Boutique fitness studios offer individual instruction and extra motivation.
You can specialized attention with boutique gyms that offer a range of new options.
Goat Yoga. Aquacycling. Cross training. In the age of boutique fitness, it can feel like there are more fitness trends than there are days in the week to try them—and boutique chains have been adding new studios at a rate of 450 percent per year since 2010, according to the fitness-focused investment firm Piper Jaffray.
Boutiques appeal to committed exercisers and fitness fanatics who want to take classes a la carte and pay for their favorite class without a gym membership. They learn from expert trainers in a studio that’s tailored to their workouts.
“I believe small fitness boutiques have become so popular because they cater to the individual needs,” says Bridget Wilson of Native Barre Studios. “Because we are smaller, we can spend a lot of time on detail, and we also have a very tight and supportive community.”
Unlike a gym attended by a large crowd of people, boutique studios offer a more personalized experience. At a studio, “You are treated like you are the only person in the room,” says Wilson. For those who need an extra push or more accountability, taking classes at a specialized studio may be just the motivation they need.
