the best of austin fitness

Drop the "holidays" excuses: It's time to get in shape if you don't want to beswimming in a t-shirt this spring

Bar Method
Photo by Sam Marx
Gilbert Gazelle's
Catz

I'm going to say it, and it's going to freak you out: If you want a head start on spring and summer, it's time to get in shape.

I'm sorry, but someone had to put a stop to your never-ending "but it's just after the holidays" excuses. Before you know it, it'll be June and you'll still be cursing Christmas and swimming in a t-shirt. I would know. I've been there.

So, let's get started on some training. If you've ever been to Whole Foods on a Saturday, you've probably been stricken with nausea upon ingesting how many fit men, women and babies have just completed pre-dawn marathons and are sucking down green juices before they go helihiking and then swim a mile in alligator infested waters. Intrepid, that breed.

Next, I'm going to say something else you might not like: There are plenty of training opportunities — but they're going to cost you money. If you're like me, perhaps you need the financial commitment and prescribed training times to encourage you to stick to the program.

A fan of diverse workouts (but please, no hula hooping) below are programs that I've participated in and would personally recommend to you, dear readers.

Boxing

Austin Boxing Babes

It simply is the best way to release stress after a long work-day. Or a great work-day. Either way, I've never felt more mentally clear than when I was boxing.

Dudes (and ladies who want mixed company), check out Richard Lord's Boxing Gym.

Triathlons

Tough Cookie Fitness

This time last year, I didn't even know how to spell triathlon. But after a few weeks with Tough Cookies, I learned my body was much stronger than I suspected and was inspired by women from all walks of life who continually kicked my ass.

Gents, there are plenty of options for you too, including the YMCA, Jack & Adams, Tri Zones Training and Austin T3.

Running

Rogue Running

Rogue offers a rare meet-up opportunity on the East Side. Choose between morning or evening guided-runs and weekly core sessions.

Gilbert's Gazelles

I'll admit I haven't taken from Gilbert myself, but I've heard nothing but rave reviews.

Tennis

South Austin Tennis Center

Sign up for private lessons with another friend or join a clinic according to your level. And don't be scared to start at the bottom — I did (and subsequently "got too busy" to continue).

Mixed

Castle Hill workshops

You don't have to be a member of the gym to take any one of their special series. They are paid for as a package, and offerings include everything from kettle bell workouts to "Mommy Bootcamps" and pilates.

UT informal classes

Cardio kickboxing, swimming, bowling — you name it, they've got it.

CATZ

Task-oriented exercises that my coworker does before the sun even rises, and I think she's crazy for it. But she loves it. And she's pretty fit and happy.

CoreFit Training

Join in on group workouts in various outdoor places across Austin. You'll use lots of bands and your own body weight in ways you never thought possible.

Bar Method

I have to say I prefer it over Pure Barre, but to each her own. The low-impact workouts combine strength with flexibility and target problem areas that you've never been able to zap by yourself in the gym.

Wow. Do I have commitment issues? Maybe. But I also like a challenge... and a schedule. Push yourself, and I gaurantee you'll be surprised at what your body can do. Even in February!

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it's a lifestyle

Austin is one of the best places in America to be vegan, report says

The Beer Plant/thebeerplant.com

Vegans have made a large mark on Austin's local culinary scene.

Austin's vegan culinary scene has been steadily expanding over the last year, so much so that the Texas capital now ranks as the No. 6 best city in America for those living a plant-based lifestyle.

Austin moved up three spots in WalletHub's latest annual "Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians" study, after previously ranking No. 9 in 2023. The report analyzed 100 U.S. cities based on grocery affordability, vegetarian restaurant diversity, accessibility, and quality, and other vegetarian or vegan lifestyle considerations.

The city had a high affordability ranking with the sixth-lowest cost of groceries for vegetarians out of all 100 cities in the ranking. Laredo (No. 1); Greensboro, North Carolina (No. 2); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (No. 3); San Antonio (No. 4); and Tulsa, Oklahoma (No. 5) were the top five cities with the lowest grocery cost for vegetarians.

Factors that have enhanced Austin's diverse vegan scene throughout the year include a new bakery opening specializing in vegan olive oil cakes, and the addition of non-dairy mozzarella on the menu at all four Home Slice Pizza locations in Texas. But even larger chains are starting to make room at the dining table for vegans and vegetarians, too.

Home Slice vegan pizza It only took 19 years for Home Slice to find the perfect non-dairy cheese. Photo courtesy of Home Slice

"Just look at businesses like McDonald’s and Burger King incorporating Beyond Meat and Impossible burgers into their menus, for example," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "With meat prices rising significantly faster than vegetable prices, too, we may see a lot more people taking a foray into a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle in the near future."

Of course, Austin has plenty of legacy restaurants that focus just on vegan and vegetarian food, although they're subject to the same woes that keep other Austin restaurants on a tightrope between continued success and sudden closings. Bouldin Creek Cafe (with vegan and vegetarian versions of the same menu), Zucchini Kill, and the Beer Plant all have at least seven years under their belts; relative newcomers like the entirely plant-based fine dining restaurant Fabrik and sushi spot Nori also keep things fresh.

Gati vegan ice cream Gati, an East Austin shop specializing in vegan ice cream and vegan and gluten-free baking, offers more than 40 rotating flavors, like these seasonal pumpkin spice scoops.Photo courtesy of Gati

Austin was the only Texas city to make it into the top 10. Elsewhere in Texas, the only other cities to make it in the top 30 were Houston (No. 18), San Antonio (No. 20), and Dallas (No. 30).

The top 10 most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly cities in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Los Angeles, California
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Portland, Oregon
No. 4 – San Diego, California
No. 5 – Seattle, Washington
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Miami, Florida
No. 9 – Phoenix, Arizona
No. 10 – Tampa, Florida

The full report and its methodology can be found on wallethub.com.

wallethub reports rankings vegan vegetarian austin