Boston’s Most Frequented Health Spots
Where do locals go when they’re looking for a steamy yoga class, a long run, or an afternoon in the park? By digging deep into the “check-in” app Foursquare, we rounded-up the most popular health and fitness spots in Boston.
Image via Back Bay Yoga Facebook.
This local Copley-area studio offers classes in hip hop yoga, vinyasa flow, alignment yoga, forrest yoga, and even deep relaxation. Back Bay Yoga is home to local yogi gurus like Goldie Kaufenberg and Cara Gilman.
2. Sweat and Soul Yoga
3. Karma Yoga Studio
4. South Boston Yoga
5. Prana Power Yoga
6. The Inner Space
7. Exhale Spa
8. Health Yoga Life
9. Bikram Yoga Back Bay
10. Boston Sports Club
Boston Common image via flickr/minuk.
Parks
1. Boston Common
When it comes to fitness, you’ll see everything from martial arts practices to bootcamp classes out on the Common. The largest and most central public park in Boston, this grassy haven has been a meeting place for hundreds of years.
2. Castle Island
3. The Esplanade
4. Arnold Arboretum
5. Gore Park
6. The Rose Kennedy Greenway
7. Christopher Columbus Park
8. Commonwealth Avenue Mall
9. Prospect Hill Park
10. Post Office Square
Image via Modern Pilates Training Facebook.
Pilates Studios
Located in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline, this studio focuses strictly on whipping you into shape with challenging Pilates moves. Lisa Johnson, the studio’s owner, has her own series of Pilates DVDs, and the instructors will cater any workout to your personal needs.
2. Salvatore Pilates
3. C2 Pilates
4. Boston Body Pilates
5. Studio 5 Pilates
6. Function and Form Pilates
7. Every Body Pilates
8. Fitlab
9. Firefly Yoga, Pilates and Suspension Training
10. Equinox
Boston Common Image via flickr/alansheaven.
1. Boston Common
Shockingly, the Common wins again when it comes to running routes. (But not according to this app.) Run to the Common, stretch, and run home. Or include the Common and the Public Garden in your normal loop.
2. The Esplanade
3. Marathon Sports Running Tours
4. Brookline Reservoir
5. Chinatown Gate
6. Bremen Street Park
7. Riverway
8. Jamaica Pond
9. Brighton Square Park
10. Wollaston Beach
Image via GymIt Facebook.
1. GymIt
This low-cost, hassle-free gym, which advertises with phrases like, “earn your mac ‘n cheese tonight” requires no contracts and no long term commitments. A membership will cost you $19 per month in Brookline or Watertown. The most popular location, according to Foursquare, is the Brookline location on Commonwealth Avenue.
2. BU Fitness & Recreation Center
3. Equinox
4. Boston Sports Club
5. Union Gym
6. Sports Club/ LA
7. Gold’s Gym
8. Healthworks Fitness Center
9. Cambridge Athletic Club
10. Beacon Hill Athletic Clubs
Image via CrossFit Fenway Facebook.
This CrossFit box boasts “millionaire results at bargain prices,” and has a reputation for being a tight-knit, community-driven place. Foursquare users love this box for its free trial workouts and top notch trainers.
2. Commonwealth CrossFit
3. CrossFit Southie
4. Craic CrossFit
5. CrossFit Somerville
6. Forever CrossFit
7. CrossFit Boston
8. Reebok CrossFit Back Bay
9. CrossFit Charlestown
10. Rugged CrossFit
Image via Clover Food Lab Facebook.
Healthy Food
Despite a recent salmonella outbreak, Foursquare users are still dedicated to Clover’s healthy, vegetarian food options. Try the chickpea fritter at one of the many Clover food trucks roving around the city, or stop by their brick and mortar locations.
2. Grasshopper
3. Fuel America
4. Yawkey Cafeteria
5. Kouzina Estiatorio
6. UFood Grill
7. b.good
8. South End Food Emporium
9. Wonder Cafe
10. Appetito
Photo via Brigham and Women’s Facebook.
Hospitals
1. Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Located in the Longwood neighborhood, this teaching and adult-care hospital is known for its great patient care and innovative research techniques.
2. Massachusetts General Hospital
3. Mount Auburn Hospital
4. Tufts Medical Center
5. New England Baptist Hospital
6. Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary
7. Boston Children’s Hospital
8. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
9. St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
10. Boston Medical Center
Charles River Image via flickr/marmaz.
1. Charles River Bike Path
This path takes you from the Museum of Science to Watertown Square, and there are few things more beautiful on a clear, summer day than a ride along the Charles. If you’re hosting an out-of-towner, this is a great way for them to see the city.
2. Grove-Cedar Bike Path
3. Minuteman Bike Path Extension
4. Horn Pond Bike Path
5. Bike Path Garden
6. Southwest Corridor Park – J.P.
7. Peabody Bike Path
8. Natick Mall Bike Path
9. Fort Washington Park
10. Arsenal Park
