The Best Toronto Workouts of 2016

2016 is coming to a wrap and we’re rounding up the best of the city! From restaurants to activities to the individuals that make Toronto what it is, here’s what you need to know for the New Year. 

As the year comes to a close, and our clothes begin to compress around our doughy midsections, December is a perfect time to fight your inner sloth and mix up your fitness routine. By the time the New Year rolls around you’ll be minus a few rolls of your own!

Read up on Vv Magazine’s top ten workouts for 2016.

Núcleo
862 Eglinton Ave. East Suite 203 
Núcleo is Spanish for core, and that’s exactly what will be burning about halfway through their RPM workout. A blend of cardio rowing on the WaterFlywheel mixed with mat work; participants of this endorphin-rich workout get the best of both worlds – a rowing workout that uses an impressive 84% of your muscle mass and a Pilates finish focusing on a very important muscle group – the core. The tidy studio on Eglinton West boasts small class sizes with friendly and energetic instructors.

Best For: Those looking to double down on their workout efforts.

Pursuit OCR
444 Dufferin St.
If you haven’t checked out an OCR workout (or obstacle course racing) then you’re overdue for a trip to Pursuit. 10,000 sq ft of fun await you, with a massive obstacle course that will get your blood pumping, in a workout that will have you nostalgic for the Ikea ball pit. Classes on deck here balance strength training and cardio work, leaving you open to use the obstacle course after.

Best For: Those who like the flow of a scheduled class, but want free time to explore their own fitness goals.

Spynga
465 Eglinton Ave. West
Fans of spinning will dig this combo class that marries a sweaty spin session with a 30-minute yoga flow, a perfect rhythm for those looking for a good calorie burn with a relaxing finish focused on flexibility.

Best For: Those looking for a good calorie burn mixed and a good stretch.

Coach J
10 Disera Drive, Suite 230
Coach J and his team keep the momentum rolling at their Thornhill located studio, with a blend of programming that focuses on cardio conditioning and strength training. Classes like F.I.T Kettlebell will challenge your core, while their WaterRower class promises a ‘full body experience’.

Best For: Those who need a little extra motivation to get to the gym.

Moksha YIN
Moksha is known for its healing hot yoga practices, but their YIN classes are where it’s at if you are looking for a good restorative stretch. Performed with the door open, it’s still hot, just not as intense. Poses are held for extended periods to allow the yogi to really get to the root of the problem.  

Best For: Those who forget to stretch after a workout and need to take a mindful approach to working through poses.

Barre Beautiful
2156 Yonge St
Barre classes are still a hot workout, tackling problem areas like glutes and thighs with plies, lunges, and squats all designed to have you using the peach emoji like you invented it. Barre Beautiful’s space on Yonge south of Eglinton offers a bevy of classes to choose from, in a bright cheerful studio space.

Best For: Those who dig a good burning workout without getting ridiculously sweaty.

ASOS
75 Carl Hall Rd.
Toronto Sports and Social Club runs All Sorts of Sports – a league that focuses on fun, which makes showing up to work out an easy prospect. While you can organize or join a team, you can also sign up to be a sub, playing in schoolyard games like floor hockey, volleyball, dodgeball or soccer, all done weeknights at The Hangar, in Downsview Park.

Best For: Sporty types who like to compete, anyone who has seen the movie DodgeBall.

Extension Room
30 Eastern Ave. 
Graceful types flock to the Extension Room for their ballerina inspired classes, focusing on flexibility as well as coordination. Classes go beyond just barre, with a full repertoire of ballet programs that go from novice to en pointe princess.

Best For: Childhood dancers looking to reignite the flame, those looking to add a little elegance to their gym life.

Judy’s Group Fitness
3077 Bathurst St. 
This studio’s mantra is ‘Therapy…with a kick!’ and that’s exactly how it’ll feel 20 minutes into you pummeling away on a B.O.B rubber dummy. Kickboxing is the main draw here, so pack your boxing gloves and come ready to hit hard.

Best For: Feisty types looking to burn off more than just calories.

Ultimate Athletics
1216 Yonge St.
Summerhill is home to this intense gym, which offers a mix of workouts from Pilates, barre, spin and TRX, but those looking for a challenge will find one with the Ultimate Athlete, a class dubbed as a ‘No mercy’ workout, which also has a prerequisite designation- you must be an advanced athlete to sign up.

Best For: Actual athletes, or those looking to become one.

RELATED LINKS: 10 Unique Gym Classes You Can Take in Toronto

Are there any other workouts that should be added to this list? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.