Austin City Limits Festival
I crossed off two life list concerts at ACL this year! Willie Nelson was a must-see because of his impact on the music industry. Mumford and Sons is one of my favorite bands, and it was so fun to see them live. I’m already hoping to see them again! Despite the crowds, dust, and after-ACL sickness, it was a fun weekend!

Changing the World
I love this thoughtful and tear-jerking piece by Thomas Davis, linebacker on the Carolina Panthers. It’s an eye-opening account of how he got to where he is today and how he’s making sure kids in his hometown have more opportunities than he did.

Happiness and Regret
This insightful interview with a cognitive psychologist gives findings about happiness and regret. It’s interesting that when you ask a young person what they regret, it’s something dumb they did like getting too drunk, but when you ask an older person in a nursing home, it’s something they never did, like visit a foreign country. So, as you live your life, think “what will I regret not doing?”

I also liked this line about happiness:
“The problem is we adapt to that [stuff we buy] really quickly, and so the stuff we have doesn’t make us happy for very long, whereas the experiences we have make us happy for a long time. And I think sometimes much of our happiness comes from the expectation, the experience and then remembering it later.”

A Letter to the Doctors and Nurses Who Cared for My Wife
Death is never an easy thing to endure, especially when it comes suddenly. The care of doctors and nurses is an impacting part of the process. So, this man wrote a letter to those who cared for his wife for seven days before she passed and who was a thankful source of comfort and understanding.

Thanks, Canada!
Only a few more days until the election season/nightmare is over! Canada made the USA a website and video telling us how great we are to help us endure it. What a great idea!

Lessons Learned While Traveling
This article features insight from nine people who quit their jobs to travel long-term. While I was expecting to read travel tips, I was surprised to find life lessons instead. From appreciating simplicity to finding your true self, these lessons are great reminders of how we can improve our lives, even if we don’t travel long-term.

Sweating at SoulCycle
My friend Michelle at the blog StyleBeacon hosted a workout session at the new SoulCycle in The Domain. Yes, SoulCycle has landed in Austin! This spin studio is popular on the east and west coasts and I can see why. It was a sweaty and energetic workout!

Advice from Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an incredible woman who has paved the way for many women with her hard work and independence. At 83 years old, she is a wise voice on the Supreme Court and in the media. Check out this piece she wrote for the New York Times. I’ll paraphrase one her life lessons: “tune out the haters!”

Enchanted Forest Baby Shower
My friend Corey was thrown an Enchanted Forest Baby Shower this month! Her friends did a terrific job at decorating the house, planning activities, and creating a snack spread. We can’t wait to celebrate baby boy’s arrival!

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Getting Sweaty at The Lab
My friend Amy organized a workout and tasting at The Lab, a new workout studio in downtown Austin. This place is swanky! I love that it has ALL types of classes that I love: cardio/boot camp style, cycling, pilates/barre, and yoga.

The rooftop yoga and cardio area at The Lab

The pilates/barre room at The Lab

Cool and thoughtful design around every corner at The Lab

We tried all four types with owner Beverly, and it was a sweaty morning! Afterwards, we enjoyed bites and drinks from The Honest Bar, their in-house juice and snack bar. If you’re in this area, I highly recommend making this place your workout studio!

Me, Kathy, and Amy enjoying The Honest Bar after all the sweat!

The Lab’s Inspiration Wall upstairs!

How to Speak More Respectfully About Global Cuisine

The result of a recent controversial Bon Appetit video has opened up the food community to discuss how to approach unfamiliar cuisines in a culturally sensitive way. The lesson is to stop, listen, and learn. Read these responses in the Austin Chronicle to open your mind.

On Jealousy
I think jealousy is naturally developed. As we grow older, we want to become better people and better at our skills, so it’s easy to see others who are already there and feel jealousy. Also, our society is driven by insecurities and it plays on our jealousy. I loved this post by Hannah Brencher because it speaks clearly to something we don’t know how to deal with or talk about in our lives. Jealousy doesn’t magically go away. Sometimes the process is long and hard, but with conscious decisions and showing more love than fear in actions, maybe we can get past jealousy.

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Starting in my college years, exercise has been an important part of my life because it makes me feel mentally and physically energized. Some days, it is so hard to find the energy to work out, but I always walk out of class glad I did the work. Getting older has made me more conscious about my health and reminded me that one hour a few times a week is a small price to pay for a healthier body and mind. I also find most work-outs fun, and I love the strength and confidence I get from working out. I’ve visited many studios in the 13 years I’ve lived in Austin, and I want to share my favorite workout studios in Austin to inspire you to try something new.

Before I get into my favorite studios, I want to explain a few of the workout types and what to expect. I’m no fitness expert but I enjoy working out and trying new types of workouts. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Yoga

I love yoga because it always seems to introduce me to new techniques and thoughts. Depending on the level of the class, the pace and types of positions vary. It has a strong focus on breathing, stretching, and postures. Yoga also asks you to be very present. Hot yoga is done in a heated room, which makes your muscles very warm and is said to increase your pulse rate and metabolism. It’s also very, very sweaty, so be sure to bring a towel. You’ll usually need to bring your own yoga mat or rent one for a fee at the studio.

Cycling/Spin

I have a love/hate relationship with cycling. It’s one of the hardest workouts for me but that also means it’s one of the most satisfying. You will definitely get sweaty and increase your heart rate. I’ve always experienced contagious energy and ambition in these classes, and the loud music usually helps with that. Many say it’s a dance party on a bike! For these classes, you’ll be able to rent spin shoes (usually $2-3 each class) that clip into the bike. Some studios will have monitors on your bike to show your power (watts) and speed (RPM) to guide you to your best workout.

Pilates

To tone the body, pilates is a great exercise. You’ll have your own machine or a variety of tools such as a ball or strap if you are on a mat. This exercise helps with flexibility, strength, and posture. Get ready to work out muscles you don’t usually work out! It’s all about the micro-movements and isolation to tone specific muscles.

Barre

Barre workouts are very similar to pilates and use the addition of a ballet barre to help balance as you strengthen your body. Most of the focus is on your legs and core. You’ll experience shaky legs as you work but feel the burn and ride it out!

Rowing

I didn’t know rowing classes existed until recently, and I love them! You learn one series of motions and vary it by speed and strength throughout the workout. It’s a fun and competitive workout. You’ll have a monitor on your machine that shows your power (watts) and speed (RPM), and your instructor will tell you what numbers to aim for. You’ll also use the monitor when rowing for distance (ie. countdown from 200 meters) or time (ie. countdown from two minutes).

Boxing

With boxing, you’ll get a cardio workout and learn specific moves. As a beginner, you’ll practice with and without boxing gloves and repeat the same combinations of moves. It might sound easy but it involves a lot of mind work and you’ll find specific and unexpected muscles sore the next day!

Strength Training

This type of workout has many variations but I categorize it as activities that raise your heart rate very quickly and make you sweaty without many machines, like a bike. You are likely to use dumbbells and sandbags of your weight preference. These can involve high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which includes doing a series of exercises. For example, you may be asked to do a routine of 50 jumping jacks, 10 box jumps, and a quarter-mile run three times in a row in a set amount of time or as many reps as you can of an exercise in 30-second intervals.

While many of the studios below have similar offerings, it’s important to find a place(s) where you feel comfortable and physically challenged. Budget-wise, I’ve included each studio’s unlimited monthly rate (as of March 2020) and visit their websites to see additional rates and packages. Buying an unlimited class membership is beneficial if you are planning to take three or more classes per week.

Here are my favorite workout studios in Austin!

DEFINE Body and Mind
(cycling, barre, yoga)

DEFINE offers a variety of classes and I’ve enjoyed their Body (barre), Mind (yoga), and Revolution (cycling) classes. They also have Bounce (trampoline) classes. Their studios are always bustling with people so you’ll be sure to feel energized.

Locations: 809 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Pricing: $125 (first time) – $199 per month for unlimited classes

Todd Pilates
(pilates, barre)

I’ve taken many classes with THE Todd of Todd Pilates and I love his energy. The instructors are excellent at explaining positions and the work-outs and music will get you energized. While the moves are technical, the workouts are definitely doable. The studio provides everything from the mat to weights so you only need to bring yourself and a water bottle.

Locations (three): 4032 S. Lamar #700, Austin, TX 78704; 9029 Research Blvd Ste 200, Austin, TX 78758; 2000 S. IH 35 Ste M1, Round Rock, TX 78681
Pricing: $50 (first time) or $95 a month for unlimited classes

Ro Fitness
(rowing)

I visited Ro Fitness because someone highly recommended it. I tried it once and I loved it. It is a challenging and fun full-body workout that provides variety through varying time, distance, and speed. I’ve only visited the Tarrytown location, though I hear the downtown location will provide you with a workout with a lake view.

Locations: 74 Trinity St., Austin, TX 78701 and 2425 Exposition Blvd Suite E-1, Austin, TX 78703
Pricing: $150 per month for unlimited classes

CorePower Yoga
(yoga)

CorePower is a yoga-based workout that pushes you beyond the stretching that yoga offers. You’ll be moving a little faster in these classes and may even go into more challenging positions, depending on the level of the class you choose. The rooms are also heated, so get ready to sweat.

Location: 4616 Triangle Avenue, Suites 201 & 202, Austin, TX 78751; 801 W. 5th Street, Retail Unit I, Austin, TX 78703; 3210 Esperanza Crossing, Suite 116, Austin, TX 78758
Pricing: Free intro week; $169 per month for unlimited classes; $199 for a 10-class package

Camp Gladiator
(strength training)

Camp Gladiator is a boot camp that has locations all around town and you can go to as many classes as you like. It is not specifically a studio though they do have classes at their Camp Gladiator Arena. Having done Camp Gladiator for about a year in the past, I would recommend it if your fitness goal is cardio. It’s also a great workout for exercise beginners. I’ve always found the instructors and fellow campers motivating and encouraging. Each camp is a cycle of four weeks that focuses on a different skill each week.

Location: Multiple locations, see website
Pricing: $189 per 4-week camp; $129 for consecutive camps; $69 per month for a 12-month contract

Black Swan Yoga
(yoga, strength training)

Black Swan Yoga is a donation-based ($10-15 per class) yoga studio. The studio is heated so you will get sweaty! I’ve always had a good focus in these yoga classes even though I’m dripping with sweat. If you’re new, try the Beginner or Flow classes. You can see example videos of all their classes on their website. I haven’t tried them yet, but their Hot Onnit classes are strength and conditioning classes.

Locations: 403 Orchard St, Austin TX 78703; 4534 Westgate Blvd, Austin TX 78745; 12636 Research Blvd, Austin TX 78759
Pricing: Donate what you want or enroll in their $88 per month membership

MOD Fitness
(pilates, barre)

I took MOD Fitness classes for a month and liked the toning it gave me. You have your choice of barre, burn, and options in between. Most of the classes are fast-paced and you’ll definitely feel the burn in your legs, core, and arms. The bright studios make it welcoming and energizing.

Locations: 406 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 and 2041 S. Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78704
Pricing: $99 intro month; $170 per month for unlimited classes

LOVE Cycling Studio
(cycling)

I love the energy of this cycling studio. Their instructors are enthusiastic and the music is fun. The lights in the studio add to the atmosphere and the choreography adds to the workout.

Location: 507 Pressler St #900, Austin, TX 78703
Pricing: Intro pack – 3 classes for $50; $210 for a 10-class package; other class and membership packages available

Dancers Shape
(pilates, barre, yoga, cycling)

Classes at Dancers Shape make me feel like a graceful, strong dancer, especially since many of the instructors and students are or once were dancers (or do a great job imitating them). I like the signature Shape class and it’s a great introduction to what they offer. It’s focused on technique and toning. Their cycling class is a great intro to indoor cycling. They have a wide variety of classes to fit your needs.

Locations: 5350 Burnet Rd. Suite 7, Austin, TX 78756
Pricing: $175 per month for unlimited classes

Conclusion

It’s always intimidating trying a new workout studio or workout. Thankfully, I’ve always found that instructors and staff are very supportive of new students and are happy to explain techniques and show you the ropes around the studio. Remember to show up 15 minutes early, work hard and have fun!

I’m always up for trying new workouts and studios. What is your favorite kind of workout? What are your favorite Austin workout studios?

P.S. Looking for more fitness studios? Check out my in-depth post about the best indoor cycling studios in Austin.

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