Stuck in a weekly workout rut that's making it harder and harder to get to the gym? If it's time to shake up your fitness routine, give one of these four creative, metro area classes a go.
If you're in Cobb County, head to Marietta Square and American Row House at 91 Church Street for an indoor water rowing class with owners Daniel and Kimberly Huck.
An indoor rower is a stationary machine that allows you perform the same movements and work the same muscles that you would if you were actually on the water with a rowing crew. It works over 84 percent of the muscles in your body, from your legs, to your abs and arms, which means you're burning anywhere from 400 to 800 calories in one 45-minute class.
Because indoor rowing is also low-impact and water bearing, it's easy on the joints, hips and knees. And whether you're 18 or 80, the Hucks offer a class that caters to your fitness level and ability (although they do recommend you start out with the fundamentals, first).
American Row House offers classes Monday – Saturday. Learn more, and check out the full schedule here.
If you're a Fulton County resident, give your typical yoga workout a boost with an aerial yoga class at Sky Gym Aerial Dance and Fitness at 6780 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.
Aerial fabrics – the kind that call to mind high flying circus acts and the amazing performers at Cirque du Soleil – allow participants to up the difficulty level of traditional yoga poses, inversions and back bends by performing them inside the support of an aerial hammock.
The weightlessness you achieve with aerial yoga can help with spinal decompression and core stabilization, and it's a great alternative for those limited by back, neck or shoulder pain. Aerial yoga moves also build strength and flexibility gently thanks to the hammock, which allows you to go deeper into the stretches and poses than traditional floor-based yoga.
Sky Gym offers adult classes for ages 12 and up, and Junior Sky classes for children ages 6 to 11. The classes are challenging, but they're also low-impact and can be done by people of all ages and ability levels.
Check out their website for more information on registering for your first class.
Looking for something more than your run-of-the-mill workout in Dekalb County? Head over to the Decatur Boxing Club at 137 New Street in Decatur.
Operated by famed boxing coach Xavier Biggs, and hailed as "Atlanta's best-kept secret," by former student, Usher, the Decatur Boxing Club prides itself on offering an authentic, Philly-style boxing gym to fighters from all walks of life. Whether you're a professional athlete or a stay-at-home mom, there's a class –and trainer – to fit you.
Some consider boxing the ultimate HIIT (or high-intensity interval training) workout, combining both strength training and cardio in way that burns calories, boosts cardiorespiratory fitness and improves balance, agility and coordination. It's also a pretty effective stress reliever.
Visit the website to learn more about getting started.
If you're in Gwinnett County and looking for a way to get that ballet body without strapping on pointe shoes, schedule a barre class with Life Moves Studios at 3421 Ridge Road in Buford.
Barre is a method that combines elements from ballet, yoga, Pilates and strength training into one workout that tones muscles, builds strength, increases flexibility and promotes a strong core. You'll develop longer, leaner, dancer's muscles without fear of bulking up.
Life Moves offers more than just your typical barre class, though. If you want to kick it up a notch, considering trying Barre HIIT – a high-intensity cardio-based barre workout. They also offer Barre Box, which combines barre and cardio kickboxing into one muscle toning, calorie-blasting class.
Other classes at Life Moves include belly dancing, cardio and core, a traditional yoga class and a yoga/Pilates mixer.
Check out their website for class times and pricing.
