Barre
Winner: Spark Barre by Spark Yoga
Looking to tone the core, hips, legs, upper body and glutes? Head to the barre. Spark Barre by Spark Yoga uses a blend of traditional and unique barre methods to strengthen the body, and offers multiple levels of classes, from basics to advanced. There’s even Spark HIIT the Barre, for those who want to combine the benefits of barre training with bursts of cardio intervals. // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: Barre3 Old Town
Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all workouts: Barre3 allows class participants to modify postures, encouraging them to become more in-tune with their bodies. // Multiple locations
Cycling Studio
Winner: Ascend Cycle
At Ascend Cycle, it’s about more than just the ride. It’s about physical and mental strength and stamina. Owner Kathryn Zajac opened Ascend after realizing the therapeutic benefits cycling had on her own life. The Del Ray-based cycling studio is also home to Ascend Underground (opened in December 2017), a strength training and HIIT studio to provide clients workouts that help build up their cycling muscles. // 2413 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Runner-Up: CycleBar
With an in-house online music database (appropriately named CycleBeats) of over a million songs, it’s hard to not have fun on the bike while listening to music set perfectly to the pace of turning pedals. // Multiple locations
Yoga Studio
Winner: Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
Zen out at Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi’s signature classes, infused with elements from yoga, tai chi and meditation to focus on healing physical ailments and stress. NoVA yogis love the balance between modern, holistic methods and ancient Korean techniques. // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: Spark Yoga
Promoting healthy bodies, minds and spirits, Spark Yoga offers members semiannual wellness programs, including 30- and 90-day transformation challenges, to motivate them to be their best physically and mentally. // Multiple locations
Pilates Studio
Winner: solidcore
Solidcore is a Pilates studio, but turned all the way up. The slow, controlled resistance training creates long and lean muscles. The fitness studio uses its branded Pilates machine, aptly named sweatlana to intensify the movements, including variations of planks, squats and lunges. You’ll be shaking (that’s a good thing!) in no time. // Multiple locations
Editor’s Pick: Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga
With three studios in one location, Mind the Mat has several reasons for building a cult-like following. Rooms include a heated studio for hot Pilates and yoga, a barre studio and the original ground-level space, offering therapeutic Pilates and yoga courses, designed especially for guests with medical conditions and injuries. // Multiple locations
Bootcamp and Outdoor Fitness Class
Double Winner: Kelly’s Bootcamp & Inergy Fitness
Test your body’s—and mind’s—limits at Kelly’s Bootcamp & Inergy Fitness, known for cardio workouts, interval training and strength training that build muscle and endurance. The fitness class with the cult following takes home top honors this year for both Best Bootcamp and Best Outdoor Fitness Class. The gym also boasts barre classes, boxing and kickboxing, therapeutic yoga and Zumba classes. // Multiple locations
Boot Camp Runner-Up: Woodbridge Fit Body Boot Camp
Challenge your body with every workout at Woodbridge Fit Body Boot Camp’s classes, combining high intensity interval training and active rest training. Perfect for those with little time in their days, classes here are only 30 minutes long. // 3089 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge
Cadet Kelly
Kelly Young is the mastermind behind Kelly’s Bootcamp & Inergy Fitness. She shared her top four tips for staying in shape this summer.
Have a plan
“Exercise doesn’t just happen,” says Young. “If you don’t have a current workout routine, create one.” She suggests starting a daily schedule and determining nonnegotiable exercise times—and then sticking with them.
Keep moving on vacation
“Decide if you are going to do formal workouts, or just find ways to move more throughout your summer travels,” says Young. “If you’re planning formal workouts, do them on the first few days of your trip to create a routine.”
Find what you like
Young says many people struggle to be consistent with exercise because they don’t really enjoy it: “You will never stick with it if you don’t like it.” She recommends starting with something you already take pleasure in, and then building from there.
Be realistic
“People fail because they set the expectations too high and choose a workout that doesn’t feel good for their body, or try to do too much too soon,” says Young. “Build upon your own success.”
Kickboxing Studio
Winner: TopKick TKfit
High-energy workouts, mixed with positive coaches and a fun atmosphere make TopKick TKfit classes a motivating part of members’ fitness routines. The 45-minute classes kick it into high gear by building stamina, improving coordination and flexibility and burning calories with heart-pumping kickboxing moves. // 25031 Riding Plaza, Suite 115, South Riding; Chantilly
Runner-Up: BASH Boxing
Go up from lightweight to a champion contender at BASH Boxing, a powerful boxing studio that boasts Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson as a fan with its conditioning program, created to build body composition and increase cardiovascular health. // Multiple locations
Climbing Studio
Winner: Sportrock Climbing Centers
Have your own Princess Diaries moment at Sportrock Climbing Centers. Just like the movie’s rock climbing studio, Sportock prides itself on a community atmosphere, open to all levels (there’s even youth programs), and its multiple offerings, which include beginner and advanced classes, group climbs and outdoor climbs. // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: Earth Treks
With more than an acre of space for climbing and fitness classes, it’s easy to be amazed when you walk into Earth Treks. Think 400-plus roped routes and boulders; an area made just for bouldering; hydraulic campus boards; and a yoga, strength and cardio studio. // 1235 S. Clark St., Arlington
CrossFit Gym
Winner: Ballston CrossFit
At Ballston CrossFit, the quintessential “workout of the day” combines Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, kettlebells and high-intensity cardio to give participants results fast. Dedicated CrossFitters love the location’s energy and community-based passion for health. // 1110 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Runner-Up: CrossFit Mainstreet Fairfax
New to CrossFit? Try a fundamentals program at CrossFit Mainstreet Fairfax, teaching you all the movements and techniques that made the CrossFit regimen a trend that has been a staple in the fitness industry for two decades. // 10580 Main St., Fairfax
Our Best of NoVA 2019 issue is on stands now. Pick up a copy to find all of this year’s winners, across multiple categories, including Arts & Entertainment, Family & Kids, Food and Shopping.
