It’s no question that Austinites love working out. We can probably thank our beautiful geography, pleasant weather, and the amazing food in our city for giving us extra motivation to be fit (most of us will sweat for tacos). Around every corner these days it seems a new boot camp, fitness studio, or gym is popping up. With so many options, and more on the way, how do you choose the best fitness program and studio or gym for you?
Choose a program based on your fitness preferences.
You could choose a fitness program based on the type of activities or environment you enjoy most, or based on your goals. For example, if you love to run or want to become a better runner, you’d want to find a run group or group fitness class that incorporates running that will help you push yourself to improve your endurance and speed.
Maybe running is not your thing, but you love other types of cardiovascular fitness. There are many options, from indoor cycling, indoor rowing, kickboxing, higher-intensity yoga, Pilates, or barre “boot camp” classes, group HIIT classes, functional training classes, and even dance classes. There are even trampoline classes now available in Austin. Think about the type of exercise that appeals to you most, based on your main interests and what you truly enjoy, and explore gyms and studios that offer it.
When in comes to improving your health and fitness in a general sense, there is no such thing as a superior workout that works best for everyone. The “best” workout for most people is the one they will do consistently that helps them achieve their goals—with the key being consistency. So, figure out what you love to do, and do it consistently. If you have a specific performance or physique goal with a deadline, then it would be wise to seek out personalized or specified training.
Choose a program based on your location and it’s convenience.
You could choose a fitness program based on proximity and your schedule. For example if you live further out and work downtown, take advantage of the plethora of gyms located near your work. As a bonus, if you are going to the gym before or after work, you’ll beat traffic and get that hour of your life back to put toward your fitness goals! Find a gym or studio that is open early before work, at lunch, or open late after work so that you can get your workout in no matter how busy your days get. If you need access to a shower and locker room area, be sure to include that as a requirement in your search criteria.
Maybe you prefer to hit the gym after you’ve gotten home, or on the weekends. In this case, you will want to check out what is near your neighborhood. Use the guide we’ve provided and try out a few places. Be sure to go at times when you’ll actually be working out so you can scope out the atmosphere and see how crowded it might or might not be. If it’s too crowded or the class you want to take is always sold out, that might be an obstacle for you to stay consistent with your workouts.
Choose a program based on price and your budget.
Another way to choose a fitness program is based on price and what your budget will bear. However, don’t use this as your primary criteria for one simple reason: it’s not how much you're spending per month, but how much value you're getting out of that membership that means the most. A pricier gym or fitness studio that's closer to home, offers a program that gets you results, or offers longer hours might be a better option than an inexpensive gym, where there is little accountability or the workout isn’t helping you achieve your goals, in an inconvenient location with limited hours or classes that you can’t ever get into.
You’ll get the most value out of a fitness program that helps you meet the criteria most important to you. So, get clear on that, and then compare options.
At the beginning of the year, you’re likely to find a ton of great deals out there, so be sure you are using other criteria to help you select the right fit for you. The best time of year to find fitness deals is January and September, so don’t miss out! Take a few classes or try a gym out for a week or so before committing to a membership. Most studios and gyms offer inexpensive special deals for new students. Really take a look at what value you are being offered before you sign up for that long-term membership. All gyms and studios are in the customer service business first and foremost, so make sure you are being treated well and to your expectations. If you feel ignored or like another number, get out of there. There are too many amazing options in this town not to absolutely love your fitness program and find a community where you can grow.
Kickboxing Gym
30 min Circuit Classes
There are no class times, come when ever you want to start!
General Gym
Studio Classes and Training
General Gym
Studio Classes and Training
Yoga and Pilates Studio
$15 per class, $12 for 4 classes, First Class Free
Yoga Studio
Classes on Tues/Thur/Sun
Yoga Studio
Parkour Gym
Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Strongman
Yoga Studio
Transformational Fitness
General Gym with Training, Yoga, Cardio, Cycling, Dance, & Group Classes
Yoga Studio
Crossfit
Hot Yoga, Multiple Locations
Gymnastics Studio
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym, Multiple Locations
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym
General Gym, Women
Barre, Pilates, Yoga
Dance Studio
Crossfit Gym
Martial Arts and Self Defense
facebook.com/Dramatico-Martial-Arts/
General Gym
General Gym
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Personal Training, Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting
Strength, Conditioning
General Gym
Crossfit Gym
General Gym
Personal Training
MMA, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai in Austin & Cedar Park
Personal Training
Gymnastics, Cheer
General Gym
roundrock.kokofitclub.calls.net
General Gym, Multiple Locations
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Cardio, Strength Training
Taekwondo, Yoga
Boxing Gym
Hardcore Training
Yoga Studio
Wakeboard Park
Strength and Conditioning, Bootcamps
Interval Training, HIIT
MMA, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Football and Boot Camps
peakperformancemartialarts.com
Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing & Functional Fitness/Exercise Training
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Zumba, Dance
General Gym, Women
General Gym, Cycling, Strength, Yoga, Personal Training
Yoga Studio
Boxing
MMA, Tai Chi, Archery
Yoga, Pilates
Personal Training
Yoga, Pilates
Yoga
Pilates, Yoga, Barre, Fitness
Crossfit Gym
Kid’s Fitness
thelittlegym.com/austinatlakelinetx/
Pilates
Boxing
Pilates, Barre, Multiple Locations
Yoga, Fitness
Strength, Conditioning
MMA, Fitness, Personal Training
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit, Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Gymnastics
Yoga Studio
General Gym, Fitness
Yoga Studio
Yoga Studio
Personal Training
Strength, Conditioning
biggerfasterstrongertraining.com
Yoga Studio
Strength, Weightlifting
Surfing, Group Fitness
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym
Crossfit Gym
Rockclimbing
Pilates, Yoga, Cycling
Strength, Conditioning, Fitness
Self Defense (Krav Maga), Fitness, Fighting
HIIT, Yoga, TRX, Fitness
Fitness, Strength, Cardio
Bootcamp, Fitness, Personal Training
Boxing, Kickboxing, Strength, Yoga, Cardio
Boxing, Kickboxing
Fitness, Strength, Cardio, Boxing
Kickboxing, HIIT
General Gym
General Gym
Barre, Cardio, Pilates
Cardio, Group Classes, Fitness, Multiple Locations
Yoga
Boxing, Personal Training, Krav Maga
Rockclimbing
Yoga
Fitness, MMA, Tai Chi, Strongman, Yoga
Barre, Multiple Locations
Boxing, Fitness
Martial Arts
Barre, Pilates, Multiple Locations
Fitness, Personal Training
Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, MMA
Yoga
Strength, Conditioning, Military Training
Fitness, Conditioning, Recovery
Rockclimbing
Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA
Zumba, Turbo Kick, Yoga
Yoga
Fitness, Nutrition, Personal Training
blackbirdfitnessandnutrition.com
Crossfit
Strength, Conditioning, Fitness
Yoga
MMA, Crossfit, Yoga, Personal Training
Yoga
Strength, Conditioning, Fitness
facebook.com/FortitudeFitness/
Personal Training, Strength, Conditioning, Nutrition
Yoga, Fitness, Gay Friendly
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Yoga
MMA, Yoga, Boxing
Fitness, Yoga
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Pilates
Fitness, Yoga
Therapy, PIlates
Crossfit
Crossfit
facebook.com/CrossFitBartonCreek
MMA, Obstacle Training
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Personal Training, Fitness
Gym
Pilates
Strength & Conditioning
Pilates
Fitness, Strength, HIIT, Cardio
Fitness, Cardio, Strength
Barre
Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning
Rowing, Multiple Locations
Yoga, Pilates, Bodywork
Athletic Performance, Training, Fitness
Athletic Performance, Training, Fitness, Cycling
Crossfit, Strength & Conditioning
MMA, Taekwondo
Gym
Yoga
Yoga
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Boxing, Kickboxing, HIIT,Multiple Locations
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Jiu Jitsu, Ground Fighting
Barre
Yoga
Yoga
Yoga, Barre, Pilates, Boot Camp, Fitness
Yoga
Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, Gym
Yoga, Multiple Locations
Crossfit
Cardio, Group Classes
Strength & Conditioning, Fitness
Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Cycling
Fitness, Training
Pilates
Boxing, Training
Aerial Yoga, Pole Dancing, Trapeze
TRX, Fitness, Conditioning
Wellness, Fitness, Women
General Gym, Multiple Locations
Training, Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting
Pilates, Cycling, Multiple Locations
Cycling
General Gym, Spa, Fitness
Fitness, Cardio, Strength
General Gym, Fitness, Classes, Personal Training, Multiple Locations
Pilates
Cycling
Rowing
Cycling, Fitness
Barre
Pilates
Yoga for Kids
Yoga
General Gym, Multiple Locations