New year, new you? OK, how about new year, new everything-not-2020? Fitness memberships are the way to go even if we all have to maneuver through a few pandemic-friendly workarounds. So, if you overindulged like the rest of us this holiday year (all right maybe since mid-March), and you’re looking to kickstart a nourishing year, we’ve rounded up the best spots to get your fitness back on track. (For real this time.)
Care·To Pilates caretopilates.com
A modern spacious pilates studio flooded with natural light, Care·To Pilates combines athletic pilates classes with a focus on control and alignment. The studio was built to create a full sensory experience and crafted to make you feel and look good. Owner/Founder Kerttu Veske says, “It truly feels like a day in a spa, but you will be leaving with a stronger body and clearer mind.”
Attend in-studio classes or private lessons as well as virtual private lessons and on-demand pilates videos. (For in-person classes, they offer nine reformers set up 6 feet apart.) Everybody has his or her own workout station and props that will not be shared.
An exciting recent addition is Care•To Pilates x GUEST, where virtual instructor classes are held with different trainers from all over the USA (New York, California, Texas, etc.). The guest instructor will be teaching remotely, while the Care·To community is in the studio connecting through a Zoom projector screen. This project was created to offer diversity to its community and support for fellow trainers.
Kerttu hails all the way from Estonia. Always searching for an easier way to explain how to pronounce her exotic name to Americans, she explains it’s like saying, “care to grab a coffee?” or “care to do pilates?” Hence the fun studio name.
Since the re-opening in June 2020, Veske started a project called Care·To Pilates x FRIENDS. Every month they collaborate with a local small business they admire and whose values they align with to offer support during the difficult times.
“Exercising is not just about physical health. It embodies mental and emotional well-being as well. More than ever, self-care is vital. In order to take care of others and the community around us, we have to take care of ourselves first. Needless to say, supporting small businesses is extremely important right now. We should support the businesses we want to keep having around,” Veske says.
Mecha mecha.com
Offering a variety of low-impact, high-intensity cardio and resistance (Lagree) classes, both online and in person, ideal for cross-training elite athletes to those who just want to look better naked.
Kondition Fitness konditionfitness.com
Pop in for an in-person class in studio (cycling, yoga, barre) or outside in its covered atrium for HIIT and strength classes. Wear layers to slip off as you warm up. You can also access all classes via live stream, but if you happen to miss one you’ve signed up for, don’t fret. You’ll receive a link to take the class anytime over the next three days.
Yoga Loft yogaloft.com
Hit up safe, in-person yoga sessions or opt in online for access to all live-stream classes and replays. Offering Avita, Kundalini and Yin yoga styles, Yoga Loft was voted Best Yoga Studio 2018 - 2020 by the Daily Camera!
Pat Guyton Pilates patguytonpilates.com
Pat Guyton Pilates Conservatory® customizes programs for all ages and levels of fitness. Start with a private lesson, improve functional movement and mobility. Learn how to transfer these skills to your daily life, improve athletic performance or even assist in rehabilitation.
Onus iV onusiv.com
When you’re done with your workout and need a little extra, fuel up at Onus iV to find the best wellness concoction that’s just right for you. Choose from post-workout recovery mixes to insomnia aids to wellness boosts. They offer blends of vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients such as NAD that are customized for particular needs.
Onus iV’s entire staff is made up of knowledgeable ER or ICU nurses, paramedics, firefighter paramedics and EMTs.
Recipes from Elana’s Pantry
Elanaspantry.com
Boulder-based food blogger Elana Amsterdam is the author of Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook, and Gluten-Free Cupcakes. All three cookbooks teach the ins-and-outs of paleo cooking and baking to everyone from beginners to advanced chefs. Here are two mouthwatering, healthy recipes to help tide you over this time of year.
Asparagus Basil Salad
Serves: 4-6
1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces, trim off fibrous ends
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 ripe avocado, cubed
1 cup sliced basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Steam asparagus for 5-7 minutes until fork tender.
Place asparagus, tomatoes, avocado, and basil in a large bowl.
Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Keto Chocolate Smoothie
Serves: 2
1 can full fat coconut milk (375 grams)
¼ cup egg white protein powder (20 grams)
2 tablespoons ground chia seeds (20 grams)
½ teaspoon vanilla stevia
⅓ cup chopped 85% dark chocolate (50 grams)
2-3 cups ice
Instructions
In a Vitamix, combine coconut milk, protein powder, chia, and stevia.
Blend in chocolate until smooth.
Blend in ice cubes until mixture is well combined.