Great gym alternatives to check out in Leeds

Let’s face it – whilst many of us love going to the gym to get fit, it’s not the only way to get our bodies moving. Leeds certainly has plenty of gyms to choose from, but it can be difficult to find alternative ways to get your heart pumping and your muscles burning if they’re just not your cup of tea.

Whether you’ve vowed to never set foot in the gym, or you’re ready to spice up your workout routine, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be looking at five of Leeds’ best gym alternatives, including barrecore classes, hot yoga and 80s style workout classes. Let’s get moving!

Barrecore Leeds

Barrecore is a type of full-body workout inspired by ballet. It’s a fantastic way of toning and strengthening your muscles, as well as improving posture and flexibility through steady, controlled movements. Although Barrecorre might look easy from afar, the studio vouches for the fact that it’s ‘as tough as a spinning or bootcamp session’.

The Barrecore franchise originates from London, with their stunning Leeds studio opening in 2021 at Mustard Wharf. Although the majority of Barrecore’s studios can still be found in the capital city, it’s great to see more popping up across the north with Barrecore Hale, Alderly Edge and now Leeds.

If you enjoy yoga or pilates, you’ll be pleased to know that Barrecorre also includes elements of both types of exercise. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can choose between a range of classes including BarreSIGNATURE, BarreSCULPT, BarreSWEAT and BarreRESTORE.

Ryde Studios Leeds

If variety is your thing, Ryde Studios could be just the place for you. They offer an amazing choice of fitness classes, including athletic style yoga, spinning, strength training and their own type of barre class. Whatever you choose, you’ll be immersed in an amazing sensory experience complete with lights and music for 40-50 minutes.

Based in Leeds city centre, this northern franchise is all about boosting not just your physical health but your mental wellbeing too. They offer a pay-as-you-go membership with no joining fee, and a weekly timetable that can be booked up to two weeks in advance.

The Hot Room Leeds

With an impressive 100 positive Google reviews to their name, The Hot Room’s yoga classes could be just the way to heat up your workout routine. From their studio in the Core, they’re keeping things simple with four class types to choose from: original hot yoga, inferno hot pilates, flow and yin.

Let’s clear one thing up first: what exactly is hot yoga? It’s simpler than you might think, and basically involves doing yoga in a room that’s around 40 degrees celsius in temperature. And whilst this might sound uncomfortable, The Hot Room claims that the high temperature ‘allows for a deeper stretch, increased circulation and blood flow to the muscles’. Basically, it can help you to get stronger, more flexible and develop better stamina even faster than your average yoga class.

If you’re not tempted by the benefits of hot yoga, you can also enjoy their vinyasa or yin yoga classes which are more accessible for beginner yogis.

Leeds Centre for Aerial Arts

Lorna Mackinder founded Leeds Aerial Arts with the belief that exercise can be fun, challenging and take you out of your comfort zone. Their classes are an exciting way to get active whilst learning a new skill.

The centre offers online and in-person classes from Monday to Saturday including aerial hoop, silks and aerial yoga. They cater to all abilities, from beginners to pros, and offer a variety of membership options depending on how many classes you’re planning on attending.

Not only do Leeds Aerial Arts offer weekly classes, but they also put on regular showcases where members are invited to perform to an audience of friends and family. What better way to show off your new skillset!

Synthetics

For a workout that’s fun, energetic and nostalgic, you can now get fit with Synthetics’s 80’s style workout experience. From their home in Barrecorre studios Leeds, they offer ‘60 minutes of Sweat, Squats and Spandex’ every Wednesday evening.

You can go as authentic with the 80s look as you like for Synthetics’s classes. We’re talking bright pink legwarmers, high-leg leotards and crimped hair… or just leggings and a t-shirt if that’s more your thing. One thing’s for sure: the instructors tend to go all-out with the look, the lights and the music, helping you get into the zone to stretch, sweat and tone.