If you’ve finally decided to try yoga, or you want to expand into a new practice, your first step is to find a class that fits your schedule. But once you start browsing, you can get overwhelmed by the endless types of classes and names you’ve never seen before. Most styles are based on the same yoga poses (called asanas), but your experience can be vastly different from style to style.

We talked to some local instructors and experts to break down 10 of the most popular types of yoga to create a cheat sheet that will help give you a better idea of what style might be best-suited for your fitness plan.

“Introducing yourself to all kinds of yoga can serve many purposes for your body, physically and emotionally,” says local yoga and fitness instructor Marissa Walch. “Sometimes I crave sweating, but other days restorative may be more beneficial. You can find multiple classes that complement your life.”

Aerial Yoga

Aerial Yoga helps you achieve levitation . . . literally. Over the past few years, we’ve seen “silks” and “anti-gravity” have a serious moment. You use these props to support you throughout the practice, with flying vinyasa flows and movements. Most aerial programs have progressive classes and it’s best to start with a beginner class and build up in skills and confidence. “The silks can make the postures more supportive but they can also make the poses more challenging,” says yoga instructor and educator Michelle DeVore Zuniga. “This is something that surprises most people because they think it is all just relaxation.”

Find it in Baltimore: Merritt Clubs, Movement Lab, Sanctuary Bodyworks, Yoga on York

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga follows a set sequence of asanas that students practice the same way each time (as people progress in their practice, they are able to progress in different variations of the poses as well). There are multiple series of poses, each with different focuses, gradually becoming more challenging as class goes on. Each pose is held for five breaths and is typically physically challenging and vigorous. In Ashtanga classes, there is no music and most students don’t use props or modifications.

Find it in Baltimore: Yoga Tree, YogaWorks

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga is highly specific—the only thing that will change from class to class is your instructor. Each 90 minute class goes through a series of 26 yoga postures and breathing exercises, all organized in a sequence to help you work your full body. The 105-degree room is intended to help warm up your body and deepen the work in your muscles and the effects from the sequence.

Find it in Baltimore: Bikram Yoga Baltimore, Bikram Yoga Works, Yoga Tree

Buti Yoga

Buti yoga is a newer variety of yoga, where you combine cardio-intensive tribal dance moves with body-toning yoga movements. Created in 2012, these yoga classes can work your core muscles hard—think lots of hip and torso movements. The class is intended to help strengthen your muscles with yoga and increases your conditioning with cardio.

Find it in Baltimore: Movement Lab, Yoga Tree, YogaWorks

Hatha Yoga

Typically a good class for new and learning students, Hatha yoga is a general category. Asanas and pranayama (breathing exercises) help you focus on balance, flexibility and relaxation. However, while you generally spend more time getting into and holding poses, they aren’t necessarily beginner postures. “In Hatha classes, you can practice your technique with instructors that will often provide detailed demonstrations and alignment cues to ensure you’re getting to the poses safely,” says yoga instructor Emily Fleming.

Find it in Baltimore: Asana Roots Yoga, Baltimore Yoga Village, Free Baltimore Yoga, MAC, Merritt Clubs, Movement Lab

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga incorporates different practices from other yoga styles: Bhakti yoga (the yogic practice of devotion and chanting), Raja yoga (the practice of mediation/mental and physical control) and Shakti yoga (for the expression of power and energy). As with other styles, your movements are often synchronized with your breath. Classes are designed to awaken and move energy from the base of your spine upward through each of the seven chakras. Kundalini will feel quite different from other varieties, placing a huge emphasis on meditation, chanting and repeating movements over and over.

Find it in Baltimore: Baltimore Yoga Village, Movement Lab, YogaWorks

Prenatal Yoga

Expecting mothers can prepare their bodies and minds for their next big adventures with prenatal yoga. Prenatal classes often focus the lessons on relaxation and breathing, benefiting mom and baby. “Prenatal postures are carefully chosen to be safe and supportive,” says DeVore Zuniga. “This practice aims to help mothers adapt to changes and focus on building strength and stamina that is needed during child birth.”

Find it in Baltimore: Baltimore Yoga Village, Bamboo Moves Yoga, YogaWorks

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is meant to do exactly that—restore. It typically involved only a handful of poses extended for longer periods of time, supported by props. By completely supporting the body in propped-up asanas, students can get to a state of relaxation and rest. Expect more gentle and lying down poses.

Find it in Baltimore: Asana Roots Yoga, Bamboo Moves, Earth Treks, Eclectic Soul Yoga, LIFT Yoga + Strength, Movement Lab, M. Power Yoga, YogaWorks

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa classes are one of the most common classes you will find. “Vinyasa means ‘to flow’, so this style typically focuses on synchronizing your breath with your movement, creating a continuous flow of poses,” says Walch. While it’s a common practice, each class can be different, driven by the instructor’s composition and use of music and props. Classes typically start slow, warm up to a peak pose or flow, then slow down with seated poses, stretches and opportunities to recover. There isn’t always detailed instructions for each pose, however modifications are often offered.

Find it in Baltimore: Aluma Yoga, Asana Roots Yoga, Baltimore Yoga Village, Bamboo Moves, Earth Treks, Eclectic Soul Yoga, Inline Fitness, LIFT Yoga + Strength, Merritt Clubs, Movement Lab, M. Power Yoga, Sanctuary Bodyworks, Under Armour Performance Center, Yoga Tree, YogaWorks

Yin Yoga

If you’re looking for a more relaxing practice, slow-paced Yin yoga is a perfect fit. Yin uses more seated and supine poses for longer periods of time, focusing on the release of your fascia (your connective tissue). This practice will help if your muscles feel extra tight and you need longer, deeper holds to release.

Find it in Baltimore: Asana Roots Yoga, Baltimore Yoga Village, Eclectic Soul Yoga, Movement Lab, M. Power Yoga, Bamboo Moves, Yoga on York, Yoga Tree, YogaWorks

In today’s world, we’re pulled in multiple directions every minute of the day, leaving little time for self care. Even when we make ourselves a priority, there’s often little time left after projects are complete, families are cared for, and we have a moment to breathe. When these motivational moments present themselves, sometimes we don’t have time to make it to our gym or studio. So how do we get a supplemental workout in our home?

When it comes to home workouts, your top priorities (other than the workout benefits, of course) are maximizing space and time. “Maximize your time and fitness potential doing both in-home and gym workouts,” says Rick Logan, certified personal trainer and 10-year fitness expert. “In-home workouts are a fantastic way to stay in your routine and save time.”

Go Vertical

Make the most of vertical space in your home, like hanging your resistance bands or yoga bag on a hook in an unused closet or over a bar.

“I have a very small space, but I have my mat and my gear in an old closet that I cleared out and it works beautifully,” says Caitlin Butler, who lives in Arnold.

Out of Sight

You can also store your items under your coffee table or inside an ottoman to keep them out of plain sight. If you’re keeping things to your room, know that under the bed or night stand is a perfect place for a pair of dumbbells.

“I’ve got a very limited amount of space in my apartment, so everything I have needs to serve a purpose,” says Brewers Hill resident, Katie VandenHeuvel, who packs her yoga mat, dumbbells, kettlebells, foam roller, sliders, resistance bands, jump rope, TRX bands, and more into a small box.

Keep equipment in closets and corners for storage, but make it visible enough that you don’t forget your fitness routine.

Best At-Home Tools

Once you find a suitable storage location, you need to find the equipment that will give you the most bang for your buck. Here are few key items that will help you build a compact fitness hub in a tiny space:

Yoga Mat: Having a yoga mat is typically a great first step no matter what workout you’re planning. Use the mat for your yoga flow or your HIIT workout, adding stability and support.

Resistance Band: Bands come in all shapes and sizes, but their best characteristic is that they take up almost no room.

“I love my booty bands, because you can throw them in every bag and take them anywhere,” says Locust Point resident, Kayleigh Gelles. These bands can help tone and strengthen your muscles through all types of workouts including yoga, strength and HIIT. They provide added resistance without the heavy weight associated with free weights and, as a bonus, these bands are great for stretching and improving range of motion.

Dumbbells: A pair of dumbbells can help you increase your strength. The weight of your dumbbells adds resistance to any move you’re performing at home.

“My favorite equipment is my dumbbells—I see the most increase in strength when I incorporate that extra weight,” says Butler. You can use them in focused workouts or you can turn up the intensity of a full body workout. Plus, dumbbells are available in a wide variety of sizes and weights.

Water Bottle: Yes, of course you’ll need water wherever you’re working out but people don’t always keep their water close. Just think: If you only have 10 minutes, do you want to spend even two of those minutes going to the kitchen to search for your water bottle?

Sliders: Sliding discs are another small item that pack a big punch. They are incredibly compact and easily portable, making them perfect for a home gym. When using sliders, your body is challenged to utilize stabilizer muscles, increasing the difficulty of your workout moves.

Kettlebell: Much like your dumbbells, a kettlebell is a great way to add weighted resistance to your workouts.

“I like to keep a variety of dumbbells along with a kettlebell and medicine ball,” says Belvedere resident Jeff St Pierre. “You don’t need a lot to get the job done.” Unlike a dumbbell, which has evenly distributed weight on each end of the handle, a kettlebell’s weight is in the center causing an offset of gravity away from the handle. When used correctly, they can be an extremely effective training tool.

Correct use, form, and care of each piece of fitness equipment is incredibly important to your health and safety. Whenever you plan an unsupervised workout at home, make sure you do your research on your equipment and talk to a trainer before your workouts.

It’s that time of year. The omnipresent “new year, new you” slogan seems to follow you everywhere. Gyms are having membership sales. Healthy recipes are flooding your inbox. Everything is reminding you that it’s time to get back into shape. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

A new calendar year is in fact a perfect time to reset and focus on new goals. You can use this time as an opportunity—here are some easy tips to get going.

Start small
One of the most frustrating hurdles in approaching goals is their sheer enormity. You want to be active, so you’ll have to get new workout clothes, decide on what workout you like best, find a gym that works for you, find classes that fit your schedule, find an instructor you like, actually go to said gym, if it doesn’t work you start all over again . . . just thinking about it makes you tired. So, don’t start big. Start small. Work on two squats today. And two tomorrow. Aim to do two active moves every day for a week. Once you pass your first week, you’re on to your second. Then your third. Soon enough, you’ve been active for a month! Remember, small goals add up to big goals!

Schedule walking meetings
If you’re business is like most, much of your day is filled up with meetings. Appointments after appointments, taking up your schedule and keeping you from most activity. So why not combine the two? This, of course, probably isn’t wise for a 20-person, two-hour meeting but what about your team catch up? The three of you can easily walk and talk around the office or around the neighborhood.

Walk more in general
Baltimore City, and even many of the surrounding counties, are incredibly walkable. Right outside of your door there are beautiful neighborhoods, parks and even trails. Get outside and explore! “If you live within a reasonable walking distance of a grocery store, initiate a new rule: no driving to the store,” says KG Spencer, instructor at BeachFit Baltimore. “This one change has a multiple benefit effect—the walk itself adds steps, carrying the groceries home is an upper body and core ‘strength’ training opportunity and, because you have to carry your haul, you’re less likely to make impulse food decisions.”

Use a refillable water bottle
Refilling your cup or bottle will automatically force you to get up from your desk—more steps without even thinking about it. Plus, this habit can check off other boxes. Not only is drinking more water a healthy practice, but reusing bottles, cups and mugs is also much more eco-friendly (and cheaper!) than buying a new one every day.

Bring a set of weights to work
Most of us claim lack of time as a reason we’re not active and work is usually the biggest culprit. Like walking meetings, remember that being active doesn’t always involve getting drenched in sweat. Having a light set of two to five pound weights at your desk can help inspire you! You can easily get in a few bicep curls while you’re muted on that conference call or a few shoulder presses after lunch.

“If you work somewhere with steps, set an alarm for every 90 minutes at which time you’ll get up from your desk, grab those weights and hit the stairwell,” says Spencer. “Walk the stairs once or twice before returning to your seat. Doing this a few times a day can have dramatic effect on your cardiovascular health—not to mention your thighs—over time.”

Research workouts before you hit the gym
Ok, you made it to a gym . . . now what? If you’re newer to the fitness scene, or just getting back to it, it’s hard to find a natural rhythm right off the bat. So, prepare yourself! The internet is chock full of resources for you! Find a few workouts that seem fun and print them out or save them to your phone. This will save you time and frustration when you ultimately arrive at your fitness location.

Find an activity buddy
One of the easiest ways to stay accountable is to have someone else help keep you on track. We’re all in this new-year boat together, so find someone who has the same goal as you and check in with each other regularly. You’ll be shocked at how much more you want to stay involved when another person is depending on you.

Join a social sports league
Baltimore is full of fun organizations to help you get more involved and more active with friends. Volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard, Skee-Ball, bocce, softball, yoga—you name it, there’s probably a group doing it. Want more than one person keeping you accountable? Try a whole team.

Work on active chores
Another resolution is often cleaning up around the house—use it to your advantage. Sweeping, mopping, and washing windows are all easy ways to work on your house and your body.

Add activity to your calendar
Literally. Open your phone calendar or planner and add some sort of activity appointment. Make it reoccurring set for every day. You’re making an important meeting with yourself. And don’t skip it. You wouldn’t skip a meeting with your boss, would you? You’re the boss of your body—make sure you make it a priority.

“As you lay out your calendar, write a few sentences how you feel and your intention for the day—It might be how you’re excited to work out or maybe not. Either way, set that purpose for the day,” says Jami Gobao Crist, spin instructor at REV Cycle. “Post workout, go back and reflect on how you feel. Save those thoughts and go back to them when you’re unmotivated.”

You’ve done everything right—bought the fancy gym membership, ditched the junk food, and gotten your hands on the latest Under Armour gear. Then, a few weeks go by, you lose some steam, and the call of the elliptical machine and free-weights grows fainter.

But what if you had a class of friends waiting for you? A group of people who encourage you and hold you accountable? That’s the idea behind boutique fitness, the latest craze to hit the workout circuit. These specialty gyms offer a more personalized approach to exercise in a more intimate setting. Classes are small and range from more familiar activities like barre, yoga, and spin, to niche routines like belly dancing, surfboard workouts, and Krav Maga.

Once you’ve figured out which classes work best for you, the social aspect of these specialty spaces is undeniable—your workouts become less about burning calories and more about building relationships. “Boutique fitness speaks to the way our society is going,” says Kate Rowe, an instructor at Beachfit. “People want something that speaks to them specifically. The big-box gyms are great because they offer a ton of options, but smaller places offer you an opportunity to find that one thing you really love and hone in on it.” Here are 20 boutique fitness studios worth exploring.

9Round

If you find yourself easily bored with your workouts, then 9Round may be the place for you. With nine different exercise stations—hence the name—the 30-minute workout will keep you moving with interval, cardiovascular, and kickboxing fitness stations that change daily. But don’t fret if you are not an exercise pro—all fitness levels are welcome. A trainer will always be close by to demonstrate new routines and make sure you are getting the most out of your workout. Fit Bit: The great thing about 9Round is that there are no class times. Show up at your convenience, as a new circuit starts every three minutes. 3713 Boston St., 443-743-3832

Asana Roots Community Yoga Studio

Slightly hidden in the heart of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District between foodie favorites Colette and Pen & Quill, you’ll find this serene space. If its exposed brick, natural light, and high ceilings don’t immediately send you into a state of nirvana, one of the many yoga options or belly dance sessions will surely do the trick. Looking to make a new friend? Try one of the popular acroyoga classes during which you will achieve poses you never thought possible, with the help of fellow classmates. Fit Bit: All classes at Asana Roots are $10—now that’s a steal! 1707 N. Charles St., Suite 201, 443-305-9642

Baltimore Yoga Village

Located in a historic mill, this yoga haven is sure to make your inner HGTV goddess giddy. With its brick walls, sliding barn doors, and airy space, it creates the ideal spot for every yogi. Here, instructors believe in making yoga accessible to all, no matter your age or skill level. Included are weekly classes in meditation and pranayama—the formal practice of controlling your breathing. Fit Bit: Each session focuses solely on you and your personal growth, rather than competition with peers. There is also free parking, which we all know is a major plus. Two locations, including 3000 Chestnut Ave., #15, 410-662-8626

barre.Baltimore

As the popularity of barre grew in trend-meccas New York and California, partners Aimee Fulchino, Kara Bennett, and Marni Gorman took notice and opened the very first stand-alone barre-specific studio in Maryland in 2011. The trio runs the Quarry Lake-side boutique in Wellwood and, together, they create an atmosphere where clients can escape from the chaos of everyday life and into the world of high-intensity, core-friendly yogabarre and powerbarre. Fit Bit: The studio puts an emphasis on modifications so that each move is performed correctly and safely. 2586 Quarry Lake Drive, 410-486-8480

Barrevolution

Lara Custer helms this Timonium studio of full-body barre and mat Pilates classes that will leave you slick with sweat, wobbly-legged, and smiling. The recently renovated, modest flagship studio provides an intimate and encouraging environment where you can feel free to move at your own pace. “A lot of people are intimidated at first to come in, but they feel welcome right off the bat just from our instructors and the vibe from everyone else in the studio,” says Custer. Fit Bit: With a second Ocean City location unveiled last May, you now have no excuse to not work out on vacation. 2300 York Road, #203, 443-509-0277

Beachfit Baltimore

When Beachfit opened in Harbor East two years ago, it was definitely aimed at the surfboard-inclined. The studio introduced Baltimore to Surfset, an interval training technique in which students engage their core on a stationary board. Since then, Beachfit’s bright blue walls have expanded both in offerings and in space, doubling in size just last year. Now, the studio offers nearly 10 classes including boot camp, cycling, TRX, and barre. Beachfit prides itself on classes of fewer than 15 people. “As an instructor, I can clearly see what each student is doing and how I can help them improve,” says Kate Rowe, who teaches surf camp. “We’ve become like a little family.” Fit Bit: If you play your cards right, you might even get a treat—whether it’s salads from nearby Sweetgreen, to-go waffles on the weekends, or a champagne toast after morning cycling. 1400 Aliceanna St., 410-753-4354

BeMore Boot Camp

Any time the word “boot camp” is involved, you know you’re about to break a sweat. From burpees and sprints to squats and TRX, these 50-minute burn sessions change up weekly to keep you on your toes. But not to worry—you’ll feel right at home with the high-fives and positive vibes given out by fellow attendees. “This is for everyone. It is simple and aggressive and challenging, but it’s for anyone who wants results,” says owner Casey Musick. Fit Bit: BeMore Boot camp takes your results very seriously. In fact, if you don’t see any results, you’ll be completely refunded. Now that’s an offer we can’t refuse. 3100 Boston St., 410-979-5646

Bikram Yoga Baltimore

Feel the heat at this specialty yoga studio in Cockeysville. Devotees of hot yoga spend 90 minutes sweating it out with a set of 26 specific poses in a room heated up to 105 degrees. Sound awful? We promise it’s not. In fact, the heat helps to loosen muscles, deepen stretches, and massage internal organs, while the immense amount of sweating rids your body of toxins. You’ll walk out of class feeling like you’ve just completed a juice cleanse. Fit Bit: Bring a towel to put on top of your yoga mat to prevent unwanted slipping and sliding. 40 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville, 410-683-9642

Charles St. Barre

This midtown mainstay, once known as Pop Physique, is undergoing a bit of a makeover. But not to worry—all the muscle-shaking intensity and dancer-like grace remain in this high-ceilinged spot, where twinkling chandeliers will make you feel like a member of the corps de ballet. And that’s by design—even the class routines are set to music, choreography-style. Says General Manager Kim Quinn, “Most women have a little ballerina inside of them.” Fit Bit: The studio’s re-vamp kicks off with two new classes—a barre stretching class to give you those long, lean dancer muscles, and a cardio dance and yoga class that will make you feel like you’ve scored a part in Flashdance. 339 N. Charles St., 443-869-0498

CorePower Yoga Federal Hill

Though we may be biased, we think that out of 160 CorePower Yoga studios nationwide, the Federal Hill location is one of the most beautiful. In addition to the natural light that pours through its large windows and the updated, modern design, this yoga destination challenges guests to push through physical boundaries and channel emotion into energy. As a bonus, this studio, which offers a variety of classes for both the beginner and experienced yogi, is equipped with a retail shop stocked with everything from workout attire to yoga mats and essential oils. Fit Bit: For some added intensity to your everyday yoga grind, the Federal Hill has a Yoga Sculpt class that combines free-weights with yoga and cardio to strengthen muscles and sweat out those toxins. 1420 Key Hwy., Suite 201, 443-707-2230

The Dailey Method Towson

This bright and colorful cross-training center is ideal for workout aficionados of every age, experience level, and body type. With a unique focus on alignment and form, this studio offers a variety of classes from restorative yoga and barre to cycle 45—a 45-minute, spirit-lifting spin class that is sure to make you sweat. Says owner Melanie Pipkin Kozel, “If you’re intimidated by fitness you can be sure to find a nice, supportive community here.” And when it comes to working out, there’s just nothing better than that. Fit Bit: In the spirit of maintaining a fitness destination for all, The Dailey Method features a charming child-care center that offers services during popular class times, giving on-the-go parents an opportunity to focus on their workouts. 1220 East Joppa Road, Towson, 410-938-8925

Inline Fitness

When Heather Kirk was in business school at the University of Baltimore, she met her now-husband, Josh, who owned Inline’s private training studio. “I came up with the idea to open a group class studio as a school project,” Heather says. “And my husband jumped onboard.” Today, Inline has four locations with private training, group fitness, and two barre studios. Inline’s spaces feel like tranquil dance studios, with lightly stained woods and mirrored walls, but the classes—especially HIIT + Core and kickboxing—are high-energy and total-body focused. Fit Bit: Inline also offers healthy meal planning to its clients in a four- or six-week program called Evolution. Various locations, including 720 S. Montford Ave., 410-940-9601

Krav Maga Maryland

Intimidated by the prospect of Krav Maga? Once you walk into Krav Maga Maryland, any fear you have will slip away. The studio, which opened in 2005, is full of smiling, sweaty—and we mean sweaty—faces, and the staff’s nationally certified instructors are welcoming and knowledgeable, helping even the most uncoordinated with their form. Start your Krav journey with the Level 1 course during which you will master your fight stance and hammer fists, and learn how to escape a chokehold, before testing into higher-level classes. Want to make your workout even more well-rounded? Try out any of the numerous strength and conditioning classes, including Thai pads, heavy bag, and mobility training. Fit Bit: Krav Maga Maryland also offers women’s self defense and active shooter seminars to teach the best ways to protect yourself in violent situations. 8865 Stanford Blvd., Suite 141, Columbia, 410-872-9194

M Power Yoga

This bright, modern studio inside the Natty Boh building in Brewers Hill is full of friendly, youthful energy that will serve as motivation to try something new. Sign up for a hot yoga class to receive detoxing benefits, find a spot at the barre for a toning session, or, when the weather outside isn’t frightful, attend a rooftop class with gorgeous views. What also makes M Power unique is its emphasis on music. Founders, and brothers, Jason and Joel Herd are musicians themselves, and classes often feature live guitar. Fit Bit: Go deep inside your yoga practice and attend a restorative class with musical accompaniment. Soft, soothing tunes allow you to sink further into those hip openers. 3600 O’Donnell St., Suite 100, 410-534-9642

Movement Lab

Everything about this Remington spot shouts outside-the-box and just plain fun—from its sun-drenched location above the soon-to-open R House food hall, complete with a jewel-toned mural of the night sky, to class offerings that include jumping fitness and Nia—a combination of martial arts, dance, and mindfulness. Founder Lola Manekin wanted to re-create the joyful, youthful spirit that inhabits gyms in her native Brazil. “The goal here is to have fun while you move,” she says. Fit Bit: If you’ve ever been curious about anti-gravity yoga—participants flow through poses while suspended from the ceiling by heavy-duty silks—this is the place to try it. You’ll feel weightless and graceful as you float upside down while the sun shines on your face from enormous windows. 301 W. 29th St., 443-388-9191

Pure Barre Baltimore

This new addition to the Baltimore barre scene, which opened in August, will get your muscles working through challenging, low-impact, full-body workouts. From the dimly lit, intimate studio, to upbeat playlists created for each segment, Pure Barre will leave both beginners and veterans feeling stronger after just one 55-minute class. This class is not just for seasoned ballerinas. Instead, the workouts are created with all experience levels in mind, and will leave you sore in muscles you never even knew you had. Fit Bit: This spring, Pure Barre will add Pure Barre Platform to its repertoire—a new, heart-pumping cardio class for those who are seeking to kick their workout up a notch. 2400 Boston St., Suite 104, 443-835-1800

REV Cycle Studio

One step into this sleek, modern spin studio in Locust Point and you immediately feel the positive energy, which hits you like a ton of bricks. With an incredibly friendly staff, comfy lobby—free coffee and Wi-Fi!—and chic individual spa shower rooms, it’s easy to feel right at home. New to spin? Try REV45, the 45-minute cycling class during which the studio is dimly lit and your limits will be tested—with sprints, climbs, and intervals set to the sounds of your instructor’s motivating playlist that will be sure to get you pumped (we’ve never heard them play a bad song). Keep your eyes open for REV’s novelty sessions, which offer everything from different genres of music to holiday themes. We especially loved the Thighs Before Pies class offered on Thanksgiving. Fit Bit: REV recently opened a second studio in Brewers Hill, making it even more convenient to hop in the saddle. 1718 Whetstone Way, 410-727-4738

Sanctuary Bodyworks

This group fitness and private training studio in Fells Point is truly a retreat from the everyday stressors of life. You can tell the space was once a church, with its stained glass windows and high, vaulted ceilings. Barre, yoga, Zumba, and belly dancing are just a few of the classes that will have you leaving refreshed in both body and mind. “It’s not cookie cutter—you’ll see every type of person here,” says instructor Joan Davila. Fit Bit: Unlike other studios where losing weight is the top priority, here they believe in realigning the body first and focusing on health before moving on to that next step. Two locations, including 710 S. Ann St., #210, 443-438-3566

Sunlight and Yoga Holistic Wellness Center

Breaking news: Serenity does exist, and it can be found here. Not just a yoga studio, this wellness center also instructs clients on how to live mindfully and meditate, all within a light-filled, serene space. Their website provides users with tips to supplement classes (such as juicing recipes) so that you can allow the light to shine in every day and in every way. Fit Bit: For clients eager to make yoga a larger part of their lives, the center goes one step further by providing yoga teacher training programs regularly. 4639 Falls Road, 410-243-0492

True Balance

It’s all in a name: At this Mount Vernon wellness hot spot, you can not only strengthen your core (hello, barre), bust a move (Irish dancing, anyone?), and stretch it out (Pilates, please!), but it’s also a place to get a grasp on what it means to be healthy. Owner Ali True Smith and her staff of seven instructors provide a space where the full scope of wellness is emphasized and balance is achieved through by-appointment personal training, massage therapy sessions, and nutrition consultations specific to your needs. Fit Bit: With Balance classes for seniors and Mom & Me Boot Camp for parents, this place is pleasantly inclusive. Two locations, including 1021 Cathedral St., 410-303-2951