With so many workout studios near the Vanderbilt campus, it can be hard to decide which one may be the best fit for you. Look no further: We compiled a review of workout classes within walking distance from Vanderbilt’s campus. We ranked classes from lowest to highest based on our experiences and also included prices and distance from campus so that you can find the workout class that best fits your needs and budget.
The Pilates Garage
Rating: 5/10
Distance from campus: 0.7 miles
Type of workout: Reformer Pilates
Beginner Discount: N/A
Drop-in Price: $35
The Pilates Garage is the most calming fitness class I have been to. Located in a small garage-type room in Hillsboro, The Pilates Garage offers a more personalized feel to your workout. Mirroring a more traditional Pilates workout, the classes focus on slow movements with controlled form. Light music in the background and the guidance of the instructors made the workout relaxing and easy to follow. Though lower intensity than other Pilates classes, The Pilates Garage offers an effective traditional Pilates class that is perfect after a long and exhausting day. I would recommend this class to anyone who is looking for a workout that is more focused on elongation and centering than sweating.
F45
Rating: 6/10
Distance from campus: 0.5 miles
Type of workout: HIIT
Beginner Discount: First class is free
Drop-in Price: $25
F45, located next to Oscar’s Tacos, is the most convenient for those living on main campus. The workout room is relatively empty with only workout equipment and TV monitors lining the walls. I went on a fast-circuit full-body workout day, where I spent around 45 seconds at each station and then repeated the circuit three times. However, I found myself getting overwhelmed — I was at each station for a short amount of time before having to get up and move again. The instructors and other members in my pod (group at each station) were very involved and would help with my form and transitioning which gave it a more personalized feel.
Shakti Power Yoga
Rating: 6/10
Distance from campus: 0.7 miles
Type of workout: Vinyasa Yoga (Heated)
Beginner Discount: N/A
Drop-in Price: $22
Shakti Power Yoga sits inside a quaint white and blue house with plenty of character. While the old studio was certainly charming, it also lent itself to certain challenges with spacing. The class I took was packed to the brim, and I virtually touched the people around me. I found the room also became sweatier and more smelly than a typical studio. Nonetheless, the workout was challenging and pushed my body and breathing. The movements of the workout itself were very similar to Fahrenheit; however, the vibe of the studio and customers differed. Shakti attracted a more earthy and spiritual group, whereas Fahrenheit was packed with sorority girls and trendy Nashville natives. By the end of the workout, I felt refreshed, exhausted and soothed all at once. I enjoyed the moves, and they were easy to modify and follow along with. This is an excellent class for yoga enthusiasts looking for a nearby, walkable studio with a cozy environment.
Orangetheory
Rating: 7/10
Distance from campus: 0.5 miles
Type of workout: HIIT
Beginner Discount: First class is free
Drop-in Price: $28
Orangetheory is the ideal workout for a competitive athlete. The typical workout is structured into three parts: treadmill, rowing machines and weighted strength training. Upon entry, I was given a wristband that tracked the distance moved, calories burned and unique heart rate. These wristbands indicate which of the five heart rate zones you are currently in during the workout. The “theory” is that you are meant to stay in the “orange zone” heart rate level for at least 12 minutes of the class in order to burn the most calories, boost metabolism and maximize the workout. The class was very fast-paced and the rowing machine was a new workout for me, making it a great opportunity to work on my cardio and endurance. Customers should be warned that the caloric data could be a bit triggering. At times it was overwhelming that your “ranking” in the class was displayed on a screen for all to see. But overall, it was a solid workout.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Rating: 9/10
Distance from campus: 1.5 miles
Type of workout: HIIT (Strength training & cardio)
Beginner Discount: First class for free and three classes for $30
Drop-in Price: $28
Barry’s was the class I was most intimidated to try, but it ended up being my favorite. The walk to the Gulch provides you with a good warm-up for one of the most intense workouts Nashville has to offer. The workout consists of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a treadmill for half the class and then floor workouts ranging from dumbbell exercises to bodyweight training. Music blasts throughout the famous Barry’s “Red Room,” giving an intensified feel, and these 50-minute classes leave you on the verge of exhaustion. Afterward, if you’re looking for something other than a 2301 smoothie, you can pre-order a protein smoothie for post-Barry’s fuel.
BodyRok – Gulch
Rating: 9/10
Distance from campus: 1.3 miles
Type of workout: Reformer Pilates
Beginner Discount: $20 first visit, $99 for five classes or $149 unlimited month of classes, 15% off for students
Drop-in Price: $35
Pilates can be an intimidating workout with its intricate machines, strange names of moves and complex body contortions. BodyRok was my first ever Pilates class, and it made me feel comfortable enough to jump right in, making it one of my favorite new workouts. The modern studio with pink and blue lighting was inviting, the music played during the class was upbeat and the instructors were friendly. The classes are divided each day of the week into different sections of the body with a quirky title: “Six Packs & Backs,” “Obliques and Cheeks,” “Buns and Guns” and several more. BodyRok’s version of Pilates focuses on precise muscular movements, and I left the class feeling sore and refreshed at the same time. My one critique is that the instructors rarely offer any corrections for the form, and it is hard to adjust if you are not familiar with the moves. BodyRok is ideal for those who love low-impact workouts, but still desire strength, toning, flexibility and tangible results.
Fahrenheit
Rating: 9.5/10
Distance from campus: 2.5 miles
Type of workout: Vinyasa Yoga (Heated)
Beginner Discount: $10 for 10 days of unlimited yoga (new students), 2 weeks for $79 (returning students)
Drop-in Price: $38
Not only is Fahrenheit a workout, it’s also a meditative and spiritual experience. The upstairs studio, with its broad windows looking over 12th Ave S was ethereal. The studio became even more soothing at night with its candlelit classes, calming instructors and cool lavender towels. The room was heated to a comfortable yet challenging level, which encourages you to sweat out your toxins and elevates the workout. Through a combination of stretches, Vinyasa sequences, inversions and movements, I left class feeling loose, recharged and stronger. The heat is essential for improving endurance and cardiovascular activity even though the workout itself is low impact. This class is conducive to beginners and even the best of yogis. Hot yoga may be particularly attractive to athletes for injury prevention and as a way to diversify workouts.
More workout discounts to check out
If you’re looking to kickstart your fitness journey or add some variety to your workout routine, there are several notable workout class deals to take advantage of. ClassPass gives you a free one-month trial to explore a wide range of workout classes. Additionally, notable classes with newcomer deals include CorePower Yoga, TITLE Boxing, Fit Factory and Cyclebar.
With plentiful discounts for students and first-time clients, there are many options available to make workouts fit into your lifestyle. In particular, we loved BodyRok for Pilates, Fahrenheit for Yoga and Barry’s for HIIT if you are looking for a particular style of workout. There are many different ways to exercise, so we recommend that you try out the class that best fits your fitness goals.
