Ok, we’ve all been there. We’ve all made a decision to start taking better care of our bodies (aka, exercise). If you’re already an athlete – no big deal. This is your life. For the rest of us, getting in the routine can be a complete struggle.

Day one, things are great! But as the days go by, it gets harder and harder to keep up. Sometimes we need a community of people around us or a teacher or mentor to keep us going.

If you live in the Acadiana area, you’re in luck! There are several places to take an exercise class or receive personal training. Here are a few of our favorite local picks:

• If you want an exercise studio with a variety of different classes, Embody Zest! is the place to go. Their friendly, expert instructors teach pilates, a range of yoga classes, “zestercise,” and much more. You’ll also want to look into their Franklin Method classes – a unique combination of creative visualization, embodied anatomy, physical and mental exercises, and educational skills.

• You don’t have to be a ballerina to workout at a ballet barre! Pure Barre Lafayette‘s workout classes teach you how to use a ballet bar to burn fat, sculpt muscles, and create a long, lean physique. Classes range from basic to high-intensity and are available seven days a week.

• “Everybody was kung fu fightingggg.” Well, not exactly. But if martial arts is your thing, or something you want to get into, Gladiators Academy is your place. They teach modern martial arts for adults and children of all experience levels.

• Exercise is good for the body, and it’s good for the mind as well. Camelia House knows this better than anyone. This holistic healing space provides a place for healing, reflecting, and thriving. In addition to exercise classes like yoga and pilates, you can also receive acupuncture and wellness counseling.

• You can’t get a good workout in your favorite pair of jeans. Get the best fitness wear for exercise from Armada Athletic Apparel, a boutique selling all kinds of athletic clothing from shoes to sports bras to swim trunks. Stop by before your next workout!

• Soreness is to be expected when you’re getting in shape. One of the ways to recover from soreness is to get a deep tissue massage. At Balanced Gravity, the therapist will give you a massage using a special foot method. Even if soreness isn’t your issue, this unique ashiatsu massage will have you floating on cloud nine.

• Can’t decide what type of work out you want to get into? Or maybe you want to try multiple activities in one place? Red’s Gym is the place for you. They have a huge variety of fitness classes (cycling, strength training, boot camps, and more) and tons of facilities (like jogging tracks, pools, and sports courts). Almost any type of fitness interest you have you can take part in at Red’s!

Alright, get to work, people!