In the last two years, Winnipeg’s fitness scene has exploded with the addition of locally owned boutique fitness studios.
Now is the perfect time to find a new fitness routine or studio that is right for you, or to take a drop-in class and experience the coolest and newest fitness crazes that Winnipeg has to offer. Whether you’re a true hardy winter warrior of The Peg, or looking to keep up with your workouts while here on business or leisure, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that highlights some of the newest studios that have burst onto Winnipeg’s fitness scene.
Now read up and go get your sweat on!
Ignite Cycle & Strength
One of Winnipeg’s newest boutique fitness studios (they opened a month ago) is Ignite Cycle & Strength. Locally owned and operated, Ignite is a unique approach to boutique fitness, offering members two programs at one cost, resulting in a full body workout.
Indoor cycling:
The Metric Ride – focuses on speed, wattage output and power. Participants follow their progression on a leader board as they tackle hills, intervals, mountains and group challenges. Expect to sweat; this is a beast of an indoor cycling program designed by the best of the best that will leave you drenched and feeling like a true athlete.
The Rhythm Ride – Ever wonder what a party would be like on a stationary bike? Look no further than Ignite’s Rhythm Ride. This class rides to the beat while adding in your favourite choreography moves. Throw in a weight track and your sweat session just got more intense.
Both cycle class formats run 45 minutes, with an epic light system to make your indoor cycling experience even more memorable.
Strength & Conditioning:
The most important thing you can do for your body is challenge it, which is why Ignite’s strength and conditioning classes focus on different themes (think back, biceps & glutes – um, ouch). Every theme has a purpose and challenges different muscle groups resulting in one epic workout. The Strength & Conditioning Room is spacious and comes equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and an epic sound system. You may just end up dancing as you burpee your way from station to station.
Booking classes is easiest using the app or website. They have an awesome intro special – unlimited classes for two weeks for $40. Studio features include spacious private bathrooms, massive lounge area (think TVs with Jets and Bomber games after your workout) complimentary coffee and snacks after those early morning workouts and lemongrass towels to cool off afterwards. Ignite Cycle & Strength is a must-try for anyone looking to bring out their inner athlete.
The Fitual
Looking for a new fitness ritual? The Fitual has you covered. Located in the trendy River Heights neighbourhood, The Fitual is the first studio to offer the Lagree Method in Winnipeg and is owned by former Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Chalnessa Eames, who teaches many of the classes.
What exactly is the Lagree Method? It is a unique approach to a full-body workout using key components of strength, cardio, endurance, core, balance and flexibility with emphasis on quick results and time under tension. But don’t be intimidated -- while The Fitual brings the power of Lagree, it also offers classes that make finding your fit easy.
The five-class formats include The Fitual, a high-energy class designed to sculpt the body with dance, core work and resistance training, and pre- and post-natal classes that prepare expectant mothers for the biggest physical event of their lives. Each class is designed to help members lead an active and healthy lifestyle through the joy of movement. The supportive and nurturing space also gives every person who walks through the doors the ability to grow confidence and feel empowered.
As a new addition to Winnipeg’s exciting fitness scene, The Fitual is a must-try for anyone looking to challenge muscles they didn’t know they had or stamina that they didn’t know was there.
The Fitual on Mindbody offers a large variety of class packages. While the first class isn’t free, it is recommended to purchase the $48 Intro package which gets you the best bang for your buck and the option to try three classes.
Yoga Public South
Tucked away at the south end of Grant Avenue is yoga sanctuary Yoga Public South (YPS). A mini Yoga Public (the original is located downtown), YPS is a hidden gem nestled in a quiet residential area behind Stella’s. A calm, serene space, YPS focuses on the true meaning of yoga, both on and off the mat. Each teacher has hundreds of hours of training, along with additional education in areas of nutrition, massage therapy and psychology, all of which transfer over into their unique class offerings. The studio is fully accessible and welcoming to anyone regardless of yoga skill level. All the equipment to practice is provided (no need to lug your mat around) in a beautiful and spacious studio.
Class styles vary from Vinyasa flow, Yin, Restorative and private wellness workshops (think transformative dance!) The most interesting and dynamic class is Detox Flow, which focuses on detoxing the body through twists and compression poses. The space itself emphasizes clean-living too, embodied by the in-house beauty bar, cleaning supplies and amenities.
One of Winnipeg’s most sought-after artists, Kal Barteski, left her mark in the studio with a beautiful Yoga Public South sign in her signature bold brushstroke, affectionately labeled #kbscript. Community is at the heart of everything at YPS which aims to spread the joy of yoga through its teachings and sacred space.
YPS is on MindBody and offers a great two-week unlimited to all new members. Drops-ins are also very popular, although once you come to YPS you may leave with a sense of peace as well as a membership.
The Community
Locally owned and operated in the heart of downtown on Main Street is The Community. Offering four dynamic classes – Crush, Camp, Cycle & Calm – The Community has all your fitness needs covered, including boxing. Crush at The Community provides an all-in-one 45-minute boxing workout that has you hitting the bag to epic beats in a dimly lit room. This is more than a boxing ring; it is an experience. With high-energy trainers coaching you through every interval and beat drop, the workout focuses on the basics of boxing, shadow boxing, floor workout (hi burpees!) and freestyle heavy hitting all the way to the end.
Conveniently located downtown with lots of free parking, The Community is a one-stop shop with daily lunch hour classes to get your heart pumping between meetings.
The Community is on MindBody and offers two amazing intro offers. Drop in, workout, then grab a coffee next door at Parlour and your day is set!
Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Linden Ridge
Located in the south end of the city, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Linden Ridge is Winnipeg’s only heated fitness studio that offers a mix of yoga and fitness in a state-of-the-art infrared room. With franchises all over Canada, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Linden Ridge is the first to market in Winnipeg focused on detoxifying and cell rejuvenation by raising the body's core temperature using dynamic movements and the isolation of small muscle groups (think barre!)
The studio offers many exciting classes such as Hot Absolutely Burning Butts (yes, expect it to burn – in a good way) to Hot Freedom Flow, a 60-min hot flow that is designed to take you through dynamic and beautiful movements using the power of breath awareness, heat and detoxifying twists. A crowd favourite is the Hot Candlelight Deep Stretch that helps you let go of the daily stresses and chaos while centering in and holding deep stretches to calm the mind and body.
Locally operated Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Linden Ridge is a must-try for anyone wanting to branch into the basics of yoga or take their fitness routine to new levels.
Booking classes at Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Linden Ridge is a breeze through Mind-body. They currently offer a one-week unlimited pass for just $10.00 as well as plenty of free parking, and a beautiful and welcoming studio.
Inn at the Forks’ Run Concierge
In town and looking to include some runs in your itinerary? Book your stay at Inn at the Forks. They have the only concierge jogging service in the city. This complimentary service takes groups on a guided 5k jog every Tuesday and Wednesday morning (May through September). Led by Maria Cefali, the concierge run is a fun and unique way to not only get your morning run in, but also to explore The Forks, run hidden river trails and take in some of Winnipeg’s coolest historical sites, all before your morning coffee.
Winnipeg’s fitness scene is growing with more facilities popping up every day. The above are just a few that highlight unique ways to get your sweat on, but to also explore different neighbourhoods while supporting local businesses. Each studio offers something different and is surrounded by coffee shops and amazing restaurants to hit after your sweat sesh!
Happy sweating, friends!
