For a small state, Rhode Island puts up some big numbers. With more gyms and fitness classes than Italians statewide, there are dozens of ways to stay in shape all year long. There’s a workout for everyone, and here are 15 worth getting out of bed for.
Training for Life
If you can squat 687 pounds but can’t sprint into the bathroom to hide your chocolate bar from your kids, what’s the point? Get your functional fitness maxed out at Manic Training, where they’ve coined their philosophy to get you “Ready for Life.” Training sessions use full body workouts and compound movements that utilize free weights, med balls, sandbags, kettlebells, Airdyne bikes, Ski Ergs, rowers, sleds and more, to keep you chasing candy bars without passing out. 3377 South County Trail, East Greenwich. 401-884-1300. 466 Main Street, Wakefield. 401-741-5106, manictraining.com
No Butts, No Glory
Shake your Buti
Translating to “Curing something hidden below the surface,” Buti digs deep to bring your inner female prowess out in this sweaty and satisfying form of high-energy tribal dance, power yoga and plyometrics. For one hour, transform from the inside out with other kick-ass women during this dim-lit, soulful (and did I mention sweaty?) journey at The Lighthouse Yoga + Pilates. 5 Coventry Shoppers Park, Coventry. 401-285-0903, thelighthouseri.com
Spartan Up
Sometimes just getting through the first two hours of the day (with or without children) feels like an obstacle course of the utmost challenge, but train with the pros to take your maneuvering skills to the next level with an Obstacle Course Fit class at Unleashed. Certified in Spartan Group X, coach Kevin will help you face your fears and mental blocks in this heart-pumping circuit-style workout that mimics most branded OCRs around today. For an added bonus, you’ll be able show your kids up on the monkey bars at the park. That’s called a parenting win. 5 Soule Street, Warwick. 401-732-0010, unleashedusa.com
Strap In
When an ex-Navy SEAL designs a piece of training equipment, you know you’re probably going to swear once or twice (and maybe at him) before the workout is over. Used by people at all fitness levels, TRX suspension straps work with your bodyweight while leveraging gravity to perform hundreds of stabilizing exercises, and PE Fitness has just the class for you. Not only does it strengthen and tighten your muscles, but also builds endurance, firms up your core and gives you one hell of a cardio workout. 1005 Main Street Unit 8138B, Pawtucket. 401-742-9490, pefitnessstudio.com
Grit and Bear It
If you have 30 minutes to spend on scrolling the morning’s memes of Instagram, you have 30 minutes to sweat your ass off with some High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) at Forecourt Racquet and Fitness Club. Jump into the latest of their LesMils classes – The Grit Series – designed to improve strength and cardio, increase speed, build lean muscle and get you performing like an athlete. 44 Cray Street, Cumberland. 401-333-4480, forecourtri.com
Stretch Your Limbs
You may spend time in an office with a trickling waterfall and a soft couch to work through your control issues, but walk into a Pilates studio and onto a mat, tower reformer, Wunda chair or spine corrector and take charge without consequence. RI Pilates Studio’s Equipment Trio class will tone muscle without bulk, strengthen your core, increase flexibility, improve posture and unite your body and mind. 622 George Washington Highway, Lincoln. 401-335-3099, ripilatesstudio.com
Rep it Out
The first rule of Crossfit is that you tell everyone you do Crossfit. I can say this and get away with it (kind of) because I secretly want to be a Crossfitter. Step into this focused group session atmosphere and develop power and athleticism in a program of multiple training modalities – from Olympic lifting and conditioning to functional movements and powerlifting – all of which are scalable to your fitness levels. Check out Post Road Crossfit to get started with basic fundamentals and skills. And then post it on Facebook. 6669 Post Road, North Kingstown. 401-398-8990, postroadcrossfit.com
Swing for the Sweat
Cast iron can serve up a lot more than warm, buttery cornbread. (Although, it would be okay to stop there sometimes.) When formed into “cannonballs with handles,” kettlebells give you a serious total-body weight training routine. In Epic Hybrid’s Tone and Power class, run through numerous kettlebell exercises to develop strength and keep your heart rate sky high. 200 Allens Avenue Unit 4A, Providence. 401-487-9577, epicprovidence.com
Battle of One
You can’t get through a day without reading an inspirational quote somewhere about being your own competition in life. Whoever penned the thought definitely had Tri-Force MMA’s Training for Warriors class in mind. This hour-long group circuit class tests your personal limits to their max, with timed exercises that were originally created for some of the best combat athletes in the world. Practice speed training, strength training, endurance and flexibility work in a motivational atmosphere that will leave you ready to take on the world. Or, at least survive the walk to the car. 179 Conant Street, Pawtucket. 401-640-8743, triforcemma.com
Red Light, Green Light
Have you ever heard a story told by a child and wondered how long it would be before he or she got to the end of it? That’s how Tabata is. Except, instead of listening in pain, you’re sweating in pain as the timer slowly counts down to the small reprieve between endurance and strength intervals. The Fitness Factory’s Tabata Tuesdays turns up the dial with a different workout each week, including fun (and nonstop) movements like burpees, squats, weight work, lunges and more. 2051 Smith Street, North Providence. 401-400-2013, instagram.com/fitnessfactoryri
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