In January, countless individuals use the start of a new year to make resolutions, and one of the most common involves committingto a fitness regime. Gyms are full, there’s dedicated time in everyone’s schedules for multiple workouts a week, and that level of commitment stays – for a few weeks, at least. As February is drawing to an end, your resolution to keep up with those resolutions might just be fadingas your schedule gets busier and busier. Forget the same old routine you’ve been struggling to do in the gym – instead, try out one of the unique classes on offer in Edmonton to add a little excitement back into your fitness regime and get back on track.
If you’re tired of working out on steady ground, Launch Pad Trampoline Park has a fun solution – take your workouts to the trampoline! While the company isn’t primarily a fitness studio, in collaboration with 504 Fitness, they offer a regular 60 minute full body workout class that’ll have you working up a sweat and getting in touch with your inner child.
Launch Pad Trampoline Park, 6142 50 St., 780-468-3161
The November Project is a workout idea popularized in the United States, but thanks to Edmonton Oilers team member Andrew Ference, Edmonton has its very own dedicated November Project tribe. Participants meet at 6:00 am, three times a week, at various locations including the Royal Glenora Stairs and Walterdale Hill, to squeeze in an early morning workout. If you want to learn more about the experience, read what one writer and November Project participant thought in Just Show Up, from our April 2015 issue.
If an hour-long fitness class just isn’t for you, but you want to find ways to get active, rock climbing might be your perfect solution. While they don’t offer traditional classes like gyms do, they have several adult courses for varying skill levels. Whether you’re a total beginner looking to try something new, or a decent climber who needs some tips on transitioning to outdoor rock climbing, you’ll find something to shake up your fitness routine.
Vertically Inclined Rock Gym, 8523 Argyll Rd., 780-496-9390
Do you dream of gliding along a huge wave, perfectly balanced on your surfboard? Well, it’s a bit of a drive from Edmonton if you want to play in the real ocean, but you can incorporate a bit of that beach attitude into your workout at The Surf Studio. The studio offers Surfset classes, a unique workout which combines muscle building, aerobic fat burning, core training and more – and the entire workout is done on a custom made unstable surfboard. Classes take different focuses and you can Balance, Burn, Build, or Blend your way to a fun new fitness routine.
(Closed) The Surf Studio, 8708 51 Ave., 780-920-7935
Ease into the week with this unique combination class offered by Spinunity. In Candlelit Spin & Yoga, offered on Sunday evenings, participants will be able to combine a 30 minute spin class with a 30 minute yoga session, all done in relaxing candlelight, for an hour of fitness fun.
(Closed) Spinunity, 208 Sioux Rd., Sherwood Park, 780-400-9228
Pique Dance Centre, a studio focused on adult dance education, offers many of the common dance classes such as ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. However, they also have several outside the box classes that you definitely need to check out. Their Aerial Silks class allows participants to hang from a special fabric while performing acrobatics. The twisting, stretching, swinging and spiralling, all while suspended in the air, will have you feeling like you’re Cirque ready in no time. And, if you’ve always dreamed of being one of Beyonc’s back up dancers, Pique has you covered – they offer a Beyonce Hip Hop class that allows participants to channel their inner pop star in choreography inspired by music videos.
(Closed) Pique Dance Centre, 10604 105 Ave., 780-239-6122
Channel your inner dancer in this deceptively difficult workout that incorporates the ballet barre. The original class is a one-hour workout with exercises focused on strength and flexibility, but trust us – you’ll work up quite a sweat. And, for those who are short on time, check out the Barre Press, a shortened variation of the original workout.
(Closed) Barre Body Studio, Unit 184 4211 106 St./11996 109A Ave., 780-757-2773
While you can certainly go into Sherwood Park’s UFC Gym to do an individual workout – they’re equipped with all the necessary cardio machine and weights – their huge list of classes just might be what you need to add some variety to your regime. The POUND: Rockout. Workout.class will have you channeling your inner rock star with a workout using weighted drumsticks. Or, go a different direction with the HOT HULA fitness class, where you’ll be dancing to Polynesian drum beats and Reggae music while working your muscles. And, if you’re looking to develop a new skill set, any of the mixed martial arts classes – including Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Capoeira – are a great pick.
(Closed) #340 800 Broadmoor Blvd., Sherwood Park, 780-666-3732
Many yoga classes are set to the sound of relaxing tunes – but sometimes, you want your yoga with a bit more energy. Edmonton Power Yoga offers a class called Power Beats, which combines Baptiste warm vinyasa flow yoga with some great beats not found in your typical yoga class. Why not do your sun salutations while enjoying some of your favourite songs?
(Closed) Edmonton Power Yoga, 220 91 St. SW, 780-705-2040
