FitnessWorkouts

These are the most popular studios around the U.S., according to ClassPass

Classpass released their list of the most popular, best Classpass studios for 2020. See if your favorite sweat spot made the cut.

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Photo: W+G Creative
Published Jan 22, 2020

Written by 

Zoe Weiner

The beauty of a Classpass membership is that on any given day, you can choose from a seemingly endless number of workouts. From yoga to spin, from boxing to boot camps, you could try a different modality every day of the week (and in many cities, a different studio every day of the year) and never have to repeat a session. Or risk getting bored. But even if you’re mixing up your workouts on the reg, chances are you’ve got one studio in your rotation that’s solidified its spot as your absolute favorite. As a six-year-strong Classpass user, I know I do.

But is your favorite sweat spot everyone else’s favorite, too? Today, Classpass released its list of the most popular studios in the United States (and Toronto!). Whether you’re regularly parked in the front row of your spin class every morning or settling into Savasana at your yoga studio every night, check out the list below to see if your go-to sweat destination made the cut. And if it did? Get ready to book way ahead of time, because chances are it’s going to get even more popular now that everyone else knows how great it is.

Atlanta: The Forum Athletic Club

In Atlanta, the traditional gym format still reigns supreme. The Forum Athletic Club has got all of the floor space and equipment you need to craft a workout on your own (or with the help of a digital fitness app), plus group training sessions where you can get your HIIT on with a crew.

Austin: DEFINE body & mind (South Lamar)

Think of DEFINE body & mind (South Lamar) as Austin’s one-stop-shop for all of your favorite modalities. The studio offers barre, yoga, and spinning all under one roof so that you can do all of your weekly workouts in one place and never, ever get bored.

Boston: The Handle Bar

With four studios throughout Boston, The Handle Bar has kicked things up a notch from your traditional spin studio by also offering  kettlebell mobility classes. The result, if Boston’s Classpass users are to be believed? Two workouts you’ll want to book over and over (and over, and over) again.

Boulder: The Dailey Method

Can’t decide if you’re a barre person or a spin person? Well, at Boulder’s The Dailey Method, you don’t have to. Reap the benefits of both modalities, plus optional stretch classes, whenever you stop by this studio.

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Chicago: Studio Three

If you like classes of all kinds, you’ll love Studio Three, where you can get your spinning, HIIT, and yoga fixes in the same place. The studio prides itself on an effective approach to cross training, since its offerings will help you move (and stretch!) your body in all the ways it needs.

Dallas: Class Studios

Cycle, train, spring, and sculpt at Dallas’ Class Studios, which has two locations in Preston Center and the West Village. The brand’s “The Lab” concept is also coming soon (according to the website), and will give guests another level of variety in their workouts with other types of dynamic classes.

Denver: High Ride Cycle

Take one look at this list, and it’s clear our country’s spin phenomenon doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. In Denver, it’s going strong at High Ride Cycle, which combines spinning, strength training, and beat-based choreography for a sweat sesh that will leave you seriously out of breath.

Houston: SWEAT 1000

In the case of SWEAT 1000, the word “sweat” doesn’t just stand for the stuff that will be dripping down your face at the end class. It also refers to “Specialized Weight Endurance Athletic Training,” which combines components of interval training, functional training, core stability work, athletic training, and agility training into a single hour-long workout.

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Los Angeles: Training Mate

There’s a lot of stiff competition for the best studio in Los Angeles, but in 2020 Training Mate reigns supreme. The HIIT-based group fitness program offers a number of different workouts (all with cute, Australian-inspired names like “Bondi Burn” and “Thunder Down Under” as a nod to founder Luke Milton’s roots), and a community of “Mates” to help motivate you through it.

Miami: RedBike Studio

Say hello to the best studio in Miami: RedBike. Here, you can find spin classes that are “born, bred, and inspired by Miami.” Everything from the music to the choreography (and the weekly Latin rides) draw inspo from the studio’s home city, and the lights and music are meant to make you feel like you’re celebrating a night out in—where else?—South Beach.

Missoula: The Sweat Shop

For anyone who likes extra-sweaty workouts, Missoula’s The Sweat Shop is a can’t-miss Montana destination. The studio offers a super sweaty spin, TRX, yoga and bootcamp classes, plus hybrid options that combine multiple modalities into a single session.

Nashville: Barry’s Bootcamp

In Music City, it’s all about that base bootcamp. Barry’s Bootcamp has studios in 39 cities around the world, but in Nashville people were going to “The Red Room” more frequently than anywhere else. And considering Barry’s touts itself as “The Best Workout in the World,” it’s easy to see why.

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New York City: Mile High Run Club

In a city that’s home to the world’s largest marathon, it’s no surprise that New Yorkers love to run. Mile High Run Club was one of the OG treadmill studios in Manhattan, and in the years since 2015 has continued to attract runners from every level thanks to its expansive cardio offerings.

Philadelphia: Unite Fitness

Unite Fitness has it all: Cardio, strength training, and recovery. Classes consist of 25 minutes of cardio (on either the bike or the treadmill—you decide), 30 minutes of strength training, and 10 minutes of recovery. If you’re looking for a single Philadelphia studio to spend your time in, this is the place.

Salt Lake City: Rebel House

The sole boxing studio to make the list, Salt Lake City’s Rebel House will let you get in a hit-based HIIT sesh… and then some. In addition to the boxing-based RIOT class, they’ve also got RIDE, a rhythm-based spin class, and REHAB, a beat-based heated yoga class.

San Diego: SPARKCYCLE

Get your San Diego spin on at SPARKCYCLE, where spinners of all levels are encouraged to come in and sweat. Both of the studio’s locations—in La Jolla and Liberty Station—are worth hitting up for a sesh.

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San Francisco: Karma Yoga SF

The only yoga studio to make the list, San Francisco’s Karma Yoga SF offers hot Pilates, power yoga, and yin flow. With 4.9 stars and over 5,000 reviews on Classpass, it’s not wonder this fan-favorite made the list.

Seattle: City Cycle

City Cycle is a tried-and-true spin spot, where you can ride through 45- and 60-minute classes surrounded by a community of devotees. The studio is also tricked out with some seriously cool mood lighting, which will leave you feeling equal parts refreshed and ready to conquer your day.

Toronto: Elle Fitness and Social

In Toronto, Elle Fitness and Social is meant to be a fitness destination where everyone feels welcome and inspired. It’s a traditional gym where you can find classes ranging from bootcamp to HIIT to Zumba—all of which check both the “fun” and “challenging” boxes on your workout to-do list.

Washington DC: Zengo Cycle

The final spin studio to make the list? Zengo Cycle, in Washington, DC, where energetic instructors and a beat-based workout will have you tapping it back (and pushing it up) on the bike like it ain’t no thing.

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Speaking of popular workouts, this is the modality that we called as the trendiest workout of the year (and Classpass bookings agree!). More of an at-home workout person? Here are some of our favorite at-home ab workouts that are just as good as a personal trainer.

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FitnessWorkouts

6 Lateral Exercises You Need to be Doing ASAP for Longevity

Time to train smarter.

Cropped image of woman doing lunge yoga pose
Stocksy / Photo Credit By Studio Firma
Published Feb 21, 2025

Written by 

Jaime Osnato

Want to stay strong, steady, and mobile for life? It’s time to stop thinking only about forward and backward movements and start training side to side. 

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Lateral exercises boost your ability to move and stabilize in the frontal plane—a genuine game-changer for longevity. Developing this kind of strength helps prevent falls, improves balance, and keeps your joints healthy as you age (more on this later). 

Whether you’re climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, or just want to feel more confident in your body, adding lateral exercises to your routine can keep you moving with ease for years to come. Here’s your bulletproof guide.

How lateral exercises boost strength

Lateral strength is your ability to move side to side—think stepping sideways, lifting your arms, side-bending at the waist, or balancing on one leg, says certified strength coach Maggie Fazeli Fard. 

These movements, known as frontal-plane motions, rely on small but crucial muscles like the gluteus medius (outer hip), adductors (inner thighs), and quadratus lumborum (a lower-back muscle that helps lift your hips).

Neglecting these muscles can lead to poor balance, lower-back pain, and even knee issues, says Fard.

Why does lateral strength matter for longevity?

Incorporating more lateral exercises into your routine isn’t just about moving better—it’s about aging better. Stronger lateral muscles improve balance, coordination, and lower-body stability, helping you stay active and independent as you age, says Fard.

Want to carry groceries, chase grandkids, or swing a golf club with ease? Here’s why lateral strength matters:

  • Balance: Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in seniors, with 1 in 4 older adults taking a spill every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Strong lateral muscles help keep you steady.
  • Lower-body mobility: Weak lateral muscles lead to stiff joints and poor mobility. Since most workouts focus on forward-backward movement (like running and lunging), skipping lateral work can leave you prone to injuries, says Fard.
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6 Best Lateral Exercises

Lateral strength is essential for balance, mobility, and injury prevention. But Fard says it’s best to think of these lateral exercises as accessory moves—not the core of your routine. 

Sprinkle these moves into your workouts a few times a week (they’re great for warm-ups, pairing with bigger lifts, or conditioning workouts), and you’ll move stronger, smoother, and pain-free in no time.

1. Figure Eights

This low-impact move improves balance, coordination, and control—a perfect warm-up or daily brain-body booster, Fard says.

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    Stand on your right foot, lifting your left knee to hip height.
  2. 2.
    Extend your right arm forward.
  3. 3.
    Gently move your left foot and right hand in small figure eight patterns (think: a sideways “8”) concurrently. 
  4. 4.
    Do 20 reps, then switch sides.

2. Side-Traveling Ape

This primal “animal flow” exercise engages “your lateral system from head to toe,” says Fard. Do it in warm-ups or pair it with heavy lower-body lifts.

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees bent.
  2. 2.
    Keeping your back flat, lean forward to place your hands on the floor shoulder-width apart, with your left hand directly in front of your right foot.
  3. 3.
    Press your hands into the floor and hop your feet to the right, landing softly with feet hip-width apart.
  4. 4.
    Bring your hands to the starting position and repeat for six steps, then switch directions.
  5. 5.
    Perform three sets.

3. Side Plank March

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This move strengthens your hips, inner thighs, lower back, and shoulders while improving overall balance and full-body lateral stability, says Fard.

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    Lie on your left side with your feet right foot directly in front of your left and your left elbow under your left shoulder, forearm along the floor.
  2. 2.
    Press through your left forearm and lift your body so that you're balancing on your left forearm.
  3. 3.
    Keeping your hips lifted, bend your right knee toward your chest, then return to start. Bend your left knee toward your chest; return to start.
  4. 4.
    Continue “marching” for 8 total reps, then switch sides and repeat.

4. Banded Lateral Walks

This exercise strengthens the small stabilizing muscles around the hips (which are key for lateral strength), says Fard. Control is key here—no bouncing. 

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    Place a resistance band around your ankles.
  2. 2.
    Stand with your feet hip-width apart and clasp your hands in front of your chest.
  3. 3.
    Bend your knees slightly, and step to the left. 
  4. 4.
    Bring your right foot back to hip-width slowly, resisting the band's pull.
  5. 5.
    Repeat on the right side (returning to start); continue alternating for 10 reps per side.

5. Lateral Lunge

Stronger hips, knees, back? This move can help you achieve all three, targeting the outer hips and inner thighs for improved hip stability and lower-body control, says Fard. (Make it harder by holding a pair of dumbbells.) 

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    Stand with your feet at hip-width distance, toes facing forward. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. 
  2. 2.
    Shift your weight to the right and step to your right with your right foot.
  3. 3.
    With a flat back, bend your right knee and shift your hips back, keeping your left leg straight.
  4. 4.
    Keep your toes pointed forward on both feet.
  5. 5.
    Press into your right heel to return to standing.
  6. 6.
    Complete 8–10 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 2–3 total sets.

6. Lateral Step-up

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This lateral step-up variation strengthens the outer hips, inner thighs, and lower back, making it a great prehab move for injury prevention, says Fard.

How to do it:

  1. 1.
    You’ll need a bench or box to complete this exercise.
  2. 2.
    Stand next to your bench and place your left foot on the bench, so that your left knee is bent round 90 degrees.
  3. 3.
    Keeping your torso upright, press your weight into your left foot and push through your quads and glutes to straighten your left leg and stand on top of the bench. 
  4. 4.
    Reverse the move, lowering your right foot to the floor with control. Step your left foot down to the floor next to your right. 
  5. 5.
    Complete 8–10 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 2–3 total sets.

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FitnessWorkouts

Doing This Type of Breathing as Part of Your Pilates Practice Can Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor

Here's how hypopressive breathing, a deep breathing exercise, can help you with your Pilates practice and other forms of movement.

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Photo: Stocksy/Atolas
Published Jan 29, 2025

Written by 

Kelsey Kloss

If you’re obsessed with all things Pilates, you already know about the best athleisure, accessories, and self-care moments to incorporate into your practice. However, you may be less familiar with a type of breathwork that can improve your practice — and help you feel more grounded.

Experts in This Article

Anouska Shenn

certified Pilates instructor and founder of The Office Yoga Company

Blair Mauri

a pelvic floor therapist and owner of Blair Mauri Pelvic Health

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Enter hypopressive breathing, a deep breathing exercise that involves emptying your lungs completely. It’s similar to the uddiyana bandha in yoga (or an “abdominal lock”).

“It involves breathing in a way that creates a vacuum-like effect in your thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities by decreasing the pressure, causing a lift and toning of the pelvic floor,” says Anouska Shenn, a certified Pilates instructor and founder of The Office Yoga Company.

But before we get into how to do it, let us clear up one thing: Don’t try any breath-holding exercises during your practice, since Pilates focuses on breathing through movements.

That said, practicing hypopressive breathing before, after, or separate from your Pilates workouts can help support your practice in a number of ways.

What is hypopressive breathing?

Hypopressive breathing is a technique that involves completely emptying your lungs and holding that breath to create a vacuum. It serves as a core exercise that can benefit your pelvic floor health.

Think of it this way: Your abdomen is a closed pressure system. That means that when the pressure changes—like with a cough, deep breath, or force like a lift—your abdominal structures need to be able to manage that pressure properly. That’s where pelvic floor exercises, like hypopressive breathing, come in.

“When we’re not managing that pressure properly, gravity takes it and sends it down into the pelvic floor,” says Blair Mauri, MS, OTR/L, a pelvic floor therapist and owner of Blair Mauri Pelvic Health. “Repeated downward pressure not only weakens the pelvic floor, but can also cause it to become extremely tense.”

That tension may lead to symptoms such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, painful sex, low back pain, or chronic constipation. “Hypopressive breathing is an excellent way to optimize pelvic floor function, as it provides a natural lift to these tissues without increasing the tension,” says Mauri.

Improving your pelvic floor function can relieve pelvic pain or low back pain, improve your oxygen and energy levels, promote digestion, and support your movement throughout your Pilates practice.

In fact, an eight-week program of hypopressive exercises improved pelvic floor muscle strength and urinary incontinence symptoms in women ages 18 to 60 with pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence symptoms, per a 2022 study1 in Neurourology and Urodynamics.

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Plus, hypopressive breathing can work your lungs in a way that benefits your Pilates practice. “Optimizing your rib mobility is also important for diaphragm function and getting the most out of your breaths,” adds Mauri.

How do you do it?

First, take a few deep breaths and see where you notice that pressure (in this case, your breath):

  • Is it focused in your chest or belly?
  • Are your ribs moving apart as you breathe in?

You should feel some mobility in all of these areas, not just one. “Rib mobility is especially important for proper hypopressive technique, so you may need to start here,” says Mauri. “Take some time to retrain your breathing so that everything expands on the inhale and comes back together on the exhale.”

Once you’ve honed in on that, you can move on to your hypopressive breathing exercises, following Mauri’s instructions:

  1. 1.
    Gently exhale as if you are fogging a window. Don’t send any pressure or force down into your lower belly or pelvic floor.
  2. 2.
    After you exhale, hold your nose and close your mouth and “pretend” to inhale without actually taking in any air. Think about widening those ribs, which will make your stomach begin to look concave.
  3. 3.
    Hold this for 3-5 seconds and then inhale.

How does it benefit your Pilates practice?

This breathing technique shines as an add-on to your Pilates practice. You don’t want to hold your breath during Pilates moves (after all, Pilates is all about coordinating movement with breath), but hypopressive breathing exercises can serve as bumpers for an effective workout.

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“Hypopressive breathing is designed to stand alone, but you can use it as part of your warm-up or to close your Pilates practice,” Shenn says.

Pelvic floor strengthening is already often a key element of Pilates. In fact, a 12-week Pilates program focused on pelvic floor strengthening significantly improved stress urinary incontinence symptoms in women ages 45 to 70, with the results lasting even six months after the program, per a small 2020 study2 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

“Hypopressive breathing complements a Pilates routine, as it also retrains and strengthens the deep core along with your pelvic floor,” says Mauri.

A strong and coordinated deep core and pelvic floor gives you more stability as you move your body throughout your Pilates practice—and throughout the rest of your day.

“Our pelvic floor muscles work together with our deep core muscles to stabilize the spine—supporting our posture and providing a solid foundation for all of our movements,” says Shenn.

Tips to get started

As you integrate hypopressive breathing into your Pilates routine, Shenn recommends keeping these tips in mind:

  • Start with 1-3 sets of 3 repetitions, resting between sets.
  • If you’re a beginner, practice your breathing lying down or seated, before progressing to more challenging positions like side-lying or quadruped (a four-point kneeling position).
  • Do your hypopressive breathwork on an empty stomach (it’s recommended to not eat at least two hours beforehand, since this type of breathing involves suctioning the abdomen inward and upward).
  • Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight—including collars, waistbands, and belts—as they can impede your breath.

Very little research has been done on the effect of breathwork on babies in the womb, so avoid hypopressive breathing if you’re pregnant.

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One more thing to note: Certain preexisting health conditions like high blood pressure can also be contraindications for breathwork, so always check with your doctor first and consider working with a trained provider to make sure your form is correct.

  1. Molina-Torres G, Moreno-Muñoz M, Rebullido TR, Castellote-Caballero Y, Bergamin M, Gobbo S, Hita-Contreras F, Cruz-Diaz D. The effects of an 8-week hypopressive exercise training program on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle activation: A randomized controlled trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2023 Feb;42(2):500-509. doi: 10.1002/nau.25110. Epub 2022 Dec 8. PMID: 36482844; PMCID: PMC10107869.

    ↩︎

  2. Hein JT, Rieck TM, Dunfee HA, Johnson DP, Ferguson JA, Rhodes DJ. Effect of a 12-Week Pilates Pelvic Floor-Strengthening Program on Short-Term Measures of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2020 Feb;26(2):158-161. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0330. Epub 2020 Jan 9. PMID: 31916840; PMCID: PMC7044776.

    ↩︎

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