There’s approximately three months—or 65 days to be exact—until the official start of summer: is your body beach-ready? Let’s be real: ours aren’t either, but with the myriad of fitness studios and classes that have sprung up around town over the past few months, there’s no better time to up your fitness regimen and have some fun while you’re at it.

And because we know you’re busy people, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to test-drive some of Vancouver’s most buzzed-about new workouts, so you can take your pick of the litter. From rock climbing to yoga barre to the city’s first mini-trampoline class, here are six new workouts to try as we count down to summer.

Pure Barre at Pure Barre, 1907 West 4th Avenue

“If you’re looking for an easy way out, you will be sorely disappointed after your first Pure Barre class,” reads the website for Pure Barre, a Michigan-born chain of barre studios which recently opened its first Vancouver location in—where else?—Kitsilano. We’re not sure if the pun was intended, but we’ll commend the company’s copywriters for telling it like it is. The high-intensity workout borrows techniques from the art of ballet—think minimal movements, pliés, and adjusted pirouettes—for a stronger core and long, lean muscles. Barre even has a language of its own (you’re often asked to “tuck”, which is a small pelvic thrust that engages the abs) and once you’re familiar with the lingo, you’re able to better isolate those tiny muscle groups. Expect to leave feeling accomplished, rejuvenated, and—if you’re lucky—only somewhat sore.   

Single classes are $25 and class packages start at $110. For more information about Pure Barre, click here.

> Lucy Lau

Mini-tramp at Seacity Fitness, 102–1500 Howe Street

Personal trampolines, a killer view of Vancouver’s waterfront, and a heart-pumping playlist of electronic and Top-40 hits: if the city’s first “mini-tramp” class sounds awesome, it’s because, well, it is. But a high score on the fun-o-metre doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. Be prepared to work during the low-impact one-hour session, where alternating cardio and strength-building exercises that target arms, abs, and legs will leave you dripping with sweat. Your mini-trampoline serves as your prop throughout, acting as a spring, a base for push-ups and planks, and a surprisingly comfy mat for crunches. It takes a little while to get comfortable with the tramp—this isn’t the massive, safety-netted version your childhood BFF Cindy had in her backyard—but by the second set of cardio, you should be bouncing higher than ever.

Drop-in classes are $24 and class packages start at $110. For a limited time, Seacity is also offering new clients a free one-week pass as part of its grand opening. For more information about Seacity Fitness, click here.

> LL

Rock climbing at The Aviary at UBC, 2206–6133 University Boulevard

It’s not often that you find a high-quality rock climbing wall inside a university. So when you find out that it’s also open to the public, you ditch your half-priced movie nights and head over for a great upper-body workout sesh. Located inside UBC’s The Nest—the university’s new student building—the Aviary is a 43-foot high climbing wall suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers. Decked out in colourful holds and routes, this climbing wall is the place to get your arms in shape for the summer. Pricing and membership is affordable, so you won’t need to worry about giving up your weekly cheat meals. Those who reach the top of the wall will be treated with panoramic views of mountaintops and the gorgeous campus via the floor-to-ceiling windows. Scared of heights? Just don’t look down.

Day passes are $10 and monthly passes start at $25, not including rented equipment. For more information about rock climbing at the Aviary, click here.

> Tammy Kwan

Ballet Fit at Ballet Lounge, 1340 Granville Street

Shiny black flooring, house music, and a florescent colour-changing ballet barre—this isn’t your traditional, pink tutu–packed ballet studio. Ballet Lounge is a newly opened dance and fitness studio that specializes in adult ballet classes. Its signature class is Ballet Fit: an aerobic-style workout that incorporates classical ballet moves to tone your entire body. Offered at four different levels, the session will teach you how to plié, balance on your tiptoes, and jump ballerina-style to the beats of EDM. You’ll also be working your core muscles and testing your flexibility, but don’t worry: the motivating and bubbly instructors should keep you from losing focus or balance. The class ends with a relaxing stretch that’s just long enough for you to regain composure and realize how much you’ve actually sweat. That’s when you know you’ve had a good workout. 

Drop-in classes start at $15 and monthly packages start at $120. For more information about Ballet Lounge, click here.

> TK

Yoga Barre at Body Balance, 555 Howe Street

Yogis looking to spice up their workout plan but not willing to give up downward dog needn’t look further than Body Balance. The recently opened barre studio offers hybrid versions of the classic barre workout, including Yoga Barre, which balances isolated muscle movements with long, soothing stretches. A mix of planks, lunges, and plié squats will work your entire body from head to toe, while a variety of poses like the child’s, cobra, or half-tortoise serve as breaks just when you feel like you can’t go any longer—before the process is repeated again, of course. The result? A feel-good burn, lengthened muscles, and increased flexibility. The best part of the class is that it’s only 45 minutes long—ideal for the 9-to-5er, who can stop in for a sesh before or after work, or even during lunch.

Single classes are $25 and class packages start at $175. Body Balance also offers new clients a 2-for-1 class deal for $25 and an unlimited 30-day deal for $80. For more information about Body Balance, click here.

The MELT Method at The Dailey Method, 1735 West 4th Avenue

The MELT method at Kitsilano’s first barre studio, The Dailey Method, may not be a workout per se, but it’s a welcome change of pace following multiple spinning, running, and squatting sessions—or after days of sitting stationary at your desk. The class taps into your body’s neurofascial system (the network of nervous and connective tissues) through a combination of stretches using mats and soft rollers. We tested MELT the day after a particularly gruelling barre class and found the stress previously placed on our muscles—ones we didn’t even know we had—being slowly undone with each calming position. Close your eyes and let the comforting calls of your instructor lead the way: the result is rehydrated muscles and, over time, reduced chronic pain and improved sleep, posture, and digestion.

Single classes are $30 and class packages start at $110. The Dailey Method also offers new clients an unlimited 30-day deal for $74. For more information about The Dailey Method, click here.

> LL