Exercising doesn’t look the same for everyone — what’s fun and muscle-building for one person may be a slog for someone else.
Fortunately, Raleigh is home to many opportunities for exercise, whether you enjoy lifting weights, dancing to hip hop tunes for a little cardio action, or boxing for a full-body workout. Use this guide as a resource for all-things fitness in the City of Oaks.
Pro tip: Not sure which to try first? Try out multiple gyms with a free trial on ClassPass.
For those who enjoy working out alongside others
Club Pilates, multiple locations | Hop on the Reformer and get ready for a full-body workout in just 30 minutes.
GLOW Fitness, 1924 Wake Forest Rd. | This immersive, festival-inspired group fitness studio offers classes like yoga, cycling, and barre, plus personal training and holistic health coaching.
O2 Fitness, multiple locations | Join a community of fellow fitness enthusiasts and enjoy two free personal training sessions with your membership.
Pure Barre, multiple locations | Barre uses weights with high-repetition + low impact movement to tone your body — these studios offer five levels of barre classes aligned with your goals.
REX Wellness Center, multiple locations | With four locations across the Triangle, REX works with members to create a holistic health plan to help you with your goals + needs.
The Sweat Lab, 402 Oberlin Rd. | This studio offers a variety of classes including cycling, barre, Pilates, yoga, and sculpt. You can even sweat from home with online classes and home bike rentals.
Total Row Fitness, 9400 Brier Creek Pkwy, Ste. 102 | The workouts are fast-paced and filled with a combination of rowing, HIIT strength training, circuit training, and yoga.
For those looking for flexibility and variety
Barre-Up, 4224 Beryl Rd. | Try a variety of classes like barre, Pilates, and yoga. In 2013, this studio became the first to bring Buti Yoga — a music-driven dynamic class with bursts of cardio-dance — to the Raleigh area.
Heat, 400 Glenwood Ave. | During group fitness classes, a coach will lead you through high intensity interval training (HIIT), incorporating various techniques and tools (think: weights, treadmills, rowing machines, gymnastic rings, and air bikes).
Life Time Fitness, 8515 Falls of Neuse Rd. | It’s not just a gym — it’s a luxury experience. Life Time has resort-style pools, whirlpools, saunas, and dozens of weekly classes to keep you feeling your best.
Triangle Rock Club, multiple locations | This rock climbing gym has over 13,000 sqft of climbing walls, 40+ lanes of lead and top rope climbing, and 7,000 sqft of world-class bouldering terrain.
YMCA of the Triangle, multiple locations | The YMCA offers a variety of classes, fitness options, and facilities all under one membership.
For those who want one-on-one training
74 Theory Fitness Studio, 301 N. Boylan Ave. | 74 is the atomic number for tungsten, the strongest metal, and your personal trainer is on a mission to make you even stronger.
FX Fitness, 1101 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. | This studio and wellness space offers private and small group personal training, acupuncture, and physical therapy. It has amenities like a cold plunge tub and infrared sauna.
The Movement Lab, 2109 Avent Ferry Rd., Ste. 106 | Schedule a free first session to discuss your fitness goals even with no prior experience.
For those who believe burpees are a lifestyle
12th State CrossFit, 807 Hodges St. | This CrossFit gym offers daily workout regiments, nutrition tips, and professional coaches to jumpstart your fitness journey.
Burn Boot Camp, multiple locations | Burn, baby, burn. With complimentary childcare, workouts that are different every time, and plenty of boot camp classes to choose from every day, this spot will kick things into high gear.
MADabolic, multiple locations | These intense workout classes combine momentum, anaerobic exercise, and durability to build up your stamina alongside others.
For those looking for some zen
Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar, multiple locations | Strengthen your core and stretch through some stress at this hot yoga studio. Pro tip: Look for special events like themed music flows and CBD massages.
Midtown Yoga, 200 Park at North Hills St. | Center your body and mind with vinyasa, core + strength yoga flows, and meditation. Classes range in temperature from 85-90º to 100-105º.
YogaSix, 621 Hillsborough St., Ste. 103 | This inclusive yoga studio is great for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Six core class types like hot yoga and slow flow are offered. Bonus: Take an inside look at the studio.
Guess what? We’ve got a whole guide to just about every yoga studio in Raleigh. Give it a read and get some zen.
For those who want to dance it out
Cirque de Vol, 300 W. Hargett St. | This creative movement, circus, and aerial arts studio teaches unique classes like aerial yoga and hoop dance. Both youth and adult classes are offered.
FlowCorps, multiple locations | Music is the key to pumping up at FlowCorps classes, whether its Pilates, yoga, or dynamic cardio.
Mega, 2330 Bale St., Ste. 104 | Jump around. This is Raleigh’s only Megaformer (the Lagree Method) and cardio trampoline studio.
For those eager to try to something new
9Round, multiple locations | Kick it at this kickboxing gym with full-body circuit training workouts that have no set times, making it fit into any schedule.
Enso Movement, 3200 Wellington Court, Ste. 115 | Channel your inner-Michael Scott with parkour, tricking, and handbalancing classes. Plus, this spot offers track-out camps for kids.
Current Wellness, 219 S. East St. | With a focus on physical and mental health, this center offers fitness and yoga classes. It also has a teaching kitchen for food education classes and private coworking offices for wellness practitioners.
Gear up
Don’t forget to set your movement adventure up for success with tried-and-true gym favorites.
Owala FreeSip water bottle | Stay hydrated at the gym with a beloved stainless steel bottle — you can get it as large as 40 oz. for max hydration.
Baleaf women’s fleece-lined leggings | Make facing workouts on chilly mornings easier with fleece-lined leggings — plus, choose how many pockets you want on them.
Silicone ear tips for AirPods | Earbuds will slip out at the gym no more thanks to simple silicone ear tips that keep AirPods in place.
HOKA Women’s Clifton 9 Sneaker | Set your cardio workouts up for success with a sneaker designed to increase foot comfort and absorb the shock of high-impact exercise.
Heathyoga non-slip body alignment yoga mat | Beginners and advanced yoga students alike will love the alignment lines on this mat to take your form to the next level.
CRZ Butterluxe high-waisted leggings | These buttery-soft leggings feature gentle compression and are considered a Lululemon alternative by reviewers.
Bala Bangles | Ready to up the ante of any workout? Use Bala Bangles on wrists or ankles for added resistance.
