Best of NoVA 2018
Leisure & Fitness
Looking for a good place to get your sweat on? From barre class to crossfit, here are your fellow Northern Virginians’ favorites.
Adult Rec League
FXA Sports
Team sports aren’t all about the children. Adults in Northern Virginia get in on a plethora of games through Fairfax Adult League. Running the gamut of more than 130 sports leagues, from soccer and flag football to sand volleyball and kickball, there is something for anyone to get involved with. Seriously, even the non-athletic have options: flip cup, cornhole, darts and shuffleboard. The league, the largest in Northern Virginia, has more than 39,000 participants that not only hit the field or court, they also get the added bonus of social events that happen throughout the year. –LN // fxasports.com
10K
Marine Corps Marathon
The main marathon may get all the attention, but the MCM10K is just as exciting to participate in. With a path through the nation’s capital and in Northern Virginia, runners get to take in the sites and the entertainment that is along the way. Throughout the entire course, musicians and artists will entertain to keep the spirits up, and the finish festival in downtown Rosslyn will host food, music giveaways and more. –LN // marinemarathon.com
Bike Path
W&OD Trail
You can really test your limits on this 44-mile bike path that is the most popular in all of Northern Virginia. With the option to hop on it in Loudoun, Fairfax and Arlington, it’s no surprise. Not only can you meander through urban cities and tree-covered paths, you can also jump off and indulge in all of the counties’ offerings as many restaurants and retail shops have popped up along the trail to make your journey a full-fledged experience. –LN // wodfriends.org
Public Park
Burke Lake Park
Burke Lake Park is an outdoor playground designed with almost every interest in mind. Bring your clubs and play some golf. Have little ones? There’s miniature golf too. Take to the water by boat for some fishing, or hike and bike on the 4.7-mile trail around the lake. Kids can take a trip on a train or go about on the carousel, and indulge in some ice cream at the on-site ice cream shop. You can even make a weekend out of it by camping. –LN // Fairfax; fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark
Barre Studio
Xtend Barre Old Town
Barre is the trending workout these days—who wouldn’t want the strength and lean muscles of a ballerina? At this Alexandria studio you get a full workout that not only teaches barre techniques, but also incorporates cardio and Pilates. You can choose from six different classes: traditional barre; Xtend Stick, using a spring-based resistant Pilates stick; Xtend Suspend, where you use suspension straps and your body weight for a total body workout; Barre Camp, which pushes you with extra cardio bursts; Yoga Flow; and Circuit 7, a high-energy class made up of 7-minute drills to really test your limits. –LN // 1701 Duke St., Alexandria; xtendbarre.com/studio/xtend-barre-old-town
Cycling Studio
Zengo Cycle Mosaic
At Zengo Cycle, you get a full-fledged workout set to high-octane music. Zengo studios are outfitted with Schwinn magnetic resistance bikes and stereo sound systems that pump in the tunes. During the cardio and strength training classes you work not only your legs but your core, obliques and triceps. –LN // 2905 District Ave., Fairfax; zengocycle.com
Yoga Studio
Pure Om Fairfax
Pure Om Fairfax, now part of the YogaWorks family, puts the focus on strength, flexibility, grace and health. The tranquil setting sets the mood for a mind and body workout in any of the classes, ranging from vinyasa and yin yoga to hot classes and Pilates work. Kid classes and weekend workshops also show up on the schedule. –LN // 3950 University Drive, Fairfax; yogaworks.com/location/fairfax
Boot Camp
Orangetheory Fitness Fairfax
For an hour, you get a workout that will push you to your limits and burn off 500-1,000 calories. You’ll use treadmills, indoor rowing machines, suspension training, weights and then hit the floor for some body exercises. Your heart rate will jump, and you’ll see it as everyone wears a heart rate monitor to ensure you are hitting your targets. The benefits go beyond the one-hour class; you’ll gain more calorie burn for 36 hours after your workout. –LN // 13063 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax; fairfax.orangetheoryfitness.com
Pilates Studio
Pilates Pro Works
Known as a go-to workout for many celebrities, Pilates is a low-impact regimen that keeps the body limber, lean and strong. Through classes geared toward beginners to pros, along with boot camps to really up your game on the machines, trainers at Pilates Pro Works push you to do your best in every session. Trying it out for the first time? Make sure to check their class schedule as they do hold some free classes. –LN // 1103 Queen St., Alexandria; pilatesproworks.com
Kickboxing Studio
Capital MMA & Elite Fitness
Though martial arts has been a practice for centuries, Capital MMA & Elite Fitness has been on the cutting edge of the mixed martial arts practice, teaching students the ultimate form of self-defense. But these centers are more than that. They offer Muay Thai boxing, jiu-jitsu and elite fitness training. The founders are the ones behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). –LN // Alexandria, Dulles, Fairfax and Lorton; capitalmma.com
Climbing Studio
Sportrock Climbing Center
Whether the sky is your limit when it comes to fitness training or just the enjoyment of the climb is your goal, Sportrock Climbing Centers allow you the space to get it done, no matter the weather. New to climbing? There are classes for beginners, groups and advance climbers looking to push a little further. There are also kids’ programs. And when the weather is warm, classes go outside to Great Falls or Carderock, Maryland. –LN // Alexandria and Sterling; sportrock.com
Crossfit Gym
Ballston Crossfit
By now, we all most likely know someone who does CrossFit. And we’ve heard them sing its praises. CrossFit is not just a high intensity workout, it has become a full-fledged community. At Ballston CrossFit you’ll have your fitness transformed by the highest caliber coaching team in Virginia and the Ballston CrossFit community will offer support and motivation throughout your fitness journey. –LN // 1110 N. Glebe Road, Arlington; ballstoncrossfit.com
Outdoor Fitness Class
Stroller Strong Moms
“S.L.A.M. | Sweat Like a Mother” is the tagline for this group started in 2014 by Kelli Berger, a mom who was looking for a way to bring fitness and community to local moms. Six days a week there are classes led by accredited instructors, and you can expect to perform a variety of exercises like strength and resistance training, yoga and endurance training. Of course strollers are welcome, but not required. Organized playgroups for the kids are held weekly as well as monthly moms’ night out events. –LN // Arlington, Alexandria and Vienna; strollerstrongmoms.com/dcarea
