If you’re like me, then having the time, and let’s be honest, motivation, to work out in between classes, homework, and a social life is very difficult. Over the past week I have been in search of the best workout class in Boston – something that makes me want to not only come back, but come back and work out. I reviewed 5 workout spots and found some that I loved and some that I did not love. I hope this is just as helpful for you as it was for me!
For this article, I booked all of my classes through Class Pass. Class Pass is an app that gets you into the best fitness classes near you. On the app, you can buy credits that allow you to book workout classes near you instead of buying a bunch of classes at one spot. Also, in my article I compare prices and this conversion works when you buy 25 credits for $50 (or $2 per credit). If you want try Class Pass for two weeks for free you can use this link: https://classpass.com/pricing/boston/getclasspass
- Barry’s Bootcamp: Chest, Back, and Abs (50 minutes)
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Website: https://www.barrysbootcamp.com
Price: On Barry’s website, first-timers can get a deal of 3 classes for $60, while one normal class costs $32. On Class Pass, Barry’s was 14 credits (about $28), which is cheaper than booking directly through Barry’s website.
Locations:
455 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116 (the studio I went to, in Back Bay)
30 Chauncy St, Boston, MA 02110 (downtown Boston near the Leather District)
55 Boylston St #5568, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (near Boston College)Classes Offered: Each day of the week at Barry’s is dedicated to a different area of the body.
Monday: Arms & Abs, Tuesday: Full Body (Lower Focus), Wednesday: Chest, Back, and Abs, Thursday: Abs & Ass, Friday: Total Body, Saturday: Full Body (Upper Focus), Sunday: Total Body
My Experience:
As soon as you walk into Barry’s, you check in at the front desk. When I did this, the person working at the front desk asked me if this was my first class and I responded that it was. She then explained to me where everything was, told me where I would be in the class, and gave me a general overview of what happened in the class, which was honestly very helpful. I then proceeded to the locker rooms, where I changed and placed my bags into lockers where you choose your own code, which is such a plus if you’re coming straight from class like I was. I then went into the workout space, a pretty dark room with red lights. The general idea of the class is that you run, then lift, then run, then lift again, or vice versa. I started off with running. We ran for 12 minutes, sprinting, jogging, and running whenever the instructor said so. After those 12 minutes, I proceeded to the floor with medium weights and large weights where we did chest and back exercises, finally finishing with abs. We then repeated this sequence. To be honest, I was sweating profusely the entire time and struggling a bit. This workout is definitely not for the faint of heart, or body. - Row Republic: Full Body 50
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Website: https://www.row-republic.com
Price: On Row Republic’s website, first-timers can get a deal of 2 classes for $29, while one normal class costs $29. Also, Row Republic has a student discount on their website that makes each class $20. On Class Pass, Full Body 50 at Row Republic is 7 credits, which amounts to about $14, significantly cheaper than on their website.
Location:
77 N Washington St, Boston, MA 02114 (the studio I went to, near North Station)Classes Offered: Full Body 50, Full Body 60, Lower Body 50: Legs, Butt, Core, Upper Body 50: Arms, Back, Core, Upper Body 50: Chest, Shoulders, Core
My Experience:
Since it was my first time at Row Republic and their website requested that I arrive fifteen minutes early to my class, I did just that. For first time rowers they give you a new client orientation which consists of learning how to properly row and what will happen in the class that day. I found this really helpful because the only time I have ever used a rowing machine was years ago when I used to attend Orange Theory. This experience was like a lot of the other fitness classes I have attended where you switch between using the machine and going on the floor and using weights. Personally, I love this style of workout because it lets you give different muscles a break while you work others. I definitely enjoyed this class and will probably be coming back because of how inexpensive it is on Class Pass. - BURN Fitness Studios: Pilates Fusion
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Website: http://www.burnfitboston.com
Price: BURN has a lot of different options for paying for their classes on their website. First off, for new clients, it’s $15 for one class. But after that, each class is $20. BURN also has a student discount that’s ten classes for $150 when ten classes are usually $250. On Class Pass, Pilates Fusion at BURN is 9 credits, which amounts to about $18, more than the amount for a first-timer but less than the price for someone who has gone before.
Locations:
867 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 (the studio I went to, in Back Bay)
547 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118 (South End)Classes Offered: Power Burn, Tabata Burn, Metcon Burn, TRX Tabata, Burn Camp, Indoor Rowing, Vinyasa Yoga/Happy Hour Yoga, Broga, Pilates Fusion, Cardio Core. Each of these different classes have their own description on their website.
My Experience:
I was super excited to go to BURN because I have been once before for a yoga class and really enjoyed it. Before going into this pilates class, I did not really know what to expect because I had only ever been to one other pilates class before and that was about three years ago. But to my surprise, I enjoyed this class. Honestly, I would much rather lift weights or do cardio then do yoga or pilates so I don’t think I would take this class again, but it is good to always try new things in your workout routine and this class definitely did that for me. This class worked muscles for me that I could have just forgotten about. If you are looking for a new pilates class or to even try it out, I would recommend BURN. I want to go back to BURN to try out their other classes as well since they have so much to offer! - TITLE Boxing Club: BOX 60
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Website: https://titleboxingclub.com
Price: On Class Pass, BOX 60 at TITLE Boxing Club is 8 credits, which amounts to about $16. Mainly, TITLE focuses on monthly memberships that you can find available on their website.
Locations:
338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115 (the studio I went to, in Back Bay)
226 Causeway St, Boston, MA 02114 (North Station)Classes Offered: Boxing Classes, Kickboxing Classes, MMA Classes, Private Training
My Experience:
I actually ended up going to TITLE Boxing with my friend Lauren because she has a membership and goes multiple times a week. Since it was my first time and she is a regular, she showed me the ropes. When I got there, they set me up with wraps and gloves, which you have to buy after your first time. The trainer then took me to the side and gave me an explanation of the different types of punches. First, we warmed up with fifteen minutes of cardio, pretty much jumping jacks, mountain climbers, high knees, and burpees. Then there were eight rounds of boxing with different combos. Finally, we did fifteen minutes of abs and finished with a stretch. I think that this work out is something that you grow to enjoy as you get better at it. Personally I didn’t enjoy this as much as a more cardio-focused workout, but I think that is just because this class is something that challenges me both physically and mentally. - Soul Cycle: Classic 45-minute Class
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Website: https://www.soul-cycle.com
Price: This is the only class that I did not buy on Class Pass, simply because it is not available there. But, on the Soul Cycle website they sell classes individually or in packs. One class for a new rider is $20, but if you are not a new rider one class will cost you $30. They also offer a student discount, even though they don’t advertise it. If you go into the studio and buy classes with your student ID, they cost $20 each instead of $30.
Locations:
500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (the studio I went to, in Back Bay)
300 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 (in Beacon Hill)
200-230 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (near Boston College)
101 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210 (in the Seaport District)Classes Offered: 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes. Each class offers themes and different kinds of music.
My Experience: I have been to Soul Cycle time and time again and I keep coming back even though the price is so steep because it is one of those workouts where I really feel the benefits. If you’ve never been, Soul Cycle is a cycling class with weights and loud music that keeps your adrenaline high throughout the workout. Personally, the first time I went to a Soul Cycle class I was really intimidated because the majority of the class was filled with girls that had that classic model body. But over time, I feel like Soul Cycle has become more inclusive; it’s a workout for anybody, no matter the kind of body you have. I also tend to go to Soul Cycle with friends, which is extra fun because they give you that extra kind of motivation you may need.
This week I had a super interesting experience trying out so many different kinds of workouts. I hope this influences you to try some new workouts as well! But for me, I may just stick to running on the esplanade — oh, well!
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