Amanda's Guide To...Fitness in Miami
When I was living in New York, working out was part of my daily life. I loved the ability to try a new workout any day of the week. I’ve done it all: Physique 57, Pilates, SLT, DanceBody, AKT with Anna Kaiser…the list goes on. I did pass on Tracy Anderson, though, because of the crazy time commitment! After the pandemic, I added boxing and Muay Thai to my roster (if it works for Gisele Bündchen, it works for me).
So when I moved to Miami, I was worried that my options wouldn’t be up to par. Happily I’ve discovered that when it comes to fitness, Miami is no different than New York.
My preference is classes, especially in a new city. If you’re like me, you’ll want to try out many different studios because it’s a great way to meet people and explore new neighborhoods. Fortunately, there are a lot of local studios that are part of ClassPass and make that easy to do.
That said, there’s no shortage of full-service gyms to join, as well as trainers who will come to your home. So many Miami properties have beautiful gyms on-site, and it’s a great way to squeeze in a quick workout.
What I love about going to the studios, though, is that so many of them are situated in great areas, meaning they can fit seamlessly into a busy day. You can plan your class around a brunch reservation, or sneak in some shopping when you’re done.
Here are a few places I’ve tried and loved, or that are on my list to visit:
SOL Yoga: Hot yoga may seem counterintuitive in Miami, but it’s one of my favorite ways to get in a sweat. I’m a regular at the SOL in Wynwood, where their specialized infrared heat has some amazing health benefits. Not to mention the cold towel placed on your head during savasana…nothing better!
Barry’s: I’ll admit that this beloved HIIT workout has always scared me, but my husband is a huge fan. Barry’s has studios in Midtown and Miami Beach, and another slightly north in Aventura. Great locations, energy and it’s efficient!
Pilathon: For pure, old school Pilates (my personal favorite), you can’t beat Pilathon, with studios in Wynwood and Little River. Some other options: Form50 from Williamsburg is now in Wynwood, JetSet Pilates is in Brickell and there are also three Lagree studios in town.
Rumble Boxing: New York’s popular boxing class currently has a studio in South Beach, not far from The Standard; a few rounds of boxing followed by lunch and a spa treatment sounds like the perfect Saturday to me. There are a few other South Florida locations, with more coming soon. For more traditional boxing training, check out Mickey Demos Boxing Club.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of walking! There are so many great paths in Miami, and it’s especially nice if you can bring your dog. My favorite is the Beachwalk, a seven-mile promenade that runs the length of the city along the beach. It’s lined with hotels and is fun even at the height of the tourism season. The best time to go, though, is early on a weekday morning, before things get busy and you can watch the sunrise.
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Brought to you by Amanda Sawyer, part the Chad Carroll Group at Compass.