Every January brings a wave of New Year’s resolutions — promises made at the stroke of midnight to do better over the next 12 months. And often, as you clean up confetti in a prosecco-induced haze on Jan. 1, you realize those vows included hitting the gym.
It’s 2024. Leave behind the old-fashioned notions of creating a fitness routine aimed at dropping 10 pounds or fitting into that old pair of jeans — in fact, throw that tired denim away entirely. Instead, find a workout regimen that inspires you to get stronger, feel healthier and, most importantly, keep coming back.
In Colorado, that’s an easier task to accomplish, with the state ranking as the most physically active in the U.S. The land of the Rocky Mountains lends itself to plenty of activities that get the blood pumping while — could it be? — having fun.
As one of The Denver Post’s fitness enthusiasts, you can often find me sweating over high-intensity interval training at my locally-owned home gym, PUSH Gym at 38 E. 5th Ave. But after Christmas, I decided to challenge myself by racking up 50 workouts, trying new activities in the process.
So, allow me to knock out the hardest part of getting started by recommending four of the most Colorado workouts, tested by yours truly.
1. Cycling
Colorado counts as the No. 6 state for bike friendliness. The League of American Bicyclists lists 23 communities, including Boulder and Fort Collins, as places where cyclists are welcome to roam. But since it’s cold and snowy right now, give a cycling — also referred to as spin — studio a try to mimic the hills and resistance of an actual ride.
My personal favorite: CYCLEBAR, an indoor cycling studio franchise with 15 locations statewide. The demographic at my location in Denver, 1230 W. 38th Ave., tends to skew younger and female. It’s a good choice if you’re competitive because, throughout the class, you’re vying for a spot on the leaderboard, with the bike keeping track of your speed, mileage and performance.
And if you’re an avid listener of Denver’s burgeoning EDM, or electronic dance music, fanbase, then the playlists will keep you moving (and headbanging) until you reach the final stretch.
For those who prefer a less aggressive atmosphere, StarCycle Denver at 1270 E. 17th Ave. offers an inclusive environment. Parents can take comfort in the fact that their children are playing feet away in the StarKids Play Lounge under the eyes of caretakers.
And the energy is still high, with coaches like Eli Niebuhr spurring you onward with motivational speeches.
2. Climbing
The mountains are calling, and we must go. Colorado is home to almost 60 14,000-foot peaks, along more than 600 “13ers.” Still, we’re months away from climbing season.
So, you’ve got plenty of time to warm up those limbs at rock climbing gyms, with my friend — a bouldering enthusiast — pointing to Movement RiNo, at 3201 Walnut St. in Denver, and Movement Englewood, at 1050 W. Hampden Ave., as his fan favorites.
I recently tried what I dubbed “the most Colorado workout class ever” at Studio CLMBR at 155 St. Paul St. in Denver’s Cherry Creek. The brand’s only brick-and-mortar location offers classes based around its CLMBR machine, best explained as a vertical climber. With lights flashing overhead and music booming, I felt like I was simulating a summit at a rave.
Would I do it again? The Magic 8 Ball says, “Outlook not so good.” But it was definitely an experience.
3. Running
Rain or shine, snow or sun, you’re likely to spot a runner sprinting through the Mile High City. Washington and Cheesman parks are prime locations to get those miles in, with the Cherry Creek Trail counting as another option (although I’ve cursed under my breath after dodging several cyclists who passed too close for my liking).
I’m a longtime follower of the Hey Girl Run Club, a women’s group that meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at Commons Park in Denver for a 30-minute run, walk or jog.
To mix up your cardio, try Orangetheory Fitness, a boutique fitness studio franchise with 30 locations in metro Denver. During COVID times, I lived across the street from a studio, and the workouts helped me push through the chaos of the pandemic.
Wearing a heart rate monitor, you keep track of the five heart rate zones that determine your fat and calorie burning as you cycle through bouts of running on the treadmill, plus strength training and rowing.
All of that training will have you ready in time for the Colfax Marathon on May 18 and 19. I’ll see you there!
4. Yoga
Whether you like it or not, the national consciousness often links Colorado to hippie counterculture. Another controversial truth: The hippies took yoga — an ancient spiritual practice tied to Hinduism — and Westernized it.
So, that raises questions on how to practice it ethically, without engaging in cultural appropriation. That can also mean making mindful choices about which studio to frequent.
With its mission to build a network of yoga teachers of color, Satya Yoga Cooperative offers BIPOC community classes at various locations, along with in-person weekend classes. In Five Points, Urban Sanctuary at 2745 Welton St. is a Black- and woman-owned yoga and wellness studio. On top of standard workout classes, it offers classes specifically for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and couples. And for bold practitioners, there’s even naked yoga.
Honorable Mention: Barre
I’ll admit that it took me a while to embrace the “Colorado casual” dress code when I first moved here. But slowly, I started to forget about the cocktail dresses gathering dust at the back of my closet, growing more comfortable by the day with my loungewear. Now, when I walk into a barre studio, I’m fully reminded that I’ve caved in to the state’s stereotype: Lululemon leggings and all.
Barre is a low-impact, high-intensity workout that combines elements of pilates, yoga and ballet. It’s ranked No. 7 in the top 10 most popular exercise classes in the U.S., falling below yoga, spin and others, according to fitness resource SET FOR SET.
And, no, that’s not as easy as it sounds, particularly because it focuses on different muscles than standard weight-lifting. In layman’s terms, you’ll wonder if you’ve ever worked these muscles in your lifetime during class.
My No. 1 choice for studios: Denver Barre Collective, a woman-led, Latino-owned business at 1553 Platte St. Tucked into a plaza off of Platte Street, you’ll spend 45 minutes to an hour putting in work, particularly if Melissa Farrar is your instructor. As she notably said during Wednesday’s class as we crunched our abs, “I want to see your belly button fall off.”
And in three locations across Denver, Pure Barre serves as a reliable option with consistent classes. Wrap some weights around your ankles and wrists, grab a ball to squeeze and enjoy.
