I want to become more active, but I don’t really know where to start. Are there any fun fitness classes near apartments in Gainesville?

One of my favorite aspects of living in Gainesville is the abundance of things to do. Whether you're looking to grab a drink at a local brewery, get some work done in a quaint coffee shop or sweat out yesterday's happy hour on a run through Payne's Prairie, Gainesville is the ideal spot for students and young professionals alike. If you're looking to figuratively and literally become more active in the Gainesville community, here's where you should begin: 

Gyms + Fitness Centers

Many apartments in Gainesville are equipped with a fitness center and most of the time they're accessible 24/7. If your Gainesville apartment has one, then I would suggest taking full advantage of it since you're already (technically) paying for it in your rent. The same goes for those of you who are students at the University of Florida or Santa Fe College. Tuition prices are fixed with access to your campus' amenities which means an essentially free gym membership. However, I know seeing everyone and their mother at your campus gym isn't the most ideal scenario while you're trying to get your post-partying sweat on. I get it. Lucky for you, there are a ton of gyms throughout the 352 where you can purchase a monthly or annual membership (and avoid seeing your entire Good Life class while working out).

Fitness Classes

For those of you who are just getting your foot in the door of your fitness journey, getting involved with fitness classes near your Gainesville apartment is an ideal first step. Both University of Florida's and Santa Fe College's fitness centers offer fitness classes ranging from full-body high-intensity to beginner's level cycling. Additionally, there are a ton of studios in Gainesville that'll allow you to explore different forms of working out like hot yoga and barre. Here are some of my favorites (and most, if not all of them, offer student discounts!):

• Pure Barre: Queue nostalgia of my ballet days. This studio specializes in full-body barre workouts, that showcase high-intensity and low-impact movement to burn fat and tone your body.
• Yoga Pod: Suitable for everyone from beginner yogis to advanced, Yoga Pod focuses on reducing stress, building strength and increasing flexibility through yoga. I recommend taking a Sweat.Heat.Beatz. class if you're in the mood for some good music and loads of sweat.
• HotWorx: Quick and efficient – HotWorx features virtually instructed classes in infrared rooms (think of a sauna) that're a quick 15-30 minutes. But trust me, once you complete one of these classes, you'll be sweating like you've been lifting weights for two hours.

The Outdoors

Last but not least, I would suggest taking advantage of the one workout area that is virtually all Gainesville apartments have to offer: the outdoors. Going on a walk with my friends at Sweetwater Preserve is one of my favorite things to do on Sunday evenings. This 125-acre preserve is home to dozens of wild plants and animals if you're lucky you'll maybe even see a roaming horse or buffalo during your walk. Additionally, utilizing Depot park or UF's Plaza of the Americas for a relaxing yoga session is the perfect way to get your blood flowing and lungs full of clean air.