Yoga, climbing, MMA: Check out these 5 Poughkeepsie gym alternatives

If your New Year's resolution is to be more physically active, but you're tired of the gym scene, the Poughkeepsie area offers plenty of alternative methods to add movement into your day.

Gyms may be intimidating, but these places offer a guide to make exercise a fun part of your routine and allow you to join the communities they've built around their fitness centers.

Below are five places to take a look at if you want to try something new in 2024.

Hot Yoga at Stone Wave Yoga Poughkeepsie

Stone Wave Yoga's Poughkeepsie location is situated right by Vassar College, at 2 Lagrange Ave., Suite 206. Liz Glover Wilson founded Stone Wave Yoga Poughkeepsie in 2019, and in 2023 just opened a second location in Gardiner. She said they welcome and invite all to join the yoga studio, having a diverse community and people of all ages and stages of life coming in.

The first floor holds their boutique studio, with classes including various types of yoga such as hatha, vinyasa, yin and restore, prenatal and ageless and vitality. Plus, they also offer mat Pilates, high-intensity interval training and sculpt classes.

On their second floor, you'll find the studio focused on hot and warm practices including hot 26, inspired by the Bikram Hatha sequence, and warm yoga classes such as vinyasa, pilates and yen.

"We're really focused on helping the student find the stability and strength within their own self, on the mat," she said. "I find these modalities actually have a longer lasting effect on my body because they're teaching me how to work with my own abilities and to continually strengthen that even as I get older."

They have a new student special at the moment, where you can get a five-class package for $35. You are given two weeks to explore their classes they hold seven days a week in both studios. They are also taking VCash from Vassar College now, so students have better accessibility to their classes.

However, they do not turn anyone away for lack of funds. "If somebody has financial needs, all they have to do is write me personally, and we have not turned anyone away," she said. "We really believe in yoga, and we believe that it's a great alternative and a great support for all body types."

To learn more about Stone Wave Yoga Poughkeepsie, check out their website.

Indoor climbing at Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym

If you've been thinking about trying rock climbing, Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gyms off Route 9 in Poughkeepsie may be a good place to start. Megan Mantione, the general manager, said they have a diverse community of climbers, with people of all ages and skill levels joining.

"We see folks from all different backgrounds come in," she said.

Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gyms in Poughkeepsie offers two types of climbing for beginners: top rope climbing and bouldering. The first consists of climbing their 35-foot walls with a harness, rope and someone standing at the bottom as the belayer. Bouldering on the other hand is a bit more intense, in which you climb without ropes on their 15-foot walls.

Mantione said they also have climbing meet-ups to provide a welcoming space to create friendships within the sport of rock climbing. On the second Thursday of each month, they have an LGBTQIA+ climbing night, and on the first Wednesday of each month they offer a queer climbing night in collaboration with Julie's Girls Club.

They also have BIPOC climbing meetups they started last month to bring greater accessibility to the sport.

Mantione said the facility is more than just a place to try indoor rock climbing and get exercise in. "It's really a community space," she said.

You can find more information on their website.

Looking for a climbing option in Ulster County? Try BC's New Paltz Climbing Gym.

More things to do: 10 things to do this winter in the Hudson Valley, now that the holidays are over

Indoor cycling, barre and sculpt at The Wheel House

If want to see what indoor cycling is like, The Wheel House at 33 Arlington Ave. Suite 1 in Poughkeepsie offers spin classes, along with barre and sculpt classes with people of all ages. The owner, Michelle Cherubini, said she understands how the big box gyms can be intimidating, with a sense of having to figure things out on your own or having to pay extra for a personal trainer.

"For some people that's their jam... However, a lot of people need a sense of community and a sense of direction," she said.

The Wheel House has worked to incorporate small group training in a community setting. "Whether it's your first class or your thousandth class, we're coaching you based on your skill set and strengths."

They also take into consideration any health issues or injuries you may have that would affect your workout, so you can set your own pace. "We want people to feel comfortable and welcomed and know that they're supported in their goals," she said. "We are a small gym with a big heart."

To see pricing and learn more about the woman-owned fitness center, check out their website.

More: New Year's resolution to get healthier? 6 ways to ensure you succeed

Jazzercize Poughkeepsie's dance-based workouts

If you like to dance, Jazzercize Poughkeepsie at St. John's Church gymnasium on Wilbur Boulevard holds classes that combine dance-based cardio and strength training.

Owner and instructor Melissa McCarthy said you don't need any prior dance experience to join. "The instructors cue all the movements and everything can be modified for all levels and abilities," she said.

People of all ages are welcome to their judgment-free and zero-intimidation environment. "One particular family comes to mind," McCarthy said. "We have a college student who comes in with her mom and her grandmother, so three generations all come in and take the same exact class together."

To further the community they're trying to foster, there are no mirrors. "Everybody's just looking at the instructor and nobody's looking at each other or making comparisons," she said.

Those who go to Jazzercise Poughkeepsie are looking to have a fun time, dance with their friends, listen to trendy music they know, with the benefits of physical activity as a bonus. To learn more about the facility, class schedule and how to sign up, check out their website.

Mixed Martial Arts Training at Precision Boxing & MMA

Just off Route 55 in Poughkeepsie, Precision Boxing & MMA will be celebrating 20 years in business in 2024.

They have training in western boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts available. "We brought all these styles together with the area's top experts and put them under one roof," said Brian McLaughlin, owner and head coach.

McLaughlin mentioned it might seem intimidating to join a mixed martial arts facility, especially with little to no prior experience. "We really believe in the code and etiquette of martial arts, and having a team and family-like atmosphere," he said.

Joining a facility like this can present you with unique challenges you haven't had before, and more of a reason to stay consistent with your exercise. McLaughlin said members have the opportunity to learn a new skill, participate in a sport with a competitive aspect, whether with yourself or the people you spar with, learn how to defend yourself and have the ability to make social connections you might not otherwise.

"I like to say our motto is that we're fighting for better lives," he said.

If you're looking to be the strongest version of yourself, see their website for more information on their class schedule, instructors, their facility and how to sign up.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: 5 Poughkeepsie fitness centers to try if you hate the gym