If you’re looking to start a new gym routine in 2024 or you’re new to the city and need some recommendations for the best workout classes in Birmingham, I’ve got ya covered. I am a huge Ignite Cycle fan, but this fall, I tried out the Wellness Passport, a Birmingham-based challenge where you buy a “passport” to get the chance to try tons of different studios. Thanks to the Wellness Passport season, I’ve tried more studios and am here to share my thoughts!
First things first, a bit about my workout preferences and history. I am simply not athletic (as in I played lacrosse in high school because it was the only sport where I didn’t have to try out) and typically prefer lower-impact workouts. Barre and pilates are usually my favorites, especially compared to super fast, CrossFit-type workouts. Over the past year, I’ve gotten into a routine of working out at least five times a week, which has been amazing not only for my physical health but also for my mental and emotional health!
1. IGNITE CYCLE
I am a ride-or-die Ignite girlie and have proudly done 200 rides since starting last year! Ignite Cycle is a spin studio with two locations (one in Pepper Place and one in Mountain Brook) where you use a stationary bike and add in choreography. Think crunches, presses, sprints, a short strength training track, etc. The energy at Ignite is just unmatched, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been riding hundreds of times. Without a doubt, this is my top recommendation for the best workout classes in Birmingham.
Pros:
- Even though you’re always clipping in and riding a bike, each class is different! After a few classes, you’ll be able to expect certain choreography tracks at certain times in the class, but you’ll never take the same class twice.
- I get my best thinking (and sometimes crying, lol) done in Ignite. There’s a song in every class where the instructor turns off the lights and might give a small speech, and it is almost always exactly what I need to hear at that time. I have cried during those moments, and I know I’m not alone in that.
- Theme rides: Every week, Ignite will have a few theme rides for music, like “Mashups that Should be Illegal” or “The Eras Tour.” Those always fill up fast, but they are so fun.
Cons:
- Ignite (and all the studios on this list) is pretty expensive. I pay for an unlimited membership, and I go at least five times a week, so it is totally worth it for me. If you’re on the fence, I recommend following on social media to see when they have a deal like their New Year’s special — in January, new riders can sign up for unlimited rides for $20.24.
- This isn’t necessarily a con, but definitely something that can be tricky when you get started. Ignite classes open up on Monday at noon, and you can sign up for all of your classes for the week then. You can sign up at any point, but to get the exact bike you like or to get a spot on a fun theme ride, you’ll probably need to sign up within an hour on Mondays.
Use my referral link to sign up! It costs nothing extra but lets them know I sent ya.
2. TRUE40
True40 combines a few different popular workout forms (strength training, cardio, barre, Pilates and yoga) for a full workout under an hour. In the class, you use different equipment (like balls, TRX bands, mats, etc.) and get a full-body workout. It’s located in The Battery (where Wasabi Juan’s and District Brewing is) and has a parking lot, but you may have to park farther away if you go to an afternoon class.
Pros:
- True40’s studio space is absolutely gorgeous, with huge windows and a view of downtown. Make sure to schedule a sunset or sunrise class to take advantage of that!
- I love the workout itself and how much of a full body workout it really is.
Cons:
- This is a really minor con, but you can definitely tell that the instructors are shouting you out by reading your name on a list. That’s probably not an issue for most people, but compared to Ignite, it was noticeable to me when I would get a shoutout when I was taking a break, haha.
3. GAUNTLET KICKBOXING
Gauntlet Kickboxing fully surprised me and is now one of my recommendations for the best workout classes in Birmingham! I don’t always love CrossFit-type classes, but Gauntlet is so fun and energizing. It’s a kickboxing class that starts with a full warm-up session that might include cardio, HIIT movements, strength exercises or a combo. After the warm-up session, you’ll “run the Gauntlet”, or do different kickboxing moves across eight towers for a 19 minute session.
I was very intimidated in my first session, but the instructors there that day were incredibly helpful and walked me and my friend through the different moves. They corrected our form throughout the workout and made sure we were getting the most out of each kick and punch.
Pros:
- Outside of Ignite, the members at Gauntlet are the most supportive I’ve ever seen! A lot of people go to the same classes and know each other, and they are super welcoming and encouraging to new people.
- This is truly the perfect way to get out anger or extra energy, but because you start with the warm-up, you’ll also get a great workout in.
Cons:
- I mentioned that my instructors were amazing on our first day, but a friend took her first class with me and did not have the same experience! We had a different instructor that day who wasn’t great at explaining different moves or what we were doing next. I recommend taking your first class with Paul or Jacob (the instructors for my first class) and if you can, I would take it with a friend. Even if they haven’t taken it either, you will feel a lot more confident struggling together.
4. BARRE3
Like I mentioned, I realized that I’m a huge barre fan throughout this process. With barre, you focus on small, intentional movements and use different equipment like weights and bands. When you’re doing barre, you’ll likely shake, which is a good sign the muscles are working! I tried Barre3 and PureBarre, both in Homewood. Barre3 ended up being my favorite, but both are worth looking into.
Pros:
- The instructors at Barre3 are helpful and walk around making small adjustments to your form or offering ideas for modifications (AKA ways to target different muscle areas or make a movement easier). With barre, I find that so helpful because the movements are so small that doing it incorrectly would just have a negative impact.
Cons:
- Environment and atmosphere are huge for me, and Barre3 doesn’t have my favorite aesthetics. Since I work out in the morning, I love cozy, warm lighting, and Barre3 is pretty bright and stark.
5. ARCHIVE BY PM METHOD
Archive is a fitness studio with different workout classes like pilates, kickboxing, barre, yoga and more. I took Piloxing (pilates kickboxing), pilates and barre. The studio is in Homewood and a sweet little space with cozy lighting.
Pros:
- I primarily took classes on Friday mornings at 6AM, and they are the perfect way to ease into the day! The lights are low and it’s a pretty low-impact workout, so you can really start your day slowly but well.
- I feel so welcomed when people know and remember my name, and I think Paige McClees (the owner of Archive + one of the instructors) is great at being intentional with this! I only went to a few classes, but by my second, Paige knew my name and was shouting me out. Trust me, that’s the kind of encouragement you need when you wake up at 5:30AM.
Cons:
- This is a very random “con”, but sometimes I felt like I was the only person who didn’t know everyone! Definitely not a huge issue, but something I noticed.
OTHER STUDIOS TO TRY FOR THE BEST WORKOUT CLASSES IN BIRMINGHAM
The Wellness Passport lasted two months, so I was only able to consistently go to my favorite spots. However, I did get to try a few other gyms that are worth looking into!
- Provision Studio: Provision Studio is a pilates studio and I took their trampoline class, which I would definitely do again for a fun workout with friends.
- Rise + Refine Hot Yoga: After doing this class, I realized I am not a hot yoga fan—I was dripping sweat! But if you love yoga or a hot studio, you should try this spot out. Just a warning that you’ll want to leave a bit early because the directions are kind of tricky IMO.
- Pole Yourself Thin: PYT is a pole dancing studio, and taking a group class there was one of the most fun things ever. I would highly recommend this for an evening with friends!
- X4 Fitness: Like I mentioned, I don’t love classes that feel like CrossFit, but my friend Jess does, and she loved X4. We took a 5:30AM class together, and while I found it really difficult, I loved the instructors!
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