If you’ve lived in the Valley long enough, you know that Phoenix is a mecca for healthy living. Where else is there a mountain to climb smack dab in the middle of the city? Or year round biking temperatures? Or a web of canals perfect for getting your run on? Some of the healthy havens are right under your nose (you can’t really miss Camelback), some are under the radar. To find the healthiest hubs of them all, I went to Valley expert Trish Hendrickson, the Communications Coordinator for the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. It’s her job to know the secret spots and mainstream meccas—and everything in between. Here are her healthy picks:
CityScape and Gold’s Gym “Holiday Survival Camp”
This 6-week all-levels body blast is FREE and open to the public – and burns 500 calories per class! It runs Wednesday nights November 7 to December 19 from 5:30-6:30pm in Patriots Square (no class 11/21 for Thanksgiving). After the class, Copper Blues is offering participants specials on Skinny Margaritas ($7) and a Super Food Salad ($12). Free parking for up to two hours with validation in the CityScape Parking Garage.
Get FIIT
This is my personal fave since this is the gym I actually go to. FIIT is Fast Intense Interval Training, 30-minute sessions that combine resistance training, core and cardio for a total body workout. FIIT offers a three-day per week or a two-day per week program, as well as an “Intro to FIIT” class on Saturdays for FREE.
Inner Vision Yoga at Usery Mountain Park
With classes appropriate for all levels, yoga in the desert is a great opportunity for everyone to be inspired to explore your breath (pranayama) and fundamental postures (asana) to reinforce foundation and focus.
Fat Man’s Pass
Phoenix’s South Mountain Park is one of the greatest hiking spots in the Valley—and Fat Man’s Pass is a fairly easy hike that culminates in a 20-foot-long passage between smooth granite boulders only a foot apart in some places.
Morning Glory Café
Morning Glory Café is a signature Arizona breakfast spot, especially after hiking South Mountain. Relax by the organic gardens and enjoy a refreshingly local menu featuring the market’s finest ingredients
In The RA Fitness
Located in Phoenix, this group fitness studio features cutting edge classes you won’t find at any other gym: Grown-Up Hip Hop, Burlesque, Pilates fusions and Zumba with Live Drums. Your first class is only $5!
The Body Lab
The Body Lab offers a unique fusion of Pilates, cardio and strength training. It’s a Hollywood workout that many celebrities do to get their body in tip-top shape.
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen offers a globally inspired, seasonal menu appealing to anyone seeking a more balanced lifestyle. True Food Kitchen celebrates high quality, locally and regionally sourced ingredients to create a pure, simple menu that tastes great while nourishing mind, body and spirit.
