The best gyms in Boston

Equinox elevates the gym experience by offering cutting-edge signature fitness classes, expert personal trainers, upscale spas, and convenient on-site cafes and boutiques. In various Boston locations, you can enjoy the standard amenities along with unique features such as an indoor pool and a running lab in Chestnut Hill, or a rooftop training area in Copley Square.

In the case of this intense workout spot, seeing red is a good thing. Half treadmill, half strength training, workouts are held in all-red rooms bursting with energy. Workouts alternate anaerobic exercise to raise your metabolic rate and build lean muscle. With three locations in and around Boston, consider this an exercise in pushing your body to its limits. Stop at the Fuel Bar for a protein-packed gourmet shake to refuel.

Exhale combines fitness studio and spa in one location. In addition to top-of-the-line fitness equipment, there are classes such as barre, cardio, yoga, HIIT and cycling. Once your workout is complete, enjoy services like a massage, facial, mani/pedi or acupuncture, or simply unwind in the hammam, sauna or zen lounge.

Catering to fitness enthusiasts with a penchant for design, Republic Fitness provides stylish workout facilities and locker rooms seamlessly blending rustic and industrial elements. The state-of-the-art equipment ensures a top-notch experience, while a diverse range of classes, including boot camp, barre, TRX, yoga, cycling, and more, caters to various preferences. Premium amenities in the locker rooms add the finishing touch.

Started by George Foreman III, EverybodyFights goes beyond just the boxing ring and punching bags. Emulating a genuine boxer's training camp, this authentic fitness brand offers a variety of boxing-inspired group classes, including circuit training, ROAD treadmill sessions, MITTS technique classes, weights, and more. The recovery room emphasizes mindfulness, and trainers provide insight into the purpose behind each exercise. With multiple locations in the Boston area, the gym opens at 5 am, ensuring you can fit in your workout early.

Beyond being just a gym, the relative newcomer, the huge Life Time Fitness on the Northshore stands out. Spanning 120,000 square feet across three stories, it serves as a wellness haven, guiding you through various stages of your health journey. The facility boasts 400 pieces of cardio and resistance equipment, dedicated spaces for yoga, pilates, and spin classes, two basketball courts, as well as the amenities of LifeCafe and LifeSpa. Water lovers can indulge in hot tubs, cold water plunges, lap pools, and an extensive seasonal outdoor aquatic center featuring a leisure pool, water slides, cabanas, and a bistro. For parents, the onsite Kids Academy is also a dream come true.

Need to get a handle on your workout? With Stages bikes and QSC sound, the energy at The Handle Bar is high and the bass is bumping. Look for monthly twists to their signature Cycle ride, like past classes that have included HEAT with live DJs and a mega heated room or Rise & Rave, a coffee-driven glow stick adventure. Go the extra mile with Handle with Care, their non-profit that raises mental illness awareness. Joining their four other sites of this female-owned and operated business is the new Prudential location.

For women who prefer working out in an all-female environment, Healthworks is there, with several locations throughout the city. The gym has well-appointed facilities and offers personal training, nutrition coaching with a registered dietitian and group fitness classes that range from high intensity workouts to mind-body focused yoga classes. Daycare is offered as well to help out fitness-minded mommas.

This local chain of gyms prides itself on cultivating a friendly, neighborhood vibe where members are treated like regulars at a bar. A full range of group classes meet all fitness levels. Gyms feature state-of-the-art cardio equipment and weight machines. The original location, across the street from the TD Garden, includes Combat Sports Boston, an MMA academy where you can learn jiu-jitsu, grappling, striking, Muay Thai and judo.

For a no-frills but highly-effective workout option, Peter Welch’s Gym comes through with an old school attitude towards fitness. Friendly staff and a hands-on approach make this boxing gym welcoming for all ages and all fitness levels. From boxing instruction and conditioning classes to strength training and circuit workouts, this gym offers a no-nonsense path to building strength, stamina, agility and more, all in a community-focused environment.