I've been going to Alota Pilates on and off for quite a few years. Starting at their old location…read morein one small room, I attended a variety of mat classes taught by Caryn and really enjoyed them. I have some body issues stemming from injury and flat feet (thanks dad) and caryn not only was respectful of them but also showed me how to modify certain stretches and sequences so as not to hurt myself or cause discomfort and also get the maximum stretch and strengthening. This morning I went to my first mat class (we had a private "family" class with my mom, me, our friend and her daughter) in probably 3 years and it was wonderful. Their new (well, new to me!) space is light, airy and just beautiful. Caryn is a fantastic teacher and is extremely attentive to all in her classes. I will admit, Pilates can be a bit expensive but the effect it has on your body...and really your mind, can be well worth the expense.

Here's the scoop - the reformer (which PR person came up with that name?) classes usually have 2-3…read morestudents so you really get a lot of attention from the instructor who constantly checks to make sure you're breathing right and have the right posture. Without these two things you could do a lot of Pilates and have nothing to show for it. The classes feel close to having a personal trainer - I haven't ever had one though - who gives you exercises to do at home and helps you stretch afterward. This is based entirely on my experience with Tia. You can buy 10-class packs for $300 (no credit cards). After being reformed, you can venture on to the chair and mat classes.

I've been anxiously awaiting the opening of Samadhi! I have taken a few classes led by Molly (the…read moredirector) at different yoga studios around MPLS, so I had a feeling her studio would be awesome, and I was right! It is located in a quiet area that is easily accessible by public transit. The studio itself is super bright and clean, and Molly is super welcoming, always asking questions about how my work is going and listening with genuine interest. The best part of this studio is that it is rooted in making the yoga scene inclusive to everyone. You can walk in and feel welcome, and pay what you can afford. The yoga teachers represent various races, ages, body types, etc. I loved both the Vinyasa class and the Ashtanga 2/3 class. As a relatively new "Ashtangi" and a hip surgery veteran, I felt that the Ashtanga 2/3 class was accessible and not intimidating, with plenty of modifications and adjustments to make me feel safe (but still challenged).

I love the variety of classes offered here. The instructors know their stuff, and while the classes…read moreI've taken have been challenging they aren't intimidating. Great mission, too!

I have trained at Arete since I was young. Both solo and with my entire soccer team. There are…read morehundreds of workout/training facilities but this one stands far above the rest. The staff and owner sit down and listen to each persons individual needs, from there they use science and technology to evaluate your present state fitness status, and from there create a completely personalized program for you. With lifetime outcomes in mind, it's not just a quick fix. They tone, strengthen and educate on how to do exercises properly to not cause issues later on and prevent common injuries by strengthening surrounding muscle groups. This knowledge of the connection between body, fitness and science something that Arete Healthfit excels at and has as their core values for all its clients. All my training there helped me avoid any serious injuries throughout 15 years of soccer!

Went here for a Bod Pod body composition test and had a really good experience. This gym is one of…read moreonly a handful of places in the cities that offers Bod Pod technology (which is just as accurate as the underwater dunk test, if not more, and only takes a few minutes). The test was only $35 ($65 for 2 if you want to do a baseline measurement and then a post test after a few months of training) and the trainer was incredibly informative, knowledgeable and friendly. Though I only did the Bod Pod, they do a lot of other fitness testing, including VO2 max testing which I am going back for. The gym itself was small (at least by Lifetime standards) but really clean (at least by LIfetime standards) and had all of the basic equipment. The biggest downfall is that right across the parking lot is a place called Queen of Cakes. I can see that it would take some serious willpower to drive away without stopping in and negating your entire workout.

Vinna and their staff (Lani & Cole) can transform your life. I started mid-January with back,…read moreshoulder, and neck issues which led to all sorts of compensations that were also causing discomfort. Now here we are in April and with personally tailored routines I am pain and discomfort free. I am getting stronger and best of all feel like my body is functioning properly!

I've been a member of Vinna for about 7 months now. It is a smaller gym with an emphasis on small…read moreclasses (usually 5 or 6 people) and personal attention. I did not consider myself a gym person before this but I am a convert for Vinna. The staff are super knowledgeable and all know me and my goals. Classes are all 45 minutes allowing me to workout and shower in an hour. I also love that during the course of a week, I can take a wide spectrum of classes including yoga, barbells, mobility, and rowing. I pay monthly for unlimited classes at Vinna but I've also seen a lot of people come in with ClassPass memberships.

As a protective mom, I was hesitant about finding the right martial arts environment for my…read moredaughter. Enrolling her here has been the best decision. Coach Kurt is exceptionally knowledgeable and patient, but most importantly, he provides a safe and trustworthy space where parents can feel completely at ease. I would recommend these classes to everyone!

Kurt and Amanda are AMAZING! No trainers I know of are as motivational or inspiring as they are…read more Movement is life, and consistency is the key, and they preach that every day.

Great place to workout!…read more The equipment is brand new and really nice. The staff are friendly and very helpful if I have a question about something. They have cardio machines as well as weights, a sprint area, and even an indoor soccer court!

Super welcoming vibes in a huge space! Got a great workout even as a drop-in, and they offer…read moreCrossFit classes, strength-focused lifting classes and mobility classes on Saturdays. The coaches were very nice and attentive. There are a huge range of scaling options so everyone can do what is best for their body on a particular day. You can try and park in the front lot, and then walk all the way through the building, or you can park in the back, on Tyler, and knock on the garage door at the end. Overall I was really impressed with this gym! PS. It's also dog-friendly!

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced Crossfitter, Crossfit Nordeast is a great place to be…read more The space is incredible, with exposed brick walls, plenty of room to move, and amazing running routes along the river. The head trainer and owner, Logan, brings an infectious enthusiasm to his 10-15 person classes, using his experience to push his athletes towards consistently great performance. You also get to see the progression of others each month on his PR wall. The community greatly reflects Logan's approach. It is filled with young professionals from around the Minneapolis area who are friendly and sociable. After classes, those with time can be found on the gym's reclining couch, urging the next class on while sharing drinks. Others take advantage of the onsite chiropractic care, expertly handled by Corehealth Chiropractic and Dr. Neil Crane. Overall, Crossfit Nordeast provides an experience well worth it to those looking for something more than your average corporate gym.

I took a cooking class here with a co-worker and I didn't expect it to be as amazing as it was! Our…read morework offers wellness dollars to use for classes so first off, the class was free. Secondly, the menu was delicious. Third, the kitchen was huge and I felt like I was on a cooking TV show. Childhood dreams fulfilled. The thing I wasn't expecting was that since the class was in a group of about 15 people, we weren't able to cook everything individually. We were split into groups and each group got to decide what item they got to cook. Everyone in my group each worked on a different step of the directions. I liked it and it was fun but I was hoping to work through the whole recipe on my own - however, I know that's not possible with such a large group. The chef Jeremy was charismatic and very knowledgeable. He taught us techniques on how to cut certain vegetables/fruits and tips on cooking as well. I loved his hands-on approach ! He was super nice as well. Of course, the menu couldn't be beat. Although we weren't able to take the food home (bummer) we served the food family-style and everyone got to serve themselves and get seconds. Had a great time overall!

Best massage therapy around! Beautiful facility hiding in a healthcare clinic. Not only the best…read moremassage I've ever had but they also offer Acupuncture, Personal Training, Pilates, Yoga, Life Coaching, Functional Nutrition, Cooking classes with an emphasis on health and wellness. What I love about this place is there are no high-pressure sales to keep coming back. No one was trying to sell me anything, just wanted to know how they could make me feel better while I was there. What a concept!! The massage was more about my wellness and not what I have often found in spas which I call "fluff and buff". It was simply AMAZING. I walked away happily massage drunk and like a proper noodle. My therapist made my low back feel so much better! And I felt nurtured and supported. I love the vibe here, with the staff being super friendly and everyone is happy and chill. I had an opportunity to walk about the facility and found a great little gym, some incredibly friendly trainers, a bar class full of laughing ladies in a gorgeous group fitness room. I even had a delicious gluten-free no-bake brownie bite made with a vanilla protein powder they sell. But, they didn't try to sell me the powder! They just told me about it and offered me the sample. I even got a recipe card so I can make it myself if I wish. Sooooo refreshing not to be asked over and over if I want to buy packages of massage (which they definitely have), when I want to rebook, or if you buy this powder today you get a discount. OH! And, sadly for the therapists but great for consumers who have issues with this, there is NO TiPPING in a health care facility. (Who knew?!) So, you simply pay for the massage or service and that is that. The other great thing is they are open 7 days a week so I can get a massage anytime that is convenient for me. Mornings, evenings and weekends. What a gem! My only question is why didn't I know about this sooner?! I love this place. I can't wait to go back for acupuncture!