The rise of boutique studios and semi-private training

Over the past 5 or so years, Boston has become the home to a *thriving* ecosystem of fitness studios offering everything from yoga and spin to strength training — in both one-on-one personal training and smaller group formats. Semi-private personal training and small-group classes are particularly appealing for those seeking a bit of personalized attention with a communal feel.

Workout choice-paralysis

The number of fitness studios dotted throughout Boston and the surrounding area is… overwhelming. Even if you’re a seasoned gym-goer, if the idea crossed your mind to try something new, picking where to start would be a real mental undertaking. Let’s try to organize our options.

For the sake of this post, I’m going to exclude the idea of one-on-one training and just focus on classes and small group (semi-private) training. I’m also going to be somewhat general in the categories covered, so some branded workouts may not sit neatly within a specific category.

Disclaimer

If you are a true beginner to movement and you’re looking to dip your toes in with a class, some of these may be really challenging. I always recommend reaching out to the studio to ask what they recommend for a beginner, and when you arrive at your first class, just let the instructor know you’re new to the workout and may need some modifications. You can tell them you’re new to exercise in general, but you absolutely do not have to (I’m an experienced powerlifter and when I tried Pilates for the first time, I looked like I had never exercised a day in my life).

Workout recommendations based on your primary goal/needs:

I want to learn something new and don’t have any specific strength goals (and maybe want to feel the burn)

Barre, Spin, Yoga, Rowing.

I picked these 4 options because they ‘re fairly low-impact and/or can be what you make them. Barre has a lot of micro-movements, which tend to be a lot easier from a learning perspective. While yoga can be quite difficult, you can usually find a beginner class or something it is more focused on recovery or mindfulness. You won’t get a huge sweat out of the slower versions of yoga, but they offer a good gateway. Worst case scenario: you hang out in shavasana if the class gets too hard.

Spin and rowing are both generally low-impact and you can maintain control over the resistance levels of the bike or rower. If an instructor is intense, they may encourage you to increase the difficulty, but there are no rules against staying at a level you’re comfortable at, especially while you’re still learning and growing the habit.

I want to work on my core strength and otherwise don’t have any specific strength goals

Pilates, Yoga, Pole, Rowing

Raking one singular Pilates class taught me just how though it can be switching from one style of “core work” to another. It can be killer, but intro level classes exist.

As noted above, there are many different types of yoga. And while I would recommend, sticking with something bit more slow and easy for your first class or two, you can certainly find yoga classes that challenge your core.

Pole is slept on, but pole dancing workouts are hard. Find yourself a beginner class and just know that it’s going to take a little ego control while the pole humbles you as you’re learning.

Rowing isn’t inherently a core exercise, but rowing with good, efficient form can sure put some strain on your core muscles.

I want to work on my cardio, coordination, and be able to defend myself

Boxing, Martial Arts.

I think this is pretty self-explanatory. There are many different types of martial arts and boxing classes. Some of these classes will be technique-focused, some will be sport-specific drills, some will be sparring. Its my understanding that most boxing and martial arts studios will do some sort of placement, but you may not get this same experience from a free class at a commercial gym.

I want to improve my strength and get some cardio as well

Strength & Conditioning

There are a handful of places purporting to offer strength and conditioning classes, but are actually just (or mostly) conditioning. There is nothing inherently wrong with a fun, programmed conditioning workout. That said, I wouldn’t spend my money on a class that had me on a treadmill/rower/bike for 2/3 of the class… unless I was specifically paying for that. OR if I Was absolutely dying to join the community created within that class space (I could get over the deceptive name).

If you’re looking for a true strength and conditioning class, you want something that has a meaningful portion (more than half the class duration) using weight equipment (dumbbells, kettlebells, med balls, barbells when appropriate). Bonus points if they show you how to use the weight equipment before your workout (some places will require a one-on-one intro with a trainer beforehand to give the basics).

Those studios are likely to have a strong community feel and you may walk into your first class feeling like everyone knows each other, because they probably do. Don’t let that rattle you—you’ll be integrated into the crew the more you go (and the more you put effort into trying to be nice and socialize… a well placed eye contact ”will this workout actually kill me?!” eyebrow raise directed at another participant can go a long way.).

Why I left out CrossFit

This may have a hot take, but if you’re brand new to exercise, CrossFit is not for you. It looks cool (and Olympic lifting is cool), but its really high impact and its truly a mixed bag when it comes to whether or not the trainers will consider your beginner status when integrating you into the workout class. There are some skilled, mindful CrossFit gym owners out there who really do care about the health and physical well-being of their members/participants… but there are also loads that will just throw you into a class you’re not likely ready for yet.

If joining a CrossFit gym is your dream, do ample research to make sure you’re signing up to a place that offers individual coaching as a prerequisite for joining a class. Or spend some time with a one-on-one trainer learning the basics of Olympic lifting so you’ll have the fundamentals before trying Olympic lifting’s more chaotic cousin, CrossFit.

I threw some daggers there, didn’t I?

I sure did. My primary demographic are folks who are totally new to exercise or strength training. I can confidently say I know what challenges beginners or almost-beginners are bound to face, and safety is my priority. Protecting your investment is my second priority. To put it succinctly: I think CrossFit is too unpredictable and advanced for true beginners and I think many classes that call themselves “strength and conditioning” are only conditioning and think that having you look at a dumbbell for 4 seconds after burning you out on the cardio constitutes a strength workout. I think its them stealing your money.