10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 1/6

Welcome to Racked's Fitness Week: five days of workout coverage, so that you can start

your New Year's resolutions off right.

BY JULIE DAVIS JAN 9, 2014, 1:00PM EST

FITNESS WEEK 2014

Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining FitnessClasses

PHILADELPHIA

10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 2/6

Image credit: Kaya Aerial Yoga/Facebook

Is the monotony of your gym routine numbing you to the bone? After the jump, we've rounded

up the city's most exciting fitness classes — the ones guaranteed to lure you off that elliptical.

From burlesque and belly dancing to classes that take yoga to new heights, these workout

sessions are anything but ordinary.

1. Hoopfit at Studio 34, West Philly

Hula hoops are the fitness prop of Hoopfit, a class offered by Baltimore Avenue's Studio 34.

Participants use oversized hula hoops to strengthen and tone core muscles. Estimated calories

burned during this heart-pumping, 60-minute class? 400 to 600.

2. Fit4Mom's Stroller Strides, various Philadelphia locations

Catered to new moms, Stroller Strides lets moms bring their babies along for a stroller-pushing

workout involving power walking, exercise tubing, and strength training/toning exercises. The

hour-long classes are good for moms of all fitness levels.

10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 3/6

Image credit: Kaya Aerial Yoga/Facebook

3. Aerial and Acrobatic Yoga at Kaya Aerial Yoga, Old City

This Old City studio specializes in aerial and acrobatic yoga, classes that rely on suspended silk

hammocks to deepen stretches and assist with spinal alignment. Because you'll be spending a lot

of time upsidedown, it's best to arrive on a somewhat empty stomach.

10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 4/6

4. Piloxing at Merge Dance Studio, Manayunk

A fusion of Pilates, boxing, and "sexy" dance, this cardio class promises a full-body workout and

is best performed barefoot. Interval training is the focus here.

5. Happy Hour Yoga at Yoga on the Ridge, Roxborough

Get in a workout with a one-hour yoga class that's appropriate for practitioners of all skill levels,

then quickly cancel out the calories burned with the educational beer tasting that follows the

class.

6. Strip and Sculpt at Weston Fitness, Center City

If you sign up for this strip class, note that you'll be entering a judgement-free zone. Instructor

Sandy Weston guides ladies toward long, lean muscles, all while helping participants redefine

their idea of what's sexy.

10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 5/6

Image credit: Awakenings Pole Dance Fitness/Facebook

7. Pole Dance Fitness at Awakenings, King of Prussia and Manayunk

Shimmy your way to tight and toned muscles through Awakening's pole-centric classes, then

take it down a notch by enrolling in the studio's aerial yoga class, which promises a series of

strength building exercises and inversions — by candlelight.

10/25/2017 Philly's 10 Most Unique and Entertaining Fitness Classes - Racked Philly

https://philly.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625489/phillys-most-unique-fun-out-of-the-ordinary-fitness-classes 6/6

8. Bhangra Blast at Philly Dance Fitness, Newbold

Bollywood flavor is injected into this dance class, which is set to upbeat Indian music. A

traditional celebratory North Indian folk dance, Bhangra is high-energy dance that involves lots

of bouncing and shoulder-shrugging. Totally uncoordinated? The studio ensures anyone can

master Bhangra—or have fun trying.

9. Belly Dance at Studio 1831, Fairmount

Shake whatcha mama gave you with a belly dance class at Studio 1831. Expect lots of hip

thrusting and shimmying as you learn "the mystery and sensuous beauty of an age-old

performance art." This Fairmount studio also offers a popular Burlesque class for those looking

to channel their inner Dita Von Teese.

Aquamotion at Sweat Fitness, Center City

Lead by aptly-named trainer Holly Waters, this low-impact aerobic workout stands out not only

for its reliance on boogie boards, water noodles, and paddles (fun!), it also takes place in a salt

water pool, which is gentler on hair, skin, and the environment.

∙ All Fitness Week 2014 coverage [Racked Philly]

Kaya Aerial Yoga225 Quarry St, Philadelphia, PA

THE LATEST

Map data ©2017 Google