PICKING A GYM
How to choose the right gym for you
Early bird? Hobby rider? Inclusive? The Denver area is full of gyms and wellness centers, so finding the perfect fit depends on which workout you like to do.
It doesn’t take a degree in human physiology to know that movement is good for the body. But what kind of movement is best for you?
The Denver metro area is chock full of gyms and wellness centers boasting fitness regimes ranging from trampolines and surfboards to self-guided weight circuits and barre routines. By no means is this an exhaustive list — because that would be exhausting — but it is a great starting point if you are looking to add something new to jazz up your sweat sessions.
Let’s do it.
Best for: city dwellers
LoHi Athletic Club. This locally owned, non-corporate facility is located just over the bridge in LoHi, making it easy to swing by on your way to and from the office. The gym offers a variety of classes like yoga and bootcamp, but it shines thanks to its state-of-theart equipment.
“Everything works and works well, which sounds simple but is tough to find at other gyms,” said Caryn DeBell, a former member. Members are granted a 24-hour access key card for easier scheduling.
2010 W. 30th Ave., Denver. Open Monday-Thursday 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rates start at $80/month for a 12-year membership. lohiathleticclub.com
Best for: families Bladium Sports and Fitness Club. It
is hard to miss this massive, 84,000square-foot structure in Stapleton, but families flock to it in large thanks to the many fitness opportunities hosted inside. In additional to typical gym equipment, Bladium offers CrossFit classes, volleyball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, yoga, and bodypump classes. Child care is available, as are various soccer camps and summer camps. Bonus: Parents can book their child’s next birthday party at Bladium.
2400 Central Park Blvd., Denver. Open Monday-Friday 5 .a.m-midnight, Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Memberships start at $39/month. bladium
denver.com
Best for: individualized performance training
Next Level Sports Performance. Next Level is largely a physical therapy establishment but it also boasts an impressive sports performance training program for both former physical therapy clients and regular athletes looking to improve themselves. How do I know? I’m a client myself. After tearing my ACL, I ventured to Next Level for PT and stuck around for sports performance. I receive bi-weekly sweat sessions from a team of athletic trainers combined with Keiser Pneumatic Resistance machines. Pro tip: Test out the Blow Flow Restriction Training for an added level of self-improvement.
251 Violet St., Golden. Open Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Costs varies based on insurance. Sports Performance sessions start at $60 per hour. nextlevelsppt.com
Best for: early birds
Barre3. This full-body, classbased workout is unexpected. There are no large movements or intensity explosions. Thanks to its roots in ballet, yoga and pilates, you will find plenty of sustained holds, micro-movements and cardio bursts (from its website) that leave you sore in places you never knew existed. “I like them in the mornings because they’re not so intense that I feel foggy at work but they are enough workout to feel like I did something,” said Maggie Stashak, director of operations at Teatulia Organic Teas. Wear yoga clothes.
Cherry Creek Location: 2828 E. 6th Ave, Denver. Open 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Class packages start at $110 (five classes); dropins are $25. barre3.com
Best for: inclusion
Le Studio 45. This newly opened studio offers a little bit of everything including dance, HIIT, rebound, indo board, yoga and meditation classes. But Le Studio stands apart from the rest thanks to its inclusivity efforts. According to co-founder Joie Norby Lê, a former English teacher and dance coach, all classes can be developed for participants with special needs. If that sounds like something you need, call ahead and discuss a plan with Joie.
10143 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton. Hours vary. Basic membership starts at $55 a month. lestudio45.com Best for: goal-setters
Fierce 45. Fierce 45 isn’t for those who want to float through a workout. After all, their motto of “Hard Every Time” doesn’t leave much space for weakness. The class-based facility uses bodyweight movements, highintensity pilates, and a resistance machine called the FierceFormer to create 45 minute, heart-pounding sessions. Participants begin each class by writing their intention on the chalkboard in front of them as inspiration.
Hilltop location: 335 Holly St., Denver. Open Monday-Thursday 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Friday 5 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sunday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Class packages start at $130 (five classes); drop-ins are $30. fierce45.com
Best for: Those who like structure
Orangetheory Fitness. You may have noticed the orange explosion that is Orangetheory Fitness. These franchised studios run on a class-based schedule with hour-long sessions that cycle members through TRX stations, rowing machines and treadmills, all guided by an instructor. Members wear heartrate monitors that post numbers on a screen, providing visual representations of intensity levels. The workout is structured: show up, do what your instructor says, and get your sweat on. “I love the convenience,” said Frannie Masters, a Denver-based human resources manager and OTF junkie. “I can even find one if I’m traveling.”
Uptown location: 450 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Open 4:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Basic membership start at $59/month. orangetheoryfitness.com
Best for: hobby riders
SoulCycle. You won’t find die-hard cyclists in this class, but you will find weekend warriors who want a change of pace from traditional spin classes. SoulCycle offers that experience, and then some. Riders grab a bike and suffer through 45 minutes sessions packed with enthusiastic music, energetic instruction, and a darkened room. Yup, they dim the lights for the entire class. “I love it because it helps me focus on my soul, my daily intentions,” says Cindy Klukas, a senior health care IT consultant. “Plus, it’s like dancing on your bike.”
265 St. Paul St., Denver. Open Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Class packages start at $135 (five classes); drop-ins are $28. soul-cycle.com
Best for: female weighlifters
CrossFit Kali. CrossFit Kali isn’t just another CrossFit gym, although you’ll get a highly varied and functional workout at any of the WODs (workout of the day), HIIT classes, or Olympic lifting sessions. Kali is unique because it is designed by and for women interested in CrossFit. For better or worse, CrossFit can be intimidating, and Kali offers women the opportunity to come in and learn how to lift a barbell. “Kali transforms lives by empowering women to be strong and confident regardless of athletic ability,” said coowner and coach Sarah Waterman.
7808 Cherry Creek S. Drive, Denver. Open Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Memberships start at $95/month. crossfitkali.com
Best for: data crunchers
Training for Warriors. Referred to as “class-based personal training,” Training for Warriors (TFW) focuses on heavy strength and endurance training for those who love data. Heartrate monitors track workouts through MyZone, a heart-ratebased system that uses cloud technology to track physical activity. MyZone provides monthly goals, tracks data over time, and give status when you reach your targets. TFW also uses body scanners to track fat loss so members can see progress. “My spouse and I lost nearly 30 pounds between us before our wedding,” said Scott Kaier, a member of the Longmont TFW. 950 Boston Ave., Longmont. Open Monday-Friday 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Memberships cost $169/ month. trainingforwarriors.com
Best for: wannabe dancers
Dance2b. According to Dance2b’s website, these are dance classes in which anyone can be a dancer, for any reason. Denver-based filmmaker Caitlin Kleiboer agrees. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a dancer but never had the chance,” she said. “This class (Groov3) is great for adults like me who just want to move.” Dance2B offers a variety of dance-based classes for experienced and novice dancers alike with an encouragement on the health and long-term wellness benefits of shaking it out to some music.
1917 Market St., Denver. Hours vary depending on the day. Monthly memberships start at $60 (four classes per month); drop-ins are $20. dance2b.com
Best for: group classes
There are a lot of standard group classes that run the gamut in gyms, but Compass has an eclectic offering that you don’t see elsewhere. Classes like Hustle + Flow, Bounce + Barre, Bounce + Bells, and Russian Roulette round out the schedule. The goal: give your body what it needs, when it needs it. “I get bored easily, and the Compass format keeps me engaged,” said Amanda Brooks McLatchie, founder of the running website RunToTheFinish.com.
2059 S. Broadway, Denver. Open Monday-Sunday 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Monthly memberships start at $96; drop-ins are $25. compassfitnessdenver.com
Best for: night owls
Platform Strength. It’s rare to find a boutique fitness facility open around the clock, but Platform Strength in RiNo bucks that trend. Founded by former MTV reality TV star Emily Schromm, Platform Strength offers both open gym and group strength classes. Depending on a member’s schedule (and membership package), they can pop in for a class or swing by at 2 a.m. to use one of five Olympic lifting platforms in the gym. A tea/espresso bar carries Schromm’s own line of teas.
3198 Blake St., Denver. Open seven days per week, 24 hours per day (for open gym). Monthly memberships start at $119 per month; drop-ins are $25. platformstrength.com