20+ Charlotte spots offering social distance-friendly workouts right now

It’s been more than four months since Governor Cooper ordered gyms in North Carolina to close to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, and they’ll have to remain closed at least until September 11.

For some of us, that means it’s been four months since we did a yoga flow or picked up dumbbells. Luckily, if you’re looking to revamp your fitness routine, there are plenty of spots in Charlotte offering safe alternatives to indoor classes. Virtual and outdoor classes are allowed under phase 2 and have become the new normal as gyms and studios adapt to keep everyone safe. When you’re attending an in-person class, expect precautions like a mask requirement (typically whenever you’re actually exercising), six-foot spacing between participants, and sanitized equipment or a request to BYO.

Related Agenda article: 4 effective workouts you can do at home, from the pros at OrthoCarolina.

But as if social distancing, mask-wearing, and picking up weights for the first time in months wasn’t enough, exercising outside at this time of year can be super challenging.

Mary Jean McKinnon, PTA from OrthoCarolina, suggests using the warm weather as motivation to change up your routine and “enjoy the coolest time of day with a morning workout.” If you are working out in the heat, she said it’s important to wear sunscreen and seek out shade.

“Stay hydrated and ahead of your thirst. Drink water before, during, and after your workout,” said McKinnon. You should also be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion (like muscle cramps, nausea, and clammy skin) so you can take action if you or someone near you is experiencing them.

If you’re ready to get back in your group fitness routine, here are some Charlotte spots that are offering safe virtual/outdoor workouts right now.

Yoga/Pilates/Barre

Khali Yoga

Class options: Outdoor and online on-demand
Location: 1210 East 36th Street
Drop-in cost: $10, online is free
Details

Habitual Roots

Class options: Outdoor on the rooftop at Devil’s Logic Brewing
Location: 1426 East 4th Street
Drop-in cost: $10 (includes one Devil’s Logic drink of choice and donation to Habitual Root’s Nonprofit)
Details

Charlotte Yoga

Class options: Outdoor and online
Location: 1730 E Woodlawn Rd, Ste E
Drop-in cost: $20
Details

Hodges Family Farm

Class options: Outdoor
Location: 3900 Rocky River Rd
Drop-in cost: $10
Details

Inner Peaks

Class options: Outdoor and zoom yoga, outdoor circuit training
Location: 2220 S. Tryon St. and 10715 Independence Pointe Pkwy
Drop-in cost: $0-$25
Details

Noda Yoga

Class options: Online
Drop-in cost: Pay what you can
Details

Iyengar Yoga

Class options: Online
Monthly virtual membership: $50
Details

USNWC

Class options: Outdoor yoga every night
Location: South Ridge of the Whitewater Center
Drop-in cost: Free, parking is $6
Details

Be Yoga 

Class options: Virtual and outdoor
Location: Location of outdoor classes varies
Drop-in cost: $19
Details

Ebb and flow

Class options: Online classes and private pilates classes
Location: 2116 North Davidson St.
Drop-in cost:$35+
Details

Hilliard Studio Method

Class options: Outside, Zoom live stream, and on-demand
Location: 516 Fenton Pl.
Drop-in cost: $27
Details

The Barre Code

Class options: Online
Drop-in cost: $12 
Details

Carolina Barre and Core

Class options: Online
Drop-in cost: $24
Details 

Bootcamps/CrossFit

Sweat Method

Class options: Outdoor FIIT
Location: 1430 Winnifred St.
Drop-in cost: $15
Details

Camp Gladiator

Class options: Online and outdoor
Location: Various locations throughout Charlotte
Membership cost: $29+/month
Details

Bloc

Class options: Outdoor and online
Location: 1701 N Graham St. (Camp North End)
Drop-in cost: $10
Details

Ultimate Crossfit

Class options: Outdoor classes and open gym
Location: 704 West Tremont Ave.
Membership cost: $150+/month
Details

Crossfit Mecklenburg

Class options: Outdoor
Location: 228 Peterson Dr
Membership cost: $150+/month
Details

Crossfit ATP

Class options: Outdoor
Location: 1110 Morningside Dr.
Membership cost: $145+/month

Miscellaneous

Ride or Die Spin

Class options: Outdoor
Location: Lost and Found patio
Drop-in cost: $22
Details

Sweatnet

Class options: Outdoor
Location: Various locations throughout Charlotte
Membership cost: $9.95/month
Details

Fit Atelier

Class options: Outdoor and online
Location: 1930 Camden Rd
Drop-in cost: $23
Details

Cyclebar Midtown

Class options: Outdoor
Location: Free Will Craft + Vine (3701 N Davidson St.)
Drop-in cost: $23
Details

SmartCore Fitness

Class options: Outdoor
Location: Corner of McDowell St. and Morehead St.
Drop-in cost: $46.50
Details

YMCA of Greater Charlotte

Class options: Outdoor group fitness/open gym, online classes, pool access
Location: Several YMCAs are offering outdoor classes, including the Dowd in Uptown (400 E Morehead St.)
Membership cost: $36+/month
Details

Vibe5 Fitness

Class options: Online
Drop-in cost: $20
Details

Spotlight Fitness

Class options: Outdoor and online
Location: 4801 Chastain Ave.
Drop-in cost: $10
Details

For more training tips and workouts ideas, check out OrthoCarolina’s blog.

(This content was created in partnership with OrthoCarolina.)

Did we miss a social distance-friendly workout? Let us know by shooting a note to [email protected].