Tired Of The Gym? Unique Dance Fitness Classes Near You

Strengthen your core with Afro'Dance or get those dream abs with a ballet barre. The choice is yours!

Kyle Froman for Alvin Ailey

By Jasmine Grant · Updated October 23, 2020

The elliptical is tired, the treadmill is late and the Stairmaster can have several seats.

Point is, ain’t nobody got time for the same old stale workout. However, we know keeping your New Year’s fitness resolution is important to you. If you want to sweat off a few pounds this summer with some fun classes that make you forget you’re even working out, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to take a few classes taught by professional Alvin Ailey Dancers or shake it fast at a Twerkout session, there are a million and one ways to get fit your way.

Afro’Dance Ailey Extension

Build superb core strength by wining it up at Alvin Ailey’s Afro’Dance class. This historically Black dance company offers a wide selection of over 80 classes through their Ailey Extension program. Influenced by the rhythms and musical trends from the Congo, Ivory Coast, and Angola, Afro’Dance students will learn movement that blends African-based dance techniques with urban street styles. ESSENCE’s lifestyle editors have tried this class and trust us, you will love the kind of sweat you’ll work up here.

Kyle Froman for Alvin Ailey

Brukwine

Brukwine bills itself as “the ultimate waist winning, booty shaking, body toning workout.” The founders, Autavia Bailey and Tamara Marrow, are professional dancers who have toured and performed with the likes of Sean Paul, Rihanna and Diddy. You will be a lean, mean calorie-burning machine as you whine your waist to all the Dancehall hits. Seriously, be ready to sweat! You can easily burn over 1,000 calories each class! Currently, Brukwine has stationary classes in New York, Houston and Philly, though they often travel to host “pop up” classes.

brukwine.com

Fire Up Those Quads and Core With Pure Barre

Don’t let the ballet bar fool you…this Pure Barre will push your endurance to the max (but in the best possible way!) Pure Barre is a collection of 45-50 minute total body workouts. You’ll use the ballet Barre and other light equipment as you move through class, focusing on different areas of your body. Your muscles will shake. You’ll get stronger with each class. Best of all, Pure Barre has a national footprint. Check their website for a location near you!

Pure Barre

Put Some Bass In Your Workout With 305 Fitness

They didn’t get a five-star Yelp rating for nothing! With a live DJ, light show and high-intensity booty-poppin’ cardio, you can easily burn 900 calories in a single class with 305 Fitness. Get ready to sweat and be sore for days (that’s how you know you crushed it!). With classes capped at 18 people, you’ll have plenty of room to move and get a dope workout in. 305 Fitness is available in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Boston.

305 Fitness

0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%

00:00

Pump Camp By Aisha Francis

Celebrity choreographer Aisha Francis created Pump Camp for real women. Available in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco (with a national tour coming soon!) this leg-sculpting class will also help you learn how to balance and walk in heels, create sexy shapes and lines and whip your hair while making it look good. You’ll dig deep and find your sexy in this choreo-forward class.