Roncesvalles Village, The Junction & Bloor West Village are replete with places to work out, spin, stretch & pound yourself into swimsuit-ready shape, but which is the best fit for you? Here is the lowdown on where you can get your sweat on in Toronto's west end…..

LA Fitness

You can often find me here Zumba’ing my way (hopefully!) to my fitness goals. This massive new addition to the LA Fitness chain is located at Keele, just north of Dundas, and has something for just about everyone. It’s not intimate, but has everything you would be looking for, long hours and it’s reasonably priced.

Orange Theory

Orange Theory is an international chain providing a one hour heart-rate-based interval training class with personal trainers overseeing the workout. The workout changes everyday and is supposed to create an afterburn for up to 36 hours.

Snap Fitness

Located in both Roncesvalles Village (on Roncesvalles, north of Fern) and The Junction (on Pacific, at Dundas), this bare bones gym is perfect for someone who doesn’t want the frills and wants to be able to go to the gym in the middle of the night if the motivation strikes them!

RPM Total Fitness

This specialized gym is located in The Junction and focuses mainly on spinning, gravity strength training and TRX suspension training.

System Fitness

This gym is located at the east end of Bloor West Village, just west of High Park. It provides a well-rounded gym experience and is conveniently located.

Bloor Street Fitness

Recognizable by the huge red boxing gloves outside their entrance on Dundas, just south of Bloor. This industrial-style gym has an emphasis on boxing and refers to itself as your ‘no-attitude’ neighbourhood gym.

Generate

This intimate, supportive, eco-friendly gym is located in Bloor West Village and provides a wide array of classes focusing on yoga, pilates, spinning, barre & TRX. No annual memberships are available, but you can purchase monthly passes which allow you to do 10, 20 or 40 classes per month. Services are dependent on which package you purchase.For those looking to slow down, stretch and rejuvenate in a calmer environment, there are a number of great options for you as well. Namaste!

Breathe Yoga Studio - 2968 Dundas St. W.
Moksha Yoga Bloor West - 2481A Bloor St. W.
Yoga Grove - 274 Jane Street

Can't find your favourite workout location on our list? Drop us a line and we will be happy to add it.

Best of luck to everyone on reaching your 2018 fitness goals!

I admit that I've spent many an evening this winter on the couch crushing some Netflix series or scrolling through Insta with a glass of wine. Sigh. We just finished Ozark and are watching The Handmaid's Tale now. (Loving all of the scenes in The Handmaid's Tale that were filmed in Toronto!)

However, I'm feeling a little guilty about all of the screen time and want to get out and do some activities this winter and perhaps learn something too. I've been looking around and here are some west end Toronto classes that seem like winners to me. Since part of my New Years resolutions & personal goals was to spend more money here 'at home' and focus on shopping locally to support local small business these classes work for me. Bonus that I can walk to all of them, get some exercise and learn some great skills all at the same time. Here's what I'm planning on doing in the next two months.

The Cookery on Roncesvalles offers a huge variety of classes for all ages. I'm particularly interested in trying out the Brasserie Lyonnaise & The Dinner in India. I need some inspiration for meals at this time of year and Pinterest can only take me so far. I love that she has classes for kids and does PA Day camps as well.

Although I have some experience on my trusty Kenmore sewing machine I'm interested in expanding my skills at The Sewing Junction this winter. I've always wanted to be able to do more with zippers so might be signing myself up for that workshop at least. The Sewing Junction offers classes from beginner to expert and the studio has a seriously cheery vibe that will be sure to take away your winter blues.

To really warm up I really want to try a cocktail class at my favourite spot Famous Last Words. These tend to sell out since it's such a great way to spend an evening with a friend or two. I'm thinking of trying Liquid Gold or The Roaring 20's. Or both, who am I kidding.

Did you know that the Toronto Library offers free classes in computer basics (photoshop/excel etc) , writers workshops, quilting & other crafts, financial planning, history and so much more. Check out your local branch and see if there is anything that interests you. The programming is quite extensive and I've never done a class but I just might try one this year.

From improv to writing, make-up to art, there are dozens of amazing classes offered for adults in Toronto each week. Narrow down what you have down on your personal goals for 2018 and find something fun and exciting to do. I'm sure I'll still watch some Netflix this winter but I will also get out a learn something new and have some laughs!

Where to work out in Toronto's west end!