class people. All you have to do is download the PantherFIT App to check out the options and sign up! Cardio Kickboxing, HIIT & Tone, and Ultimate Abs are just a few of the awesome offerings.
6. Pulse163
Have you ever wanted to try yoga, pilates, or barre, but have been put off by intimidation, or your never-ending to-do list? How about trying to combine all three into one? At Pulse163, you combine the flowing movements of yoga and pilates at the barre, and you get one heck of a good workout that will have you feeling stronger than ever. As its name says, it’s conveniently located on 163rd Street in North Miami Beach!
7. YouFit
At YouFit, it’s all about sweating and having a good time. They’re famous for their awesome Zumba classes, which include Zumba Step, Zumba Gold, and Zumba Toning; definitely not your average dance classes. In addition, they have sculpt, cycling, and martial arts. There are locations scattered all over Miami, so there’s no excuse to forego this place!
8. Ayama Yoga
We all deserve to feel relaxed at any time of the day. Thankfully, that is exactly what Ayama Yoga sets out to do. With different types of yoga classes available all day for all levels, you’re sure to find your zen. It’s not just the classes that are amazing, however; the second you step inside, you feel the air of relaxation and the peaceful vibe, from the mellow music, the beautifully decorated walls, and the soothing smell of calming aromatics. It’s the best place to wind down while still getting your body moving! And it’s only located about two minutes away from the BBC campus.
Whatever your favorite form of moving may be, just get out there and make sure it’s making you feel good and happy. It’s all about enjoying the workout and experiencing something different — it’s summer, after all! No time for stressing out over the little things, like how you’re tired of going to the same gym every day. There are options out there, now all you have to do is take advantage. Happy sweating!