What do I have to say about this place. One word. Intense! I'd only attended a few classes but I…read morehave to say I really enjoyed them as their training is focused on conditioning you so that you can react appropriately in dangerous real world situations. You'd think that the instructors there would be mean and hardcore, and I'm sure they can be when they're really getting into it. However as a new person walking off the street, the class was explained to me and I was treated politely as though I'd just walked into any other martial arts dojo. The funny thing was that I had gone to try out their class just shortly after breaking my nose in another martial arts class. I think I had a glutton for punishment back then, but I was adamant to give their class a go before I headed home for uni holidays. The people there are pro's and they don't water down situations or necessarily try to make you feel safe as you are training. Everything is high intensity, and I think that is important if you really want to get the adrenaline pumping in order to condition yourself to deal with potentially stressful fight or flight situations. While they do teach you to punch and kick, elegance isn't as important as effectiveness and the focus is more on making sure you hit your opponent as opposed to executing a flawless technique. The people I met there were all very ordinary so I would say this is something everyone should try out at least once. They aren't the cheapest classes to attend, but I wouldn't say they are any more expensive than other gyms that teach serious martial arts. If you're looking for practical defensive skills that you can apply when the stuff really hits the fan, I recommend checking this class out. For beginners, you'd go through an 8 week intro program which costs $75 and after that you can decide which type of membership plan best suits your needs.

Very effective martial arts training system that promotes various degrees of force depending on the…read morecircumstance. Good for dealing with knives and guns. Excellent weapons training systems. Krav is an effective martial art for self defence and protection of life.

North Adelaide Fitness Centre has won a plethora of Adelaide awards as an independent fitness…read morecentre and gives the bigger, more expensive gyms a really good run for their money. North Adelaide runs a fully equipped gymnasium with separate weights and cardio room. In addition, they have two rooms allocated for fitness classes. They run all of the popular Les Mills classes and a couple of their own including Pilates, Yoga and Kickboxing. They also offer RPM in the cycling room downstairs but I cannot tell you what it's like because RPM is the worst kind of pain ever invented and I rather poke my own eyes out then go. The staff are super friendly and will sit down with you and work out what they can do for you to help with your weight loss and fitness goals. They will also create a personal fitness plan for free and they go through all of the exercises and movements so they can be performed and safely and correctly for the maximum benefits. They also run boot camps and fund raising fitness classes which make for an exciting and uplifting atmosphere, where you really feel welcome. Because of its location there is limited parking which can be a pain in the butt, and the street is also used as a shortcut for traffic coming from the city. So try to avoid peak times and there will be less traffic, more parking, and less sweaty beefy men filling the weights room!

I attend the classes run by Sharon each Tuesday night. I used to do Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga many…read moreyears ago with another studio, and have recently decided to take it up again due to the health benefits, and also as it clears my mind. The style I attend is Hatha, and the classes are different every time as the teacher adapts the classes to those who are attending. You do not do a set routine each time, and personally I find this more interesting because I like to have it mixed up a bit. The thing I love about yoga is that it is about your body and your personal limits, there is nothing more satisfying than feeling your body click into place more each time you attempt a pose than last time you tried it. Sharon is very encouraging as a teacher, and calm, she respects the limits of every class member and makes everyone feel good about what they can do. She leans more towards the spiritual side but there is no chanting, which is fine by me. Each class will have as many as two or three meditative periods, and I find that at the end I feel very light and experience a wonderful sense of calm and wellbeing. I often find that if I practice yoga for any period of time my core strength improves markedly, and I have better posture and can breathe easier. All this and leaving class each Tuesday night as if I have just had a relaxing full body massage for only $16 a session, is certainly a bargain in my book.

Body Synergy, which used to be on Wheatland Street Seacliff has just moved to Balance For Health…read more The studio is bigger, and there is now more equipment. I attend the Body Synergy class once a week: 10 minutes cardio (usually on a bike, rowing machine or cross trainer), 10 minutes of one-on-one weight training, 10 minutes on the vibration machine, then 30 minutes Pilates. Classes are no bigger than 4 people, so the instructor is always keeping an eye on you (which means you can't slack off when you think no one is looking, ha!). My trainer Lesa is brilliant - the right mix of pushing you, but not going beyond what you should be doing. Body Synergy was created for people with back injuries in mind, but is suitable for all fitness levels. Highly recommended ... even for someone like me, who doesn't usually like exercise ;)

I love Anytime Fitness. Work out at any-time-of-the-day suits me to a tee given shift work and…read morebusy lifestyle. I'm an official member at another branch but one month after you join you can use any branch WORLDWIDE at any time and that's a sales carrot in itself. I've used about 10 branches around Adelaide, often squeezing in a workout whilst attending to other tasks, and I've even used my pass on a recent QLD trip, utilising Brisbane's city gym right on the waterfront! All the equipment is state of the art, well maintained and rarely out of order for any length of time. Some hold classes, if you stick to a local gym, but all have on-demand TV screen classes for anyone to start/use at any time. All provide Personal Trainers (at a cost) if you require some extra encouragement. They are staffed during business hours and cctv plus being locked in during out of hours gives customers the security. To enter you simply used a security fob (key) but don't ever lose it - a $50 replacement fee is rather hefty. All branches are similar and stick to the same formula and basically only differ in their size, available equipment and customer demographic. New branches are still popping up and are often well advertised - they are the best option to become a member as you'll often get in at a very low rate.

I started the introductory yoga class with Jane back in January and instantly fell in love with the…read morepractice. Jane is thorough and takes the time to answer any questions, help you with the poses and offer advice after classes too. From what I can remember, she undertook her training in India itself so you know you're getting the best. If you're a complete novice, the beginners course is definitely for you. If you're slightly more advanced, there is a general class another night of the week where you'll be able to showcase your flexibility! I felt part of a group the whole time and we were all very like-minded. Ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes attend the classes so don't think you'll be at the back of the class alone. I have yet to see any gents join in though I would encourage them to. Jane frequently emails resources throughout the week for extra learning and guidance. I have personally found yoga to be a great stress relief and perfect me-time. I'm a frequent cyclist and occasional runner but there's something about really channelling your thoughts and slowly moving through all the poses and stretches to test both your physical and mental strengths.

I hate the gym and have never really stuck with a workout routine until I started barre at Aleenta…read more The tenders are encouraging and the Rundle studio is a beautiful open location. I walk to work, and the studio is about five minutes away, so I can't speak to the parking situation. There are currently five different types of classes offered at the studio, plus occasional challenges or extended workshops. I love the variety, and that I can take classes before work, at lunchtime, or after work. Routines change every month, and each instructor puts their own twist on the routine, so if you go to multiple different classes you get a really nice variety of different styles of instruction. Everyone is knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging, and keeps me coming back for more! I have seen a noticeable change in my body, but most importantly it gives me a great place to clear my head and reboot a little bit. Ending with meditation is a real game changer. You also stretch throughout, so even after I have worked myself to exhaustion in the class, I never walk out feeling very sore. It's pricey, but worth it, since I keep going! I don't think it's more expensive than Pilates.

I've started Barre classes at the perfectly positioned Aleenta Barre (upstairs from Endota Spa)…read moreright next door to all my favourite shops which provides a little extra motivation. I'm a 6.30AM attendee so parking is never an issue - Rundle Street is eerily calm, quiet and empty at that time. Instructors are fabulous especially Alicia and Klara who are my favourites! There are three different class types don't be fooled Blend can be as hard as Burn. Content of classes change regularly, seems when you master one release you are on to the next. It is important to note that you must book into classes, there is no just rocking up. They have lots of different class times and an excellent iPhone app for booking classes - particularly useful for booking in at 5.45AM when you jump out of bed and decide you want to get to the 6.30AM class. Class ends with a healthy juice shots from Sowelu Naturopathy and you are ready to hit the ground running. Barre all excuses and give it a go!

Yoga Life is a small store on Payneham road specialising in the sale of Yoga apparrel, equipment…read moreand accessories. In terms of apparel it is largely directed at a female audience and is largely modern styled sportswear (you're not going to find any crazy safron robes here). In addition, they sell practice rugs and mats, bolsters, yoga straps as well as rudraksha beads and other Yoga inspired jewellery. Yoga Life hosts Ashtanga Yoga classes most days of the week. A class timetable can be accessed from their website. There are separate classes aimed and both beginner and more experienced practitioners. Prices vary according to the number of classes to be taken, but for a one off try the cost is $18.