Top 10: Gyms and Studios for Gaining and Maintaining Fitness

In the un-hibernation spirit of spring, this month's last Discover Birmingham explores several of the city's workout locales that work our arms, legs, heart and lungs. Local choices abound, with 17 listings for gyms, yoga and Pilates studios right here in Birmingham. members include 15 providers of health and fitness services in the city's commercial center. 

These are among places to sweat, stretch, tone, energize, balance and soothe yourself:

1. : Spacious, airy facility on East Brown is part of an international chain founded in 1975 in Highland Park. Birmingham's 30,000-square-foot site, acquired from Oakland Athletic Club in 2009, has Cybex, Life Fitness and Hammer Strength weight and cardio machines. Group workouts include aerobics, kickboxing, spinning, Definity, boot camp and climbing seven-foot Fitwall columns. Pros train here, as the Milwaukee Bucks did two weeks ago before playing the Pistons. Showers and sauna are available.

2. : The city's only 24-hour gym was opened on Willits in fall 2009 by Jon Flynn and Stephen Collias as part of a national group with 30 other Michigan sites. In addition to free weights, cardio equipment and resistance machines, workout gear includes Kettlebells, 50-foot rope, punching bags, a 70-pound sand bag to make squats more challenging and TRX System straps for core strength training. Showers are on site.

3. : Woodward Avenue center with three studios (4,000 square feet total) features cardio classes, interval training, high-low aerobics, step, kickboxing, boot camp, Kettlebell sculpting and strength workouts, Zumba and Pilates (private or group). Open since 2004.

4. : Women's studio in the Adams Square plaza offers 30-minute circuit workouts with technology that adjusts resistance equipment to individual endurance levels and generates data showing muscle strength and calories burned. Other options at this chain location are stretching, circuit, 45-minute candlelit yoga Monday evening and Friday morning, and half-hour Zumba strength/cardio classes Tuesday evening and Thursday through Saturday mornings. Sara Hoffman of Walled Lake leads yoga and Zumba sessions, open to non-members. Studio is closed Sundays.  

5. Yoga: Group classes that enhance strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation are scheduled at (four to six Sanga classes daily) and , both on South Old Woodward; in the Rail District; and on Townsend (four to nine classes daily). Certified teacher Suzanne Bosek leads 6:30 p.m. Monday sessions at on South Old Woodward. Yoga also is offered at BodyPure.

Ana Northrop, certified as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, leads 90-minute Hatha yoga programs in 's media center on Mondays at 7 p.m. (through June 13) and at the same time on Tuesdays (through June 14) in 's media center. She begins 7 p.m. Monday classes at on June 20. Signup details are at www.communityed.net. Namaste.

6. Pilates: Conditioning movement classes are hosted at , owned by Judi and Richard Porter. Private and two-person sessions are available at the cozy on South Old Woodward, owned by Molly Baran of Bloomfield Hills, a certified instructor since 1993. Private and semiprivate certified instruction also is provided by owner Anne Hepler and Elayne Hebert at Pilates Birmingham, which opened in 2009 on North Old Woodward. 

7. Zumba: This energetic mix of Latin music and dance steps is offered at Curves, at BodyPure and at two schools through Birmingham Community Education. Anne-Marie Gullo of Fitness Motivators leads hour-long workouts at 6:30 each Tuesday in cafeteria through June 14 and then again from June 28-Aug. 9. Noor Kattula of the same company presents Thursday sessions at 7 p.m. in 's gym through June 9 and this summer from June 30-Aug. 11. To register and pre-pay, visit www.communityed.net.    

8. Personal Training: Derek and Kerrie DiGiovanni of Troy opened a CoachMeFit franchise three years ago on Cole Street in the rail district. (He has been physical education director at Seaholm High since 1999.) Individual coaching also is the specialty at on South Old Woodward. Pete Swizatek, a certified personal trainer who lives in Birmingham, suggests intense 45-minute workouts twice a week. One-on-one guidance and training also are available at Be Well on South Old Woodward.

9. : Also on South Old Woodward is this center with Real Ryder stationary bikes, which mimic outdoor riding maneuverability. Classes run 45 to 60 minutes, and walk-ins can pay a per-class fee. Discount multi-class passes are valid three to six months. The facility, which Dan Barish opened last summer, also offers TRX System weight and strength training with bands that also improve flexibility and balance.

10. YMCA: Members of the on East Lincoln have access to basketball courts, a track, pool, tennis courts. No-fee classes include aerobics, step, cycling, stretch, muscle work, cardio fusion, boot camp, Bosu balance ball, Pilates, Kettlebell weights and water exercise. Martin Venadam coordinates custom training for individuals or small groups. 

Those are leading commercial choices, and there's also a bargain-priced way to use a room full of modern equipment when Seaholm athletes aren't bulking up. The Maples' upgraded training facility is open to the community from 5:30-7 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the school year, as well at 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Access is just $3 a workout or $2.50 for five-visit or 10-visit cards. Signup and pre-payment details are at this two-page flyer.

Lastly, Pilates studio owner Molly Baran also leads $8 morning classes at every Monday (mat Pilates, cardio/strength), Wednesday (weight training, mat Pilates) and Friday (cardio/strength, mat Pilates). For information, contact her at (248) 721-0033 or mollypilates@att.net.

But perhaps outdoor recreation is more your thing. Make sure to check out our .