Wonderful Workouts: On My Side of the River
As a lifelong runner, I’m always trying to find new ways to stay in shape, prevent injury, and overall be faster. My life hack to be a better runner? Do a lot more than just run! Thankfully, Camberville has some of the best workout classes that I’ve found with lots of different options! Seriously, there’s something for everyone from your friend who is obsessive about working out to the friend who enjoys a once-a-week yoga or Pilates class.
My top workout class recommendation is The Handle Bar. This (amazing) spin studio has you “chase the beat” while getting a great workout. My go to location is their Harvard studio, but if you can’t make it out to Harvard, there are lots of other locations around the city. All their classes have really fun themes featuring certain artists or specific genres. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but my two favorites are Jill’s Teen Angst Tuesday class or Jarred’s Taylor Swift Thursday rides. The instructors will hype you up and the playlist will keep you going so that by the end of the class, it feels less like a workout and more like a dance session. 10/10 would recommend. https://handlebarcycling.com/
My next recommendation is Boston Bouldering Project (https://boulderingproject.com/) The options here are endless; for climbing, you can boulder, lead climb, top rope, and use their auto-belays. New to climbing? They have tons of introduction classes. Not feeling the rock climbing? They also have a large weight area, and multiple yoga, Pilates, and circuit classes. My favorite is the power flow which is a faster paced yoga and a little more intense than their flow classes. I also love their Pilates classes and have never left one without my muscles shaking! If you don’t want to commit to a monthly membership (which includes unlimited climbing and class access), they also have day passes available for purchase! After you get a great workout in, you can go to Aeronaut right next door and recover with some beer and Venezuelan food from Carolicious (boulders and brews, anyone?) Boston Bouldering Project is located in Union Square, only a short walk from the Union Square T stop on the Green line.
If you’re more into yoga, check out MOTA in Union Square (https://motaboston.space/). They offer a wide range of yoga and Pilates classes ranging in difficulty. They have something for every level of yogi and their open loft space (with lots of natural lighting and plants) will have you feeling Zen in no time at all. If you’re closer to Kendall Square or Harvard Square, check out CorePower. Although this isn’t local to my side of the river, they also have a great range of yoga classes from an introductory one to their more advanced, C2 hot yoga class. They also have yoga sculpt and hot power fusion, which are both killer workouts. One of my favorite ways to beat the winter cold is to go to their hot yoga classes, you’ll be warmed up in no time but don’t forget to bring a lot of water!
Lastly, although it’s not a workout class, I can’t leave out running along the Somerville Community Path or along the Esplanade next to the Charles River. Both options are nice running paths, long, and have limited stop lights so it’s easy to get your miles in! Between climbing, spin, yoga, and other classes, there’s so many options to help you stay fit and have a great time.
