In this new age of social distancing and shelter-in-place, the doors have closed to the Bay Area's favorite gyms, fitness centers, and yoga studios, leaving citizens with fewer means of getting in a creative workout. And yet, with health now top of mind, keeping up immunity is crucial, and exercise is key.
Good news: With a little motivation and good WiFi signal, we can all virtually stay moving at home, as an increasing number of top instructors and trainers, in the Bay Area and beyond, take their games online, streaming fitness classes, workshops, and more—no tricked-out home gym required.
"Moving is important, but the most important thing is connection," said restorative yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner Ranya Anabtawi, who is taking this shutdown as an opportunity to explore what is possible online, a thing she'd been meaning to do before COVID-19. She's also taking to heart that old adage, laughter is the best medicine, offering free "laughter yoga" classes through Zoom.
It "gets your heart rate up and makes you feel good," she writes on her Facebook page. "You're giving your body the endorphins you need to feel better instantly!"
Feel better instantly? Sign us up. Here are more online workouts you can do from your home.
Online Yoga Classes
Mark Morford's Zoom Yoga Classes
The San Francisco Chronicle columnist and hardcore yogi is locally famous for the devoted following that packs into this warm Vinyasa classes at the Castro Yoga Tree. While Morford has been offering multiple Zoom classes a week throughout the pandemic, he's taking a teaching break until mid July, so follow his Instagram for updates. // 9am Tues, Thurs, Sun; 4pm Weds; zoom.us
Yoga Garden
With multiple live classes daily including mindful flow, yoga sculpt, Vinyasa, Hatha, prenatal, and meditation, Yoga Garden's online offerings will please every yogi. Cue up your instructor's Spotify playlist and keep your camera on to receive verbal adjustments. // $35 livestream introductory membership or $15 per class, yogagardensf.com
Nicole Cronin's Yoga Flow Live on Instagram
"We are in this together. Let's keep our bodies moving, breath flowing, heart open and our minds clear," writes the yoga influencer on her Instagram. Take her virtual Vinyasa Flow classes via IG live or Zoom, or through The Pad Studios. You can also catch her teaching for Outdoor Yoga at Chrissy Field. // For more info on Cronin, go to nicolecroninyoga.com.
Yoga & Mat Pilates at The Pad Studios
Nicole Cronin is among the instructors offering daily live online classes at SF's The Pad Studios, where the offering includes mat pilates, vinyasa, yin, and even pre-natal yoga. If you can't make a live time, take a class on demand. You can also find The Pad Studio's instructors including Emily Posselius and Ashlee Johnson teaching class in person on the beach for Outdoor Yoga SF—use code THEPAD for 10% off. // Drop-ins $16; see the full schedule at register at thepadstudios.com.
Yoga Tree, the popular group of Bay Area yoga studios, shuttered its various locations on March 17th but is offering access to its online classes—with some available for free—through the online platform YogaWorks, which includes more than 60 studios nationwide. If you want, you can add a subscription to MyYogaWorks, which has a collection of 1,300 pre-recorded classes. If you're ready to get back in the studio (with a mask on), head to Larkspur Landing for multiple in person YogaWorks classes daily, held beneath an outdoor tent. // When you sign up for MyYogaWorks, you'll get your first two weeks free; for more info, go to myyogaworks.com.
Peacebank Yoga Studio
Community-grown instructors lead guided meditations from their own homes with this Redwood City–based studio. Join live-streamed specialized yoga classes including Vinyasa, stretch, mom and baby, and barre, or sign up for "happy hour" classes for no cost at all. Head to Redwood City's Wellesley Crescent Park and Mezes Park for daily outdoor classes if you miss live instruction. // $15 per online class, peacebankyoga.com
Ranya Anabtawi offers Empathic Yoga @ Home—live classes weekly including chair yoga, mindfulness meditation, empathic yoga, distance reiki, and laughter yoga, which engages the body through mimicking laughter. // $10-$25 suggested donation, go to facebook.com/RanyaAnabtawi, yogabyranya.com.
Karma Yoga
Get your pilates and yoga fix with Marina studio, Karma Yoga's live and on demand classes—with new offerings added each week. Crank up your heater for 45 or 60 minute full body hot pilates classes or strengthen your muscles with a rigorous flow during power yoga. // $30/month for digital membership (includes live and on demand classes) or $15 per livestream class, karmayogasf.com
This LGBTQ-owned San Francisco fitness business has taken their yoga loft and personal training studios online. They currently offer yoga, bootcamps, and alignment classes varying in length from 45 to 90 minutes with the first class free for new clients. // Classes start at $8/class, mx3fitness.com
Online Pilates + Barre Classes
The Bar Method
Access 15 to 60 minute classes online taught by instructors from around the country via The Bar Method's streaming platform, Bar Online. New to Bar Method? Sign up for two weeks of free online classes. // $55 for three months after trial, barmethod.com
While we're bummed to see Burn Pilates permanently close all studios mid pandemic, we're lucky to have Burn founder Lisa Corsello's endless online videos that can be done anytime, anywhere—and virtual live HIIT meets pilates hybrid classes taught by Burn instructors. On demand classes range from a three-minute exercise (a lunge, say) to a full hour-long workout with options including cardio, abs, total body, and mat pilates. Membership comes with access to past workouts as well as new workouts and playlists each week. // First three days of on demand classes are free, then $24.99/month; register at burnpilates.com
The stylish Union Square space for pilates, yoga, barre, and breathwork's digital studio offers live and on-demand classes and virtual private sessions. Pick from yoga, HIIT, and pilates classes ranging in length. // $80 per month, with 10% donated to SF Marin Food Bank; maidenlanestudios.com
Mighty Pilates
Prime and rejuvenate your immunity with dynamic daily workouts from the instructors at Mighty Pilates. Choose from 50 minute livestream classes on a mat including power pilates, abs and arm, pre-natal, and booty and core; plus stretch & strengthen and target & tone. No props required, though hand weights are recommended, or grab your wine bottles for Wine Wednesday class. Regulars to Mighty Pilates can use pre-purchased classes and packages, while newbies can purchase one-off at-home experiences. Itching to get back on the reformer? Mighty Pilate's Marin Country Mart studio now offers multiple socially-distanced rooftop reformer classes each day. // Online classes are $14/class or $59/5 classes, mightypilates.com
Move/With Studio
When pilates instructor Kelsey Wiedenhoefer left Maiden Lane Studios to open her own spot in the East Bay a few years back, 7x7's SF-based editors had a bit of a cry. Now we can all take her body-busting barre and pilates classes online (via Zoom) through MoveWith, which is offering a range of options including a single drop-in class ($12), a five-day all-access pass ($55), and 30-day digital studio on-demand ($80). // Get the full schedule and sign up at mindbodyonline.com; movewith.studio.
BODYROK
If you miss BODYROK's sweaty, ab burning reformer workouts, you can now take 40 minute, live workouts at home with your favorite San Francisco instructors. Grab slippery socks, towels, or paper plates for gliders and weights—wine bottles or cans also work just fine—and get ready to work your entire body. // $15 per class, bodyrok.com
Body Chemistry
In addition to mat pilates classes for every level, Body Chemistry's online offerings include barre, stretch and strengthen, and resistance classes, and are designed to recharge and strengthen your body and mind. Taught by trainers immersed in Joseph Pilates' method, classes can be taken live or at your convenience via on demand library. Additionally, bring your mat to Golden Gate Park's Little Rec Field for outdoor pilates classes taught by Body Chemistry founder Artemis Anderson. // $45 for 3 virtual sessions or on demand classes for $16, bundles available, bodychemistrystudio.com
Core40
Core40's Lagree-inspired 40 minute classes offered every day will keep you in tip-top shape while you wait to take in-studio Megaformer classes again. Find a slippery floor space and some makeshift gliders and get ready to sweat. If you can't make a live class, purchase past live workouts on demand. // $20 for live or on demand classes, core40.com
Online Sculpt + HIIT Classes
CorePower
CorePower presents as a yoga studio, but their famous sculpt classes are more like boot camp. Get your blood pumping with over 300 online classes with CorePower Yoga On Demand. // $20/month, corepoweryoga.com
Dryft
Yes, working out in Dryft's mobile gym with incredible waterfront views was a big part of its draw. But you can still join the company's virtual bodyweight classes (no equipment needed). Join a 30-minute group class for $10 (offered two to three times each day). On Saturdays, jsign up for IRL recess style fitness classes on Marina Green ($20).//dryftlive.com
By RB
San Francisco based Soul Cycle and Barry's trainer Rachael Brooke's beat-based, livestream Zoom workouts will simultaneously inspire you and push you to the limits. Sign up for her signature 30 or 45 minute cardio and strength workout—all you need is light weights or creative alternatives—or Push, a 30 minute dumbbell workout. // by-rb.com
The Boombox
Known for their intimate, six-person classes, The Boombox has gone virtual with 30 and 45 minute live classes (also available on demand after) including heart pumping, equipment free Cardio+Core; calorie burning, muscle building HIIT+Band; and Mobility, a muscle recovery class. You can even give the "Zoombox" a try on Saturdays with The Boombox's donation-based virtual workout. Plus, join The Boombox at Dolores Park, Kezar Stadium, and Lake Merritt for 50 minute outdoor bootcamp classes. // $20 for single virtual or outdoor bootcamp class, theboomboxstudio.com
Stream unlimited classes from studios around the globe including local hot spots like Salt SF, Bodyrok, and MNT Studios. Filter workouts by studio, class type, body focus, difficulty level, time, equipment and more. //Three-month gift certificates are currently on sale for $50, jetsweatfitness.com
Julie's Garage Gym
Fitness trainer Julie Sinner creates high-spirited workouts to keep you moving while you shelter-in-place. Access dozens of targeted exercises and free full-body workouts on her YouTube channel, check out her Instagram for summarized circuits, or for just $10 a month, receive multiple weekly videos ranging from full body to stretching. // juliesinner.com
P.volve
Are you serious about at-home workouts? P.volve wants to know. Stream more than 200 functional movement-based at-home workouts and create a customized plan to meet your goals. First two weeks are free, plus the cost of equipment (p.ball, light ankle weights, and 2lb hand weights recommended). // $20/month after trial, pvolve.com
Uforia Studios
Woman-owned Uforia is loved for its bumpin' hip hop and "Grit" dance-based HIIT workouts. They're taking their game online with an array of livestream classes daily. You can also sweat outdoors with Uforia a few days a week—head to the Marina Green for socially-distanced GRIT or dance classes or to the Nob Hill location's driveway for an outdoor Revolutions class on a bike. // Online classes cost $7/single class, $115/20-pack; uforiastudios.comBarry's Bootcamp
Pretend you're sweating in the Red Room with Barry's At-Home classes, taught by instructors live across Eastern, Central, and Pacific time zones. If you have a treadmill—take a class in Barry's signature Treadmill & Weights format, or choose from bodyweight, bands, and weights classes. You can also access free total body classes with instructors on Barry's Instagram. // Various class packs and memberships available, barrys.com
Ride
If you have a bike lying around, saddle up for Ride's virtual rhythm-based Zoom spin classes, filled with inspiring tunes and plenty of sprints and climbs. You can also sweat with Ride sans equipment with HIIT, conditioning, core, TRX, and power yoga classes. If Ride's live times don't work for you, stream classes at your convenience. // Free two day trial, then $39.99/month for on demand, orr $12 per single live class, rideoaklandcycling.com
Sweat
Join Sweat for multiple challenging, high energy bodyweight classes a day. If you can't make any of the 30 minute or hour long Zoom times, Sweat is also offering HIIT cardio or band workouts, sent straight to your inbox each day. Alternatively, meet Sweat instructors in Bushrod Park for outdoor 11 person bootcamp classes. // Various class packages available, sweatoften.com
Rumble
Throw punches during live Rumble TV classes, taught on Zoom by instructors from studios around the country. Choose from 45 minute long Boxing & Strength and Cardio & Strength classes with or without weights—and the occasional hour long workout or abs and arm class—filled with full body moves and music to keep you motivated throughout the intervals. Try classes with instructors for free on Rumble's Instagram. // $15 per class, doyourumble.com
Work your entire body with female-founded fitness boutique, SALT's sweaty hour-long HIIT classes, taught by studio instructors on Zoom. Or, visit the Panhandle for 45 minute long outdoor SALT classes. // Packages available online, saltisthecure.com
Meditation Classes Online
Within
San Francisco–based Within may have shuttered its IRL classes, but you can still connect with others through meditation—and just learn to meditate—with one their 28-day meditation challenges ($28), or join live classes online ($9/class, $29/unlimited month). // withinmeditation.com
Calm
Need some help winding down? Calm wants to zen you out and get some sleep. The app's entrancing tales and soothing sounds are bound to increase happiness, reduce anxiety, and improve performance sleep. // Free trial, calm.com
Headspace
Let the lilting voices of Headspace start you on your journey to mindful meditation. Meditate for as long or as little as you like. Choose from a variety of focus areas or none at all—and receive a new meditation each day. // First two weeks free, $70/year or $13/month; headspace.com
Anchor Meditation
Anchor's 30 minute live and on demand classes will help you relax, destress and find peace. Work on your breathwork, clear your chakras, or uplift your mindset with affirmations. // $40/month or $12/live class, anchormeditation.com
Many fitness and meditation centers are losing much of their income during this time. Your contributions can make a difference. Increase your good karma and make a donation to SF Buddhist Center or a donations-based studio like Yoga to the People.
