4 Charlotte fitness classes that actually make me excited to work out
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Scenes from The Club's most recent PULSE pop-up at Trio Nightclub. Photo: McKenzie Rankin
Charlotte's fitness scene has become a major flex.
Why it matters: The era of massive gym chains (where canceling your contract feels like a workout itself) is giving way to fresh ways to move, from affordable Pilates and celebrity-backed studios to bilingual yoga and workouts that double as a night out.
Here are four workouts I've tried recently that show just how much fun fitness culture in Charlotte has become.
The Spot Pilates
The intrigue: Pilates often feels exclusive with pricey memberships and luxury studios.
- But The Spot, which was founded by Lexy Amaral and offers beat-based mat Pilates, is making the workout more accessible with $12 drop-in classes every Tuesday.
- Other rates are still lower than most studios: standard drop-ins are $15 ($10 virtual), class packs are 5 for $40, and unlimited monthly is $80.
If you go: Classes are taught at Functional Fit in South End at 2935 Griffith St.
The ultimate guide to Charlotte Pilates studios
The Club's pop-ups
The intrigue: Part co-working space, part fitness studio, The Club's model is already unique. But recently, the South End wellness hub has teamed up with Trio, the EDM nightclub across the street, to host cycle and sculpt classes under the dance floor lights.
- And yes, there's a live DJ during class.
If you go: Pop-ups are once a month. The next two are Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6pm and 7 pm — both cycle classes.
Bilingual fitness classes
The intrigue: Imagine moving through a yoga flow while the instructor switches between Spanish and English. That's exactly what South End Spanish Club is bringing with its new bilingual workout classes.
- I took a Spanglish sculpt class during their Muévete Mornings wellness party in September, which also featured a Spanglish yoga flow. It was both exercise for my mind and body.
What's next: South End Spanish Club will host a Spanglish yoga class at Sumaq Coffee on Nov. 8. The time and price aren't set yet, but more wellness events are planned for 2026.
Read more about South End Spanish Club
Pvolve
The intrigue: Pvolve is a women's fitness brand backed by Jennifer Aniston, and it's opening its first North Carolina studio in Dilworth this December. (The closest one right now is in Columbia, S.C.).
- The brand builds its workouts around clinical research on women's health. Think functional exercises and resistance-based equipment, and they show up in nearly every class — which are no joke, by the way.
What's next: The studio has been hosting pop-up classes around Charlotte to build buzz. Keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming events.
Stop by: Once open, find the studio at 1701 East Blvd.