Finding a gym used to be fairly simple — the full-service gym closest to home was pretty much the only option. But as the region grows and diversifies, so does Buffalo’s fitness scene. There’s a gym for practically every discipline, lifestyle and personality — the classic full-service gym included.
From Pilates and yoga studios to CrossFit gyms and mixed martial arts facilities, here’s a rundown of what’s current and in your neighborhood.
The traditional full-service gym
If convenience is high on your list, these gyms will serve you well. They offer plenty of space and equipment — everything from cardio and weight machines to free weights, kettlebells, TRX, and more. If you want to design your own workout, these sites have the equipment to get it done. Depending on size, some may also provide a pool or basketball court. Full-service gyms often provide extra amenities like saunas, tanning beds, full locker rooms and juice bars, too. Some are even open round-the-clock. You can often find gyms with multiple locations around the region, making it simple to find a spot close to work and/or home.
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LA Fitness
Multiple locations in Buffalo; LAFitness.com
Buffalo Athletic Club for Women
Tonawanda, Williamsville, Evans; BACwomen.com
Best Fitness
Buffalo and Tonawanda; Bestfitness.net
Fitness 19
Buffalo, Williamsville, West Seneca, North Tonawanda, Depew; Fitness19.com
Catalyst Fitness
Williamsville, Lancaster, Depew, West Seneca; Catalystfitnessbuffalo.com
The community center
Places like the YMCA and Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo often have big appeal for families.
“We look for affordability, welcoming, kind staff, and options for parents, like Childwatch or similar setup so we can bring them and get a workout in,” said Anna Harris, who belongs to the YMCA. “Additionally we love places where there is a diversity of folks.”
Community centers offer a variety of equipment, a full schedule of fitness classes and a warm, caring environment. “We are welcoming to everyone — no matter what your age or ability,” said Kathy Romanowski, YMCA communication director. “We also offer unique programs like LIVESTRONG - a free program for cancer survivors, National Diabetes Prevention Program, and Growing Up Fit — a family fitness program.” Plus there’s childcare, summer camps, swim lessons, youth sports, adult leagues and more.
YMCA
Buffalo, Amherst, Kenmore, West Seneca; Ymcabuffaloniagara.org
Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo
Buffalo and Getzville; Jccbuffalo.org
The CrossFit gym
For athletes (and aspiring athletes) who are looking for an intense, full-body workout that promises a new challenge every day, CrossFit may be your style. Workouts involve a whole lot of everything in high-intensity doses.
“We aim to produce inclusive and functional fitness, meaning that we strive to improve all aspects of fitness — including but not limited to strength, power, speed, cardiovascular endurance, stamina and flexibility,” said Lindsey Phillips, owner of Harborside Crossfit. “One of our most common mottos is, ‘It never gets easier, you just get better.’ Our main goal is to increase our work capacity — to move more weight, over longer distances, faster. So we expect every person to put their best effort into each workout, work at their highest relative intensity, and at the end say, ‘I couldn’t have done it better.’”
Joining a CrossFit gym can be intimidating, especially for those who aren’t already physically fit. But participants will tell you that everyone is capable and welcome. There’s no fitness requirement to start, although many gyms will have on-ramp programs to get members comfortable.
“One of the things that makes CrossFit so successful is its universal scalability,” said Phillips. “Everything that we do can be scaled to accommodate each individual’s abilities
and restrictions.”
“Despite the seemingly intense and intimidating nature of some of the things we do at the gym, our atmosphere is a very fun, relaxed and community-based experience,” said David Rice of CrossFit Buffalo. “We believe that everyone from all walks of life and fitness levels can benefit from the way we train.”
CrossFit Buffalo
3820 Union Road, Cheektowaga; 601-7300; Crossfitbuffalo.com
CrossFit Nickel City
247 Virginia St., Buffalo; 392-8818; Crossfitnickelcity.com
Harborside CrossFit
340 Seneca St., Buffalo; 200-7720; Harborsidecrossfit.com
CrossFit 716
84 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda; 694-2225; Crossfitbuffalo716.com
The yoga studio
Yoga practice engages the individual not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. It also provides a great secondary workout for athletes engaging in strenuous lifting or cardio routines.
Don’t be intimidated by images of yogis performing incredible feats of balance and focus. Instructors at local studios will tell you that yoga is for everyone.
“We have students of all ages and abilities,” said Carrie Jacobson of East Meets West Yoga. “We have classes that can appeal to those looking for something very challenging and vigorous, and classes for folks looking for something quieter and more meditative.”
“[Our studio] is not exclusive. We don’t use the term ‘members.’ We are all students in one way or another,” said David Drost, proprietor of Evolation Yoga Buffalo. “At our center is an open mind for all ages and abilities. All of our classes are suitable to the beginner as well as the athlete. At the core of yoga is an open mind, using some willingness to try some things for yourself.”
Look for a yoga studio near your home; here’s a start:
East Meets West Yoga
Buffalo Foundry, 1738 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; Village Glen, 162 Mill St., Williamsville; 885-9100; Eastmeetswestyoga.com
Evolation Yoga
912 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; 882-4151; Evolationyogabuffalo.com
Buffalo Power Yoga
758 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; 218-9642, Poweryogabuffalo.com
Shakti Yoga
133 Grant St., Buffalo; 884-9642; Shaktibuffalo.com
Healing Waters
542 Quaker Road, East Aurora; 655-3924; Centerathealingwaters.com
The Pilates studio
Pilates, a fitness philosophy developed by Joseph Pilates, is a great workout for those looking to strengthen their core muscles and improve control, coordination, flexibility, balance, endurance and strength. Exercises focus on breathing and controlled movements. Some classes revolve around a basic mat workout, while others incorporate Pilates equipment to enhance training.
“Our clientele includes a fairly broad age range and fitness level,” said Beth Elkins Wales, owner of The Pilates Loft in Buffalo. “That’s one of the brilliant aspects of the Pilates method — it really does benefit everybody. Some of my clients are over 60. Quite a few of them are male — despite the unfortunate stereotype, Pilates is not just for women; Joseph Pilates himself was a barrel-chested macho man! Some of my clients are high level athletes looking for deeper core strength, a more even workout, and better flexibility. We also work with people recovering from injuries.”
Hayley Sunshine, owner of Long and Lean Pilates, said it’s a great workout that makes her clients feel strong and energized.
“They work hard, strengthen underused muscles, and get the stretching and full body movement that leaves them feeling refreshed,” said Sunshine.
The Pilates Loft
166 Allen St., Buffalo; The Foundry, 1738 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; 866-8200; Thepilatesloftbuffalo.com
Stretch Pilates & Fitness
1127 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville; 626-7484; Stretchwny.com
Long and Lean Pilates
515 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; 881-2057; Longandleanpilates.com
The Barre studio
Inspired by ballet, a Barre workout is a low-impact, strength-building program that utilizes a ballet barre as a prop for balance. Workouts center on high reps of isometric, controlled movements to strengthen and lengthen muscles in the body.
“Our classes always start with a core warm-up where we bring the heart rate up, and then we work into our arms, thighs, glutes and abdominals with small isometric movements,” said Rachael Jarosz, co-owner of Barre Centric. “The exercises are very targeted and the goal is to work your muscles to fatigue, so if you feel your muscles shaking in barre, you’re doing it right.”
Classes vary from traditional to workouts that incorporate resistance training and cardio, and even trampolines. Barre is another workout that accommodates all ages and fitness levels.
“Our clients have told us they love Pure Barre because of the results they see in such a short period of time,” said Julie Marazzo, studio director at Pure Barre Buffalo. “They love being able to have this class to themselves with no distractions, and to relieve the daily stress they face.”
Barre Centric
1526 Main St., Buffalo; 8075 Main St., Clarence; 276-8349; Barrecentric.com
Pure Barre
7660 Transit Road, Buffalo; 276-3570; Purebarre.com/ny-buffalo
Buffalo Barre
5843 Transit Road, East Amherst; 880-7049; Buffalobarre.com
Spinning studios
If high-intensity cardiovascular exercise is more your style, spinning offers an incredibly challenging workout. It’s also a great way for Buffalo’s cyclists to get their work in during the long winters. Spin classes vary and include endurance rides, sprints, or intervals, or they may incorporate other forms of training such as bodyweight strength exercises or TRX suspension training.
“Revolution workouts are suitable for all ages, and all fitness levels,” said Colleen Kirk of Revolution Indoor Cycling. “Our instructors are well versed in coaching everyone from those stepping into the gym for the first time, to those who have been working out for years.”
BikeorBar
904 Elmwood Ave., Buffalol; 417-6602; Bikeorbar.com
Revolution Indoor Cycling
1716 Main St., Buffalo; 4785 Transit Road, Amherst; 908-0622; Revolutionbuffalo.com
Saddle Cycling
1094 Hertel Ave., Buffalo; 875-7433; Saddlecycling.com
Boxing & mixed martial arts gyms
Several gyms provide certified instruction and personal training under the watchful eye of experienced fighters. While training in combat sports can be intimidating, you’ll find that Buffalo’s gyms are welcoming to all experience levels. Many also offer fitness-focused classes.
“Everyone here is on a different journey and a different level of experience,” said Pietro Muscato, gym manager and trainer at KC’s Fitness. “We have athletes who compete in boxing matches, grappling tournaments and
and powerlifting meets. By no means do we push competition on any of our members, but for those who would like to try or have an interest in it — we can help.”
Boxing classes often incorporate technique lessons with workouts involving focus mitts, jump ropes and heavy bag work. MMA explores striking and grappling, combining work on the mat and on your feet. Gyms in Buffalo can take your exploration even further with Muay Thai, Aikido, Systema, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Sambo classes.
“Jiu Jitsu teaches you how to think logically and how to figure out ways to overcome bad situations. It is impossible to learn Jiu Jitsu and not make mistakes, and students learn how to use mistakes — both on the mats and in life — as a way to grow and improve,” said Josh Ketry of Buffalo United Martial Arts Academy. “We believe strongly that martial arts can change lives for the better, and we provide an atmosphere that enhances personal growth in everyone.”
KC’s Fitness
100 Gelston St., Buffalo; 273 Thorn Ave., Orchard Park; 886-0252; Kcsfitness.com
Buffalo United Martial Arts at Buffalo RiverWorks
359 Ganson St., Buffalo; 563-0720; Buffalounitedmartialarts.com
Western New York Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness
255 Great Arrow, Suite 114, Buffalo; 898-8924; Wnymma.com
Fit2Box Fitness Studio
1000 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda; 771-2234; Fit2box.com
Soul searching your fitness goals
Before you dive into a membership, consider the following to ensure you are making the right decision:
Assess your fitness goals
Do you want to lose a significant amount of weight to jump-start a more long-term fitness plan? Are you a former athlete looking to get back into a favorite sport? Are you bored with your current routine and looking to try something new? Some of us already have the experience to design our own workouts, we simply need access to adequate space and equipment. Others thrive in a more structured, supportive environment and need a facility that offers classes and personal training packages.
Consider your lifestyle
You’ll want a gym whose hours and class times can fit into your work, family and social schedule. Does your job fall in the 9-to-5 window, or do you have a work schedule that changes from week to week? Is it important that you find a gym close to work or home? Are you a parent who needs a facility that provides childcare?
Look at cost of membership and contract structure
If you’re on a budget, you may prefer an inexpensive membership to a full-service gym or community center. For some, committing to a pricier membership or contract provides more motivation to go. Ask about the fee structure before you sign a membership contract. If you are looking for personal training, be prepared to spend a little more.
Try before you buy
Trial memberships are a great way to find out if a gym or studio has the essentials on your list. Checking their website will give you the nuts and bolts, but visiting the facility and trying out a class will give you a true feel for its atmosphere and clientele. Ask if they offer a day pass or trial membership to prospective members.