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To help you stay in shape during the holiday season, Inspirations & Celebrations‘ Fitness Contributor, Jacqueline Hinton (a Los Angeles based Pilates instructor and the CEO of the Pilates lifestyle brand Good Citizen) shares her favorite fitness classes across the USA to take during the holidays. Whether you’ll be in Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, or NYC this holiday, here are 12 top fitness classes to take in these major cities.


Top Fitness Classes Across the USA

The holiday season is here and you know what that means: more time with friends, more food, and definitely a lot of fun! This also means more family time—which equals more drinking—extra calories, stress, and less you time. Fight back with movement, exercise, and self-care, because when your body and soul aren’t happy, it definitely shows. So, if you’re traveling this holiday season, we’ve got you covered with some of the classes you should check out while you’re away. Just because you’re out of your hometown doesn’t mean you can’t find some of the best classes around to get your guns and buns burning.

Top Fitness Classes Across the USA to Take During the Holidays

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Pilates

Where: Good Body Pilates

What: Balance, Bounce, Bosu 

Who: Emilie Bernstein

When: Monday

Time: 12pm

Why: This gorgeous and brightly lit studio offers several group classes, as well as private and duet sessions. But the Balance, Bouces, Bosu class will get those buns burning, build strength, and keep you from feeling guilty for all those holiday cheat days. 

Yoga

Where: Yoga Works on Montana Ave.

What: Vinyasa Flow

Who: Tiffany Russo

When: M, W

4:15pm

Why: I’m obsessed with this instructor for so many reasons. Maybe the most important reason is that she keeps the class light with her witty and comedic personality, while she kills you with her precise alignment corrections and challenging sequences. Tiffany always keeps you guessing what’s coming next with new and exciting excercises to move your body. 

Dance Fitness

Where: The Moving Joint 

What: Body BPM

Who: Alyson Mattoon

When: Wednesday 9:30am, Friday 10:30am

Why: I don’t know about you but I love Jane Fonda. She has always looked so amazing! Body BPM is a nod to Jane Fonda’s Original Workout. It has been updated, though, using eclectic mixes by professional DJ’s, while incorporating dynamic dance and Pilates sequences choreographed by professional dancer, Alyson Mattoon. You’ll leave this class feeling like you just had a dance party with your closest friends and forget you were even working out. 

Top Fitness Classes Across the USA to Take During the Holidays

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Pilates

Where: Sixth Street Pilates 

What: Private Pilates Session  

Who: Anula Maiberg

When: Contact to schedule 

Why: Normcore, hipster, innovator… Call her what you will, but Anula is changing the way people perceive Pilates, do Pilates, and basically everything you’ve ever thought about Pilates. Anula is a beloved staple of the Pilates world and a much-needed breath of fresh air, proving Joseph Pilates right, that everyone should be doing Pilates—everyone.

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

Where: New York Sports Club – NYSC Lab

What: Build & Burn HIIT classes 

Who: Ceasar F. Barajas

When: Check the website for the schedule

Why: Ceasar is a professional dancer, so you know his classes won’t disappoint! He knows how to give you that long lean look while pushing you to your edge. Plus, he also teaches yoga, and your first class is FREE!

Dance

Where: Peridance

What: Ballet

Who: Breton Tyner Bryan

When: Tuesday

Time: 11:30am

Why: I worked on a dance job with Brenton a few years ago and absolutely love following her on social media. Her movement is so silky-smooth, and her ballet classes get you dancing and flying high! This class will make you feel like a real Sugar Plum Fairy.

Boxing

Where: Chelsea Pier Sports Center

What: Lunch Box

Who: Ben Aylesworth

When: Tuesday, Thursday

Time: 12pm

Why: Burn calories and get extra energy to finish your busy day! Ben is a badass instructor and probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet. He’s a USA Boxing Level 2 Certified Coach, and he served as the Head Assistant/Apprentice to the Olympic Trials Coach for both Team USA and Team Trinidad & Tobago. 2020 Olympics here we come!

Top Fitness Classes Across the USA to Take During the Holidays

AUSTIN, TEXAS 

Pilates

Where: Vitality Pilates

What: Mat and Equipment Pilates Class 

Who: Lindsey Brannon

When: Check out their online schedule 

Why: Vitality Pilates was named one of 2017’s Best Pilates Studios in Austin, TX, specializing in functional movement and effective muscle firing patterns to get the most out of each workout, both in and out of the studio. Classes are kept small (max 5) to ensure personalized attention for all.

Yoga

Where: Sukha Yoga Austin

What: Deepen + Flow

Who: Erinn Lewis

When: Saturday

Time: 10:30am

Why: Erinn’s infectious and positive personality will make you want to just watch her teach her fitness classes. This class is a mix of both traditional vinyasa and creative moves. Erinn incorporates lots of inspiring stories from her life and thoughts to take outside of your practice. This class will make you feel connected to your mind, body, and soul. 

Strength Training

Where: N.O.D 24 Performance

What: Group Class 

Who: Kenton Keith 

When: Contact for availability

Why: Kenton is a former professional football player, so he is the real deal! His group fitness classes will push you harder than you’ve ever been pushed before. And he’ll keep you inspired outside of his classes with motivational posts on Facebook. Kenton and his wife Lauren have created an amazingly positive workout community where you feel supported by everyone involved in the class.  

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Pilates

Where: Jenna’s Movement Sanctuary (Irving Park Neighborhood)

What: Private or Duet Pilates Session

Who: Jenna Zaffino

When: Contact to schedule

Why: Jenna is known as the “Pilates Unicorn” in the Pilates community. She teaches with a unique eye, has a knowledgeable background, and exudes a warm and welcoming personality. You’re going to absolutely love her, so just remember, when you leave Chicago wanting more, you can still do one-on-one Skype sessions with this awesome unicorn anywhere in the world to get your Pilates fix. 

Yoga

Where: Yoga View

What: Yoga 

Who: Stacy Levy

When: Monday 6:15pm, Thursday 8:30am, Saturday 10:15am, Sunday 10am

Why: Well, let me start by saying this is the Pilates Unicorn’s (Jenna Zaffino) favorite yoga class, so there will be a real live unicorn in your class. Besides that, Stacy is a very experienced teacher, Certified Holistic Health Coach, certified Reiki and Thai Massager, and a Lululemon Athletica ambassador. With all of this experience, Stacy’s class will give you everything you need no matter your level. 

For more expert fitness tips and workouts, visit the Fitness section on Inspirations & Celebrations.


Fitness Contributor: Jacqueline Hinton

Contributor Jacqueline HintonJacqueline Hinton is a Los Angeles based Pilates instructor, the CEO of the Pilates lifestyle brand Good Citizen, and a professional dancer with a BFA in Dance from The University of Texas at Austin. Jackie has over a decade in the Pilates industry and has forever changed the world of Pilates by creating the original personal Pilates loop. As a fitness contributor to Inspirations & Celebrations, Jackie shares exercise and fitness tips to help you shape and sculpt your body.


[Image credits: Shutterstock]


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