From yoga sculpt to boot camp, Downtown Indy gyms and studios have something for every(body) and every budget. So drop and give me 20 (okay, lets just start with 10). Here are the top workout spots in the city.
Picture above: Invoke Studio
National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS)
Group fitness junkie? National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS), conveniently located on IUPUI’s campus, offers a wide range of group classes for strength and conditioning, cycle, cardio, mind/body, pilates/core and dance – because who doesn’t love zumba! All these classes are free with membership. Members can also pay a little more for HIT (High Intensity Training) classes and Group Training (personal training with a small group of four to eight people). Prefer to sweat solo? NIFS has an indoor running track, a basketball court and variety of cardio and strength equipment. Still unsure? They offer 7 day free trial!
Get cyclin’!
Invoke Studio
Invoke Studio, located off Fort Wayne Avenue, is an urban respite for Downtown dwellers. The studio offers a range of yoga and pilates classes, formats include: hot vinyasa, core HIIT, Pilates mat, and reformer classes. Their signature Bar Effect class, which is a trademarked class to Invoke only, will leave your legs quivering for days (in a good way, I promise!). Get the most bang for your buck on Friday mornings and Sunday evenings when Invoke offers $10 community yoga classes, and during the summer enjoy FREE Downtown Indy, Inc. Workout Wednesday Yoga on the Canal – starting June 7.
Invoke offers a range of yoga and pilates classes, even a Bikram-esque class in a room heated to 95 – 100 degrees.
The Hot Room
Want to heat things up? The Hot Room, located off New York and Alabama Streets, offers more than 30 Bikram-inspired hot yoga classes every week. Bikram, a sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, is taught in 105-degree heat with 40% humidity. Bring a towel. Or two. Bikram yogis love the heat and for warming the muscles and allowing for more flexibility. Not ready to jump into Bikram quiet, yet? The Hot Room also offers Hot Power Vinyasa and Hot Pilates classes.
The Hot Room offers Bikram classes in a room heated to 105 degrees.
CrossFit Infiltrate
Located right on the canal, CrossFit Infiltrate has a full-service CrossFit facility. Whether you are looking for personal strength training, sport specific application, classes that will challenge you (and are tailored to your level from beginner to advanced), or if you just need a gym that you can hit when you get off work, Jared, owner and head coach, has you covered! Sound awesome? Check out a free intro class Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.!
Bonus – CorssFit Infiltrate often incorporates the Canal space into its workouts
Break a sweat for less
No excuses. There are plenty of ways to break a sweat on a budget…or for free!
Workout Wednesdays on Georgia Street
Starting April 26, pack your gym bag and head to Georgia Street every Wednesday at noon for a free workout. Hip hop and dance remixes and EDM jams stream from the Boardwalk speakers as group fitness instructors motivate you. The energy is contagious. Coming back: free sunset yoga on the Canal every Wednesday at 6 a.m beginning June 7.
You’re not afraid to shake what your mama gave you – on Georgia Street – are you? The Workout Wednesday series kicks off for its third year this spring.
The Cultural Trail
This eight-mile pedestrian trail – weaving through Downtown’s five Cultural Districts and many of the most scenic spots inside the Mile Square – is a game changer for Indianapolis. Planners from cities including Cologne, Germany, Portland, Oregon and Miami have come to take a peek at the trail that put Indianapolis on the map. Rent a Pacers Bikeshare for $8 (for a 24-hour pass) and spend the day exploring Downtown. You will hardly know you are working out. Must see: The Glick Peace Walk along Walnut Street with a “luminary garden” honoring 12 inspiring individuals.
The Canal Walk
The three-mile Canal Walk is my favorite spot in Downtown Indy. Take a bike ride, rent a paddle boat or kayak or just bring your own two feet and enjoy Downtown’s only waterfront view. Even in winter months, the Canal is a great well-lit spot to step outside and get some fresh air. Confession: lately I have enjoyed several runs-turned-into-dinner stops at the Canal-side restaurant, Burgerhaus. The run makes me feel a tinge less guilty about those really delicious sweet potato fries.
The Canal Walk is a three-mile loop great for runs or just walks with your four-leeged friend.
