Portland is the perfect place to find a myriad of unique workout options that you can actually enjoy. Because there are so many choices in our area, the following list will serve as a good starting point to begin exploring Portland’s fitness culture!
Climb Like a Monkey: The Circuit Bouldering Gym
To kick things off, here’s an option for all of the young-at-heart. The Circuit is just about the closest thing I can think of to a jungle gym for adults. Once you have your day pass in hand and your climbing shoes on, you’re all set to scale any surface in sight. Depending on how much you want to challenge yourself, you can pick more difficult climbs and really work up a sweat. There are three different locations in the metro area and each has their own unique layout to conquer. The best part? A day of climbing and equipment rental is under twenty dollars and there’s a great student discount, too! This option is perfect for cross training and is a great way to test your limits, both mental and physical.
Combine all the Words: Pil-oga-robic
Much like fusion cuisine, the next location on our list combines multiple great things into something even better! Pil-oga-robic is the powerful combination of pilates, yoga, cardio, and strength training which is formulated to provide an incredibly effective workout.
The variety offered in the class makes for an engaging experience that is far from routine. The instructors are lovely and offer personalized recommendations and a relaxing, judgment-free environment! If that treadmill has you feeling like you’re going nowhere (see what I did there?) it might be time for a fun session of Pil-oga-robic! Did I mention that the first class is free? Once you experience the unique ambiance in this beautiful studio, you’ll want to nama-stay!
Get Your Strength On: CrossFit
Alright, you all saw it coming. You knew I was going to bring CrossFit into this. I know none of us really want to admit it but this intense training program is certainly a fantastic option for those looking to really, and I mean really, push themselves. That being said, your options are open as far as gyms go but I will be recommending PDX Strength. They are the number one rated gym in North Portland and for good reason. They offer more classes than you could flip a tire at and are a fantastic choice for fresh-faced beginners and seasoned athletes alike. They are so sure that you’ll love the experience that they offer free classes for first-timers, and who doesn’t like getting things for free?
Editor’s note: PXT Fitness is awesome, too. I worked out over there for about six months before I moved across town. Highly recommend.
Channel Your Inner Ballerina: Barre3
Maybe pull-ups just aren’t for you and you prefer a workout with a little more grace. As you can imagine, I have just the recommendation for you. Barre3 is a studio that offers classes aimed at improving strength, balance, and posture. It’s the perfect place for those of us who want to be ballerinas when we grow up. One of the advantages to Barre3 is that they have six convenient locations all across Portland! It’s super easy to find the closest studio and reserve your spot in class online. Although barre classes will have you feeling a bit more elegant, you will still be working up quite the sweat.
Get up and Dance: Vega Dance Lab
Finally, if you are one of those amazing individuals who spends their Saturdays dancing with the broom, it’s your time to shine. Vega Dance Lab is my favorite location on this list because it encourages calorie burn through the art of dance.
The classes will have you feeling fierce and the atmosphere will have you feeling like you’re on the set of Step Up 2. You’ll see dancers of all skill levels and fun routines that are far from boring! The great music and energetic instructors will have even beginners getting into the groove before class is out.
This is a drop-in studio and it only takes fifteen dollars to get into an hour of sweaty, happy, dancey fun. I would recommend Vega to anyone who wants to work hard while having an absolute blast!
So, are you ready to get your money’s worth out of those sweatbands and leg warmers? You don’t have to be Olivia Newton John to rock that look and get physical! There are so many fantastic options out there for those of us who would like to throw a little variety into our fitness routine! Make sure to take advantage of the free first classes offered by some of the studios and gyms above; besides, if there’s something out there that you can get absolutely free of charge, there’s no reason not to give it a try! What are you waiting for? Get off the couch and tear up the floor, the mat, or the pavement!
