It’s once again the time to wipe last year’s slate clean and make healthy resolutions to get and stay fit well beyond the New Year. Sometimes it’s easier to promise giving up those holiday eating habits and blasé exercise routines than to actually follow through. But this year, San Diego gyms are offering creative programs to help you jump-start positive habits and avoid abandoning workouts throughout 2012.
From Pilates, yoga and mixed martial arts, to bootcamps, personal training, and group fitness classes in luxury mega-gyms, San Diego has it all. Exercising is more than a commitment to health and wellness, it’s a lifestyle, and we have inside scoop on the top spots for making your resolutions last.
Discover this year’s best San Diego fitness tips and trends.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Fitness fads may come and go, but bootcamp workouts are here to stay, and for good reason. To get out of the traditional gym environment and into a team-oriented atmosphere, check out Barry’s Bootcamp. Established as the best workout by Hollywood stars and San Diego locals alike, this bootcamp provides live-changing education and immediate results. Combining current music with nightclub lighting, urban décor and hot trainers, you are sure to get and stay motivated while having a good time. Classes are 50-minutes long and target different muscle groups daily, from arms and abs to shoulders and back, improving the cardiovascular system and helping to lose weight and build muscle. Barry’s Bootcamp is located at 1220 Cleveland Avenue in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619.906.4455 or visit Barry’s Bootcamp. (above)
Xtend Barre
Post-holidays, we all could use a little body sculpting and chiseling. Designed by a professional dancer and choreographer, the Xtend Barre workout is a premier ballet experience based on the Pilates principles of stabilization, concentration, control, flow, breath, and precision. Multi-level classes challenge all body types while sculpting each body part equally, leading to proportion, elongation, and strength. Xtend Barre can do wonders to your posture and is known to improve health and emotional wellbeing. There are Xtend Barre studios in Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Encinitas and Poway. For more information, visit Xtend Barre. (left)
Pilates Plus Pacific Beach
Back issues can be a pain of the past, as Pilates Plus Pacific Beach is committed to improving the health, wellness, and fitness of all types of bodies. Whether you have chronic back pain, painful joints, or a severe medical condition, this Pilates studio is flexible and dedicated to improving your body’s form. Combining weight training’s strength and toning benefits with the lengthening and postural benefits of Pilates, SPX Fitness workouts keep the heart rate up and body fat down. Members can increase body awareness while improving symmetry and coordination. The SPX Fitness workout builds core stability through resistance and counter-resistance sequences, toning and elongating muscles while restoring natural balance. Pilates Plus is located at 1015 Turquoise St. STE #1 in north Pacific Beach. For more information, call 888.499.1523 or visit Pilates Plus PB.
Victory MMA and Fitness
For those looking to literally kick themselves into shape, this mixed martial arts (MMA) facility is where you can let that inner aggression and competitive drive loose. Combining weight training, boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, self-defense and cross-fit training, you can expect a results-oriented experience unlike the typical health club. Victory is a premier MMA-gym franchise featuring fully equipped facilities with cutting-edge training and fitness. Each center provides cardio machines, resistance machines, free weights, nutrition counseling, weight-loss programs, and private training. This hot exercise spot promotes self-confidence, physical agility, and strength. Each Victory instructor is a black belt and teaches real mixed martial arts. With one of the few Brazilian jujitsu programs for women, kettle bells, yoga, four cages, two boxing rings, and seven training areas, this place can please both men and women. After a workout, relax in the sauna and steam room or indulge in a massage, smoothie or snack. Victory is located at 3666 Midway Drive. For class schedules and membership information, call 866.579.4853 or visit Victory MMA and Fitness. (below)
FIT Athletic Club
A gym that has it all, the luxurious FIT Athletic Club offers a downtown lifestyle all its own. With top-notch personal trainers, spa-like amenities, a variety of group classes, an outdoor pool lounge, and premium equipment, it’s no wonder that FIT continues to attract many of San Diego’s young, urban professionals. Oh, and the direct view into PETCO Park during Padres baseball games doesn’t hurt, either. Martial arts, yoga, group meditation, extreme conditioning, Pilates, and endurance rides are all offered through the group fitness class program. FIT is located at 350 10th Avenue in downtown San Diego’s East Village. For more information, call 619.764.5348 or visit FIT Athletic Club.
Crossfit 619
One-on-one personal training is an effective way to achieve fitness goals, stay motivated, break through plateaus and learn lifelong tips for safe exercise. Crossfit 619 is a recommended fitness center for those looking to achieve a specific goal, whether it’s preparing for the next big marathon or strengthening particular muscles to relieve back pain. With a co-ed training facility that is 7,000 square feet, CrossFit 619 offers functional and varied workouts, including gymnastic drills, power lifting and martial arts training. The Crossfit team is comprised of competitive and inspiring trainers who are dedicated to achieving results. One-on-one training is by appointment only and ranges from $95 to $175 an hour. Month-to-month memberships, pre-paid VIP memberships, and specialty discounts are available. The class schedule is comprised of one-hour sessions, and the gym is open 24 hours for all VIP members. Crossfit 619 is located at 5277 Linda Vista Road. For more information, call 866.792.7408 or visit Crossfit 619.
CorePower Yoga
Whether you are a yoga beginner or a full-blown yogi, CorePower Yoga is helping San Diegans create strength and flexibility, lose weight, and make a positive life change. Combining heat, music, movement, deep breathing, meditation, balance, and deep stretching, this is the place to visit to warm up your core and build strength from the inside out. CorePower also offers yoga teacher training. Suiting all shapes, sizes, and ages, each yoga session heals, detoxifies, and harmonizes the body and mind. CorePower offers studio locations all across San Diego, including La Jolla / UTC, Encinitas, Point Loma, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach and North Park. For information, visit Corepower Yoga.
SEALFIT
With military and defense as one of San Diego’s largest economic sectors, SEALFIT’s unique program offers those looking to be seriously challenged a real Navy SEAL training experience. This is not for those just looking to shed holiday pounds; SEALFIT is known to alter entire perspectives, focusing on forging mental toughness as much as physical strength. Guided by the principles of honor, courage, discipline, integrity, responsibility, and leadership, participants tend to be extreme athletes who are looking for a total transformation of body and life. At the headquarters in Encinitas, SEALFIT offers a Kokoro camp, an academy for one or three weeks, combat defense and warrior yoga classes, and seminars. View a video presentation online to watch some of the cross-training practices. SEALFIT is located at 849 2nd Street in Encinitas. For more information on the programs and pricing, call 760.634.1833 or visit SEALFIT.
VAVi Sport & Social Club
Far more than a basic sports club, VAVi offers a huge variety of sports leagues, fitness and dance classes, social events, and volunteer opportunities. Most of the members consist of women and men between the ages of 21 and 40. According to its website, VAVi ran more than 500 leagues with about 50,000 participants in 2010. Featured programs include corporate combat, flag football, soccer, kayaking, bowling, beach bootcamp and a hiking club. VAVi Sport & Social Club is a key place to get to know healthy-minded and fun-seeking San Diegans. To view the full schedule of leagues, classes and events, visit govavi.com.
Still need more motivation to get and stay healthy, and up to a fitness challenge? From Jan. 2-31st, FitTogether.com, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and Kaiser Permanente are holding the 30-Day Get Fit Challenge contest. Ideal for individuals and businesses alike, this challenge is perfect for that extra push of motivation to live a healthier lifestyle. Participants will be able to track their daily progress through the “activity tracker” and will receive daily fitness emails. Top participating businesses for each size category receive the “Chamber Healthy Workplace” award or individual applicants can be entered to win one of 30 raffle prizes. A great way to tune in to San Diego’s fitness trends, gyms, personal trainers, wellness programs, healthy dining, and more, Get Fit San Diego is dedicated to helping create a daily routine that will help each individual reach their personal fitness goals. For committing to a healthier lifestyle in 2012, take on the challenge to get fit. For more information about the fitness social networking site that is bringing health-minded San Diegans closer together, visit their website.
Discover more local tips and trends in our San Diego health & fitness blog
