The Ultimate SXSW Austin Fitness Guide
It's that time again, SXSW is here! In just a few days, Austin will be buzzing with amazing bands, film screenings, startup launches, inspiring speakers and parties on 6th Street. But that doesn't mean you have to put a stop to your workout routine. Named one of America's 10 Fittest Cities by Forbes and SHAPE Magazine, Austin has some amazing fitness studios and classes you should definitely check out.
Back by popular demand, we put together this handy GoRecess Austin Fitness Guide so you can enjoy that yummy BBQ without the guilt. Search for an Austin workout class that fits your schedule here and see a directory of all of the fitness studios here. Enjoy the festival!
Downward dogs set to amazing tunes may be just the answer to finding your zen while enjoying the live music capital of the world. With two beautiful studios, Wanderlust YOGA hosts incredible yoga programming, top acoustic music shows, DJ sets, yoga classes to live music, inspirational speaker series, film screenings, community fundraiser events and more. The space also has a retail boutique, an organic cafe with patio seating and men's and women's locker rooms. Sign up for special SXSW live DJ classes on March 15th here.
Hatha, Hatha Flow, Kundalini & More
Yoga Yoga is driven by a simplistic and pure vision – "make it possible for more people, for all people, to do yoga." The studio offers three major yoga styles - Hatha, Hatha Flow and Kundalini - as well as private sessions and many other different kinds of classes such as restorative, deep relaxation and pre/post-natal. And with 5 locations throughout Austin - Westgate, South, North, Northwest and 360 - and over 350 weekly classes it's easy to find something for you.
Vinyasa, Hip Hop Yoga, Yin & More
With "Kula" meaning community in Sanskrit, Austin Kula Yoga serves the Austin community by providing a fun, welcoming space for the practice of yoga. Their mantra: "Yoga every day in every way for every body."
Located in the heart of Tarrytown on Exposition Boulevard at Windsor, Austin Kula Yoga's expansive schedule offers Vinyasa, Hip Hop Yoga, Restorative, Yin, and a variety of family yoga classes.
CrossFit BulletProof offers high intensity training geared towards individuals who are ready to take healthy living to the next level with total body workouts such as gymnastics, Olympic weight lifting and metabolic conditioning. CrossFit BulletProof strives to keep the workouts rewarding and the fees simple, with no enrollment fees, no contracts and unlimited classes. See their full schedule here.
Founded by celebrity trainer Sadie Lincoln, barre3 is a 60-minute, full-body workout fusing the grace of the ballet barre, the wisdom of yoga, and the strength principles of Pilates. With 2 locations - Austin Downtown and Austin Hill Country Galleria - this is one barre you shouldn't miss on your pub crawl! 2 SXSW specials: 1) 1 FREE class for all badgeholders; 2) "SXSW All Access b3 Pass" for an unlimited week of barre3 for $50 (Must be purchased between 3/7-3/17 & activated by 3/16; ONE WEEK/ person; expires 7 days after 1st class).
MOD FITNESS classes incorporate barre work, Pilates, Yoga, strength and resistance training, cardio and stretching with a variety of props to challenge your body and achieve results. MOD offers a total body experience by combining high-energy music, skilled coaching and effective routines designed to inspire you to live the MOD life: motivated, healthy and happy. Beginners can learn the basics in MOD Barre Fundamentals, and if you are looking to step it up a notch, try MOD which adds cardio circuits to keep your heart rate up, burn fat and increase metabolism. See full schedule here.
Reformer, Mat, Jumpboard
Located in the heart of downtown Austin, Downtown Pilates is a small and private boutique studio equipped with Stott V2 Max reformers, Wunda Chairs, and other small equipment. Specializing in private, semi-private and small group classes, Downtown Pilates offers creative and modern pilates choreography for conditioning or rehab as well as TRX, Barre, and Personal Training.
Pilates Bodies & Barre is a classical Pilates studio offering private and duet sessions, Pilates mat and BeyondBarre classes. Instructors are all highly trained and certified by Power Pilates, the Pilates Method Alliance and/or BeyondBarre and the studio is outfitted with top of the line Peak Pilates equipment, including reformers, cadillacs, chairs, barrels and the Ped-o-Pull. Pilates Bodies & Barre offers a new client special of $30 for a private Pilates session, or the first group class free! Check the schedule here.
Todd Pilates boasts a robust, seven-day schedule of morning through evening classes that cater to students of all skill levels. Featured classes include PilatesMat - designed to tone the entire body, placing emphasis on conditioning the core - and PilatesBarre, combining intense glute and thigh work at the barre with comprehensive core work on the mat. Yoga classes and private Pilates sessions are also offered. New students receive 20% OFF any class package on their first visit!
Megaformer
Combining low-impact cardio intervals with weight training on state-of-the-art Megaformers, Pure Pilates Austin specializes in the famous Lagree Method to produce a high-intensity, sweat-inducing workout that combines the basic Pilates philosophies with a modern attitude. With only eight Megaformers, expect a high level of personal attention...and classes that sell out fast! For SXSW participants & attendees, Pure Pilates is offering 2 classes for $30!
Reformer, Chair, Jumpboard & More
Voted “Best Pilates” in 2011, and top 3 “Best Pilates” in 2012 and 2013 by Austin Fit Magazine, Mauro Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio offering customized Pilates sessions in Westlake. Mauro Pilates is a fully equipped STOTT PILATES® studio with V2Max Plus Reformers, Stability Chairs, Cadillac, Barrels, and other small props. In addition to private and group Pilates options, Mauro Pilates offers Pilates/Barre combo classes (B-ilates), Pilates as Rehab/Injury Prevention, and Pilates for Kids.
Indoor Cycling, Kor Interval Training
kor180 offers both Ryde indoor cycling classes on the FreeMotion Power Performance console, as well as Kor Interval Training (KIT) which combines the principals of Pilates with high-octane interval training. New clients must take a 30-minute korFormer 101 class first. New client special: complimentary first week, 50% off a 2-week membership and special rate on the first month of your membership. SXSW Special: #sxSweat classes on 3/9 & 3/10 at 1pm that include gluten-free gourmet lunch.
Indoor Cycling, Power Vinyasa Yoga
With two locations in Austin - Steiner Ranch and Bee Cave - Resolute Fitness offers 45-minute indoor cycling classes with stadium-style seating in a darkened room with state-of-the-art sound equipment and 60-minute power vinyasa classes. SXSW visitors can drop in for just $20 per class. Resolute Yoga also will be hosting a FREE Dungeons & Dragons themed yoga class open to the public on Saturday, March 8th.
Cross Training, Yoga, Dance, Pilates & More
iGnite is an all-women program focusing on the strong community aspect among our members and instructors. iGnite holds 29+ classes each week - incuding Cross Training, Cardio, Yoga, Dance, Strength, Swimming, Power Pilates, Race Training, Lake Sports and more - in 10 locations across Austin so you can enjoy the many scenic locations around Austin and attend classes convenient to you. Bring a yoga mat and water to class. SXSW Special: Sign up for a 2-week trial & attend unlimited FREE classes for a week, then a 2nd week at $10/class.
FXFit Camps are boot camp classes where “Functional Goes Extreme” and include a CrossFit-style class, Yoga, Spin, Zumba, and other Total Body classes. Classes are located at The Villages at The Domain, Domain Parkside, Cole, The 704, and Lakeshore Pearl apartments. Bring a mat, water, and towel. Classes are 40-50min in length. They also offer personal training, including a FREE consultation & movement evaluation.
XFit2You is a self-contained mobile gym with everything needed to train 2 to 30 clients aboard its mobile facility to make exercise more accessible. XFit can set up in the parking lot, neighborhood cul-de-sac, local park, or any other place that is convenient. XFit provides the 1-on-1 instruction you would receive in a personal training session in a group setting. Also holds classes at Bowie High School & McCallum High School parking lots and at Charles Schwab. Read more...
Don't be fooled by the name, Ballet Austin offers much more than ballet. From Bollywood to Jazz, Contemporary, Hula, West African, Zumba and more, Ballet Austin offers more than 70 drop-in dance and fitness classes/week and has a class for you! SXSW & Spring Break SPECIAL: $10 for all drop-in dance and fitness classes between Friday, March 7 and Sunday, March 16 so don't miss out!
Hip Hop, Zumba, Buti Yoga & More
Dance Austin is a unique dance and fitness studio designed for all ages, levels, and styles - from the professional and recreational dancer to the fitness enthusiast. Classes include Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Zumba, Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Buti Yoga, Go-Go Cardio Mix, Sexy Stiletto Fit, and so much more - so get ready to get your groove on!
Tap, Salsa, Flamenco, Hip Hop & More
Home to one of North America’s only professional tap dance companies, the world-class team at Tapestry Dance Company also offers jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern and contemporary dance classes, as well as less traditional classes such as Bollywood, Bharata Natyam, Salsa, Ballroom, Belly Dance, Flamenco and African Dance. So grab your dancing shoes and make some noise! Read more...
Check out the hot kettlebell trend at Punch Kettlebell Austin (aka Art of Strength) to get an efficient full-body workout. The displaced center of gravity of the kettlebells helps recruit more stabilizer muscles and works the targeted muscles through a wider range of motion. Plus, they are highly versatile and classes offer various combination drills to keep you engaged so check out a class today!
Whether you prefer free weights, cable, resistance or cardio machines, Fitness 360 features top-of-the-line equipment from Precor, LifeFitness, and Technogym. Group fitness classes include yoga, barre, high-intensity training, stretching and more. Prospective members can sign up for a free 3-day pass, and every first Friday of the month they hold their monthly Food Drive event open to the public - donate two cans of food or $5 per class...and get fit while making a difference!
Ever dreamed of becoming a circus star? Well, now is your chance. Founded in 2010 by a group of aerialists, Sky Candy has grown into Austin's "Best Circus Arts Revivalists" offering over 60 classes a week in the aerial and circus arts, as well as open studio, private lessons, workshops, aerial showcases, theatrical productions and aerial entertainment for public and private events. So go ahead, step out of your comfort zone, defy gravity and come fly with Sky Candy.
