Gym Guide

By AFM Staff – January 1, 2017

How to Choose the Right Gym

By Jessica Clark

It’s no question that Austinites love working out. We can probably thank our beautiful geography, pleasant weather, and the amazing food in our city for giving us extra motivation to be fit (most of us will sweat for tacos). Around every corner these days it seems a new boot camp, fitness studio, or gym is popping up. With so many options, and more on the way, how do you choose the best fitness program and studio or gym for you? 

Choose a program based on your fitness preferences.

You could choose a fitness program based on the type of activities or environment you enjoy most, or based on your goals. For example, if you love to run or want to become a better runner, you’d want to find a run group or group fitness class that incorporates running that will help you push yourself to improve your endurance and speed. 

Maybe running is not your thing, but you love other types of cardiovascular fitness. There are many options, from indoor cycling, indoor rowing, kickboxing, higher-intensity yoga, Pilates, or barre “boot camp” classes, group HIIT classes, functional training classes, and even dance classes. There are even trampoline classes now available in Austin. Think about the type of exercise that appeals to you most, based on your main interests and what you truly enjoy, and explore gyms and studios that offer it. 

When in comes to improving your health and fitness in a general sense, there is no such thing as a superior workout that works best for everyone. The “best” workout for most people is the one they will do consistently that helps them achieve their goals—with the key being consistency. So, figure out what you love to do, and do it consistently. If you have a specific performance or physique goal with a deadline, then it would be wise to seek out personalized or specified training.  

Choose a program based on your location and it’s convenience. 

You could choose a fitness program based on proximity and your schedule. For example if you live further out and work downtown, take advantage of the plethora of gyms located near your work. As a bonus, if you are going to the gym before or after work, you’ll beat traffic and get that hour of your life back to put toward your fitness goals! Find a gym or studio that is open early before work, at lunch, or open late after work so that you can get your workout in no matter how busy your days get. If you need access to a shower and locker room area, be sure to include that as a requirement in your search criteria.  

Maybe you prefer to hit the gym after you’ve gotten home, or on the weekends. In this case, you will want to check out what is near your neighborhood. Use the guide we’ve provided and try out a few places. Be sure to go at times when you’ll actually be working out so you can scope out the atmosphere and see how crowded it might or might not be. If it’s too crowded or the class you want to take is always sold out, that might be an obstacle for you to stay consistent with your workouts.

Choose a program based on price and your budget. 

Another way to choose a fitness program is based on price and what your budget will bear. However, don’t use this as your primary criteria for one simple reason: it’s not how much you're spending per month, but how much value you're getting out of that membership that means the most. A pricier gym or fitness studio that's closer to home, offers a program that gets you results, or offers longer hours might be a better option than an inexpensive gym, where there is little accountability or the workout isn’t helping you achieve your goals, in an inconvenient location with limited hours or classes that you can’t ever get into. 

You’ll get the most value out of a fitness program that helps you meet the criteria most important to you. So, get clear on that, and then compare options. 

At the beginning of the year, you’re likely to find a ton of great deals out there, so be sure you are using other criteria to help you select the right fit for you. The best time of year to find fitness deals is January and September, so don’t miss out! Take a few classes or try a gym out for a week or so before committing to a membership. Most studios and gyms offer inexpensive special deals for new students. Really take a look at what value you are being offered before you sign up for that long-term membership. All gyms and studios are in the customer service business first and foremost, so make sure you are being treated well and to your expectations. If you feel ignored or like another number, get out of there. There are too many amazing options in this town not to absolutely love your fitness program and find a community where you can grow. 


North

#)

9Round Fitness

Kickboxing Gym

30 min Circuit Classes

There are no class times, come when ever you want to start!

9round.com

24 Hour Fitness

General Gym 

Studio Classes and Training

24hourfitness.com

A)

Anytime Fitness

General Gym 

Studio Classes and Training

anytimefitness.com

Austin Peace Studio – Yoga & Pilates

Yoga and Pilates Studio

$15 per class, $12 for 4 classes, First Class Free

yoganywhere.com

Austin Prenatal Yoga

Yoga Studio

Classes on Tues/Thur/Sun

austinprenatalyoga.com

Austin Yoga Tree

Yoga Studio

austinyogatree.com

B)

BAM Academy 

Parkour Gym

thebamacademy.com

Big Tex Gym

Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Strongman

bigtexgym.com

Black Swan Yoga

Yoga Studio

blackswanyoga.com

Body by Frame Gym

Transformational Fitness

bodybyframe.com

BodyBusiness Fitness Club

General Gym with Training, Yoga, Cardio, Cycling, Dance, & Group Classes

bodybusiness.com

Breath & Body Yoga

Yoga Studio

breathandbodyyoga.com

BVM Crossfit

Crossfit

bvmcrossfit.com

C)

CorePower Yoga

Hot Yoga, Multiple Locations

corepoweryoga.com

Crenshaw Athletic Club

Gymnastics Studio

crenshaws.com

CrossFit Cedar Park

Crossfit Gym

crossfitcp.com

CrossFit Central (Burnet)

Crossfit Gym, Multiple Locations

crossfitcentral.com

CrossFit City Limits

Crossfit Gym

crossfitcitylimits.com

CrossFit Realm

Crossfit Gym

crossfitrealm.com

CrossFit Round Rock

Crossfit Gym

crossfitroundrocktx.com

Curves

General Gym, Women

curves.com

D)

Dancers Shape

Barre, Pilates, Yoga

dancersshape.com

DANZA – Center for the Arts

Dance Studio

danzacenter.com

Defiant CrossFit

Crossfit Gym

defiantcrossfit.com

DRAMATICO Martial Arts

Martial Arts and Self Defense

facebook.com/Dramatico-Martial-Arts/

F) 

Flex Fit 24/7 Gym

General Gym

flexfitonline.com

FTA Gym

General Gym

ftagym.com

G)

Gold’s Gym

General Gym, Multiple Locations

goldsgym.com

GrassIron Fitness Training

Personal Training, Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting

grassiron.com

GRIT Austin

Strength, Conditioning

grit.training

GYM ONE

General Gym

gym-one.com

H)

Heroes CrossFit (formerly CrossFit Valor)

Crossfit Gym

heroescrossfit.com

I) 

illuminate Gym

General Gym

illuminate24gym.com

Inspire Fitness

Personal Training

inspirefitnessonline.com

J) 

John’s Gym Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness

MMA, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai in Austin & Cedar Park

johnsgymatx.com

K)

Kilter Fitness

Personal Training

kilterfitness.com

Kim’s Gym

Gymnastics, Cheer

kimsgym.com

Koko Fit Club of Cedar Park

General Gym

roundrock.kokofitclub.calls.net

L)

LA Fitness

General Gym, Multiple Locations

lafitness.com

Life Time Fitness

General Gym, Multiple Locations

lifetimefitness.com

M) 

Marlow’s Fitness

Cardio, Strength Training

marlowsfitness.com

Maximum Martial Arts Academy 

Taekwondo, Yoga

maxtkdyoga.com

MBA Boxing Gym

Boxing Gym

mbaboxing.com

Metroflex Austin

Hardcore Training

metroflexaustin.club

Modo Yoga

Yoga Studio

Austin.modoyoga.com

N)

Next Level Ride Austin

Wakeboard Park

nextlevelrideaustin.com

O)

Of The Lion Fitness

Strength and Conditioning, Bootcamps

otlfitness.com

Orangetheory Fitness

Interval Training, HIIT

orangetheoryfitness.com

P)

Peak Performance Martial Arts

MMA, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Football and Boot Camps

peakperformancemartialarts.com

Pinnacle Training Center

Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing & Functional Fitness/Exercise Training 

pinnacletrainingcenter.net

Planet Fitness

General Gym, Multiple Locations

planetfitness.com

Premier Party Fitness

Zumba, Dance

facebook.com/normaisa1011/

Premiere Lady Fitness & Spa

General Gym, Women

locu.com

Pure Austin Fitness (Quarry Lake)

General Gym, Cycling, Strength, Yoga, Personal Training

pureaustin.com

PURE Bikram Yoga

Yoga Studio

purebikramyoga.com

R)

Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym

Boxing

lordsboxing.com

Rockhold Karate

MMA, Tai Chi, Archery

rockholdkarate.com

S)

SaraStyle Fitness

Yoga, Pilates

sarastylefitness.com

Spirit Fitness Training

Personal Training

spiritfitnesstraining.com

Studio Mantra

Yoga, Pilates

mantraaustin.com

Sundara Yoga Therapy

Yoga

sundarayogatherapy.com

SunstoneFIT – North Hills Center

Pilates, Yoga, Barre, Fitness

sunstonefit.com/nhc/

T) 

TexFit CrossFit

Crossfit Gym

texfitcrossfit.com

The Little Gym

Kid’s Fitness

thelittlegym.com/austinatlakelinetx/

The Pilates Center of Austin

Pilates

pilatescenterofaustin.com

TITLE Boxing Club

Boxing

titleboxingclub.com

ToddPilates & Barre (Round Rock)

Pilates, Barre, Multiple Locations

toddpilates.com

Transform Fitness Austin

Yoga, Fitness

transformfitnessaustin.com

Travis County Strength

Strength, Conditioning

traviscountystrength.com

U)

UFC Gym

MMA, Fitness, Personal Training

ufcgym.com

V)

Voodoo CrossFit 512

Crossfit Gym

voodoocrossfit512.com

W) 

White Tail CrossFit

Crossfit Gym

whitetailcrossfit.com

Woodward CrossFit

Crossfit, Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Gymnastics

woodwardcrossfit.com

Y)

Yin Yang Yoga

Yoga Studio

yyyoga.org

YMCA (North Austin)

General Gym, Fitness

austinymca.org

Yoga Yoga Northwest

Yoga Studio

yogayoga.com

yogalotus Austin

Yoga Studio

yogalotusaustin.com

Keep reading for more gyms!

 

South

A)

Austin Simply Fit

Personal Training

austinsimplyfit.com

B)

Bigger Faster Stronger Training

Strength, Conditioning

biggerfasterstrongertraining.com

Black Swan Yoga

Yoga Studio

blackswanyoga.com

Bonebreaker Barbell

Strength, Weightlifting

bbbarbell.com

C)

City Surf Fitness

Surfing, Group Fitness

citysurffitness.com

CrossFit Austin

Crossfit Gym

crossfitaustin.com

CrossFit South Lamar

Crossfit Gym

crossfitsouthlamar.com

CrossFit and Fearless

Crossfit Gym

Crossfitandfearless.com

Crux Climbing Center

Rockclimbing

cruxclimbingcenter.com

D)

Define Body Mind – South Lamar

Pilates, Yoga, Cycling

definebody.com

DeFranco's Gym at The Onnit Academy

Strength, Conditioning, Fitness

onnitacademygym.com

F)

Fit and Fearless

Self Defense (Krav Maga), Fitness, Fighting

fitandfearless.com

FIT Austin

HIIT, Yoga, TRX, Fitness

fitaustin.com

Fusion Fitness

Fitness, Strength, Cardio

fusionfitnessaustin.com

H)

HEAT Boot Camp and Personal Training

Bootcamp, Fitness, Personal Training

heatbootcamp.com

HiitFit Gym

Boxing, Kickboxing, Strength, Yoga, Cardio

hiitfitgym.com

I)

I Love Kickboxing

Boxing, Kickboxing

ilovekickboxingaustintx.com

Ignite Fitnez

Fitness, Strength, Cardio, Boxing

ignitefitnez.com

Impact Strong

Kickboxing, HIIT

austinfitnessgyms.com

L)

LA Fitness

General Gym

lafitness.com

Lifetime Fitness

General Gym

lifetimefitness.com

M)

MOD Fitness

Barre, Cardio, Pilates

modfitness.com

O)

Orange Theory Fitness

Cardio, Group Classes, Fitness, Multiple Locations

lifetimefitness.com

S)

Sanctuary Yoga

Yoga

sanctuaryyogaaustin.com

South Austin Gym

Boxing, Personal Training, Krav Maga

southaustingym.com

South Austin Rock Gym

Rockclimbing

austinrockgym.com

Sukha Yoga

Yoga

sukhayogaaustin.com

T)

Tao Health and Fitness

Fitness, MMA, Tai Chi, Strongman, Yoga

taohealthandfitness.com

The Barre Code

Barre, Multiple Locations

thebarrecode.com

The Fit Pit Boxing and Fitness Acadmey

Boxing, Fitness

fitpitaustin.com

The Void Martial Arts

Martial Arts

thevoidmartialarts.com

Todd Pilates Fitness South

Barre, Pilates, Multiple Locations

toddpilates.com

V)

Vibe Austin

Fitness, Personal Training

vibeofaustin.com

Y)

Yama-Kan Self-Defense School

Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, MMA

austintexasmartialarts.com

Keep reading for more gyms!

 

East

A)

Ashtanga Yoga Austin

Yoga

ashtangayogaaustin.com

Atomic Athlete

Strength, Conditioning, Military Training

atomic-athlete.com

Athletic Outcomes

Fitness, Conditioning, Recovery

athleticoutcomes.com

Austin Bouldering Project

Rockclimbing

austinboulderingproject.com

Austin Kickboxing Academy

Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA

austinkickboxingacademy.com

B)

Better Bodies 

Zumba, Turbo Kick, Yoga

betterbodiesatx.com

Bikram Yoga East Austin

Yoga

bikramyogaeastaustin.com

Blackbird Fitness

Fitness, Nutrition, Personal Training

blackbirdfitnessandnutrition.com

C)

CrossFit Lumos

Crossfit

crossfitlumos.com

D)

Dane’s Body Shop

Strength, Conditioning, Fitness

danesbodyshop.com

Dharma Yoga 

Yoga

dharma-yoga.net

E)

Eastside Austin Elite

MMA, Crossfit, Yoga, Personal Training

eastsideaustinelite.com

Eastside Yoga

Yoga

eastsideyoga-austin.com

F)

Fortitude Fitness

Strength, Conditioning, Fitness

facebook.com/FortitudeFitness/

G)

Gracie Barra East Austin

Personal Training, Strength, Conditioning, Nutrition

trainlifefit.com

Transform Fitness Austin

Yoga, Fitness, Gay Friendly

transformfitnessaustin.com

Y)

YMCA of Austin (East Communities)

General Gym, Multiple Locations

ymca-austin.org

Yoga Volta

Yoga

somavida.net

Z)

Zen Fit

MMA, Yoga, Boxing

zenfitaustin.com

Keep reading for more gyms!

 

West

#)

5 Fitness Training and Yoga

Fitness, Yoga

5fitnesstraining.com

A)

Anytime Fitness 

General Gym, Multiple Locations

anytimefitness.com

Austin Girl Pilates

Pilates

austingirlpilates.com

C)

Coach Mo’s Elite Fitness 

Fitness, Yoga

coachmofitness.com

Core Therapy & Pilates

Therapy, PIlates

therapyandpilates.com

CrossFit 2222

Crossfit

crossfit2222.com

CrossFit Barton Creek

Crossfit

facebook.com/CrossFitBartonCreek

F)

FinkFit

MMA, Obstacle Training

finkfit.com

G)

Gold’s Gym – Westlake

General Gym, Multiple Locations

goldsgym.com

I)

Intense 22 Fitness

Personal Training, Fitness

intense22fitness.com

Iron Tribe Fitness

Gym

irontribefitness.com

J)

JoyMoves Pilates

Pilates

joymoves.com

L)

Luke’s Barbell Club

Strength & Conditioning

lukesbarbellclub.com

M)

Mauro Pilates

Pilates

mauropilates.com

MOVE Austin Fitness

Fitness, Strength, HIIT, Cardio

moveaustinfitness.com

O)

Orange Theory Fitness – Westlake / 620

Fitness, Cardio, Strength

orangetheoryfitness.com

P)

Pure Barre – Westlake

Barre

purebarre.com

R)

Rellim Fitness Austin

Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning

rellimfitnessaustin.com

Ro Fitness – Tarrytown

Rowing, Multiple Locations

rofitness.com

S)

Studio Mantra

Yoga, Pilates, Bodywork

mantraaustin.com

T)

Tangra Elite Athletics

Athletic Performance, Training, Fitness

tangraeliteathletics.com

Train 4 the Game

Athletic Performance, Training, Fitness, Cycling

train4thegame.com

W)

West Austin Strength & Conditioning

Crossfit, Strength & Conditioning

westlakecrossfit.com

Westlake Taekwondo Academy

MMA, Taekwondo

texasma.com

Wild Basin Fitness

Gym

wildbasinwestlake.com

Wild Heart Yoga

Yoga

wildheartyogaaustin.com

Y)

Yoga Yoga – Westlake

Yoga

yogayoga.com

Keep reading for more gyms!

 

Central

#)

24 Hour Fitness

General Gym, Multiple Locations

24hourfitness.com

9 Round Fitness – Central 

Boxing, Kickboxing, HIIT,Multiple Locations

9round.com

A)

Anytime Fitness

General Gym, Multiple Locations

anytimefitness.com

Austin Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu, Ground Fighting

austinjiujitsu.com

B)

Barre3 Austin

Barre

barre3.com

BFree Yoga

Yoga

Bfreeaustin.com

Black Swan Yoga

Yoga

blackswanyoga.com

Blue Honey Yoga & Fitness

Yoga, Barre, Pilates, Boot Camp, Fitness

bluehoneyfitness.com

Breath & Body Yoga

Yoga

breathandbodyyoga.com

C)

Castle Hill Fitness

Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, Gym

castlehillfitness.com

CorePower Yoga – Monarch

Yoga, Multiple Locations

corepoweryoga.com

CrossFit Central

Crossfit

crossfitcentral.com

Crush Fitness

Cardio, Group Classes

crushfitness.com

D)

Dane’s Body Shop

Strength & Conditioning, Fitness

danesbodyshop.com

Define Body & Mind

Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Cycling

definebody.com

Driven Performance Training

Fitness, Training

drivenperformance.net

E)

East Side Balance

Pilates

eastsidebalance.com

F)

Fight Club Austin 

Boxing, Training

fightclubaustin.com

Four Elements Aerial & Creative Movement 

Aerial Yoga, Pole Dancing, Trapeze

fourelementsaustin.com

Fuerte Fitness

TRX, Fitness, Conditioning

iamfuerte.com

G)

GoddessFit

Wellness, Fitness, Women

goddessfit.com

Gold’s Gym

General Gym, Multiple Locations

goldsgym.com

H)

Hyde Park Gym

Training, Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting

hydeparkgym.com

K)

Kor180

Pilates, Cycling, Multiple Locations

kor180.com

L)

Love Cycling Studio

Cycling

lovecyclingstudio.com

M)

Mecca Gym & Spa

General Gym, Spa, Fitness

meccagymandspa.com

O)

Orange Theory Fitness – Triangle

Fitness, Cardio, Strength

orangetheoryfitness.com

P)

Pure Austin Fitness

General Gym, Fitness, Classes, Personal Training, Multiple Locations

pureaustin.com

Pure Pilates Austin

Pilates

purepilatesaustin.com

R)

RIDE Indoor Cycling

Cycling

ride-indoorcycling.com

Ro Fitness Downtown

Rowing

rofitness.com

T)

Tetra Fitness

Cycling, Fitness

tetrafitness.com

The Bar Method Austin

Barre 

austin.barmethod.com

The Lagree Studio

Pilates

thelagreestudio.com

The Little Yoga House

Yoga for Kids

thelittleyogahouse.com

W)

Wanderlust Yoga

Yoga

austin.wanderlustyoga.com

Y)

YMCA

General Gym, Multiple Locations

ymca-austin.org

 
 

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