My favourite local gym, Iron North Studio in Hintonburg, just turned one year old. One year! I'm not a gym person AT ALL but co-owners Sam and Jenna (that's them down there) have built a place where even I feel comfortable and welcome. And I couldn't imagine the neighbourhood without it.
If you're like me and often find that gyms are unwelcoming, macho, judgey places, I hear you. My many failed memberships and wasted dollars at big fitness chains can attest to that. But Sam and Jenna have built a place you'll actually *want* to go to.
I'm there several times a week and I genuinely look forward to catching up with everyone. We know each other by name (both students and teachers), encourage each other in class, swap cat pictures and favourite pizza joints, and cross paths at Suzy Q and the neighbourhood LCBO. It's truly a community of awesome, supportive people; this ain't your usual gym.
Besides the welcoming community, what else can you expect when you step through the door at Iron North? Everything under one roof. There's a spinning studio (with bikes named Command and Crotch Rocket), cardio classes, weight training, and a beautiful yoga studio.
And on top of all the classes, there are additional boot camps, cycling clinics, run clubs, and more. Not to mention on-site massage therapy and acupuncture.
Want to dip your toe into Iron North? Read on!
free yoga all month long
Want to try Iron North for free? Well you can, because Sam and Jenna have been celebrating their first birthday with FREE yoga classes for the entire month of August. Yup, that's right: register for as many yoga classes as you like because they're all free through August 31. That means you've still got a full week to take advantage of free classes!
New to yoga? No prob. All their yoga classes are capped at just 9 people, so you can be sure you'll get plenty of attention and hands-on assists. Experienced yogi? Because of the small class size, Iron North's skilled teachers can provide plenty of modifications and enhancements to help you move deeper into your practice. I've been practicing for years and I'm still learning helpful new variations.
Hope to see you on the mat!
But that's not all. Cue the Van Halen because Iron North is...
OFF to panama
That's right! The north is heading south and you can go with them. Sam and Jenna have planned 7 days of surf, yoga, and sweat in beautiful Panama, coming up in February 2017.
The trip starts at $1740 per person and includes:
• 6 nights lodging of luxury accommodations at Sansara Surf and Yoga Resort in Cambutal, Panama
• Welcome drinks upon arrival
• 3 healthy balanced meals each day with local produce and fresh seafood
• Daily yoga practice and fitness class overlooking the Pacific Ocean
• 5 days of personalized surf instruction and board rentals
• Fresh fruit, local fair trade coffee, tea and filter-water available daily
• 1 Complimentary rental for Kayak or SUP
Also includes:
• Unlimited use of snorkel gear
• Complimentary bikes for exploring the area
• Beach bonfire evening
• Hypo-allergenic bedding and towels
• Organic spa products in every cabana
• Transportation from Sansara to Panama City
Space is extremely limited and currently there are just 7 spots left. I really wish I could go along so please some of you go for me?
And if you can't go along, come join me at Iron North. Let's sweat it out and swap cat pictures, k?