Local Workouts

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I'm scouting around for any sort of local indoor fitness-inducing class that's fun and doesn't require buying a full gym membership (as in, you can pay for the class by itself). I have a subsidized gym membership through work, but that gym doesn't have classes. Anyone remember Punk Rock Aerobics? That's gone away, but I wonder if there's something else on a similar fun vein happening that wouldn't be spoiled by an out-of-shape lump waddling into the class.

Comments

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

I have no suggestions, but will be watching this post closely because I am looking for something fun to do as well!

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming that it's the cat in your icon that is the lump? That's a WHOLE lot of cat!

I have nothing useful to say.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

It's not my cat! I got that picture off Google images when I wanted an icon to use when posting in my LJ about bountiful meals. But it's a good illustration of my current fitness level. :-\ Hence the class search.

[nuns.livejournal.com]

There are lots of awesome dance classes around the area, if you think that sounds fun.

I particularly recommend the Salsa lessons available at the Dance Complex in Central Square through Hips on Fire (http://www.hipsonfire.com). Cristina and Seymore are awesome and fun.

The beginner lessons (Monday nights) open with an explicit warmup that rivals aerobics, and of course through the rest of the class you are dancing, so it's excellent exercise.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

That sounds like fun! I'd try that.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

I love bellydancing with the Goddess Dancing in Central Square. High tolerance for earthy-crunchiness is helpful, but they're very big on being comfy with the body you're in and there's no gym to join or anything.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Is that in the Dance Complex?

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

I'm interested in that. Is it a good aerobic workout? I know it's great for strengthening the abs, but that won't help much with the fleshy bits that cover up mine.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

If I could actually afford it and find a place and thought people wanted to pay for it, I'd love to teach a juggling class. I juggle with heavy balls (1 pounders and 2.5 pounders) and it's a hell of a workout for the upper arms.

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

We should totally do this without a class, just on general principles!

I want to try your 2.5ers...

[myselftheliar.livejournal.com]

I think you should just teach me to juggle, and I'll pay you via wheat-free cookies or drawings of a spider.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

Are the NIA classes still happening at the Armory?

I always found NIA to be a whole lot of fun, a good workout (even though you might not realize it because it's so gentle) and accepting of you at whatever fitness level you happen to be at.

So yeah, I'd search for these classes and see if they're still going.

[soft-shoulder.livejournal.com]

omgosh!

They do NIA out here? I had a NIA class four years ago and it was my favorite cardio class ever but I've never seen it offered again.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

the Boston Hoop Troop sometimes offers classes in hoopdance (hula hooping)...

[sungold123.livejournal.com]

One of the members actually teach hooping classes at the Armory:

http://bostonhooptroop.com/HTML/classesMovCelebSept08.html

Hooping is awesome. Great exercise and really fun - I highly recommend it.

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

http://www.springstep.org/?q=courses

some of these might fit your description.

CW Taekwondo @ Boston

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

You might try this (http://www.cwtkd.com/cardio/cardio.html) cardio kickboxing class if that's your thing, or even a beginner taekwondo class. I do taekwondo there and the instructors are super friendly and give a great workout. It's also a non-profit organization run and taught by volunteers, so your not paying for a lot of overhead. In Central Square, right by the T.

Re: CW Taekwondo @ Boston

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I would definitely try something like this. I like in the photo that people were of all different body types. I've been scared out of certain gyms by too many buff people.

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

I was just going to post asking this, so thanks!

[libberding.livejournal.com]

Cambridge Center for Adult Education!!!! (I work there. I'm a little biased! ;-P)

We've got lots of dance, yoga, martial arts, etc!

Check it: http://www.ccae.org/catalog/courses/?id=23

[libberding.livejournal.com]

PS - there's still time to register for classes! They start next Monday!

[moireach.livejournal.com]

MIT has tons of free and open-to-anyone dance classes. Just google for the kind (swing, lindy, etc).

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

You could come try out capoeira in Central Square with me! I started playing/practicing/learning back in July and I'm totally hooked. It's a fantastic workout, of course, but it's so much more than that, including self-defense, dance, music, physical-confidence, and also an incredible deep culture to connect to. Drop me a line in email if you're interested and I'll blather incessently about it with you. :)

[solarpanda.livejournal.com]

The website is: http://boston-capoeira.com/Mandingueiros/Home.html
Just be alert that despite what the website says, there aren't Tuesday classes from 6-7:30 or Friday classes from 5:30-7 (at least for now).

I second capoeira; it's definitely a great combination of aerobic, strength and flexibility workout that's integrated with deep cultural experiences. I think it's pretty unique as far as "martial arts" go.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

There are water aerobics classes at the pool in the JFK School by Porter Square, too.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

There are hoop and NIA classes held at Moving Celebrations in the basement of the Somerville Armory.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

this was the place I was trying to think of. :)

[rawrin.livejournal.com]

I guess depends on how much you want to pay, and what kind of class you think is fun. :) I offer a co-ed conditioning group training class that meets on Sunday mornings, Porter Square, available to non-members, 4 classes per month. Limited to 12 people, the next round starts on 1/18. Tough, but fun, and you'll get a starter sheet with exercises you can do on your own. Let me know if you want more information.

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

If you think MIT would be local enough, MITBDC is running Tues/Thurs classes for the month of January. I got my husband to go to the Waltz class with me tonight.

http://web.mit.edu/bdclub/workshop_schedule.html

They are beginner classes, but the same group runs Sunday classes throughout the semester, if you like it.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Village Fitness (http://www.villagefitness.org/) on Huron Ave. has rolling admissions and drop-in tickets for classes.

life in synergy

[liuliuliu.livejournal.com]

right between copley and hynes, on boylston. they have classes of all types, $12-15 a pop, no membership required. showers, lockers, etc. zumba, yoga, abs class, bootcamp, etc. brand new and worth every penny. lots of fun classes -- japanimation with iku is the best!! http://lifeinsynergy.com

Re: life in synergy

[liuliuliu.livejournal.com]

p.s. they're really serious about being welcoming and non-judgmental and making sure everyone has a good time, which should be completely reassuring.