Best of Boston Wellness 2016
Best Adult Sports League
Social Boston Sports
Bored with summer softball? Too many bros in kickball? Sure, Social Boston has basketball, soccer, and flag football. But there’s also broomball, inner-tube water polo (really), and skee-ball. Teams are coed and open to all ages. The league also hosts one-off events for commitment-phobes.
Best Barre Studio
Xtend Barre
It might be 6:30 a.m. on a dreary Tuesday morning, but the staff at Xtend are all smiles, laughter, and encouragement.The positivity doesn’t stop at the barre; even as you pulse, squat, and tap your way toward a quivering mass of muscle, the instructors cajole instead of scold.
338 Newbury St., Boston, 617-351-6970, xtendbarre.com.
Best Boot-camp Class
Barry’s Bootcamp
This is the most intense workout we’ve unearthed. The only sound louder than the whir of treadmills was our panting as we sprinted on a 12 percent incline for one minute straight. Barry’s will leave you sweating, shaking, and planning your next masochistic workout.
30 Chauncy St., Boston, 857-350-4019, barrysbootcamp.com.
Best Boxing Gym
Peter Welch’s
Professional fighters train at this bare-bones Southie warehouse/ring, but amateurs can also take the signature Fighter Conditioning class, which combines boxing training with drills like squat thrusts, suicides, and pushups. No frills here (and they’re proud of it), but plenty of payoff. Plenty of classes, too, starting at 5:15 a.m.
371 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, 617-269-4641, peterwelchsgym.com.
Best Cardio Dance Class
BollyX
Massachusetts has introduced many greats to the world: marshmallow Fluff, Facebook, the Ponzi scheme. Add BollyX to that list. Launched here in 2013, the cardio dance class mixes popular music with Bollywood tunes and choreography (no prior dance experience required). It has since grown into a national brand.
The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; and other locations; bollyx.com.
Best Chiropractor and Acupuncture Center
Momentum Healthcare
Ever-soothing Jessica Molleur is the big draw here. The Back Bay acupuncturist and herbalist moved her popular OMBE practice to this center last month, bringing along a loyal following (she’s known for her uncanny magic with fertility woes). Chiropractor Jean Kelly—who’s cracked Olympic athletes and members of the Boston Ballet into shape—is just down the hall, so it’s a one-stop tune-up.
575 Boylston St., Boston, 617-266-6810, momentumboston.com.
Best CrossFit Studio
CrossFit Lando
The new air-conditioned Canal Park outpost of Woburn’s CrossFit Lando is super-luxe, with towel service, pristine locker rooms, and coffee. Members love the coaching staff, too, especially head coach Stacey Kroon, who has placed in the prestigious CrossFit Games multiple times.
2 Canal Park, Cambridge, crossfitlando.com.
Best Cycling Studio
Flywheel Sports
Yes, there is an overabundance of indoor cycling studios in the city. But what sets Flywheel apart are those tricked-out bikes. An electronic screen gives exact readings on resistance and RPM, unlike at most other studios, where you never really know your stats during those sprints and climbs. Clip-in shoe rental is complimentary, too.
Prudential Center, Boston, 617-300-0388, boston.flywheelsports.com.
Best Dietitian
Kate Scarlata
Medway-based Kate Scarlata specializes in remedying often debilitating, underdiagnosed issues like irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and gut disorders. Scarlata is also an expert on low-FODMAP diets, which steer followers away from hard-to-digest carbohydrates.
4 Lincoln St., Medway, 508-533-0800, katescarlata.com.
Best Gym
The Club by George Foreman III
George “Monk” Foreman III learned a lot about boxing from his dad, two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, then he coupled his old-school training with high-end amenities to create a luxury gym. Yep, you’ll find cardio equipment and free weights here. But you’ll also find proprietary boxing classes in the space’s two rings, and 15,000 square feet for indoor cycling and yoga.
15 Channel Center St., Boston, 857-250-4140, everybodyfights.com.
Best Boutique Gym
Burn Fitness
This South End powerhouse hosts more niche classes than many larger gyms, manna for the indecisive athlete. Rowing, Broga, Pilates fusion, kickboxing, TRX, and Tabata—they’re all here. We also go for the sparkling-clean basement locker rooms with showers.
547 Columbus Ave., Boston, burnfitboston.com.
Best Health App
Wellcoin
Wellcoin uses a time-tested strategy to encourage good behavior: bribery. By logging healthy activities—working out, eating right, walking the dog—users earn “Wellcoins” for tempting rewards, such as Whole Foods gift cards. Since the app is free, it’s a boost to your financial and physical health.
Available for iOS and Android.
Best Juice Bar
Jugos
One of the first juiceries to open before Boston reached peak saturation, Jugos endures thanks to its immense selection of made-to-order juices, boosts, smoothies, açaí bowls, and very tasty chia pudding. The Xochitl (“so-chill”)—a brew of kale, banana, dates, strawberries, and cashew milk—is one of the best green smoothies we’ve ever had. The lines confirm that we’re not the only ones who think so.
145 Dartmouth St., Boston, 617-418-9879, visitjugos.com.
Best mindfulness Coach
Kimber Green Therapies
Cognitive therapist Kimber Green doesn’t bill herself as a traditional life coach—the kind who loads up clients with lengthy lists and impossible goals. Instead, she uses mindful meditation, guided nature walks, and cognition to lead people to deeper awareness of both mind and body. Doesn’t hurt that she’s a massage therapist as well.
238 Bedford St., Lexington, 402-770-9257, kimbergreentherapies.com.
