I've been intrigued by Barefoot Bands at Fitness on the Water from my first glimpse of a photo of a…read moreroom full of ladies clutching colorful rubber ribbons hanging from the ceiling. I finally found my way over to Westbrook to give it a whirl and it was everything I'd hoped for and more. For starters, I reserved a spot ahead because I heard this class fills up quickly. After grabbing a set of green bands from the ceiling, I held on for dear life as the music started and instructor Dana Brown led the group in unison as we lifted, squatted, reached, and jumped in every possible direction. So much fun! And just when I thought I needed a rest, the positions changed. We moved through Yoga, Pilates, Barre and dance moves. Before I knew it, 60 minutes had passed and every muscle in my body had gotten in on the action. Director Dana Brown is a level 3 Peak Pilates instructor, Barre instructor and a personal trainer (and Erica's first personal trainer in CT!). Her knowledge of anatomy and alignment blends perfectly with her exuberance for this high energy, low impact class. Now you can enjoy even more classes at Fitness on the Water. They've opened another studio in Branford where they offer a variety of group fitness classes including Barefoot Bands (with Dana on Mondays!).

I originally tried out Fitness on the Water for a 'free trial day' and that 30 minute cardio barre…read morekicked my derriere! I immediately signed up for a month-long trial and was hooked! The classes I took with Joanne and Dana were inspiring and invigorating with adaptations for any fitness or body to get a full workout. Easily my favorite exercise classes yet, they work me the hardest while making it fun, plus there's a noticeable difference in my biceps and bum from just a month here! I would be amiss if I didn't also mention how absolutely luxurious this spot is! Treats include infused water and cool towels available for freshening up after your workout. 10/10 would recommend Fitness on the Water to everyone!

Always a welcoming staff, you'll get a great hot yoga experience from any one of their instructors!read more

This is an Awesome Yoga studio. Instructors are professional and very knowledgable.. Sometimes…read morethe classes can get crowded which prevents them from demon strating, but they absolutely will if you ask. I found that classes are consistantly run and even though my life can be busy, I can always count on them to be there. I have been a member for 2 and 1/2 years...

So much yes. Great…read morepricing, thoughtful amenities, fun atmosphere, challenging, nice and warm, and plenty of classes to choose from. Price: No risk to drop in and try with a free first class, and after that packages are very reasonable. Even the drop in price is lower than most. Amenities: So many Yoga Studios aren't able to offer the amenities of the Yoga Shop, or they haven't thought things through as well. Such lovely little touches like cookies and cinnamon tea, hair ties in the bathroom, in case you forgot one, tampons, and even plastic bags in the hanging area for sweaty clothes. Very very thoughtful. Fun Atmosphere: upbeat music a little more pop, joking, smiles, not taking yourself too seriously. I loved that this was more focused on the body and workout and less focused on my orange chakra! Warm: I was pleasantly surprised at the heat! Yes! I'm not sure how I missed this on the website? I actually didn't want like this place when I first walked in, because it felt a tad corporate, everything such a well oiled machine, the counter service, the prompts during class to use hashtags, the crowd a little, "basic," the changing area filled with Uggs, but let me tell you, I really loved it! I think some basic bitches got it going on here, I mean, PSLs can be really yummy, and I like how organized and plush they've made the experience. If this is how the basic bitch practices yoga, count me in. ;)

The vibe felt warm and welcoming in terms of decor and lighting. Im a yogi and a yoga teacher who…read morehas a deep appreciation for the tradition, and didn't realize this studio teaches their own branded yoga, LivFree. The class is a quick paced vinyasa in a heated room, with a non traditional yoga lingo - "rockstar pose" and "track star pose" --a modernized version of yoga into a franchised aerobic class. I was surprised that the instructor continued to say two more breaths and allowed us to hold for ten or longer (continuously). Even more surprised that as a first timer to the studio the instructor engaged in zero conversation with me. If you're looking for a genuine, welcoming studio for all yogis, probably not for you.

I have been to 10 Jazzercise classes now and have found every class really FUN! The instructors…read morehave all been fantastic, and no class hour has been exactly the same. Hand weights, bands, and dance... A great combination! The room is big, well lit, and the people who go to class are friendly. The scheule of classes gives you many optional times of the day to go. The room is air conditioned when it is hot outside, and occasionally we're even treated to cold "spa towels" (washcloth size) to cool off at some point during the class. The hour goes quickly, and the music and instructors are great! They have a college student special for the summer, which makes starting-up price very reasonable to try it for a month or two!

Plagued by injuries this year, I've been on the hunt for a new delivery method for my daily dose of…read moreendorphins. My yoga practice just hasn't been cutting it for me. I've been walking with a friend and pedaling away on my exercise bike, but I'm a girl who needs the espirt de corps of a class. On the spur of the moment, Laura and I (Zumba lovers from way back), decided to give Jazzercise a go. I know, I know...but it's not what you think. This is super fun, old school, low-impact aerobics set to a current soundtrack (Bruno Mars! Ed Sheeran!), and the lot of us (young, old, and in-between) chassed and step-tapped for a happy forty minutes before turning to light weights, crunches, and floor exercises. We were sweaty and grinning and the hour whizzed by. At $55 for unlimited classes a month, plus lots of class times to choose from, this could be my new thing (daycare, too). It's too bad my old Jane Fonda-ish thong is long gone, but I am most definitely pulling out the sweatband for this one. Pricing is month by month, no joining fees. The best deal is $49 a month unlimited classes automatic funds transfer, that can be canceled anytime. Regular price is $55 for a month of unlimited classes and $15 walk in. We went to Old Saybrook but find Jazzercise in Niantic, Killingworth, and Madison, too.

It was years since i stepped into a gym, in addition to recovering from knee surgery - i could…read morehardly get down to the floor and getting up was worse. After area research i contacted Joe at Iron House to talk through membership, costs, equipment and using their in-house trainers. I will simply say this gym is a throwback in every positive way to what a gym should be - nothing fancy but everything you need; it was exactly like all my favorite gyms rolled into one - enough wieghts, cardio, machines (including some not found in other gyms) and fitness accessories (bands, steps, mats, sticks, heavy balls, etc). Most important i never felt uncomfortable. or judged - especially given my limitations - every staff-person and member was focused on their workouts and staff duties, and all were respectful and always helpful. This gym "vibe" is best captured with me struggling to stand up while at the same time the morning group classes - intense, difficult, and demanding - were going on in the designated area and I never once felt "less" or judged - always smiles (not sure how they managed to smile!!) and hello. Enter Anna or better known as "Coach" to many in the gym who use her personal trainer services. Anna was the perfect blend of understanding (adjusted equipment and moves to my level), motivating, encouraging and yes tough as she needed to be - i went from day-one needing help laying down and then getting up, to 3 sets of 3 different exercises, to workingout on my own. At home I could once again climb stairs (from one stair at a time) and had more energy at work. Joe has built a community (both in and out of the gym) and regardless of whether a member took part in other activities, everyone is also welcomed. Lastly a shoutout to Bruce who faithfully opened the gym every morning, even while recovering from his own surgery...

This gym is the best! Joe, Kati and the entire staff are knowledgeable about fitness and they are…read morededicated to the community. October has been quite a month for the Iron House Fitness. They sponsored "IHF Moves 4 Autism", where members and local athletes participated in different events (run/bike/run duathlon, lift-off, fun run, thruster/run). All proceeds were donated to the Mayer Center at Middlesex Hospital and The Nest in Deep River. Both support or employ children and adults with autism. Then there was a motivational competition for all members. You just needed to show up for classes to participate - easy!! I love my gym community! I have made great friends while maintaining my physical health. If you're looking for a great gym, this is the place!

I like the Valley-Shore Y but wish they could invest in upgrading the locker room.....the…read moreinvestment they made in the cardio space a few years ago was transformative....if only they could do the same for the men's locker room. Everyone at the front desk, particularly Tony, never fail to greet you with a smile to welcome you.

If you crossed a Valley Girl with a Jersey Shore Girl, you'd have a Valley Shore Girl, and she…read moremight well work out here, at the gym named after her. That sounds hot. In some regards, this is not a bad YMCA, and I left some important stuff here (cellphone, Anker charger), and they saved it for me which was great, and saved me a lot of money and stress. I was able to go back and get it late at night, even when they were supposed to be closed. They didn't have any problem letting me in at closing time, and were pretty friendly about that. And pretty friendly in general. On the other hand some of the equipment is really old and several of us got kicked out when the section that we were using was needed for a class - and this kind of thing is a big No-No when you're paying members - so I'll give it a 4 but it could have easily gotten at 3 if they weren't so great about the stuff I left behind.

Gorgeous facility, awesome instructors and crazy burn! The ideal fitness studio for all the reasons!read more

Fabulous place and amazing talent who know their craft! Highly recommend! Take a tour and see for…read moreyourself, it's worth the trip.

We had a great experience thanks to Sea Turtle SUP! Their responses were prompt and prices very…read morereasonable. SUPs were practically new and they showed up exactly when they promised for delivery and gave me a heads up for pick up. Would not change a thing about my experience renting from them and can't wait to do it again.

We rented two paddle boards for a large family picnic and what a good decision that was! The owner,…read moreJim, was very easy to work with, pleasant, flexible and informative. Following his instructions was easy and made a big difference in our success. Many of our guests had never paddle boarded before but everyone had a good experience. Fun for those who watched too. This will definitely become a tradition for our future Labor Day picnics!

Joint Effort is one of the things that give a reason for getting out of bed. The staff is great and…read moreso helpful. They help over come any problems you have with movement. They will customize your program to your needs. I started going to Joint Effort Old Saybrook shortly after they open and I sill there. So in my eyes they must be doing something right. I'm Still at it and I'll be 80 in January.

I've been a member at JE in Old Saybrook after getting recommendations from 2friends 3 yrs ago…read more I'm so glad I joined. I always disliked exercise and half-heartedly joined gym classes over the years only to get bored and drop out, or get injured (over-exuberant at Yoga!). At 64 I realized how much strength I had lost over the years and decided to take a chance at this gym where I had truly individualized instruction, modifications if something wasn't working for me and I saw progress which gave me confidence to continue. A bonus is the camaraderie of the members and instructors. It's more expensive than other gyms but those never worked for me. And getting older, preventing injury is much more important to me than spending a little more money. Plus I like it and I'm sticking with it, a first for me.