Charlotte is home to a variety of gyms and fitness studios, each offering its own unique workout experience. In this post, I’ll be sharing my experience trying out 8 different gyms in the city. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting your journey, this post is for you. I hope it will provide some insight and help you find the gym that’s right for you.

1. Spenga

Spenga is a unique gym that offers a mix of cycle, yoga, and weights. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by friendly staff and a warm atmosphere. The facilities were top-notch and the classes were a great combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility. I especially loved the cycle classes, which were challenging yet fun. Overall, I had a great experience at Spenga and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a well-rounded workout.

Spenga’s workouts : SPENGA (short for Spin, Strength, and Yoga) is a unique fitness concept that offers a one-hour full body workout that combines three essential elements of fitness – cardio, strength, and flexibility. The workout is divided into three 20-minute segments, starting with a spin class to get the heart rate up and burn calories, followed by a strength training session to build lean muscle and increase metabolism, and ending with a yoga-inspired cool down to improve flexibility and promote relaxation. With the use of high-quality equipment and expert coaching, SPENGA provides a challenging and effective workout for people of all fitness levels.

2. Metabolic:

Metabolic was a weights-focused gym and unfortunately, it was my least favorite of the 8 I tried. While the equipment was good, I felt like the atmosphere was lacking. The classes were mainly focused on weightlifting in a small space and didn’t offer much variety. As someone who likes to mix up my workouts, this wasn’t the right fit for me.

Metabolic workouts : Metabolic is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout that combines strength training and cardio exercises to maximize calorie burn, build lean muscle, and improve overall fitness. The workout is typically 30-45 minutes long and focuses on full-body functional movements, such as squats, lunges, and push-ups, to improve strength and endurance.

3. Volofit

Volofit was an okay workout experience for me. The classes were good, but I felt like the atmosphere was too dark and there was too much going on at the same time. It was difficult for me to focus and get fully immersed in the workout. While it was a decent gym, it wasn’t the right fit for me.

Volofit’s Workouts: Volofit is a boutique fitness studio that offers strength training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and cycle. You rotate between about 6 different areas around the room including weights, rowers, weight ropes, bikes, and more.

4. Barry’s:

Barry’s was one of the best workout I had out of the 8 gyms. The classes were intense and effective, and the atmosphere was electric. However, the high cost of classes was a major downside for me. Despite that, I would still recommend Barry’s to anyone looking for a challenging and effective workout. I would recommend going to this class a few times a month or once a week. They also don’t offer an unlimited month like most gyms.

Barrys workouts : Barry’s is a high-intensity workout that combines cardio and strength training in a one-hour session. The workout is designed to maximize calorie burn, build lean muscle, and improve overall fitness. During the workout, we alternate between intervals on the treadmill and strength training exercises using free weights, resistance bands, and other equipment.

5. Orange Theory:

Orange Theory was a winner for me. I loved the combination of all classes and the atmosphere was very supportive and uplifting. The workout was intense and well-rounded, and I ended up joining this gym. I love the staff at Orange Theory and the coaches are amazing! I highly recommend Orange Theory to anyone looking for a challenging and enjoyable workout experience. I easily burn over 500+ calories every class. They also have a weight class that you can mix in with the regular orange theory classes that are a combination of weights, rower, and tread. If you’re looking to gain strength, and enjoy a workout that will keep you on your toes, then Orange Theory is for you! (First class is free)

Orange theory workout: Orange Theory is a high-intensity workout that combines cardio and strength training in a one-hour session. The workout is designed to maximize calorie burn, increase endurance, and improve overall fitness. During the workout, we wear heart rate monitors and move through a series of treadmill intervals, rowing machine exercises, and strength training exercises. The heart rate monitors allow us to track our progress and ensure that we are working at the optimal intensity to achieve our fitness goals. With the guidance of certified coaches and the support of a motivating community, Orange Theory offers a challenging and effective workout that can be tailored to any fitness level.

6. Pure Barre:

Pure Bare was a good experience for me, there is a lot of core work, which I enjoy. The classes were challenging but doable. If you’re looking to strengthen your core, I would recommend Pure Bare.

Pure Barre Workout : Pure Barre is a low-impact workout that focuses on small, isometric movements to tone and strengthen the entire body, with a particular emphasis on the arms, abs, and glutes. The workout is typically 45-50 minutes long and is performed to high-energy music in a group fitness setting. The exercises use small, controlled movements to target specific muscle groups, and the workout is designed to fatigue the muscles and create a “shaky” sensation, which is believed to be an indicator of muscle change. The workout primarily uses a ballet barre, but also incorporates light weights, resistance bands, and other equipment

7. Kim’s class at the Dowd YMCA:

Kim’s Pilates and barre class at the Dowd YMCA was a standout for me and always has been. I’ve been to her class for years and she’s amazing! The focus on form and technique is exactly what everyone needs and what I was looking for, it helped me improve my form in every class that I’ve taken. If you’re looking for a class that will improve your technique, core, and strength, I highly recommend Kim’s class at the Dowd YMCA. But you better book her class as soon as the slot opens, because her class is always full!!

8. Burn Bootcamp:

Burn Bootcamp was another gym that I loved during my journey. The workouts were challenging and the atmosphere was very supportive. I was really torn between Burn Bootcamp and Orange Theory, but ultimately decided on Orange Theory because I preferred the mix of treadmill and rower in the workouts. I was a little concerned about the coach’s ability to watch my form at Burn Bootcamp, which made me a bit paranoid about getting hurt due to poor form. However, I would still highly recommend Burn Bootcamp to anyone looking for a challenging and supportive workout environment. I was extremely torn and I’m really a social butterfly and the people here were very friendly and I believe a lot of them are good friends, outside of the workouts. So I really appreciated the family environment here!

Burn Bootcamp workouts : Burn Bootcamp is a high-intensity workout that focuses on strength and cardio exercises to maximize calorie burn, build lean muscle, and improve overall fitness. The workout is typically 45 minutes long and is designed to challenge individuals of all fitness levels. The workouts vary each day to keep the body challenged and prevent boredom. The exercises include strength training using free weights, resistance bands, and other equipment, as well as cardio exercises such as high knees and jumping jacks. (There is no treadmill, bike, or rower from my experience)

Conclusion:

Overall, I had a great time trying out these 8 gyms in Charlotte. Each one had its own unique benefits and downsides, and I learned a lot about what I’m looking for in a gym. I ultimately joined Orange Theory and I was very happy with it for the 6/7 months I was with them. I am currently trying out corepower yoga, I will keep you updated on my fitness journey. If you want I for on how that workout is going and why I switched- just send me at message @Sunnigetaways. And if you’re looking for a gym in Charlotte, I would recommend trying out a few and see which one is the right fit for you. But if you have any specific questions about any of the gyms, message me and I’ll get right back to you!

Honorable Mentions: Gyms and Classes I Didn’t Get a Chance to Try (But Heard Great Things About)

I wanted to give a special mention to one class that I tried and loved during my gym hopping adventures: the Hive Body Luv class. It’s a unique mix of twerk-inspired moves and yoga poses that really got my heart pumping. While I haven’t had the chance to check out the rest of the Hive gym, I’ve heard great things and would love to give it a try in the future. I’ve also heard amazing things about two other gyms that I haven’t had a chance to try yet: F45 and ISI. Both gyms have a great reputation for providing effective workouts and offering a variety of classes. I can’t wait to try them out and see for myself!