Summer bodies are made in the winter, which means now is a perfect time to find a personal trainer, book a cycling class, or join a gym. Whether you’re into high-intensity CrossFit sessions, Eygpytian-inspired yoga, or high-energy cardio dance routines to your trap and hip-hop artists, get a head start on your fitness journey by visiting one of these black-owned gyms and fitness centers.
Anasa Yoga, California
Co-founded by two Oakland yoga teachers, this green-certified yoga studio and fitness center aims to enrich your mind, body, and spirit. Jean Marie Moore and Katrina Lashea wanted to create a place that served as a sanctuary in the community and empower people to live more fully.
KTX Fitness, California & Georgia
Keith Thompson’s high energy classes always sell out, no matter if he’s at home or on tour. His intensity cycle classes are insane but guests come back and try to keep up every time. Check his calendar for dates in LA and Atlanta.
The Lab 909, California
Not a gym but rather a community of knowledgeable, caring, training experts. The Lab 909‘s motto is Less Talk, More Work for the ultimate family sports and fitness training experience. The gym received the Champions for Community Resilience recognition award for its efforts in the community through behavioral health. The trainers offer elite quality training via classes and training sessions for adults and kids.
Trillfit, Massachusetts
In 2016, founder Heather White created Trillfit, an inclusive hip-hop-inspired dance cardio class in Boston. There they have a live DJ, dancing, twerking and high-intensity workouts because White grew tired of walking into workout classes with horrible music and seeing no one that looked like her.
“You walk into fitness spaces and see super-toned, ripped white women, and you don’t see any representation—so in turn, you feel like you don’t belong. I don’t know why fitness is continually caught in this cycle because it’s really damaging. I definitely wanted to break it.,” she said in an interview.
Live Cycle Delight, Michigan
Dedicated to transforming your mind through yoga, pilates, cycle, TRX, and community outreach in Detroit, this inclusive fitness space has three pillars-Train, Sweat, and Restore. Founder of Live Cycle Delight and avid yogi, Amina Daniels is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles in the black community by creating more opportunities for fitness.
Finao Fit, Georgia
At Finao Fit Headquarters, failure is not an option. Owned by fitness trainer Denzel Jones, this high-energy boutique gym in Midtown Atlanta specializes in one-on-one training, small groups, conditioning, and nutritional planning. Finao Fit is currently running an October special to help you reach your fitness goals.
Gymnetics Fitness, Georgia
Gymnetics Fitness, an Atlanta premier women’s fitness center, was founded by mother-daughter-duo Ellen and Lana Ector and is committed to helping people incorporate fitness into their daily lifestyle. You’ve probably noticed their amazingly skilled tag-team workout videos on Instagram. They are also the creators of the Black Girls Workout, Too workout DVD, helping women get killer abs and glutes.
Melanie Fitness Center, Illinois
Melanie Fitness Center recently started offering beginners’ boxing classes last month. They also offer daily swimming lessons and support the community through yoga classes and hula hoop shows. This family-oriented fitness center even has its own Detox Cafe by Rashidat.
PowerHouse Sports Academy, Georgia
Georgia native Micah Baisden is the owner and Lead Trainer at PowerHouse Sports Academy. They focus on cultivating a motivational and supportive atmosphere. They want to help you to reach your highest potential, tapping into your true fearless self — your PowerHouse. There are three locations in Tucker, Midtown, and Decatur.
And Yoga Studio, New York
This members-only boutique yoga and wellness studio is the first aerial studio in Bed-Stuy and one of the first full-service yoga studios. And Yoga offers daily yoga classes to give you a little inspiration for the day and zen to your mind. The studio also hosts writing workshops to help you with manifesting your goals and reflection. All classes are scheduled on a weekly basis and membership-based. For those unable to afford the membership fees, the studio will offer unlimited yoga in exchange for cleaning services. https://andyogastudios.com/about
Knights Gym, Pennsylvania
Located in East Falls, Knight’s Gym has “Pain Today Gainz Tomorrow” painted on their walls, which lets you know just how serious they are about fitness and health. You can even bring your own personal trainer and use their facility. Members always come back for the family-oriented atmosphere and quality equipment provided by owner Tommy Knight.
The Loft Athletic Club, Georgia
Owned by fitness experts, Jason Lobdell, known as Mr. 2weeksout and Gee Bryant, the Loft is home to some of the most sought after trainers in Atlanta. Their clientele includes celebrities like Rick Ross, Joseline Hernandez, Stevie Baggs Jr. and a gang of others. In addition to offering one on one personal training, they also offer boot camp training, a clean eating supermarket tour, smoothie bar, and massage therapy services.
Brownstone Wellness, New York
Founder and Holistic nutritionist Steven Rousseau teaches yoga postures based on Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses known as Kemetic Yoga in Brooklyn. The poses are meant to be forms of meditation that reduce stress while bettering flexibility. He also teaches boxing and martial arts classes.
Fountain of Youth 390, New York
RIT Grad and co-owner of Fountain of Youth Fitness Hassan Robinson is also the founder of Strong Confident Women, a women’s empowerment group dedicated to encouraging women and girls to be more confident in themselves. Since opening in 2016, this gym has committed to providing effective, quality group fitness through free walking groups, core, functional, and strength training classes. Co-owner and brother Julius Davis just opened up a chain location in South Wedge in August.
Harlem Cycle, New York
This black-owned fitness studio in Harlem has a unique combination of cycle classes including a hip hip class, Soulful Sunday, and a Reggae Rundown. Picture yourself on an island listening to Kofffee, Davido, Burna Boy, and other Caribbean and Afrobeats favorites while you work up a sweat. The studio also hosts core and strength training classes for a full-body workout.
Push U, Pennsylvania
Push U has 5-stars on Google and is praised for having the ‘best boot camp session in Philly hands down.’ Personal trainers Troy Howard Sr. and Justin Taylor had a vision to become a staple in the community for health and fitness. The Push Universal Training Studio houses up to 15 independent personal trainers and instructors at a time, offering the lowest prices in Philly for personal trainers.
MADE Fitness, Tennessee
Since opening in 2010, M.A.D.E. Fitness has been one of the premier training facilities in Nashville. Known for high-intense CrossFit workouts and boot camps, their team of trainers have over 30 years of combined experience to push their local and celebrity clientele. Their clients include world boxing champ Caleb Plant and the McCourty Twins from the New England Patriots. I’ve taken a few classes over the years and even trained with one of their knowledgable trainers and co-owner, Nate Dary. Their ‘3 The Hard Way’ boot camp is no joke
Tara’s Training Studio, Tennessee
Personal trainer and owner Tara Smith staffed Tara’s Training Studio in Antioch with knowledge, skilled trainers, and instructors to help you get fit and stay in shape. Right now, trainers Harold Watson and Osafa Hippolyte have started a 30-day fitness challenge, which includes unlimited classes, meal plans, private sessions, and a strict Bootcamp schedule. Bootcamp classes are now open to the public for $10.
Train 36ixty, Tennessee
Train 36ixty recently celebrated its third anniversary since opening with a huge fitness celebration with free workouts and vendors in Clarksville, TN under founder and bodybuilder Kenny Bennett. They offer a variety of personal training and sports performance-enhanced workouts while giving clients a high standard of constant motivation and fitness education.
T.R.A.P. Fitness, Tennessee
Listen to your favorite trap music while hitting the treadmill. It’s guaranteed to get you hype through anything. The trainers at T.R.A.P. Fitness use music’s finest to help incorporate fitness into their clients’ lifestyles. They focus on small group workouts with Project Pat and Three Six Mafia in the background.
GRIT Fitness, Texas
At GRIT Fitness, their mission is designed to help people get an intense full-body workout and achieve long-term goals. Founder Brittani Rettig believes that mental grit or “passion and perseverance for long-term goals” is the key to both fitness success and living your best life. The facility’s schedule of classes and events will strengthen your body with workouts, cardio, dancing, and restoration through stretching.
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, Virginia
Certified Yoga Therapist Marsha D. Banks-Harold owns and manages two PIES Fitness Yoga Studios servicing the DMV area. Guests have access to over 80 trainers, wellness services, and yoga therapy services such as holistic healing, Kemetic Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Prenatal, Hot Yoga, and their signature, My Body Don’t Bend That Way yoga class. To accommodate those with busy schedules or those who are in school, the studio also provides evening classes.
Boombox, Washington DC
Boombox is a new boutique boxing club in Navy Yard founded on love for music, community, and boxing. Work up a sweat with intense 50-minute cardio and resistance workout themed classes and shadow boxing. Boombox’s The Blueprint Blog announcement replicas Jay-Z’s sixth studio album The Blueprint album. Check out their Boombox Mixtape playlist during your set.
Sidebarre, Washington, DC
DC’s Sidebarre is ran by three black female instructors trained in ballet and helps barre babes tone and sculpt their body in all the right places while breaking a sweat. If you’re looking to tone muscles, gain flexibility, and burn calories, stop by Sidebarre studio.