Image Source: PureAustin.com

5 Fitness Centers in Austin to Help Start Your New Year Workout Plan

Now that its 2017, you might be adopting the motto "New Year, New Me" and working out a plan to hit the gym more often. If you live in Austin, you're in luck: Austin ranked #15.5 (tied with Raleigh, NC) in 2016 for being one of the fittest cities in the U.S., partly due to all of the fitness centers and gym options available.

There's plenty of indoor and outdoor places you can go to get a workout in if you live in Austin. Here's a list of a few of our favorites we've compiled to help with your New Year's motivation.

Go Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project

Looking for an indoor rock-climbing gym in Austin? Austin Bouldering Project, or ABP, is the biggest climbing gym in the world and is located in East Austin, an up-and-coming side of Austin known for having a more creative and young community. The past few years have shown a renovation of the east side into a place to go if you're looking for hole-in-the-wall restaurants, casual dives, or an art gallery. It's a great place to live if you want to be close to downtown, but not in it, with several other perks.

With over 50,000 square feet and open to all levels and ages of rock climbers, there's always a patch of wall for someone to climb on. This type of rock-climbing doesn't require a harness, but there are plenty of safety mats to fall on for those who are not familiar. There's also four separate climbing sections that are divided by age: Toddler, Youth, Advanced Youth, and Adult which allow the whole family to get it on the fitness. If you're looking for a new type of workout to get into in Austin, this is the place to try.

Get Your Strength Training in at Onnit Academy

If you're already an athlete or "fitness enthusiast," Onnit Academy is the place for you. This large training space is based off the Defranco's Gym originally located in New Jersey. It's conveniently located in Southeast Austin, a neighborhood with older homes built in the 1950s that's seeing a resurgence of new residents. It's located nearby St. Edward's University and South Congress with several duplexes already being built for future new residents.

Onnit Academy offers a variety of small to large group classes to check out. It's a 10,000 square foot facility with several different training equipment, so you can strength train almost any area of your body. In need of a trainer? Onnit has you covered, offering plenty of trainers you can sign up with.

Featured strength training classes include:

• Kettlebells
• Steel Clubs
• Sandbags
• Suspension/Rings
• Calisthenics
• Battle Ropes

There's also 90 feet of sprinting turf, a cafe, and cryotherapy for those seeking a chilling experience. This gym definitely has something for everyone and offers the perfect opportunity for seasoned pros and newcomers to build the chiseled look they desire.

Get an Outdoor Workout at Pure Austin Fitness

The largest locally owned gym in Austin, Pure Austin Fitness was started 17 years ago and has won Best Local Gym in Austin 6 years in a row from Austin Fit Magazine. It's labeled itself as the "indoor gym for outdoor people," and has 3 different locations: Downtown Austin on 6th Street, Quarry Lake in North Austin, and the Speedshop on 5th Street.

One of the perks of Pure Austin is their outdoor pool and private lake at the North Austin location, which is great for swimmers or athletes training for a triathlon. This allows them to offer paddle boarding, kayaking, and swim classes and other water exercises for those looking to refresh their bodies.

North Austin is a more suburban area with several family-friendly neighborhoods due to many middle schools and high schools in the area. There's also a lot to do, like shopping at the Domain, going to parks like Bull Creek, and driving up to Round Rock for the weekend. Round Rock, which has many different outlets and an Ikea to shop around, is only half an hour away and is the most affordable city in the United States. Many students end up moving to North Austin due to it's proximity to downtown and the University of Texas.

Pure Austin also offers:

• Personal Training
• Rooftop Spin Deck
• Climbing Wall
• Personal Training
• Live Music and Fitness classes

You can choose to purchase a year long membership, pay monthly, or you can just choose a day you feel like taking advantage of one of their specialty classes and buy a pass for $25. They also offer Rail Training, which is a monthly program where members work on achieving their best fitness level with trainers who help them with learning workouts and nutrition. Whether it's cycling or swimming, this is the perfect gym for lovers of the great outdoors.

Find Your Breath with Black Swan Yoga

If you need a workout that's a little more relaxed, but will still make you sweat, Black Swan Yoga is the place. It's a donation-based yoga studio with 3 different locations throughout Austin, one North, one South, and one in downtown Austin.

Black Swan usually offers classes from 7 AM to 10 PM most days. For classes, you have your pick of Power yoga, a more intense yoga, Hot Onnit yoga, that involves weights mixed with yoga, and Flow, a less intense yoga class based on more traditional yoga moves. They have over 10 teachers, each with their own interpretation of the practice, so if you'd like to try yoga, this is a great place to start.

Dance Your Way to Fitness at Ballet Austin

Ballet Austin has bragging rights for being the 11th largest classical ballet company in the USA. It's located in downtown Austin, and besides offering ballet and other types of dance classes, it also has excellent fitness classes, like barre yoga and piloxing (a combination of pilates and kickboxing).

Their location on 3rd St. is right next to the 2nd Street District, which has boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment almost daily. It's an area that a lot of new and modern apartment complexes and condos have been built within the past couple years, so if you're a single person looking for a more hip neighborhood, this is your spot.

There's also a great selection of family classes for children to participate in, along with in-theater experiences and summer programs. One of the most popular events Ballet Austin produces every year is The Nutcracker, which is going into its 55th year and worth seeing at least once.

So if you're interested in moving and grooving your way through a workout, either through cardio hip-hop or Afro-Brazilian dance, look into Ballet Austin. They have over 80 dance and fitness classes that are offered 7 days a week, so you're bound to find something you like. It's one of the best places to have fun and get fit in Austin.

We hope these suggestions help you get out and find a good workout in Austin. If you're new to Austin or just visiting, feel free to look around our blog for more suggestions of things to do in Austin.

If you're thinking about making Austin your home, see what's available in Austin or San Antonio! All of our agents at Pauly Presley Realty are happy to talk to you about how they can help you get established in this great city.