Minneapolis-St. Paul's Best Gyms and Fitness Centers

Yoga Sanctuary

Yoga Sanctuary in South Minneapolis is a nonprofit studio with in-person and virtual yoga classes and workshops. The studio offers a variety of classes, including Vinyasa, Hatha, and restorative yoga. 

They even host classes outside at the Lake Harriet Rose Garden from May through September. Yoga Sanctuary strives to create a space for practicing yoga that is accessible, holistic, relational and compassionate. 

Performance Running Gym

Runners aren’t known for hitting the weight room, so Performance Running is a gym designed with their needs in mind — specialized equipment like Woodway treadmills, an incline treadmill, and a weight sled. The gym also offers classes like a stronger, faster boot camp designed to build muscles for running, improve performance, and reduce the risk of injury. 

Read our guide to running in Minnesota and hit our favorite trails.

Element Gym

Get into the ring at Element Gym in St. Paul, located within the YWCA Health & Fitness Center. Learn boxing fundamentals or build boxing-specific strength with the gym’s main programs. The “Elevate” program includes up to 10 classes per week for boxing, strength and cardio skills. Joining Element includes a YWCA membership, giving access to additional fitness resources and amenities. 

Highland Park Aquatic Center

Highland Park Aquatic Center in St. Paul has a lap swim pool with daily hours starting at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays. The 50-meter, eight-lane facility is open for the summer months and allows a maximum of four swimmers per lane. The center also has a water slide, splash pad, and other activities for kids with dedicated hours for young children.

Surge Cycling

Surge Cycling in Maple Grove describes itself as a rhythm-based cycling studio with a dark room, loud music, and lots of energy. The classes are designed for all fitness levels, and bikes can be used with normal gym shoes or specialized cycling shoes. 

There is also a strength class off the bike to build muscle from head to toe. The instructor-owned indoor cycling studio strives to offer a fun and effective workout to cultivate better health and a sense of belonging.

Solcana Fitness

Solcana Fitness is a queer, woman-owned gym that focuses on building strength in a supportive environment free of diet and weight-loss culture. The gym offers tailored programming, including classes like Fat Fitness — created by and for fat people — and Trans Strength, designed for individuals who self-identify as trans. The idea is to grow stronger and more resilient. 

The Cellar Gym

The Cellar Gym in Roseville offers mixed martial arts, fitness kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on four separate training floors. It also has a strength and conditioning room with weights and cardio equipment for well-rounded training. From putting on boxing gloves for the first time to competing in fights, The Cellar’s programs and facilities will help grow toward any fitness goals. 

Alotapilates

Alotapilates in St. Louis Park believes in the life-changing magic of Pilates, helping people move toward optimal health and well-being. The team of instructors is certified in Classical Pilates and leads both equipment-based and mat classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced Pilates students. The group classes are capped at five students, with private and duet sessions also available. 

YMCA of the North

YMCA of the North offers classes in cardio, strength, water exercise, dance, yoga, Pilates, and tai chi disciplines. More than 60 types of group exercise classes are included in a standard membership. There are always new options to mix up your workout routine, from Latin hip-hop dancing to group cycling. 

Classes start around 5 a.m. and run past 8 p.m., and dozens of locations are spread throughout the metro. 

Vertical Endeavors

Belay on at Vertical Endeavors' four locations in the Twin Cities. The climbing facilities have tens of thousands of feet of climbing surface and hundreds of routes. With consistent changes, first-time and experienced climbers will never grow bored with the routes. 

Vertical Endeavors has indoor and outdoor climbing lessons, youth programs and group events. The gym also offers yoga and fitness programming. 

Find out more about Minnesota's climbing community.

Life Time Fitness

Many of Life Time Fitness’ metro locations offer childcare and classes for kids aged 3 months through 11 years. Children can enjoy the Kids Academy for up to two hours, while parents use the rest of the gym’s facilities. 

Activities vary by club but include options like cardio dance, maze play, and kids’ yoga. Reservations are recommended. 

Los Campeones

Los Campeones has nine locations around the Twin Cities for those who take their fitness seriously. The gym appeals to a wide range of bodybuilders, powerlifters and strongman athletes, and describes its community as one built on intensity, discipline, and results. 

The gyms are full of free weights, machines, and barbells for both seasoned lifters and those just getting started. 

The Power House 

The Power House is a family-owned gym with two locations in St. Paul and St. Louis Park and a mission to provide results-based fitness services. The gym offers group classes in CrossFit, Hyrox, Olympic Lifting and strength. The Power House also publishes its own CrossFit workout-of-the-day program. 

Read more about staying active indoors throughout Minnesota.