Austin is, undeniably, an active city (hello, abs), so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of fun fitness options besides running and CrossFit right at your fingertips. Sign up for one of these unique exercise classes when you want to get a great workout in—and try your hand at something new while you’re at it.
Sky Candy: Ever wanted to join the circus? You can come pretty close to it with an aerial arts class at Sky Candy. This studio offers classes in silks, hammock, trapeze and lyra (a hoop ring hung by one or two ropes). If you fall in love with a certain apparatus, you can give one of their four or six-week series classes a go. An intro to aerials class is $20 while a drop-in class is $25; sign up here.
City Surf Fitness: Texas may not be known for surfing, but City Surf Fitness recreates the core and balance workout that comes with riding the waves—except this time, it's all indoors. They have a variety of classes centered on a stability surfboard, including strength and cardio. One session costs $25, and you can sign up here.
Hey Paddle: If you've mastered SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), you can kick it up a notch by performing plyometrics, body weight exercises and more on top of one at Hey Paddle, which calls itself the only floating fitness studio in Austin. You'll work out on a paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake; depending on the class you choose, you may also use a combination of kettlebells and resistance bands. The first class is only $15; sign up here.
Brass Ovaries: There are plenty of misconceptions out there about pole dancing, but what many people fail to forget is just how good of a full-body workout it can be. And it's not just for ladies, either! Brass Ovaries welcomes women, men and trans-identified persons of all ages and fitness levels. Taking a single group class is $35, and you can sign up here.
BAM Academy: For all of you who've dreamed of being a parkour badass but have been too nervous (or embarrassed) to try it out in public, stop on by BAM Academy. This facility is a fun, safe place to hone your parkour, ballistic movement and gymnastic skills. Ages five and up are welcome, so you can even make it a family affair. The first trial class is free, and afterwards you can sign up for a single class ($25), open gym ($15) or one of their memberships. Sign up here.
Yoga Hike: When you think of yoga, the first thing that comes to mind might be an aromatherapy-scented, mirror-lined studio. With Yoga Hike, you can heighten your practice by taking it to the beautiful outdoors. A guide will lead you on a cardio-focused hike, stopping at different scenic spots for some yoga poses. Classes are available every Saturday at the various parks near the city, like Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve and Reimers Ranch Park. Your first class is only $10 and after that drop-in classes are $17. You can sign up here.
MYLO Obstacle Fitness: Obstacle races have been all the rage recently, from Spartan Race to Tough Mudder to Warrior Dash. Whether you're training for one, want to give it a go before signing up or are just interested in a new challenge, visit MYLO Obstacle Fitness. These high-intensity classes mix strength, cardio and obstacle training. Sign up for a single-month membership at $120, which not only gets you into three classes a week but also offers gym access, a meal plan and a body assessment.
Agni Dance: You don't have to just experience Bollywood dancing through those iconic numbers in movies. Take a crack at dancing it yourself with an AgniFIT class at Agni dance academy. This workout combines the eclectic style of dance with squats, lunges and more. A drop-in class is $10 or you can sign up one of their class pass options. Sign up here.
Inner Diva: If you loved hula-hooping as a child, then you can turn old-school fun into fitness at Inner Diva Studios. They offer a selection of hoop dance classes that'll help you tone your core. Don't worry—zero experience is required, and students of all ages, shapes and sizes are welcome. A single class is $25, and you can sign up here.
Austin Bouldering Project: Take rock climbing but lose the ropes and harnesses, and you have the sport that is bouldering. At Austin Bouldering Project, you can practice your climbing technique and problem solving in a safe environment, where the entire floor is a squishy mat to cushion your fall. An adult day pass is $16 but they offer punch passes and memberships as well. Sign up here.
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