With the post-holiday dent in the couch – and potential travel to warmer climates looming – it may be time to take stock in your exercise routine. But it can be challenging to find a workout or gym that excites you. Equally stressful is deciding where to invest your money - especially when some workout programs can run up to $100 per month (or more), depending on what you’re looking for. Fortunately, many gyms in the area have free “try-before-you-buy” opportunities. We’ve rounded up a few to share here. Phone numbers are included so you can call to set up a free class or trial run.
1. BAC for Women
3157 Eggert Road, Tonawanda, 348-3755; 480 Evans St. Williamsville, 634-7867; 1235 French Road, Depew, 656-9999
The BAC offers a “judgment-free” space for women to work out. With non-competitive classes in everything from Pilates and anti-aging yoga to RAW interval training (a mix of kickboxing and weight training) and spinning, there are classes for a range of workout personalities and fitness levels. If you prefer to follow your own routine, there are plenty of machines and weights you can use with amenities including a large locker room and showers.
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2. Barre Centric
1526 Main St., Buffalo, 276-8349; 8075 Main St., Williamsville, 276-8349
Barre combines Pilates, dance and yoga using your own body to channel muscles you didn’t even know existed. In this 55-minute class, you challenge your body through choreography, flowing through poses using the ballet barre. Barre Centric offers a variety of classes including the standard class, Barre Resist, Barre Xpress, Barre Cardio, and even Barre Bounce, where you can do your favorite strengthening moves on a trampoline. All ages and fitness levels are accommodated.
3. BikeorBar
904 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 417-6602
Whether you choose to surf, spin, dance or even hang from the ceiling on the colorful wraps in their aerial beginner/mixed fly class, fitness at BikeorBar is far from boring. High-energy classes include “Pop that ASS-ana” (yoga, plyo, and twerking to loud music), “Surf-barred” (a workout on equipment that looks and feels like a real surfboard), and the DJ hip hop spin (a cycling class with live music from a DJ). Although BikeorBar does not offer an individual free pass option, they do offer bring-a-friend-free options for certain classes. You’re also welcome to call and set up a time to observe a class to see what it’s like before committing to it.
4. Jewish Community Center (JCC)
787 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, 886-3145: 2640 North Forest Road, Getzville, 688-4033
With state-of-the-art fitness facilities, personal training, group classes, indoor pools and accredited early childhood centers at both locations, the JCC has a wide range of amenities to suit family and individual membership. The Getzville location is also a hub for families in summer, with an outdoor pool and Camp Centerland, a weekly summer camp for kids. There is also educational and cultural programming at each location; check with each facility for details.
5. Orangetheory Fitness
1551 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, 970-4441; 8242 Transit Rd., Buffalo, 200-1350
Orangetheory focuses on the importance of “Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption,” setting up each individual with a heart-rate monitor to track progress during the 60-minute workout. Various intervals are designed to help participants reach different heart-rate zones: treadmill interval training blocks, indoor rowing, and weight training. Certain classes incorporate equipment, and the workout varies daily to keep things fresh and fun. Four class types include strength, endurance, power, and a combination of the three; you don’t know until you arrive which it will be.
6. Route 20 Fitness
2881 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, 292-1278
Route 20 Fitness offers boot-camp style interval training that combines cardio and resistance into intense, fast-paced workout sessions. The routine, which changes daily, includes stations with free weights, resistance bands and suspension trainers, and moves that can be modified to every fitness level. A class facilitator guides your form and motivates you to reach your potential. The gym expands into new space this month with more classes and workout options.
7. YMCA
2564 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, 875-1283; 150 Tech Drive, Amherst, 839-2543; 535 Belmont Avenue, Kenmore, 874-5051; 1620 Southwestern Blvd., West Seneca, 674-9622; 585 William St., Buffalo, 845-5440
The YMCA is a full-scale health facility providing a range of workouts and services including personal training, group exercise, classes for various age groups and nutritional consultants. By exploring different classes like Bodypump, Zumba, yoga and more, you can discover which workout you enjoy. Locations offer a wide range of amenities, including pools, running tracks, fitness equipment and childcare. For instance, the Amherst location has a massage room, a youth adventure room and a demonstration kitchen sponsored by Wegmans. Each facility differs, so tour your preferred site for specifics.
