With every new year comes the desire to reinvent ourselves.
Turning that new page of the calendar signifies a fresh start, and what better time to make some positive, healthy changes? But as easy as New Year’s resolutions are to make, they are just as easy to break. Specifically, when it comes to fitness. Although there are plenty of physical and mental incentives to embark on a fitness routine that helps you feel as great as you look, as the months roll on it becomes increasingly challenging to keep up those fitness resolutions if they feel like a chore.
That’s why we’ve rounded up four ways to work out that will help you break a sweat while having a blast. Whatever your interest or experience level, we’ve got you covered with some unique ways to get your body moving, your mind right, and your serotonin levels up.
SHAKTI POWER YOGA
Located on the top two floors of a 150-year-old historic three-story home in the heart of Music Row is Shakti Power Yoga. Since opening in 2012, the studio has become a go-to space to help yogis (new and experienced) tap into Shakti, the powerful, creative energy inside each of us. Here, practice is rooted in gratitude and connection, and is focused on building strength, balance, and flexibility through a sustainable and energizing yoga practice for all. Recognizing that yoga is an incredibly personal practice, Shakti Power Yoga offers a diverse collection of yoga asana styles with a focus on power yoga— an energizing practice that takes place in a heated space and links breath and movement in the body. Power yoga enables participants to target muscle groups to build strength and flexibility, while quieting the mind to help manage daily stress. Additional offerings include vinyasa, restorative, and yin.
The studio holds up to 12 classes per day, with a range of styles to offer something for everyone. If you’re really looking to sweat it out, Shakti is the place for you. Many classes are held in heated (Shakti) rooms to promote increased flexibility and to generate sweat, leaving you with a workout that feels as cleansing as it does empowering. Classes are also offered in an unheated Shiva room, a stunning space on the second floor of the studio which provides plenty of beautiful natural lighting along with pure, clearing energy for optimal practicing.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or booking your very first class, Shakti Power Yoga invites everyone to experience the benefits of the practice. While challenging, power yoga is adaptable for all students to leave you feeling energized, uplifted, and centered. Some of the many benefits of yoga include strengthening and toning the body; a full- body cardiovascular workout that burns calories while building lean muscle; improved flexibility and posture; sharpened concentration and focus; reduced stress; a deepened relationship with the body and mind; and so much more. If you’re new to yoga, Shakti Power Yoga offers a new student special: 30 days of unlimited classes for just $30. Other popular packages include a Shakti monthly or annual membership, best for those who practice at least twice a week. Along with in-person classes, daily virtual classes are also offered with online monthly memberships granting access to unlimited classes. Drop-in classes are available as well, both in person and virtually, in addition to a variety of class packs. With several in-person and online classes to choose from, Shakti Power Yoga provides ample opportunity to help you make yoga a regular and treasured part of your life. (65 Music Square E., 615-942-8100; shaktiyoganashville.com)
FIT FARM AT ROCK SPRINGS RETREAT CENTER
Just 40 miles north of Nashville in Castalian Springs, Tenn., Rock Springs Retreat Center invites guests to optimize their wellness in a unique, holistic way at Fit Farm. This health and wellness destination helps guests hit the reset button with a variety of experiences to promote physical and mental wellbeing, while connecting with a team of like-minded individuals to make health a permanent priority for years to come. Featuring 80,000 square feet of fitness facilities, two obstacle courses, a scenic lake, spa, and more, Fit Farm replaces the distractions of everyday life with feelings of rejuvenation and realignment that stick with guests long after their stay ends.
Offering both fitness and weight loss retreats ranging from a long weekend to eight weeks or more, Fit Farm provides options to help achieve any and every goal. Health and wellness are not one-size-fits-all experiences, so Fit Farm offers multiple programs for fitness or weight loss, for a retreat that is customized to each individual guest and their goals. Although the idea of a retreat may sound intense, rest assured that the team at Fit Farm works with each guest to curate the right combination of activities to achieve their goals in a manageable way. There is a program for every level, specifically customized to produce carefully monitored, focused results with daily activities that not only energize, but build new habits. Whether you’re looking to lose inches, get back into fitness, or train for your next race, the team works with everyone and every fitness level.
Here, the focus is on an all-inclusive experience and a data-driven health and fitness program. Taking a holistic approach to optimize performance of both the body and mind, Fit Farm focuses on three pillars: fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Whether it’s Fit Farm’s world-class nutritional program teaching guests the best shopping, eating, and cooking habits to fuel your body at home; 200 acres of fitness and wellness playground and a variety of activities that challenge you to push your limits while learning proper techniques for best results; or daily educational health workshops hosted by a team of certified experts, Fit Farm provides the tools to help guests make long-term changes. And since hard work should be accompanied by rest and relaxation, Fit Farm’s onsite spa provides luxury treatments to aid recovery including massage therapy, skincare, and waxing.
Beyond the obvious physical results, a retreat to Fit Farm is an opportunity to reflect, connect, and focus on you. It’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and a chance to truly transform your life physically and mentally by creating and maintaining healthier habits for a lifetime of wellness. (732B Rock Springs Rd., Castalian Springs, 615-667-8055; rockspringsrc.com)
MAYWEATHER BOXING + FITNESS NASHVILLE MIDTOWN
There’s a new way to workout arriving early this year to Nashville, encouraging guests to train like a champion. Designed and developed by Floyd Mayweather himself, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is an inclusive, high- intensity fitness experience designed to help guests to not only break a great sweat, but to leave you feeling as great as you look. Already a fitness favorite in Brentwood, the opening of Mayweather Boxing + Fitness’ Midtown location is a highly anticipated arrival for boxing enthusiast and first-timers alike.
Formulated with a precise combination of boxing, strength, and cardio conditioning intervals, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness offers an authentic experience for guests hoping to learn from Mayweather’s techniques and training regimens in a high-intensity group fitness setting. Featuring state- of-the-art boxing and fitness equipment, classes keep you on your toes, work every muscle, and leave you looking and feeling like a champion. And in addition to getting in incredible shape, the gym offers guests a chance to become part of a tight-knit community along with the support to build the strength and passion to tackle all of life’s fights.
Along with gym amenities such as free weights, cardio equipment, personal training, a fitness app, and boxing bags aplenty, class offerings include Box Circuit classes, Bag Work classes, and Championship Boxing. For members looking for a combination of boxing and functional training that Mayweather himself used to dominate the competition, Box Circuit classes provide a full-body, high-intensity burn that is half on the floor, half on the bags. For a more technical class on fundamental boxing techniques, Bag Work classes help members sharpen their skills while learning form actual winning combinations from Mayweather’s career. And for an extended strength and conditioning boxing class combining the best of Boxing HIIT and Power Boxing classes, Championship Boxing classes are a perfect fit.
Whether you’re a former athlete, aspiring professional, or brand new to the world of fitness, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is a high-energy, fun way to build the strength and confidence to leave you feeling like a champion after every workout. (2041 Broadway, Suite C, 629-206-9092; mayweather.fit/nashville-midtown)
MARATHON PILATES
Looking for a low-impact workout to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and body awareness? Look no further than Marathon Pilates. With a recently expanded 12 South studio, along with a location in Green Hills, Marathon Pilates offers a down-to-earth approach to health and wellness that is accessible to everyone and every ability. With the original 900 square foot 12 South studio accommodating up to three private sessions at a time, the expanded 2,100 square foot space lends itself to several enticing additions including barre, spin, dance fitness, yoga, physical therapy, nutrition counseling, and more.
Space has also been added to accommodate video and streaming events, wellness workshops, and education. A low-impact form of exercise, Pilates utilizes flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance movements in an innovative way to optimize results. The discipline is resistance-based, and emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength, and muscle balance, for a full-body workout that is both challenging and safe. And Marathon Pilates offers a wide range of classes (both in-person and virtually) to accommodate everyone from experts to beginners. Class options include Pilates Mat with Props, a beginner level mat class focusing on Pilates basics and core stability; Level One and Two Reformer Pilates ranging from beginner to intermediate levels; Pilates Power Lunch, an intermediate class for those looking to fit in a lunchtime workout; Pilates circuit classes; Pilates stretch classes; and so much more.
In addition to these popular group classes, private sessions are also available. Beyond the incredible classes led by a team of certified and master trainers, Marathon Pilates focuses on all aspects of health and wellness, inside and out. Regardless of age, fitness level, or experience, Marathon Pilates welcomes guests with open arms to experience all the benefits Pilates has to offer. (2907 12th Ave. S., 615-928-8404; marathonpilates.com)
