If you like convenience and are shopping for a one-stop shop, YOGAthletix conveniently combines…read moreinterval training, HIIT, Barre Fit and yoga all in one studio. Even if you're unsure, YOGAthletix very generously offers a 1-week unlimited free trial promo code when you sign up for their newsletter. REGISTRATION All administrative work happens online via MINDBODY's platform/mobile app. If you're comfortable navigating other apps and webpages, it's superbly easy to sign-up and cancel classes. Personally, I've tried to cancel classes at least 24 hours in advance, and have signed up for classes as late as 30-minutes before class start. Obviously the earlier you sign-up/cancel is ideal, because it helps the instructors plan for numbers and any group/partner work. As for what to expect when you arrive, there are no reception staff and you simply find your name on a tablet and check in. CLASS SCHEDULE With classes as early as 6:30AM during the week and as many as 3 classes on a week night, another bonus of YOGAthletix is its flexibility to offer something for diverse schedules. On the weekend, it has 3 classes each day, with a 8:30AM start on Saturday and 9:30AM start on Sunday. Many of these classes are also consecutive, with no extended breaks in between, making it easy to stack your visit with multiple classes. As well, the classes are scheduled in a way that you do get a break, i.e. HIIT right before yoga, followed by Barre Fit. Most of the classes are 50-minutes each, with approximately 5 minutes dedicated to warm up at the start and 5 minutes to stretch at the end. The 10-minute buffer is great to allow traffic to flow in and out and to allow adjustments in the set up. CLASS FORMAT In terms of the format of the classes themselves, GETnFIT and GETnRIP'D are both interval based training, where FIT is focused on cardio and RIP'D, as the name suggests, on strength and toning. Logistically, GETnRIP'D will move you through various stations in groups of 2+, and GETnFIT is all mat based---but don't be surprised if there are some partner work thrown in for fun like punches. In all the class offerings, GETnRIP'D is the only class where you'll need athletic footwear. All other classes are done barefoot with the option of keeping your socks. For tips on what to bring and what to expect, be sure to refer to YOGAthletix's FAQ page. In terms of yoga, I'm personally not as experienced, but having the 1 week trial definitely gave me a greater appreciation for yoga. Previous to YOGAthletix, the form of yoga I've tried to practice consistently---read once a month a few years ago, was Kundalini---not something usually offered in most studios. As a result, I was never convinced I would like yoga, but after trying YOGAthletix's Yogasana and its nameskae Yogathletix classes, I feel like I "get" the appeal of yoga. EQUIPMENT For both FIT and RIP'D, YOGAthletix has no shortage of equipment, from rowing machines, to punching bags and boxing gloves---from the looks of it, it might be because they share a space with DTS Fitness Education. As for their yoga classes, there's ample supply of straps, bolsters, and beautiful cork yoga blocks, but do bring your own mat! What I was not used to, were Ugi Balls. For weight training, I'm more used to barbells, free weights, and medicine balls, so using Ugi Balls felt very awkward. If you haven't heard of them either, it's looks and feels like the love child of a medicine ball and a bean bag. For the record, there's nothing wrong with using these, just a personal adjustment. If you need to hydrate, all restroom faucets have filtered water and there is a gender neutral washroom available. INSTRUCTORS Whatever your fitness level, YOGAthletix instructors will give you modifications to help you scale your movements to either heighten the intensity or lower the impact, which to me, signals expertise. During my 7-day trial, I had the opportunity take classes with various instructors and really appreciated different aspects of each instructor, i.e. from learning proper form for and how to scale my Chaturanga to my level of strength, to learning different poses to help me approach YOGAthletix's pose of the month--Bakasana/Crow Pose. Out of all the instructors and based on my previous experience, I enjoyed Barb's and Tricia's class the most. I loved Barb's class because she's the only one who's default burpee is chest to the ground, which is how I've learnt them. I love Tricia because she surveyed the group for feedback on both her GETnFIT and Yogasana classes (thanks to a small class size). Based on our feedback of wanting to target our abs in GETnFIT, Tricia ensure we worked our abs plus our backs to fully exercise the core. For Yogasana when I asked to stretch our quads, she did so and also included and emphasized poses that would stretch our piriformis, which I have a lot of trouble with in relation to my quads and IT band---a holistic approach!

3 pros: - Cheap new member options! E.g. free first class,…read morefirst two weeks for $19, etc. - Easy online signup system with SMS and email reminders - Real sense of community with attendees of all ages, genders, and fitness levels! 3 cons: (For the HIIT workouts) - Instructor's microphone tonight sounded very muffled and the music was waaay too loud (tip: don't workout under the speakers) - HIIT intervals are too long at 60 seconds each, without breaks. IMHO the best workouts are the ones that challenge you to push yourself to your personal limit without demoralizing or completely fatiguing you before the next set. It's extremely hard to push yourself when the interval is too long because after awhile your form starts to fall apart, you get tired, cranky, bored, etc. It's kind of like heavy lifting - I think people are more likely to attempt a max weight with 3 reps instead of 10. - The giant beanbags they use here as weights are difficult to carry, especially if you have small hands, since these monsters are oddly shaped, don't have handles, and are slippery. I would have rather used dumbbells.

EM Barre 101 is more ballet moves than what I am accustom to. Barre3 & Physique 57 and Pure barre…read moreis what I was expecting or some variation to that. Nice space, but no a/c today... a very humid day. No cardio. Basically, coordination and a few balance moves with many plies. Let early. I suppose if you are used to this type of barre class it would be fine, but this was not want I had expected.

I tried extension room to see what it would be like, it was a free check in for the first class…read morewhich I thought was a pretty great deal, and sweet concept. It is a good exercise which incorporates a lot of ballet moves with barre. I sweat a whole bunch and got what I came for! Defs recommend.

My Barre 60 minute class with Haley was intense and satisfying. It was a mix of yoga, pilates and…read moreBarre. There was a lot of cardio involved. The playlist was amazing but the music was too loud. It's hard to hear the instructor when there's loud music playing. Haley checked in on me and other students regularly to make sure we were all doing ok. She encouraged us to do the best we can. For a cold Friday evening, the class was full which is amazing. The studio is clean and has plenty of room to lock up your stuff. They have those code based lockers. They have two restrooms and a shower. They provide with hair ties, spray deos and dry shampoo to refresh after the workout. There's also a water filling station to refill your bottles which is a nice sustainable touch.

Love visiting barre3 for their wide variety of barre classes!…read more Always a good sweat and feel more energized after

These classes are great workout!…read more I do not look as graceful as the instructors, but I leave the class feeling like I have worked hard... with that perfect tired but energized post work out feeling .. Plus .. if you go to the early morning class, there is like no one there!

This uptown boutique barre studio has been open a little under two months now, and as someone who…read moreheard about it through word of mouth, I REALLY like it. The space is clean, sleek and bright. There's a shower there, as well as some lockers to store your things. (And, if I understand correctly, there's a small childminding service available while you work out.) The owners - a husband-and-wife team - are great, too. They're super-friendly, and helpful if you've got questions. There are 7 types of barre/ballet classes (plus a ballet-fusion class for kids), and sessions are offered much most times of the day, every day of the week. The weekends *are* - understandably - busier than weekday mornings. (And I heard that classes were full throughout Easter weekend.) But as someone with an alternative schedule (I work weekends and am off weekdays), I like the fact it's *not* crowded early weekday mornings. The instructors (I've had classes with Marvin, Dave and Rochelle) - are great. They're super-helpful - talking you through/demonstrating exercises, and helping you to correct your body to feel the full effect of the exercises. (If you're an early riser, or attend a class that's sparsely attended, you might get more attentive instruction.) They're even there to answer questions about stretching, etc. For anyone unsure of which barre studio to choose (there are now two, with Barreworks opening its uptown location), I would invite anyone to try out a class or two at Barre Beautiful before deciding. I think it's worth it.

I've been coming here for years and I absolutely love it! The studio has such a great energy and I…read morealways leave with a big smile on my face. I can honestly say that I've never been to a studio that offers so much variety - from Pilates to barre to spin, there's so much to choose from and you really get your money's worth! I definitely recommend!

This is my go to place! Don't let the name fool you: it's not just Pilates although there's plenty…read moreof that in the schedule. Spin class, Sauna Spin (yes, spinning in a dry sauna environment; guaranteed to get your sweat on in short order), TRX, Booty Barre and FST Stretch Therapy (there's nothing like it). Post Natal and Active Aging and Private lessons are available too. First timers or those just getting back into fitness should take advantage of the introductory package. And twice a year the studio holds the '30 Day Challenge'.....an opportunity to sample a variety of classes at one low price. Every class you attend provides you with a refund against your original challenge enrollment. Staff are amazing and will provide you with gentle correction to ensure you get the most out of each class. Special attention to exercise modification due to injuries or limitations is no problem. For those early risers there's enrollment classes for Jumpboard and Reformer...and a Bootcamp that kicks a55. I wouldn't consider going anywhere else.

I very much appreciate the staff at Metro Movement. Having not danced for a while I was a little…read morenervous in reentering the dance world but any concerns I may have had very very quickly disappeared when I went to my first class. From the warm welcome I received upon arriving to the class itself to all of the wonderful other dancers there, everyone made me feel right at home, like I belonged. I found that Metro Movement makes everyone from beginners to professionals feel glad that they chose to make Metro Movement their dance studio of choice.....thank you !!!!

Metro Movement has been like a second home to me for the past year. It's a fantastic studio with…read moretop-notch teachers who are all working in the industry. Not only are the classes some of the best in the city, the teachers are amazing people and very welcoming, and Phil and Kalie who run the studio are just fabulous. No matter what level or style of dance you want to do, they have a class for you. However, I especially recommend it if you are a part of the musical theatre/entertainment industry. It's a great place to build your skills and to network. I highly highly recommend it!!

I started taking the Body Blast and Boxfit classes at this studio back in September and I'm super…read morehappy with the experience. I've even signed up for their 6 Week Fitness Challenge that starts tomorrow. I'm pretty active on my own, but find it's easy as we head into winter to opt for the couch over the run outside. So, signing up for classes provides a little extra incentive for me to keep active. From my first visit at Cornerstone I felt comfortable, a key feeling for me when I'm working out. The owner, Lauren Cook, took time to explain pricing, the best deals, and introductory offers. Although I don't have kids, I noticed that the schedule's built to accommodate kids classes at the same time adults are working out. Supporting local community businesses is important to me and Lauren took the time to explain why she opened and what impact she hopes it has on the community. All a positive for me. I take body blast with Nick Robinson on Thursdays. It's a mix of functional exercises to build cardio and some strength training. The classes are small, so it's more like a personalized workout with a trainer rather than a class at say Goodlife. The max we've had so far in class is 4 people, so there's no hiding. The upside, is that after I injured myself running, he was able to give me modified exercises during the class at no additional cost and it didn't prevent me from going. This was awesome! The Boxfit class on Sundays is the best workout I've ever had. If you're looking for a cardio workout this is it. It's an hour and divided amongst skipping, jogging, aerobics, box jumping, and punching the bag so you never get bored. You work on 3 minute rounds with 30 second breaks the whole time. Jared is funny and makes sure everyone is working hard throughout the class. As for costs, I pay per session and find it reasonably priced. It's more expensive than Goodlife, but I feel more accountable given the smaller class sizes. And you can't beat the individual attention you're getting from a certified instructors/trainers without paying for one-on-one sessions. I've not taken any of the adult dance classes they offer, but I've ventured into both Yoga and Pilates now and continue to be impressed by the staff they have.

My kids have been taking dance classes at Cornerstone since shortly after it opened and I always…read morerecommend it to anyone looking for breakdancing, hip hop and contemporary/modern dance style classes, and it's also a great place for really little kids to get into dance for the first time. My daughter in particular has learned so much and been able to really explore her creativity, plus has boosted her self esteem. Wonderful staff, very caring and thoughtful, and overall a great vibe in the studio. Delighted to see how the studio has evolved and grown over the years.

Ladies, it's time to get that booty thicker than a Wendy's shake. But seriously, Limber Fitness has…read morebeen a game changer for my health, especially with a busy work schedule and sitting at my desk all day. This fitness studio provides instructor-led workout routines and is unparalleled because it does it like no other: - women only - small, intimate classes (~5-6 ppl at most) - great variety (i.e. strength training, circuit, mat pilates, athletic vinyasa, restore, and more) - late classes and weekends (i.e. 7:45 pm) Perks like that would have to come at a price especially downtown but not at all. You don't have to compromise on a quality workout because the cost is extremely affordable. If you purchase their class bundles - it can be as cheap as $15 per class with a great selection. The owner, Rabeyl, is lovely with a wonderful vision of expanding to different types of classes and she takes feedback from her clientele regularly. They have introductory promos so I would definitely give them a try before you commit. It's what I did and I haven't looked back!