Looking for a night out that won't wreak havoc on your fitness routine? Check out what the owners and trainers at these three Atlanta studios order at their favorite local spots, whether they're fueling up for classes or indulging in a well-deserved cheat meal.
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Donna Burke, FORME Studios
365 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE Suite 204, Atlanta. 404-668-1947. formestudios.com.
Neighborhood spot FORME has made fitness fans of many women on the north side for its well-rounded approach and welcoming atmosphere.
"We created Forme studios to be the 'every girl's' studio. A place where everyone feels at home and gathers for a fun workout," said studio owner Donna Burke. "We believe in balanced living and creating a life that is healthy and well-lived."
After guiding students at the barre or leading a sweat-soaked cardio class, Burke enjoys a good patio and healthy takes on comfort foods. Her two favorite spots for healthy fare are right in Buckhead: True Food Kitchen and King + Duke.
"I love the quinoa terriyaki bowl at True Food Kitchen and the avocado toast at King and Duke" she said. "Both have great patios to enjoy a glass of rosè with a friend over a healthy meal."
She said pizza is her "ultimate vice," venturing up to another formidable patio to get her fix at Kaleidoscope.
"I can't get enough of the Greek pizza at Kaleidoscope in Brookhaven," she said. "It's amazing and has so much flavor!"
Katherine Akra, The Barre Scene
325 East Paces Ferry Road NE, Atlanta. 470-585-8862. thebarrescene.com.
Fitness and dance studio The Barre Scene is rising fast, boasting fun classes that incorporate barre, kickboxing or vixen-themed dance moves along with a healthy sense of community. Anyone who's enjoyed a post-class happy hour at the Buckhead studio can attest to studio owner Katherine Akra's well-balanced approach to a happy and fit lifestyle.
"I'm all about having just about anything you'd like in a meal as long as it's in moderation," she said. "And as long as it goes with wine!"
She loves Atlanta staple South City Kitchen, which recently opened a new location in Buckhead, and said her favorite dish is South City's swordfish with a side of Brussels sprouts. "If I want to splurge a bit, I'll get the rosemary fingerling potatoes."
For a heavier meal, she still sticks around her Buckehad neighborhood and dines at Le Bilboquet.
"I crave the signature Cajun chicken dish with fries at Le Bilboquet and will order it for lunch or dinner any day of the week," she said. "The outdoor dining area is perfect, too, on a gorgeous day in Atlanta."
Lily Collins, The Daily
981 Joseph E Lowery Blvd. NW Suite 108, Atlanta. 404-549-7803. doitonthedaily.com.
The Daily opened its doors late last year, but owner and instructor Lily Collins has long been building a loyal group of clients with her fun, full-body Pilates classes. When she's not working it out on the reformer or sweating to hip-hop Pilates, she loves local chain Kale Me Crazy for a pre-class boost.
"Their quinoa salad has just enough feta and avocado to make it feel like a treat," said Collins. "I usually pair it with the Warrior smoothie or the wellness shot if I had a little too much fun over the weekend! I teach up to six classes a day and this is the kind of fuel I need to keep me going. Their fresh, energizing menu options and clean aesthetics have made me a regular. I wish we had one in the studio!"
But Collins isn't afraid of a good burger, either, treating herself on trips to the Beltline's Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall.
"The double-stack cheeseburger at Ladybird is the best cheat meal a girl could ask for," she said. "With a glass of rosè on the side, it's magical."
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