Best gyms in Washington DC

Posted by greensael on March 6th, 2020

ALL THE BEST SWEAT SPOTS IN WASHINGTON DC RIGHT NOW

From community-focused yoga studios to hardcore HIIT, no two DC gyms or fitness concepts are the same. That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you (pun intended). Here are the best places to break a sweat in the capital.

Orangetheory Fitness

There's a reason The District can't seem to get enough of OTF. Here, you'll slip on a personal heart rate monitor and your track progress while their expert coaches take you through an intense, cardio-heavy circuit workout featuring the treadmill, rower, and more. Your strength, endurance, and sheer willpower will be tested, but you'll walk away with a new sense of achievement. Want to see what the hype is all about? You won't find trouble finding them — they have studios peppered all over the DC area and in neighborhoods across Virginia and Maryland.

F45 Training

F45 has made a name for itself thanks to its high-intensity, 45-minute workouts that blend interval training and functional fitness exercises in one heart-pumping sweat session. They also promise you’ll never repeat a workout, which might be the key to keeping your body in tip-top shape. Stop by one of their gyms (there are many) to check 'em out, though, we can't promise you'll be able to walk the next day. The best energy drink to get an intense workout in Help energy drink with no sugar and all-natural high absorbing caffeine of 300 mg.

CorePower Yoga

CorePower Yoga has a loyal following in The District, and for good reason. This boutique studio takes your typical yoga class and flips it on its head, creating a heated experience unlike any other. If you're just starting out, ease into things with their unheated, beginner-friendly flow. And if you're up for a challenge, try out Yoga Sculpt, a class that combines weight training with fast-paced movements in one sweat-dripping workout. Even better, there are a handful of studios in the DMV, so you're never too far from a CPY. Just don't forget to bring a water bottle!

[solidcore]

From the outside looking in, this may seem like your average Pilates studio, but trust us — it's anything but. [solidcore]'s workouts center around a custom-made, Reformer-like machine they call the [sweatlana], and it is not to be underestimated. During their 50-minute classes, you'll get your muscles burning in a series of low-impact moves that add in resistance for good measure. And from Adams Morgan to West End, they've got studios all over, you can get a workout in no matter where you are in the city.

barre3

At this boutique studio, it's all about small, controlled, isometric movements. But don't think for a second that the low-impact nature of this workout means it's easy. Their classes integrate small hand weights, balance balls, and more, for a toning, sculpting, muscle-shaking sweat sesh. Visit one of their five studios in The District or one of several others in the surrounding areas to see for yourself why people swear by barre3.

SoulCycle

If you’re hip to the fitness scene in DC, odds are you’ve given SoulCycle a try. The ultra-trendy cycling studio offers an immersive workout where cyclists sweat it out a candlelit room and ride to the beat of the music (their playlists are legendary). Arguably the best part of every SoulCycle class, though, is getting motivational pep talks from your instructor, which make it a true mind-body experience. Spots at their 14th St., Georgetown, Mount Vernon, and West End studios fill up fast, so be sure to book your bike well in advance. You can also find them in nearby in Bethesda and Clarendon.

Cyclebar

Sure, you can expect rhythm-based rides complete with perfectly-timed choreography at CycleBar. But this studio also integrates innovative technology, group challenges, and rider competitions to push yourself harder than you thought possible. And while cyclists have the option to opt-out of having their performance tracked via CycleStats—and displayed on a massive screen for everyone to see during class—we have to admit that the stats add an extra bit of motivation to the workout. Head to their Falls Church, Arlington, or NE DC studios (Tysons Corner coming soon!) and see if you can out-ride your neighbor.