Welcome in the new year with a new you. Here are some suggestions for places to get fit in Louisville in 2016, for everyone from fitness beginners to CrossFit junkies. Good luck on those New Year's resolutions!
For Fitness Beginners:
Image: Hercampus.com
Louisville Athletic Club
3 Louisville and 2 Southern Indiana Locations
If you’re new to the fitness scene and you’d like to try a variety of exercises to find your best personal workout, this is the club for you. From cardio workout machines to a full-size basketball court to kickboxing, this place has everything. And to make sure you’re working out to the best of your ability, LAC even offers personal trainers. Visit the club’s website to become a member and to get directions to its five locations.
Jewish Community Center of Louisville
3600 Dutchmans Lane
502-459-0660
If you’re looking for a place to exercise with your whole family, Louisville’s Jewish Community Center is the perfect one stop spot. This facility offers nearly 100 fitness classes each week along with a cushioned indoor walking track and an indoor pool. And with a variety of membership plans, the JCC makes exercising affordable for everyone. For more information on how to join, visit its website.
University of Louisville’s Student Recreation Center
2030 S. 4th Street
502-852-5555
One of the many perks of being a University of Louisville Cardinal is unlimited access to its massive recreation center. From racquetball courts to an indoor walking track to a golf simulator, this center offers just about every type of exercise imaginable, making it the perfect destination for those who want an exciting and different kind of workout. Current students of the university are always admitted for free while alumni and staff memberships are offered. To learn more about the facility and how non-students can visit, check out the University of Louisville’s website.
Swabek’s Highland Fitness
1753 Bardstown Road
502-365-3101
When introducing your body to a new fitness routine, it’s never a bad idea to start with the basics. Highland Fitness offers a wide variety of cardio and weight-lifting equipment to meet the needs of any classic workout. To learn how to become a member with no enrollment fee, visit the gym’s website.
Planet Fitness
5 Louisville Locations
This is the ideal fitness club for those who want to work out and work out often, no matter where they may go this year. As of last July, Planet Fitness reached 1,000 locations nationwide, including its five Louisville locations, and members are welcome to visit any of them at any time. Each facility is open 24 hours a day and is equipped with plenty of cardio and weight-lifting machines along with its famous 30-minute workout circuit routine. Visit the franchise's website for more information.
For Yoga Enthusiasts:
Image: Yoga on Baxter
Yoga Integrated Science Wellness Center
211 Clover Lane
502-891-0072
Learning a new exercise method can certainly be frustrating, and no place knows this better than Yoga IS. In order to provide the best experience for its members, this facility offers one-on-one personal yoga training, making it the ideal place for beginners. To get started with a free consultation, visit its website.
Yoga on Baxter
1611 Eastern Parkway
502-558-9177
This facility wasn’t ranked one of the city’s best yoga studios five years in a row for no reason. Specializing in the beginner level, Yoga on Baxter offers a set schedule of both yoga and Pilates classes in their sunny Highlands studio every day of the week, along with therapeutic massages. Scheduling time to exercise and relax has never been easier. For more information on classes and how to join, visit the studio’s website.
502 Power Yoga
2210 Dundee Road #203
502-208-1012
Whether you’re looking for a brand new type of workout, or you’ve been practicing yoga for years, this studio offers classes for all levels of experience. Classes take place all day every day beginning as early as 5:45 a.m. and ending as late as 8:45 p.m., allowing members to participate when they please. And for those who want to test the yoga waters before committing, 502 Power Yoga offers a free class every Friday! For information regarding the schedule and how you can sign up, visit the center’s website.
Yoga East
3 Louisville Locations
Along with its wide variety of yoga classes offered seven days every week, this studio also offers yoga workshops, training for teachers and private appointment opportunities. To find out which class is best for you and to get directions to its three locations, visit Yoga East’s website.
Heat Yoga & Wellness
3730 Frankfort Avenue
502-749-4328
Hot yoga has recently taken the fitness community by storm, and this studio offers some of the city’s best classes. With the studio heated to over 100 degrees, members will experience a workout unlike any other as they practice yoga in a unique, surprisingly relaxing way. And it’s not just for the experienced yoga junkie, Heat Yoga & Wellness welcomes yoga beginners as well. For more information on this type of yoga and to sign up for your first class, visit the studio’s website.
For CrossFit Junkies:
Image: CrossFit Louisville
CrossFit Regeneration
1833 Plantside Drive
502-294-5120
Curious about CrossFit but not sure if you’re ready to make the full commitment? Sign up for a drop-in class at CrossFit Regeneration to see if this is the workout style that’s best for you. And don’t worry about finding a babysitter for the kids, since this facility is home to the Lil Beasts Kids CrossFit program. For more information, visit CrossFit Regeneration’s website.
Strong Side CrossFit
1804 Production Ct.
502-883-6388
Going back to CrossFit’s original roots, Strong Side focuses on true fitness. New members will receive a free 2-week trial which will consist of personal CrossFit coaching before beginning the program’s classes. If you’re getting into CrossFit for the first time, this is the place to start. For more information, visit Strong Side’s website.
CrossFit Louisville
2734 River Green Circle
502-594-1003
You can’t go wrong with a facility dedicated to “promoting general awesomeness,” especially when it comes to CrossFit. Members will participate in distinct exercise programs typically lasting 6-12 weeks until cycling to a new program, making this the best workout for those who struggle with plateaus in their weight-loss regimes. Visit CrossFit Louisville’s website for more information.
CrossFit Bluegrass
13100 Middletown Industrial Blvd, Suite B
502-509-3427
Not quite ready to show off your impressive CrossFit skills in front of the whole class yet? CrossFit Bluegrass offers a one-of-a-kind training experience in a small group setting. Gym shyness doesn’t exist here. To register, visit CrossFit Bluegrass’ website.
CrossFit The Ville
721 East Main Street
502-235-4545
It’s no secret that CrossFit and sore muscles go hand in hand. To ease this unavoidable soreness, CrossFit The Ville offers therapeutic massages and physical therapy along with its daily class schedule and open gym. To learn more about this facility's services, visit its website.
For Those Looking for a More Unique Workout:
Image: Climb NuLu
Derby City Martial Arts
8021 Dixie Highway
502-937-8797
This facility is the place to go for those interested in Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing or children’s Martial Arts. And if you’re not sure which one is right for you, you can start with a free trial. For more information, visit Derby City Martial Arts’ website.
Climb NuLu
1000 East Market Street
502-540-0072
Rock climbing is so much fun that you’ll forget it’s a total body workout. This facility offers individual and family memberships along with one-day passes and even birthday parties. For more information, visit its website.
Real Fighters Gym
2710 Holloway Road #4
502-224-1611
Cardio, stress relief and strength training are all combined perfectly in kickboxing. Real Fighters Gym offers classes in the sport for both adults and children, along with special Muay Thai classes. For more information on the sport and how to register, visit the gym's website.
Louisville Hiking Club
Hike Locations Vary
The Louisville Hiking Club gives both individuals and families the opportunity to explore the unseen parts of the city while also exercising. The club hikes a different trail each week and even offers a bus service to each weekly destination. Those interested in becoming a member must hike two trails and be voted in when space is available. Annual fees are $20 per person and $30 per family. To learn more, visit the club's website.
HomeFit Personal Training Company
3900 Shelbyville Road, Suite 13
502-365-2600
If yoga, CrossFit and kickboxing aren’t really your thing, and you’re not too fond of the weight machines and treadmills at the gym, why not try exercising at your own pace with your own personal trainer? HomeFit’s team of personal trainers work closely with individuals to help produce their own desired results. Visit the company’s website to schedule an appointment.
Photo courtesy of Mitzi Vines.
