A little while ago, we asked some of our customers what their favourite exercise classes were. Now that 2019 is here and we’re all about getting fit and healthy for our New Year’s Resolutions, let’s take a look at the most popular picks – maybe this will inspire you to try something new! (We have also included studio picks for the Toronto community – and some that are nationwide!)

1. Yoga

If you’re not used to working out but would like to try an exercise class, yoga is a great place to start. Combining meditation, relaxation, and exercise, the purpose of yoga is to unite the mind and body and to heal and balance the body. It has a fairly low risk of injury, and it helps increase your strength, flexibility, muscle tone, and posture.

If you’re in Toronto, check out 889 community – the stunning (read: Instagrammable) studio is just north of Yonge and Bloor. They are known for their yoga classes but they also offer meditation, Pilates, barre, and pre/post-natal classes for mamas!

A post shared by 889 (@889community) on Nov 23, 2017 at 4:04am PST

2. Pilates

Pilates is yoga’s cousin – it also improves your strength, flexibility, muscle tone, and posture. And like yoga, the exercises are done on a mat. The main differences are that there can be machines involved, and the focus is more on the core strength of the body. Rather than picking one or the other, a lot of people enjoy practicing both!

Torontonians, head over to Body Mason in Rosedale and you won’t be disappointed. They are a Pilates-only studio with all the equipment you’ll need. Not only do they have many different classes and one-on-one lessons, they also offer Pilates retreats overseas!

 

A post shared by Body Mason (@body_mason) on Oct 10, 2017 at 7:38pm PDT

3. Zumba

You might want to try out Zumba if you prefer something more upbeat! It’s an aerobic fitness dance inspired by Latin dances like salsa, mamba, merengue, and samba. For those who don’t normally like to exercise but still want to try something fun and motivating, Zumba is a great choice. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s energizing. It’s also pretty free flowing, so don’t worry about missing a step or a beat.

If you live in downtown Toronto, you may have heard of Elle Fitness on King West. It’s a women-only fitness studio that offers a variety of group classes, and one of their top-rated classes is the “Pop Zumba” – which features pop and international music.

4. Spin

Not into dance? Maybe cycling is up your alley. Spin is a specific format of indoor cycling, a cardio workout that combines cycling, arm workouts, invigorating music, and sometimes – a disco ball! Each and every class is different depending on the instructor, the studio, and the playlist. But one thing that’s for sure – it provides a motivating environment for you to work hard and sweat it all off.

We’re recommending Spinco for our spin class pick – they’re the largest Canadian spin studio and have 10 locations nationwide. With a “one team, one bike” mantra, you’ll be sure to get the most motivating workout! My favourite instructor is Marlie, who is also the blogger behind the lifestyle blog Kale and Krunches. She’s motivating, always has a great playlist, and I’ve never left her class without dripping in sweat!

A post shared by SPINCO TORONTO (@spincotoronto) on Jun 4, 2017 at 11:09am PDT

5. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics, like its name suggests, is aerobic exercise done in water. It’s a kind of resistance training and it comes many forms – yoga, cycling, jogging, etc. In comparison to doing these exercises the “traditional” way, moving your body in water is less straining on your muscles, joints, and bones – so you can have an intense workout with less strain on your body.

Water Aerobics is unfortunately not too common in Canada – but some Goodlife Fitness locations have it and they call it Aqua Fitness. They offer a few different kinds of classes in the category – including Zumba!

What is your favourite exercise class? Let us know in the comments below!