Dumbbell curl, dumbbell curl. Repeat. Ten lifts on the leg machine. Repeat. Ten lat pull downs on the other side. Repeat. A jog-walk on the treadmill. Repeat.
Or don’t.
Going to a traditional gym works for many people. But for others, it can feel repetitious, uninspiring, a little bit lonely—and hard to stick with.
The good news is there are plenty of other ways to move your body, work up a sweat, build strength, improve your cardio and meet a bunch of like-minded people whose idea of a worthwhile workout matches yours. Here are just a few.
The Practice Buffalo
Hamburg & East Aurora | thepracticebuffalo.com
What they offer: hot power yoga for people who don’t like yoga
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“My ADD and anxiety brain HATES yoga, but I LOVE this,” says one regular. “There aren’t many yoga classes out there with F-bombs and Van Halen,” says another. The studio hosts 60- and 75-minute hot yoga sessions that build strength, flexibility, mental clarity and empowerment. The Practice also offers adaptive yoga, HIIT (high intensity interval training) and conditioning, Yin yoga and workshops.
Musicality Central
Kenmore | musicalitycentral.com
What they offer: hip-hop dance lessons for adults
Dancing is exercise that doesn’t feel like work. At Musicality Central, beginner choreography classes teach hip-hop basics without overwhelming new dancers, while Burlesque Intentions, also for beginners, throws more sexy moves into sequences. All Out Aerobics feels like a night out dancing at the club with music that keeps everyone moving and having a damn good time.
The Bird’s Nest Buffalo
Buffalo | birdsnestbuffalo.com
What they offer: circus arts
From solo and partner acrobatics, aerial arts on silks and trapeze, pole dancing, flow arts (hooping, juggling, poi) and handstand conditioning, The Bird’s Nest is all about non-conventional ways of moving and building strength, confidence and grace. Don’t be intimidated: This welcoming sanctuary is truly for bodies of all shapes, sizes and abilities.
Boost Body & Nutrition
North Buffalo | vagaro.com/boostbodybuffalo
What they offer: Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
During each one-on-one, 20-minute Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) session, a Boost Body trainer places electrodes on the skin above targeted muscle groups. As the trainer guides you through a series of movements like squats or lighter dumbbell lifts, gentle electrical currents target and deepen muscle contractions to build strength and burn fat in less time. Afterwards, the smoothie bar at Boost offers nutritious shakes in crave-worthy flavor combinations.
