Summer’s Best Workouts: 10 New Classes Around the Globe

East River Pilates – Brooklyn, New York

In 2014, Australian transplant (and former dancer) Kimmy Kellum started hosting weekly community Pilates classes on her apartment roof overlooking the East River. Two years later, Kellum has moved her practice to a beautiful, sun-drenched loft-life studio in the heart of Williamsburg – and with her, a devoted following of models, artists, and Brooklyn cool kids, who flock to the space for a stress-free yet effective workout. In just 3 short weeks after opening, East River Pilates has already become the go-to fitness destination for its genuinely fun and feel-good classes, such as ‘Yoga + Core’, ‘Dance with Jules’, ‘Mat Pilates,’ and a classic ‘Reformer’ class. But this doesn’t mean you don’t break a sweat; the stress-free workouts will leave you pumped up and beach ready in no time.

BeCycle – Berlin, Germany

Located in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte neighborhood, BeCycle has become a one-stop shop for that morning-after detox when locals need it most. Housed in an old factory space, the newly renovated, two-story studio is divided into two parts: “Ride” and “Refine.” In the former, you’ll find state of the art spinning bikes, and in the latter, yoga blocks, rubber balls, and bands for mat and barre work. After class you can fraternize with your classmates at the communal tables or enjoy a smoothie at their plant-based café. But above all, BeCycle prides itself on its musical rotation of Berlin deep-house and electronic jams. Since many of the instructors are deejays by dusk, you’ll find yourself cycling or downward-dogging to the beats you heard at Berghain last night.

AKT In Motion – New York, New York

What started as a single studio on Manhattan’s Upper East side in 2013, has since expanded into four bustling locations (one in Connecticut) and a host of celebrities (cue: Shakira, Jessica Chastain, Emmy Rossum, Kelly Ripa, and Sarah Jessica Parker) who swear by fitness guru Anna Kaiser’s workout methods. When it comes to exercise, Kaiser’s mantra is simple: working out should never be boring. And her high-energy dance-cardio and core classes reflect just that. The 60-75 minute classes incorporate everything from resistance bands to plyometrics and weights, so you can have fun while you feel the burn. Her newly opened NoMad studio boasts floor to ceiling windows and bathrooms stocked with Sisley products for a post-workout beauty reward. Look out for models such as Karlie Kloss, one of Kaiser’s many regulars who show up for her newly-launched class, ‘Sweat Dream.’

Spokehaüs – Toronto, Canada

The newest addition to the Toronto fitness scene, Spokehaüs is Toronto’s answer to Soul Cycle with an emphasis on community (‘haus’). Since opening its doors in February 2016, the cycle house has attracted dozens of models and Canadian celebrities who want a low-impact, but high-intensity workout. Set to a soundtrack of pump-up beats, the series of choreographed movements give riders a full-body workout, that will strengthen, tone, and leave you feeling energized and refreshed for the rest of the day.

ChaiseFitness – New York, New York

Founded by former figure skater Lauren Piskin and her ballerina daughter Rachel, ChaiseFitness offers what its clients consider a bespoke experience with carefully choreographed cardio and pilates-inspired workouts to fine-tune and elongate the body. While they have thirteen different classes on offer, a few have gone cult, such as the ‘Reinvention Chair,’ ‘Cardio Chair,’ and their newly launched ‘Chaise Bands,’ a fusion of pilates, ballet, and aerobics – the only props being a resistance band and mat. Now, with four different locations throughout Manhattan (their newest one is in the Financial District, and they have a fifth opening in Madison, New Jersey this Fall) you can get Chaise-fit in the small group classes led by impressively knowledgeable instructors.

Playlist Yoga – Los Angeles, California

“Started from Savasana, now we’re here,” reads the florescent blue sign that greets guests when they first enter Playlist Yoga, the newest exercise studio to join Los Angeles’ vibrant work out scene. The West Hollywood zen den is known for their rotating circuit of deejays who man the decks playing pop, alt, and rock tunes throughout their 60-minute power vinyasa classes. The yoga sequences are renditions of traditional poses, performed at higher intensities to emphasize glutes and core – a toning method that has celebrities such as Jamie Chung, Poppy Delevingne, and Suki Waterhouse lining up.

G Box – New York, New York

Gotham Gym founder Rob Piela has built a reputation for shaping and toning the bodies of celebs such as Gigi Hadid, Josephine Skriver, Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper at his notoriously butt-kicking West Village boxing outpost. This month, the former pro boxer opened G-Box with nutrition company WellPath, a high intensity group boxing class held inside a boxing ring in a dramatic, stone-walled space. Piela designed the total body 60-minute workout, which combines boxing techniques, cardio and calisthenics.

Le Tigre – Paris, France

While Parisians aren’t known for athleisure outfits, and Paris isn’t exactly teeming fitness culture, Le Tigre is the French answer to working out. The all-in-one wellness mecca just opened its third studio in La Rive Gouche, and boasts classes such as yoga, pilates, meditation and personal training, as well as a massage parlor, vegan bar, and library lounge dedicated to wellness. Warm lighting and scented candles line the cozy studio floors, and the attentive staff works with clients to address any health and wellness issues. The studio has been touted as being a haven for serenity in an increasingly jittery city.

Fit Mode – Stockholm, Sweden

As Europe slowly finds its footing in the wide world of fitness, Scandanavia is suddenly particularly active. And when Fit Mode – located in the posh district of Östermalm in Stockholm center – opened earlier this year, it became a fitness destination. Their complete body workouts and personalized approach to fitness have struck a chord amongst fashion editors and top models, who flock to the studio for small group classes such as Barre Mode (a barre workout), BadAss (a HIIT workout), and X Mode (devoted to TRX bands), all set to a pulsating soundtrack of deep house and techno.

LEK Fit – Los Angeles, California

After working as an instructor with Tracy Anderson and Ballet Bodies, Lauren Kleban opened her namesake studio, LEKFit, in an unlikely location – her very own garage. Since 2014, the studio in Hancock Park has built a devoted following of entrepreneurs and entertainment industry types, such as Anine Bing and Busy Phillips. Her dance-inspired workout studio has three different class offerings: ‘Bounce Fit’ (her signature trampoline class), ‘Sculpt Fit’ (a ballet and yoga-inspired mat class) and ‘Fusion Fit,’ (a combination class). With five free streaming video workouts available, a subscription service coming this fall, and a West Hollywood pop-up Fusion Fit class coming in August, it’s safe to say her garage will be car-free for a while.