From yoga to pilates, CrossFit and more, here are the nine best workout classes in San Francisco.
If CrossFitters are serious about their gyms, CrossFit Alinea devotees are genuine fanatics. Coaches Marv and Tom had created a convivial environment where members of all fitness levels and backgrounds feel welcome. Alinea also has regular happy hours and activities like paintball and flag football, so you can have some fun after you finish your WOD. 674 S. Van Ness Ave.
The dance classes taught out of ODC’s Mission studio by Rhythm & Motion—especially the fast-paced Fusion—offer all the booty-shaking physicality of a Beyoncé routine. Teachers are encouraging, and classes are heart-pumping but still low-pressure. Rather than picking off students in twos and threes to perform choreography for the group, instructors lead the class in the routine on the fly. 351 Shotwell St.
SoulCycle may have a rep for being cultish and cheesy. Then again, so does Oprah, and she’s got life figured out. Sign up for a candlelit class and you’ll get your very own Oprah shouting positivity at you, all while burning calories. Multiple locations
This laid-back studio is mere blocks from the beach and offers yoga, Pilates and cross-training classes. The FlowFit series, which blends yoga practice with TRX and cross-training, is not for the faint of heart but is definitely worth a sweat session. 4501 Irving St.
SF-founded Tribe’s multidisciplinary methods ensure total wellness by encapsulating movement, nutrition and mindfulness into one well-rounded program. Sweat-inducing group classes include the famous TribeFitHIIT alongside TribeFitStrength, TribeFitFlow and TribeYogaFlow. 222 Columbus Ave., Ste. 220
Head to the heart of FiDi for expert barre exercises that craft long, lean, perfectly sculpted muscles. Instructors customize each class to ensure safety and effectiveness, ensuring no two sessions are ever the same. Each class follows an interval format designed to elevate the heart rate while simultaneously building cardiovascular and muscle endurance—not to mention you can finally live out your ballerina fantasies! Three Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level
Boasting itself as “San Francisco’s last real boxing gym,” the group classes at 3rd Street have attendees working up a serious sweat. Three beginner-level courses teach the basics and fine-tune technique, while “old-school” offerings are on the heavy bag and the cheeky “tough love” class includes cardio and conditioning exercises. 2576 3rd St.
Spice up your regimen with a class at VRV3 Pole Dance. There are pole and aerial classes for every skill level with a varied team of instructors who have their own unique styles. While there are a few classes that lean toward the sexier side, most focus on strength, conditioning and technique, from the “Thread to Needle” to the “Martini Sit.” 520 Haight St.
Skip the boring cardio and seek new heights with a fun-filled bouldering excursion at Dogpatch Boulders. Newcomers can start with the Intro to Bouldering course while skilled climbers can go straight to the 20,500 square feet of premium climbing terrain. 2573 3rd St.
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