Having one (or three) too many drinks over the weekend might have been your normal in the past, but if you’re like a lot of millennials and Gen Z-ers, you’re swapping out late Friday nights for (relatively) early Saturday mornings at the gym.
Fitness hangouts are totally a thing, and we are here for it. Younger generations are spending more money than ever on fitness studios and specialized training classes. They’re also drinking less and focusing more on their well-being. The two generations of millennials and Gen-Z make up 60 percent of the population and are the age groups you’re most likely to run into at the gym.
So, are gyms the new social trend? We talked to our trainer of the month and fellow millennial Evelyn Curry to get her opinion.
“How do you make friends in your 20s and 30s? You make them at the gym,” Curry explained.
Like others in her generation, Curry is ditching booze and happy hours and turning to fitness instead as a way to make friends have a good time. “I don’t want to go out at 10 o’clock and drink. You know how some girls like to spend their money on shoes and purses? I like to spend my money on gyms and classes. That’s what makes me happy.”
Evelyn isn’t just dedicated to coaching. She’s focused on creating a wellness community around her training and encourages others to invest in themselves.
With so many classes to choose from, we’ve come up with a list of the 10 best workout classes in Miami for your next gym date. From yoga to cardio, we’ve got you covered. So, grab your friends and try one of these next weekend!
Vixen Workout Studio
Drop it like it’s hot during this dance fitness class that combines choreography, remixes, and professional dance lighting. You’ll feel like you’re at the club but without the creepy dudes or anyone spilling drinks on you. Vixen’s classes boast “an environment where you can experience an emotional release, mind-body connection, and a sense of community.” Plus, you’ll burn tons of calories—as much as 1,000 during a single class.
Locations: Wynwood
Water Biking Studio
This boutique studio is truly one of a kind, hosting fitness classes underwater. That’s right underwater. At Water Biking Studio, you’ll get a killer workout as you peddle away on their Hydrorider bikes. This high intensity, low impact workout could have you burn up to 800 calories a class (that’s twice as many as you’d burn in a normal spin class).
Locations: Coral Gables
JetSet Miami
Nicknamed “The Modern Pilates,” this class incorporates cardio and strength training in their full-body workout. These 50-minute classes will have you feeling sore in places you’ve never felt before. Classes only hold 8–15 students, so you’ll get individualized instruction every time.
Location: Coral Gables, Sunset Harbor, South Miami, South Beach, Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay, North Miami, Wynwood, Brickell
Barry’s Bootcamp
Had a cheat month instead of a cheat day? Make it right at Barry’s, which is designed to push you to the limit while combining cardio and weights in an intense 60-minute workout. The king of boot camps will have you kicking your own butt.
Locations: Miami Beach, Midtown, Aventura
Fight Club
It’s ok. You can talk about this fight club. This boxing gym attracts fitness addicts of all kinds and is great for cross-training. They offer a variety of classes to help switch up your workout. Try Fight Club’s L.A.B (Legs, Abs & Booty) class for the ultimate lower body workout.
Location: Doral, Wynwood
SOL Yoga
Sunday recovery mode never felt so good. SOL Rest brings out the blocks and straps for a yin/restorative class. Their classes work on the alignment and architecture of the body for optimal healing and openness. This class will have you melting into your mat. You will finish up with a peacful meditation, helping you clean the slate and start your week fresh again. You’ll leave feeling high on yoga and ready for your next hard workout, making it one of the best workout classes in Miami.
Location: Wynwood
PurePower Cycle
Don’t snooze on the signup. Primetime classes are high in demand at PurePower Cycle. This indoor cycling class has some of the best music to push your workout to the max. Each class has its own unique playlist designed to keep you going.
Location: Midtown, Doral, Kendall
Sensory Fitness
SWEAT is a high-intensity interval-training workout that focuses on a different muscle group every day. SWEAT uses cardio equipment, TRX suspension, and resistance/calisthenics training methods that will help transform your physique. Sensory Fitness also has Pilates classes and a rehab lab to help you recover from sports injuries safely.
Location: Kendall
Rise Nation
Are you ready to climb? Rise Nation’s classes are sort of like spin classes but with stair machines that target your whole body while you move to the beat. This zero-impact class is great for individuals who have injuries or are looking for a joint-friendly workout. It will also help you land a killer booty.
Location: Wynwood
Society Fitness
This Sunday morning session will make you pay for your weekend sins. SocietyDetox will help you get rid of all the toxins from your night out! This 60-minute class is designed to help you sweat it all out and make you feel good.
Location: Brickell
With so much competition in this city, it’s no wonder these best workout classes in Miami stay popular all year round.