Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

10 of Our Favorite Fitness Studios in San Diego for 2024

Break a Sweat This Year at These State-of-the-Art Gyms

With the holiday season over, it’s time to get back into a regular workout routine, and if you’re looking for an inspiring new place to fall back in love with fitness, San Diego has plenty of options. Whether you’re looking to smash a personal record (PR), lose a few pounds or start training for your first half marathon, these San Diego gyms will help shake up tired routines. From puppy yoga and chic new-age studios to boutique gyms with expert-led classes, these gyms in San Diego will help make workouts a daily habit once and for all—not just for the new year.

 

Balanced Fitness & Health

Best San Diego Fitness Studios
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

With three locations across San Diego, including a new space in Little Italy, this boutique gym understands that fitness journeys look different for everyone. Balanced Fitness & Health’s all-inclusive membership model means access to unlimited classes and personal training, plus therapeutic post-workout amenities like the sauna and cold plunge, sleek showers and locker lounges. Another sign-up perk is a complimentary first assessment—whether members choose to work with a personal trainer who can provide tips on nutrition and proper form or pick and mix from elevated workouts on the high-tech Reax Run treadmills (which unexpectedly changes speed and incline levels to challenge balance and maximize muscular activation). Members can also push the sled around on the turf or take group classes that span mat pilates and Zumba to the more high-intensity Sweat, Strength & Stability (S.S.S). Community is a big deal here, too, with weekend hikes and happy hours that allow members to get to know one another outside of their workouts.

Locations: Downtown, La Jolla, Little Italy

 

Fit Athletic Club

Best San Diego Fitness Studios
Credit: Fit Athletic Club

Fit opened its East Village flagship in 2008 but has since added three clubs to its lineup, including a Mission Beach stunner with ocean views from its outdoor turf cross-training area and an indoor pool. All locations feature state-of-the-art equipment, high-end locker rooms with a sauna and steam room and complimentary towel service. In Little Italy, members can relax in a dedicated lounge. Group fitness classes, including yoga and indoor cycling, all come with your membership, plus FitPerx, which can be used at 200 partner businesses.

Locations: East Village, Little Italy, Mission Beach + Carmel Mountain Ranch

 

Activate House

Best San Diego Fitness Studios
Credit: Carlos Frayre

High-energy spin (in the Disco Room!), sculpt, Pilates and yoga classes grace the schedule at this new-age gym in San Diego. With its chic styling and neutral color palette, the entire space feels welcoming and super serene—from the lobby where you can shop Activate House merch or grab a drink and workout studios to the spa-like changing rooms and showers. Monthly memberships range from $299 Unlimited All Access to a 10-class pack for $180 with perks like members’ only pop-ups, parties and collab events, plus early alerts on international retreats.

Location: North Park

 

SPARKCYCLE

Best San Diego Fitness Studios
Credit: Sparkcycle

Spin classes might have conquered the fitness world in the ‘80s and 90s, but they are still a hugely popular and productive way to burn calories and get in shape. Pumped-up playlists and high-energy instructors will keep you motivated and entertained at Sparkcycle, which blends cycling with weights, choreography and themed rides (like ‘Throwback Thursdays’ set to nostalgic music) across its classes. Charity events and challenges add an extra layer of fun to workouts. This San Diego gym fosters a sense of belonging among members, too, encouraging friendships that go beyond the spin room.

Locations: Liberty Station and La Jolla

 

Bay Wreath Co

This cute barre studio-meets-lifestyle space runs gently heated barre conditioning style classes inspired by the Lotte Berk Method and the owner’s dance background. Bring a pair of grip socks (also sold at the studio), wear pants that keep knees covered and expect to get the hang of things after about eight sessions. Practice weekly, and you’ll start to notice improved flexibility and isometric focus, among other benefits. Yoga, restorative flow, plus pre- and post-natal classes are offered too. Feeling inspired? Sign up for a National Barre Certification course.

Location: Bird Rock

 

Madhouse Dance

Specializing in dance cardio (no prior experience is required), this studio in Linda Vista offers a safe space to let loose and get into the groove with its Rated R Redroom dance fitness classes. For fun songs and easy-to-follow choreography, start by signing up for Dance Cardio (spice level: mild). For something more sexy and empowering, give Redroom Heels, Chair Choreography or the booty rockin’ Tweek & Tone a whirl and impress your S.O. with a private performance back home. New clients can try an unlimited week for $35.

Location: Linda Vista

 

SALT Hot Pilates

Stylish all-mat Pilates studio SALT runs musically driven classes (most heated by infrared to help increase flexibility and boost blood circulation) designed to help you sweat, strengthen and seamlessly flow for just 50 minutes. Traditionalists should stick to the unheated ZEST, and while weights, resistance bands, exercise balls, and the magic circle all feature in SPICE, for more of a HIIT workout with a Pilates spin, try SAVOR. The $120 autopay membership includes five sessions per month, but if you’re not quite ready to commit, nab a 10-pack for $250.

Locations: Bankers Hill and Flower Hill

 

Spirit Yoga Studios

Credit: Ginny Rose

Animal lovers looking to give back while landing on their mats should head to Spirit Yoga Studios, which hosts Puppy Yoga every other Saturday. After the 45-minute class, there are 15 minutes of playtime (and an opportunity to foster or adopt a pup—or kitten during the feline equivalent), with a portion of the $35 ticket donated to partner rescues. Regular classes here span barre workouts, too (from boot camp to “bounce” on mini trampolines), plus the chance to become an instructor with the studio’s 50-hour teacher training program.

Location: Pacific Beach

 

Ocean Pacific Gym + Wellness

Credit: Anastase Maragos

Train steps from the sand at Ocean Pacific Gym + Wellness, which features top-notch amenities from hot and cold plunges and an outdoor workout area with sea views to a glam station with Dyson styling tools. Membership options start from as little as $90 a month, allowing you to sweat it out with a HIIT session or relax the mind through meditation. Alongside staples like yoga and spin, the class schedule features Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu. There’s plenty of parking, too (over 300 spaces!), which is free for members with validation.

Location: Pacific Beach

 

Grove Pilates + Boutique

Pilates is guaranteed to create a better looking—and moving—body, so a series of Reformer workouts at chic studio Grove Pilates + Boutique might be more your speed. Classes range from beginner to advanced, with specialist workouts designed to target “buns and guns” and improve cardio. Single pilates classes cost $35, but you can save with a package or by signing up for a membership, the lowest of which is $169 a month for eight classes. Stocked with stylish workout apparel and accessories, the petite retail space at this Pilates studio in San Diego is another draw.

Location: Fallbrook

+ posts

Keri Bridgwater is a freelance writer covering travel and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Fodor’s Travel, Marie Claire, Matador Network and InsideHook, among other outlets and publications.

Photographer | Website | + posts

Trending

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

INTERESTS

Related Content

Azure Palm Hot Springs
Skip to content