We are three weeks into the New Year. School is back in session, the first full week of work is over and resolutions have been made (and hopefully not broken!). Did you promise to learn a new language? Spend more time reading? Or maybe it was one of the more popular resolutions: hit the gym. We’ve rounded up our favorite places in town to break a sweat. Houston has it all, no matter the type of exercise you enjoy or budget, there’s a place for you.
Circa’s Neighbors
Our Circa Real Estate agents enjoy many of the exercise facilities right around the office on 19th Street. Mackenzie Blaine Laine and Sarah Perez love Rachel Valcarce’s Pilates classes at In-Step Pilates. Mackenzie is also a huge fan of spin classes at Ride. Both are located on 19th Street. Looking for something a little more ‘zen’? Lauren Griffin, assistant to Rob Griffith, enjoys classes at the Four Dragons Institute on 20th Street. Lauren says:
“The Restorative Yoga on Friday evenings with Guillermina is such a great way to recharge and start your weekend! Planning to take some prenatal yoga here too!”
Center Yourself
Yoga is one of the most popular regimes for those looking to gain flexibility and strength while reducing stress and relaxation. Suzanne Richards, Realtor® with Circa, enjoys Black Swan Yoga in University Place, a donation-based, 90-degree heated studio that offers classes for all levels. If hot yoga is not for you, Yogaleena is the perfect retreat for Houston yogis. Yoga for Seniors, Yoga Sculpt and Yin & Restorative are just a few of the classes offered at this cozy studio off Shepherd. New to yoga? Yogaleena has ‘Newbie Yogi Workshop’ for $45, which includes a week of free classes.
More of a Gym Rat?
If you’re in search of variety or trying new classes, we have you covered. Define, with locations in the Heights, Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University, Bellaire and Memorial, offers spin, barre, Pilates, yoga- even trampoline classes and hammock yoga. People with delicate joints will benefit from some of the unique Define classes that are designed to lessen joint impact and relieve stress.
Do you work downtown? The Tellespen Family YMCA on Pease Street has an abundance of ways to work out. You can swim laps or take a water aerobics class. Jog on the indoor track or grab a friend for a game of racquetball. The YMCA’s weekly schedule is packed with different ways to burn calories. Keep an eye out for Circa agents‘ Rob Griffith and Roman Alvarez. Rob says:
“Roman and I belong to the Downtown YMCA and we LOVE it! It’s a new state-of-the-art facility, and we’ve actually been going at least three times a week (which is three more than we used to!)”
Crossfit Craze
Curious about CrossFit? Circa’s Marketing Director Cody White likes to break a sweat at various CrossFit gyms in the Heights. According to Cody:
I’ve been working out mostly at CrossFit Revoke in Sunset Heights for four years, and often drop in on CrossFit Rhokee in Lindale Park, Black Wolf CrossFit in Brooke Smith and District H in the Greater Heights. It’s really hard to pick a bad CrossFit gym in this area, because each one has an amazing and unique community. I’ve found friends at each one!
The CrossFit “craze” has now turned into a very popular fitness option for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The constantly varied movement is scalable for all levels, and the strong and supportive community found in CrossFit is a celebrated tradition in the fitness industry.
Fitness for Free
Don’t let a tight budget stop you from getting fit. The BBVA Compass Roof Garden, which sits atop the Glassell School of Art’s new home, offers free yoga classes every second Sunday of the month on the rooftop deck. Upper Kirby’s Levy Park has different types of work out classes Monday through Sunday. The Rice University Loop offers a shady oak-lined track (totaling 2.92 miles).
Memorial Park has over 30 miles of trails within the 90+ year old park. You can opt for a scenic route around the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center or hit the crushed granite of the Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail. Have a kayak or canoe? Memorial Park has one access point to Buffalo Bayou. You can find additional boat launches to the bayou just east at Buffalo Bayou Park. Stretching from Shepherd to Sabine between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive, Buffalo Bayou offers kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals to help you explore the waterway.
The park also features two paths, the Sandy Reed Memorial Trail and the Kinder Footpath. Sandy Reed accommodates cyclists, walkers and joggers, while Kinder is exclusive to walkers and runners. Circa agent, Mindy Tribolet, lives within walking distance to Buffalo Bayou Park. She walks her lab, Targa, around the Kinder Footpath and ends at the Johnny Steele Dog Park. Mindy says:
Now that we are empty nesters, my husband and I recently moved into a townhome. We have a smaller yard, so I love that the dog park is so close! I let Targa off her leash, she gets to run free, play with other dogs and cool off in the pond.
New Year, New You!
If you have already broken 2019’s resolution, don’t wait another year to try again! Tonight hit one of Houston’s running trails after work. Dedicate each Saturday morning to a new exercise class. Take advantage of all the different ways to stay fit in Houston. You may even spot your favorite Circa Realtor® at the gym!
Featured Image c/o Kinder Foundation